The word aeroponic is derived from the Latin meanings of 'aero' (air) and 'ponic' (work). Aeroponic growth refers to growth achieved in an air culture. Such conditions occur in nature.
In an aeroponic system, nutrients and water are sprayed onto the roots in an atomized or mist form by a high-pressure pump. This creates
quickly-moving water which is capable of delivering more oxygen because it is well agitated, like a waterfall. The presence of more
oxygen also discourages bacterial and fungal growth.
Aeroponics is the most effective root medium and delivers the most oxygen
to the roots. A dense soil may only deliver 30% oxygen to the roots, while a soilless mix will deliver up to 50%, and hydroponics
will deliver around 70% oxygen. With aeroponics the sky is the limit, you literally receive 100% possible oxygen to the roots.
Aeroponics
systems can reduce water usage by 95 percent, fertilizer usage by 60 percent, and pesticide usage by 100 percent, all while maximizing
crop yields. Plants grown in the aeroponic systems have also been shown to uptake more minerals and vitamins, making the plants healthier
and more nutritious.
Hundreds of varieties of plants have been cultivated by researchers, farmers, commercial greenhouse growers, and nursery operators. As an example, let's talk tomatoes. Tomato growers traditionally start their plants in pots, waiting at least 28 days before transplanting them into the ground. Using an aeroponic system, growers can start the plants in the propagation chamber, and then transplant them just 10 days later to the production aeroponic system. This advanced technology produces tomato crop cycle up to the entire year, instead of the traditional one to two crop cycles.
Additional Advantages of the Aeroponic System
In comparison with the traditional (soil) agriculture, hydroponics and aquaponic the
most relevant advantages of aeroponics are the following:
1. Limited water consumption. Aeroponics system has had commercial
success in desert areas such as Saudi-Arabia and
2. Agricultural success independent of land and soil quality.
Soil composition is not relevant because
soil is never used in the process.
3. Intensive food production on a limited land surface
area. The aeroponic growing system has the highest output per square foot of land per year of any system known.
4. The growing
system can be constructed near consumers. The greenhouse can be constructed near urban centers and markets, with consequent reduction
of freight costs and offering consumers freshly-cropped products.
5. Yields are independent from any seasonal adversity. This
includes cold, hot, windy, or dry weather, etc.
6. Non-stop production cycle ensures a constant market supply with more price
stability.
7. Automation of most agricultural operations with a limited necessity of farm-labor and farm equipment investments.
The simplicity and reliability of the mechanical system permits the employment of unskilled labor and the partially handicapped. Therefore,
it is possible to produce on a commercial aeroponic operation in areas without any agricultural tradition.
8. Social reevaluation
of agricultural work which in the aeroponic system is planned. This agricultural scheme follows an industrial model: daily fixed working-hours,
no more unsuitable back-breaking work in the environment but sheltered from the weather, no more seasonal or occasional work but uninterrupted
activity during the whole year.
9. Aeroponics is a 21st Century technology. Provides improvement in artificial life support for
non damaging plant support, seed germination, environmental control and rapid unrestricted growth.
10. Aeroponics has a "mist"-ifying
experience!