Background Research Rough Draft
The great philosopher Aristotle used to believe that the entire world was made up of four key elements: earth, fire, air, and water. After thousands of years, humans now know this to be false, but much of the world does revolve around some of these elements of nature. Without them, life as humans know it would not be possible. The world is changing every single day, evolving like the human race. Because the world is changing, humans need to change with it, well as the way humans do things. the human race are losing space, resources, and the environment due to exponential population growth and industrialization, and humans are losing time to preserve them. Water will run out, resources will run out, space for farming will run out, but the need for all of these will only increase. Therefore, the human race must find an effective and efficient substitute for modern methods of farming, which are eating up space as space becomes more and more crucial. Many experts have turned to hydroponics, a water-based growing method that utilizes space, time, and resources.
Hydroponics requires more care than soil gardens. Extra maintenance is needed because of the accelerated plant growth, and there are more possible problems (Van Patten, 2008). Larger farms that use hydroponics use large networks of plastic pipes with holes for the plants. To give the roots more support, plants can be placed in non-soil material but, can still be hydroponically grown (N/A, 2011). A hydroponic garden is not as forgiving as a soil garden even though the concept is very simple (Van Patten, 2008).
To live and grow, plants need 13 staple nutrients. One of these essential nutrients is nitrogen. Nitrogen is vital because it creates amino acids, which make up proteins and are necessary for protoplasm to be created, where cell division and plant growth takes place. Proteins are also needed for enzymatic reactions, and nitrogen is a big component of chlorophyll, which is essential in photosynthesis. Nitrogen is in vitamins, and improves dry matter found in leafy vegetables as well as protein in grain crops. Plants need phosphorus, which is vital for energy storage and transfer, makes up RNA and DNA, and are required for cells in seeds to grow and develop. Phosphorus also reduces risk of plant disease and improves crops.
Potassium is needed for plants because it boosts metabolism and activates enzymes. Potassium also maintains balance in photosynthesis, helps produce ATP, and aids plants in resisting disease. Another essential nutrient is calcium. Calcium detoxifies acids, activates enzymes, forms cell wall membranes, and improves crops by removing acid from limed soils. Magnesium is a large ingredient in chlorophyll, meaning it plays a major role in photosynthesis. It also factors in enzyme reactions, stabilizes ribosomes, and helps sugars move inside the plant.
Sulfur is also vital in plants. Sulfur forms proteins because it is in some amino acids. It also helps the metabolism of biotin, thiamine, and coenzyme A, as well as aids the production of seeds. Sulfur is also responsible for forming chlorophyll, forming nodule in legumes, and protein stabilization. Boron is another necessary nutrient, vital in the synthesis of an RNA base and cellular activities. Boron promotes root growth, is important in pollen germination and pollen tube growth, and is related to lignin synthesis. It is essential in specific enzyme activities, forms seed and cell walls and transports sugar.
Copper is also found in plants. This element is vital in enzyme systems, photosynthesis, chloroplast protein plastocyanin and electron transport chains, and synthesis and stability of chlorophyll. Chlorine, an element usually associated with pools, can be found in plants, and it performs many functions. In plants, chlorine helps the evolution of oxygen, increases pressure for osmosis of water in plant tissues, and plays a part in reducing diseases. Iron is vital in the heme enzyme system, chlorophyll synthesis and maintenance, reduction of nitrate and sulfate, and protein metabolism. The element Manganese works starting metabolic functions, improves photosynthesis, and oxidizes indole acetic acid. Molybdenum makes up two enzymes, nitrate reductase and nitrogenase, which are essential in nitrogen assimilation, and assists in nitrogen fixation in soil. Zinc is necessary in plants for tryptophan synthesis, and is an ingredient in metallo-enzymes. Zinc is also important in RNA and protein synthesis and activates the enzyme carbonic anhydrase. All of these nutrients are essential to a plant’s growth. Without any of them, the plant would not grow and develop the way it is meant to (Uchida, 2013).
