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History of Hydroponics

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The history of hydroponics dates back to ancient times. The term "hydroponics" comes from two Greek words: "Hydro," which means water and "ponos," which means labor.

Together, the two terms mean "working water." The practice refers to methods of growing plants with nutrient solutions. It implies a form of agriculture which does not utilize soil.

There are two ways through which soil-free plant growth is achieved. The first is through the use of a mineral nutrient solution only. The second includes a medium other than soil to offer support for the root system. Such mediums include gravel, mineral wool, and perlite.

These practices have developed greatly in recent history. This is a result of better understanding of plant needs as well as growing technology. Although the practice is now in vogue, the history of hydroponics is thought to extend back to Ancient Egypt.

Of course, a lot of the records dated back to such times are not viewed as reliable. However, experiments related to plant nutrition are known to have been undertaken by Theophrastus. This was a successor of Aristotle who lived from 372 to 287 B.C.

The earliest published work related to soil-free plant cultivation is attributed to Sir Francis Bacon. This was the book Sylva Sylvarum, published in 1627. This was a major influence on the growing popularity of water culture.

It was from the mid to late 1800s that the possibilities of mineral nutrient solutions were first studied. The use of such solutions quickly became a standard in the history of hydroponics. In fact, it is still widely used today.

In 1929, a professor from the University of California at Berkeley began to publicly promote the use of solution culture for agriculture. His name was William Frederick Gericke. He is credited with having first introduced the term of "hydroponics."

Gericke made many claims about the advantages of these techniques. However, he would not reveal any of his research. For that reason, two other plant nutritionists were asked to research his claims. These were Dennis R. Hoagland and Daniel I. Arnon, who were also from the University of California.

In 1938, they wrote a bulletin which debunked many of the claims related to hydroponics. Their focus rested upon crop yields, however. It did not address other benefits attributed to the method, which are considered remarkable today. These include that the root systems of plants have more oxygen available. The fact that plants can easily access the exact amount of water which they need.

The two researchers developed their own mineral solutions. These were known as Hoagland solutions. Today, modified versions of these are still in use.

Hydroponics served as a success in the 1930s on Wake Island. This area had no soil. Also, it was very expensive to deliver fresh vegetables to the island.

Today, hydroponics have been and continue to be extensively studied by NASA. These methods are used to produce larger, healthier, and more flavorful crops.

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