History of Hydroponics.
Hydroponics basically means working water ("hydro" means "water" and "ponos" means "labor"). Many
different civilizations have utilized hydroponic growing techniques throughout history. As noted in
Hydroponic Food Production (Fifth Edition, Woodbridge Press, 1997, page 23) by Howard M. Resh:
"The hanging gardens of Babylon, the floating gardens of the Aztecs of Mexico and those of the Chinese
are examples of 'Hydroponic' culture. Egyptian hieroglyphic records dating back several hundred years
B.C. describe the growing of plants in water." Hydroponics is hardly a new method of growing plants.
However, giant strides have been made over the years in this innovative area of agriculture.
Throughout the last century, scientists and horticulturists experimented with different methods of
hydroponics. One of the potential applications of hydroponics that drove research was for growing fresh
produce in nonarable areas of the world. It is a simple fact that some people cannot grow in the soil in
their area (if there is even any soil at all). This application of hydroponics was tested during World War
II. Troops stationed on nonarable islands in the Pacific were supplied with fresh produce grown in locally
established hydroponic systems. Later in the century, hydroponics was integrated into the space program.
As NASA considered the practicalities of locating a society on another plant or the Earth's moon,
hydroponics easily fit into their sustainability plans. This research is ongoing.
But by the 1970s, it wasn't just scientists and analysts who were involved in hydroponics. Traditional
farmers and eager hobbyists began to be attracted to the virtues of hydroponic growing. A few of the
positive aspects of hydroponics include:
l The ability to produce higher yields than traditional, soil-based agriculture
l Allowing food to be grown and consumed in areas of the world that cannot support crops in the
soil
l Eliminating the need for massive pesticide use (considering most pests live in the soil), effectively
making our air, water, soil, and food cleaner
Commercial growers are flocking to hydroponics like never before. The ideals surrounding these
growing techniques touch on subjects that most people care about, such as helping end world hunger and
making the world cleaner. In addition to the extensive research that is going on, everyday people from all
over the world have been building (or purchasing) their own systems to grow great-tasting, fresh food for
their family and friends. Educators are realizing the amazing applications that hydroponics can have in
the classroom. And ambitious individuals are striving to make their dreams come true by making their
living in their backyard greenhouse, selling their produce to local markets and restaurants.