Hydroponic plants can be grown in a watery solution of mineral nutrients instead of soil. The Hydroponics pipes supply a watery solution of nutrients to the plants. By adding minerals to a plant’s water supply, there is no longer any need for soil. Some of the mineral nutrient components are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (Roberto, K., 2014). A basic hydroponics solution consists of potassium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, monocalcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, monocalcium phosphate, and calcium sulfate dissolved into distilled water (Carlson, 2017). Water and a nutrient solution substitute for fertilizer and soil. In hydroponic systems, the nutrient level can be controlled so plants will produce less leafy foliage and flower buds (Van Patten, 2008).
Due to the fact that plants grown hydroponically do not have access to these essential nutrients through soil, nutrients must be added to the water the plants are grown in. This way, the plants will not be deficient of any of the key nutrients, and therefore will grow the way they would in soil. MaxiGro is a nutrient solution plant food made specifically for hydroponically grown plants. MaxiGro, or any nutrients being used in hydroponics, should be added to the water before the plants are placed in it, and then added regularly. MaxiGro has most of the essential nutrients required for ideal plant growth. MaxiGro has 10% nitrogen, including 1.5% ammoniacal nitrogen, and 8.5% nitrate nitrogen. It is also made up of 5% available phosphate, 14% soluble potash, 6% calcium, 2% magnesium, 3% sulfur, 0.12% iron, 0.05% manganese, and 0.002% molybdenum. 1-2 teaspoons of MaxiGro should be added per gallon of the water the hydroponic plants are placed in. The reservoir should be changed weekly, and with it, the MaxiGro. As the plants grow, the concentration of MaxiGro should also steadily increase (General Hydroponics, 2014).
There are two broad types of hydroponics, an active recovery system and a non-recovery system. Non-recovery hydroponic systems are not practical and pollute groundwater with high levels of nitrates, phosphates, and other elements. A non-recovery hydroponic system does not reuse the nutrient solution. Active recovery hydroponic systems use growing mediums to drain rapidly and hold plenty of air. This hydroponic system moves the nutrient solution. An active recovery hydroponic system reuses its nutrient solution after irrigation. Examples of an active recovery hydroponic systems are ebb and flow, and the nutrient film technique (Van Patten, 2008). There are six different types of active recovery hydroponics systems, wick, ebb and flow, nutrient film technique, water culture, drip, and aeroponic hydroponics. They all differ on how they regulate the nutrient solution (N/A, 2017). For the wick hydroponic system, plants are placed in a growing medium with a wick running from the roots to the reservoir of the nutrient solution (N/A, 2017). The nutrient solution is passively absorbed by the wick and brought to the roots (Van Patten, 2008). A wick hydroponic system requires no electricity,pumps, or aerators. This hydroponic system may work well for small plants but, it does not work well for plants needing lots of water ( N/A, 2017). The Ebb and Flow hydroponics system works with many plants because of the need of predetermined spacing. Another name for the ebb and flow hydroponic system is a flood and drain hydroponic system (N/A, 2017). These systems are easy to maintain, simple, and efficient (Van Patten, 2008). A growing medium placed in the grow bed is flooded with nutrient solution (N/A, 2017). Nutrient solution is pumped into the grow bed and containers are flooded from the bottom. Individual plants are set on a growing bed able to hold one to four inches of nutrient solution. Once the plant is supplied with water, a pipe drains the excess water (Van Patten, 2008). This system uses a channel of tubes to submerse the plant roots in the Hydroponic solution. The tube used for this is slightly slanted so the nutrient solution runs from the roots to the reservoir. The nutrient film technique works very well for plants that have smaller roots (N/A, 2017). Water culture is a good system for plants that produce bigger fruits (N/A, 2011). It is a simple and productive way to grow plants hydroponically (Van Patten, 2008). Water culture suspends the plants in air while the roots are dipped in the nutrient solution (N/A,2017). The roots are half submersed into the nutrient solution. An air pump lifts the nutrient solution to the top of the water to meet the roots of the plant (N/A, 2011). Drip hydroponics is able to be manipulated in many ways. The plant is placed in a moderately absorbent growing medium. The nutrient solution flows through individual tubes to each plant. The excess nutrient solution flows back into the reservoir (N/A, 2017). Aeroponics is a subset of hydroponics. Aeroponics consists of plants that are placed below a nutrient spray system which projects nutrients onto the roots constantly. Plants can grow on hollow PVC pipes, the plants are inserted into holes while the roots are exposed inside the pole (Conely,2010). Another alternative to this is to suspend the plant in air. Sometimes growing mediums and pots are not used and the plants are put in foam. Some people don’t consider Aeroponics a Hydroponic System. Areoponics doesn’t use soil, it uses a nutrient solution. Therefore, Aeroponics is a hydroponic system. A subset of Aeroponics is Fogponics, an advanced version of aeroponics. Fogponics uses a mist with smaller water particles. By having smaller water particles, the plant is able to absorb the solution faster. This speeds up the amount of time it takes to grow plants aeroponically (N/A, 2017). Aeroponics is the most nutrient efficient because you only need to provide what the plant requires (N/A, 2011).
