Soil provides the plants with mechanical stability along with efficient nutrients. The roots of the plants expend energy for searching the nutrients and the water present in the ground.
Soil plays an essential role in the development of the roots and the plants. Moist water promotes the roots’ functioning and helps increase the absorption process and the surface roots.
But the technological advancement provides ease in gardening to promote more substantial growth of the plants. These innovative trends have provided the gardeners with ease.
It is due to the application of aeroponics and hydroponics. Both these techniques are to help the plants for better and more robust growth.
This guide will help you know the comparison between hydroponics and aeroponics:
What are Aeroponics and Hydroponics?
The main difference between Aeroponics vs Hydroponics is that Aeroponics is associated with hydroponics, but the soil is not involved in this technique. It supports the growth of the plant using nutrient solutions. On the other hand, the hydroponic process is responsible for irrigating the roots of the plants, and aeroponics directly sprays the solution directly into the bases.
Hydroponics:
Different strategies can be used to promote the plant’s growth like the roots can be flooded with the Deep Water Culture or the DWC hydroponics.
Hydroponics come in different levels and functions to replace the soil with the nutrient solution. The benefit of using this strategy is that it benefits the plant with no energy wasted.
Types of Hydroponics
The six types of hydroponics farming techniques are as follows
1. Wicking
2. Deepwater Culture (DWC)
3. Nutrient filming technique (NFT)
4. Ebb and flow
5. Drip system
6. Aeroponics
Pros:
- Better water efficiency
- More control over the nutrients and affordable technique
Cons:
- Diseases can spread easily
- Low oxygenation level
Aeroponics:
In this technology, the roots extend in the air and are directly provided with the direct nutrient spray.
Pros:
- Higher yield of the plant.
- Easier transplanting
- Better nutrient absorption
Cons:
- Higher maintenance and cost
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Differences Between Hydroponics and Aeroponics:
The primary difference between these techniques is the oxygen supply. Like in hydroponics, an oxygenated supply must be provided because the plant can face oxygen depletion.
But in the case of aeroponics, oxygen surrounds the roots all the time. Basically, in both techniques, the plants are provided with the hosting environment.
Let us have a look at the significant differences between hydroponics and aeroponics:
Impact of the Oxygen:
The two major components that comprise the growth of the plant include oxygen and moisture. Both these components promote the photosynthesis of the plants. Other than the oxygen supply also decides the development of these plants. If you are the personal caretaker of these plants, you must have to ensure that the plants are provided with the optimum oxygen levels.
In hydroponics, the plants are supposed to e provided with managed levels of oxygen. The reason behind this is the possibility of an infectious attack on these plants. The lack of oxygen supply can lead to an imbalance in the pH levels, algae, fungal growth, and stunt growth.
In aeroponics, oxygen takes part in the surplus growth of the plant and the roots. The combination of the sensor technology and the dynamic nutrient recipe leads to the better development of the plants. The imbalance in the oxygen levels can cause disruptions in the growing phases, flowering, blooming: pH levels and the fruiting cycles.
Growth and the Health of the Plants:
Concerning the health of the plants, aeroponics is considered to be of great advantage. Because aeroponics grows in an entirely protected environment, as they are sealed all around. Other than this, these plants are not exposed to any bacteria or fungi.
In hydroponics, higher humidity levels in the environment cause an increased risk of bacterial exposure. Aeration level must also be considered to enhance the plant’s growth and yield.
Environmental Influence:
Both of these plants are not considered harsh on the earth, as chemical fertilizers are not required. The resources of both these techniques are different.
In hydroponics, a larger supply of water is required, and the nutrient requirement is four times compared to aeroponics. It makes aeroponics competitively deal with the possible problems that can impact the plant’s growth. If we look at the percentage, aeroponic requires 95% less water and 98% less land farming methods.
So, this is how the environmental conditions influence the growth of aeroponics and hydroponics.
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Differences in the Farming Setup:
The design and the methodology of both these are different concerning the farming setup. Aeroponics love to grow in closed environments, and all the plant’s growing conditions are completely under control.
On the other hand, the crops are suspended in the air. Aeroponics promotes the growth of the plant in a humid environment. The closed environment lets the mist stay in the container for a more extended time, leading to faster growth and development.
In the case of hydroponic farming, the plants are not sprayed with a nutrient-rich solution. But on the other hand, the plants are made to grow in solutions that are rich in nutrition. So, this farming technique helps the growth of plants within the nutrient solution containers, or the solution can also be made to circulate the plant’s roots.
Recycling of the Water:
The design of the hydroponic farming technique is that it allows the recycling of the water. It means that you can enable your plants to grow in a sustainable garden.
It means that the lower waste levels of the water can help you reuse the essential nutrients required for the plant’s growth. This is not the case with aeroponics.
So, finally, you are not supposed to refill the reservoir if the nutrient and pH level is stable.
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Hydroponics and Aeroponics are different from Soil Gardening?
A list of benefits justifies that aeroponics and hydroponics are better than traditional soil gardening methods. Here is a list of facts that makes aeroponics and hydroponics better technique:
- Aeroponics and hydroponics are better in yield, leading to 3 to 20 times higher growth.
- Consumption of water is than the traditional farming methods.
- The plants thrive with fewer chances of disease and insect attack.
- The development of the plants gets to increase by 30 to 50%.
All the about points are enough to dictate that aeroponics and hydroponics are much better techniques than traditional farming.
Percentage of the Nutrient Absorption of Aeroponics and Hydroponics:
| Macronutrients | Hydroponics (%) | Aeroponics (%) |
| Nitrogen | 2.13% | 3.29% |
| Phosphorus | 0.82% | 1.25% |
| Potassium | 1.81% | 2.46% |
| Calcium | 0.32% | 0.43% |
| Magnesium | 0.40% | 0.44% |
Conclusion:
On a concluding note, the article discussed a comparison between hydroponics and aeroponics, highlighting different aspects. These farming techniques are much better than the traditional growing techniques.
They highly contribute to the rapid growth (with higher yield and profit), reduced risk of pesticide attack, and heavy metals. All these benefits helped in the better development of the plant. It is expected that most of the farming will shift to aeroponics and hydroponics shortly.
Moreover, using these techniques will provide greater chances of root zone control with more oxygen and less mechanical resistance in the soil.
So, avoid gardening in the bright sunlight, and try these techniques indoor to help your plants grow fast.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hydroponics vs Aeroponics
How much faster is Aeroponics vs Hydroponics?
Both these techniques have their specialties and grow differently, and you can choose any one of these techniques that suits your requirements. But the hydroponic method has to sacrifice the quality due to the increased quantity and the yield of the plants. On the other hand, aeroponics produces healthier plants, better outcomes, and lower running costs.
Is Aeroponics better than Hydroponics?
Yes, in some cases, aeroponics is better than hydroponics, as it promotes healthy growth and the development of plants. It is also a low-maintenance method and is suitable for an extensive range of crops.
Is Aeroponics cheaper than Hydroponics?
No, aeroponics is not cheaper than hydroponics and is a relatively expensive technique. It can also control the growth and the speed of the plants. Because in the case of hydroponics we are supposed to provide a balanced amount of nutrients to the plant and water can be recycled.
What are the disadvantages of using Aeroponics?
a. It is an expensive farming technique.
b. It is highly susceptible to power outages.
c. You must have the technical knowledge and experience to implement this technique.
d. You need to assess and monitor the plant continuously.