Difference between revisions of "Aeroponics"
Line 4: | Line 4: | ||
This method provides several advantages to a colony on Mars: | This method provides several advantages to a colony on Mars: | ||
− | * Water Conservation | + | *Water Conservation |
− | * [[Disease]] Control | + | *[[Disease]] Control |
− | * Increased Crop Yield | + | *Increased Crop Yield |
+ | |||
+ | === Disadvantages === | ||
+ | |||
+ | * Aeroponics plants do not have a buffer of soil to temper changes or any type of technical problem. So they need constant monitoring and are somewhat less stable than soil grown cultures. | ||
+ | * Monocultures are susceptible to disease. | ||
+ | * Salt buildup, and basically any contaminant buildup in the water, needs to be controlled. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The long term need for aeroponics in a martian settlement is debatable. Plants will produce excess biomass, and all living beings will produce waste, that can be incorporated into soil. So the amount of soil available to a settlement naturally grows with time. | ||
[[Category:Growing Methods]] | [[Category:Growing Methods]] |
Revision as of 18:51, 3 August 2019
Aeroponics is the growing of plants with the roots exposed to the air. Water and nutrients are misted or sprayed on the roots.
Advantages
This method provides several advantages to a colony on Mars:
- Water Conservation
- Disease Control
- Increased Crop Yield
Disadvantages
- Aeroponics plants do not have a buffer of soil to temper changes or any type of technical problem. So they need constant monitoring and are somewhat less stable than soil grown cultures.
- Monocultures are susceptible to disease.
- Salt buildup, and basically any contaminant buildup in the water, needs to be controlled.
The long term need for aeroponics in a martian settlement is debatable. Plants will produce excess biomass, and all living beings will produce waste, that can be incorporated into soil. So the amount of soil available to a settlement naturally grows with time.