Non-recovery hydroponic systems are not practical and pollute groundwater with high levels of nitrates, phosphates, and other elements. A non-recovery hydroponic system does not reuse the nutrient solution (Van Patten, 2008).
Examples of growing mediums are coco coir, rockwool, gravel, and moss (Conely, 2010). Coco Coir is another growing medium. Coco coir culture uses coco coir as a growing medium. Coco coir can be used as a supplement of rockwool. Rockwool culture uses rockwool as a growing medium. Rockwool is capable of holding 18% air so the roots receive oxygen (Anderson, 2017). Sand culture is the way to use hydroponics for sand cultured plants. For sand culture hydroponics, nutrient water is supplied to the plant using the subsurface drip irrigation (Conely, 2010). Gravel Culture is one of the best cultures to grow stronger plants. Gravel is commonly used as a growth medium for the ebb and flow system Plant Culture uses the nutrient solution as the growth medium (Anderson, 2017).
Hydroponics is very beneficial to the environment and serves as an uncontaminated way to produce food. It has been shown that plants grown in hydroponics can grow up to 50% faster (N/A, 2013). Plants grow and are ready to harvest faster because the food is dissolved in water and goes directly to the roots (N/A, 2016). Food is able to be taken in faster than it can be used (Van Patten, 2008). Hydroponics allows food to be grown in areas where there isn’t the correct soil to grow food (N/A, 2011). Plants grown in Hydroponics tend to grow well and produce high yields (N/A, 2011). Hydroponics has the potential to reduce groundwater pollution, soil conservation, and pest control (Carlson, 2017). Hydroponics helps save water, hydroponic gardens use about ⅔ less water than traditional gardens. Hydroponic gardens are able to recycle and reuse water, therefore saving large amounts of water needed for a traditional garden (N/A, 2013). It takes a large amount of space to grow food. Hydroponics can produce the same amount of produce as a traditional garden, using only about ⅕ of the space. Seasons do not affect the Hydroponic garden because it is indoors (N/A, 2013). By using Hydroponics, food can also be grown year-long because it is grown indoors (Roberto, 2014). Hydroponics is also useful with poor soil and harsh climates because it is grown indoors and does not need soil (Carlson, 2017).
Many people argue that because of the artificial conditions, the natural flavor is taken from the plant. As the concentration of the nutrients increases in the growing medium, the nutrients in the produce increases. Though, most of the nutrients will start to fade after the plant is harvested. Another factor concerning nutrients is how fresh the produce is. The fresher the produce, the more nutrient enriched it will be. Since, Hydroponics is grown indoors, there is no need for herbicides or pesticides. These plants loose the risk of being contaminated by a disease-causing bacteria. There are also benefits to using soil such as potential benefits from sod-based organisms. Farmers may not have to worry about physical conditions but, instead of using nature which happens to be free, farmers are paying a utility bill (Reinagel, 2016).
