How Does Aeroponics Work?

Fundamentals

• Aeroponics and hydroponics are methods for growing plants in soilless environments. In hydroponic culture, plants grow with their roots submerged in nutrient-enriched water. In aeroponic culture, plants grow with their roots suspended in air while a mist system delivers air, moisture and nutrients to their roots. Plants that grow in aeroponic systems use water and nutrients efficiently because they are applied directly to roots and not dispersed in soil.

Water and Nutrients

• According to NASA, aeroponically grown plants use 98 percent less water, 60 percent less fertilizer and 100 percent less pesticide than plants that are grown in traditional soil media. NASA’s research shows that aeroponically grown plants are able to absorb more vitamins and minerals, which makes them healthier. Their preliminary findings indicate that these healthier plants are also more nutritious. Roots that are exposed to air remain oxygenated and do not succumb to rot from overwatering or diseases from soil-borne pathogens.

Results

• Ed Harwood, founder and CEO of Aero Farms, developed an aeroponic systems prototype for growing leafy greens. His research at Cornell Cooperative Extension for Agriculture indicated that aeroponics was the most efficient way to grow greens. Compared to conventional and greenhouse culture, aeroponic culture required no washing of harvested greens. It allowed year-round production, higher yields and no use of pesticides. NASA studies showed that tomato growers could start three times as many tomato plants from seeds each year using aeroponic systems because of shorter transplantation cycles.

Applications

• Commercial food production using aeroponic technology shows promising results, as evidenced by Aero Farms’ greens marketing. NASA’s space program is developing aeroponic systems to produce food for astronauts. By reducing the payload weight of ready-made food for astronauts, and allowing them to grow their own food after launch, space shuttles can hold more equipment. Some plants are difficult to propagate. Horticulturists and nursery owners benefit from the high rooting success rate of cuttings in aeroponic systems, according to ExtremeGrowing.com.