Most of a plant’s needed light can be provided artificially (Van Patten, 2017). Indoor gardeners can use High intensity discharge or HID lamps lamps to grow plants. HID lamps are very intense. HID bulbs are designed to be tough and durable. HID lamps are used to replace natural sunlight. These lamps produce the light needed to grow plants by passing electricity through vaporized gas enclosed in a clear ceramic arc tube under very high pressure. HID lamps outperform all other lamps in lumens-per-watt efficiency, spectral balance, and brilliance. The most popular HID wattages are 150, 175, 250, 400, 430, 600, 1000, and 1100 watts. Types of HID lamps include mercury vapor, metal halide, high pressure, sodium, and conversion bulbs. The most similar bulbs to actual sunlight are metal halide, HP sodium, and conversion lamps. The universal metal halide bulbs are designed to operate in any given position. Phosphorus coated halides give off more diffused light. They emit less ultraviolet light than clear halides. Clear halides work well for vegetative, flower, and seedling growth. Clear halides are most commonly used for indoor gardens. Clear super metal halides supply the bright lumens needed for plant growth (Van Patten, 2017). Light was the limiting factor for indoor growing of plants needing lots of sun. The light plants need to grow must have a proper spectrum and intensity to ensure rapid growth. Plants only use certain portions of the light spectrum.Between 400 and 700 nanometers is the main portion of light used by plants. Light can be measured in spectrum of kelvin temperature which expresses the same color the bulb emits. Spectrum controls the plants ability to orient leaves toward light. Each color in a light spectrum sends a separate signal to the plant. Each color in the light spectrum promotes a different kind of growth. The blue and red range of the light spectrum are the most important colors for maximum chlorophyll and photosynthetic response. A plant “see’s” much more of the light spectrum than the human eye. Light visible to the human eye is measured in footcandles and lux. Plants use the PAR region of the spectrum unlike humans, who see the central part of the spectrum. This region is the Photosynthetically Active Radiation Zone or PAR zone. PAR watts are the measure of the actual amount of specific photons needed for plant growth. The measure of light energy is called photons. Photosynthesis is activated by the assimilation of photons. Scientists have difficulty measuring the difference between different color photons. An example of this is that blue photons are worth more than red photons but, the difference is not exact. The peak of kelvin temperature in which the colors in a bulb are stable is the Color Corrected Temperature or the CCT rating. CCT ratings help classify bulbs by telling the overall color of the light emitted. The Color Rendering Index or CRI tells s the concentration of the colors emitted. The higher the bulbs CRI, the better it is for growing (Van Patten, 2017).
When a plant is closer to the light source, it absorbs more PAR watts and therefore grows better. Every six inches closer to an HID virtually doubles the light intensity. Having low light intensity is often caused by the lamp being too far away from the plant. At the same time, the plant can not be to close to the light because of the chance of burning foliage. High-wattage lamps have lumens-per watt and the PAR rating is higher than the smaller bulbs. Lighting from above is more effective than side-lighting. To ensure even distribution of light, rotate the plants (Van Patten, 2017) The intensity of the artificial light should be about 20-50 watts (Roberto, 2014). The relationship between the duration of light and dark periods are called photoperiods. Van Patten, 2017). Most plants need about sixteen to eighteen hours of light per day (Roberto, 2014). No matter what lamp is used, the amount of light emitted is constant (Conely, 2010). Compact Florescent Lights are an alternative to HID lamps. The HID lamp is stronger and more bright than compact fluorescent lamps. Compact fluorescent lamps have been available since the early 1990s. Compact fluorescent lamps are available in two styles, one in a larger U shape or several small U shapes put together. The first type, in a U shape, are commonly 20 inches and 55 watt bulbs. The second type, the several small U’s, are commonly eight to twelve inches. Some examples of compact fluorescent lamp wattages include 55 watt and 65 watt. The lights are inconvenient because of the low wattage. The light given off from compact fluorescent lamps fades fast and must be placed close to the plants (Van Patten, 2017).
Plants can be grown indoors as well as outdoors. The best place for an indoor garden is the basement, where a constant temperature is easy to maintain, and the walls are thick and well-insulated. The worst place for an indoor garden is an outbuilding, garage, or barn. The largest limiter of growth in an indoor garden is light. This issue can be solved by using lamps, which provide a substitute for sunlight. The number of lamps needed for an indoor garden varies based on the size of the garden. The lamp should be placed 12-36 inches above the plants. When plants are grown indoors, the room should have a humidity of 40-50%, and a temperature of 70-75° F during the day and 55-60° F at night. The room should also have proper ventilation and circulation, no mold, and no spider mites. The gardener should constantly check the ph and water, rotate the plants, cultivate the soil surface, check for nutrient deficiencies, and follow a regular fertilization schedule (Van Patten, 2017).
Plants, just like humans, need energy to grow and reproduce. Plants need food to provide them with this energy. They get this food through photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process through which plants make food for themselves, which is necessary for plant growth. To perform photosynthesis, plants need water, light, and air. The tops of the leaves trap light using a pigment called chlorophyll. Once the ingredients for photosynthesis are collected, the sunlight converts them into food for the plant. This food is a sugar called glucose. Then the glucose is broken down for the plant to use as energy in a process known as cellular respiration. To grow well, plants need different things depending on the plant, but all plants need nutrients, space, and the correct temperature. The incorrect amount of any of these thing could jeopardize a plant’s growth (Spilsbury, 2008).
Water is the most important nutrients for starting germination in nearly all seeds. After germination, the root is the first to emerge. The absorption of water is the responsibility of the roots. Water will nourish the seedling. The next thing to start growing is the shoot. The shoot consists of the stem and the leaves. The shoot will start to push upwards as the plant grows and develops. The embryo gets energy from the starch or fat found in the cotyledon. The embryo uses this energy to grow, as well as for the building blocks the cotyledon also supplies. This is the first phase of the plant’s life. Next, as the stem grows, the plant will soon form leaves. If all goes well, it will develop chlorophyll, a green pigment necessary for leaves to capture the energy from sunlight for photosynthesis (Partnerships for Reform through Investigative Science and Math, n.d.).
The most vital part of a plant is the root system, because this is where cells are divided to create new cells, therefore allowing the plant to grow. The root tip is the most important part of the root system. At the very end of the tip, cells divide rapidly. This area is called the meristematic region. Just above that is the zone of elongation, where divided cells lengthen and push the root tip forward, allowing it to grow down. Next is the zone of differentiation, where cells start to have specific functions (Tjosvold, 2017).
Mint, an herb known for its fragrant leaves, is a perennial with tiny flowers that could be purple, pink, or white. Mint has an aromatic, fruity taste, and should get full sun exposure and be planted in loamy soil. The botanical name of mint is “mentha”. Mint comes in many different varieties and types. Features that may differentiate between types of mint include shiny versus fuzzy, smooth versus crinkled, bright green or variegated. Despite these differences, all mint plants have a fragrant scent and square stems. Mint can be planted and used for many different purposes. It can be used as herbal medicine, air fresheners, ground covers, or garden accents. Mint can thrive in the shade or the sun, is easy to grow, and are functional. One downside of growing mint is that they can spread quickly and easily, so the gardener must be careful about where she plants it. Mint prefer light soil with a good drainage system, and a moist environment. The native habitat of mint is along stream banks, so a similar site or setting is ideal for them. Some types of mint plants may need some shade or some other sort of sun protection (Old Farmer’s Almanac, n.d.).
Bean Pole Kentucky Wonder beans, or phaseolus vulgaris, are heirloom beans. Kentucky Wonder beans belong to the Fabaceae, formerly Leguminosae, Pea, Bean, or Legume family. The Fabaceae family includes soybeans, beans, lupines, peas, and peanuts. Phaseolus vulgaris are native to Tropical America and are annual, meaning they are very frost sensitive. Phaseolus vulgaris are a type of snap bean, the most common bean type in America. Previously known as “string beans”, snap beans come in two varieties: bush or pole. Phaseolus vulgaris are of the pole variety, meaning they produce fruit later, but over a longer period of time. Bean Pole Kentucky Wonder should be sown outside one to two weeks after the last frost, and successive sowing should be planted every 7 to 14 days for at most 80 days prior to the first fall frost. They should be spaced 2 seeds every 4 inches, with 3 foot row spacing. Thinning is not required for Bean Pole Kentucky Wonder beans. The ideal soil temperature for sowing Bean Pole Kentucky Wonder beans is 70-85°F, and if it is over 90°F, the flowers will fall off, preventing bean formation. Starting Bean Pole Kentucky Wonder beans inside is not recommended. For optimal growing conditions, the soil should be rich in organic matter, have a good drainage system, and be loose as well as warm. If the soil is heavy, increased drainage is necessary, and sowing the beans in raised ridges will accomplish this. The beans should be watered regularly, as they grow best when the soil is moist but not soggy. The soil should be watered, not the foliage, because doing so will help avoid fungal diseases. To prevent spreading such diseases, the gardener should not enter the bean patch after rain or morning dew. Bean Pole Kentucky Wonder beans should get full sun exposure. Because beans produce their own nitrogen, fertilizer is not required. In fact, using fertilizer may increase the number of leaves and reduce the amount of beans produced. It can take anywhere from 4 to 10 days for Bean Pole Kentucky Wonder beans to emerge. Once every three years, the location of the bean patch should be rotated so they are not grown in the same place. When the pod breaks cleanly in half, snap beans are ready to be picked. At this point, the pods should be several inches long, and the seeds are still forming. To harvest the beans, one hand should be holding the stem while the other holds the pod. This will prevent the gardener from pulling off branches. When beans are harvested often, especially if this is starting early in the season, more beans will be produced due to flower stimulation (Bean Pole, n.d.).
The garden soil is made up of much more than just dirt. Typical garden soil is about 50% pore space, which could be occupied by air or water. Mineral solids make up 40 to 45% of usual soil. The remaining 5 to 10% consists of organic matter. Below the soil surface, inside the soil, algae, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, and macroscopic organisms are typically found. Algae are mostly found in the top layer of soil, with light and moisture. They convert sunlight into sugars using photosynthesis, like plants. Bacteria frees of things that plants need to live, like carbon and nitrogen, by breaking up organic residue. Fungi, another decomposer, helps plants by exchanging nutrients and water with their roots through a symbiotic relationship. Protozoa are vital to the mineralization of nitrogen, and feed on bacteria and fungi. Nematodes are also decomposers, but the most populous organisms in soil are predators and prey as well. Macroscopic Organisms help drainage and the structure of the soil. Some examples are insects, arthropods, and earthworms (Schindelbeck, 2016).
Tap water varies greatly, depending on where it is collected, but there may be more than just H2O in tap water. Pesticides may be in tap water. Insecticides and herbicides, like atrazine, which causes hormonal imbalances in animals, seep into groundwater and wash into rivers and lakes. Fluoride is another inhabitant of some tap water. Rocks release fluoride as they erode, and many communities add it to the water supply. Hydrogen sulfide can also be found in tap water. Hydrogen sulfide is harmless and found in nature, but it stains, smells like rotten eggs, and corrodes water pipes. Another substance that can be found in tap water is pharma. Every sort of pharma that is released from bodies finds its way into the lakes and rivers that supply water. Copper is also in tap water where it is supplied by old pipes. The copper leaches into the water from the old pipes, and just 1.3 milligrams of it will leave water with a medicinal taste, and maybe a greenish tint. Chlorine is usually in tap water, too. Chlorine is added at treatment facilities to cleanse the water by using it as a disinfectant, but some of these have been found to produce miscarriages. Another deadly substance sometimes found in tap water is arsenic. Water treatment plants should remove arsenic, but the naturally occurring cancer-causer must still be periodically tested for. Lead may be in tap water. Lead can enter drinking water via corroded pipes and contaminate it. Water containing lead will develop permanent learning disabilities in children. Algae, which is found in the water sources that supply tap water like lakes and ponds, can remain in tap water. Even after being treated, water will have a musty, fishy taste. Salts can be found in tap water. Salts are normally found in water, but saltiness may be the result of a waste-water leak. A large amount of sodium-sulfate or magnesium-sulfate salts may cause constipation. Many of these things can alter plant growth or even kill a plant (Feltman, 2017).
Times are changing for the world, and times are changing for agriculture. The world is calling for a newer, faster, better, and less space consuming way to grow plants. here are many ways to grow plants and many ways that are seen as more efficient ways of growing plants. The serious demand for food om the world has brought more attention to this question. Our entire human race depends on plants and water. Without them we, and all other forms of life on Earth, would not be able to survive. We need plants and water, Without them, the world as we know it would cease to exist.
2017-11-16-1510869462