Another key to successful hydroponic agriculture is the plant diet. George Hochmuth has concentrated much of his research on creating the ideal nutrient solution for hydroponically grown plants. Plants must have varying combinations of 16 key elements to survive. While air and water supply carbon, oxygen and hydrogen, fertilizers supply phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen, sulfur, calcium, iron, magnesium, molybdenum and chlorine. As plants grow, they need differing amounts of these elements for example, if a plant receives too much nitrogen early in its life, it will tend to grow too quickly, which distorts leaves and stems, causing cracks which allow rot to get into the plant, according to George Hochmuth s research.
Nutrient needs can differ from farm to farm, depending on the composition of the water supply.
But once a farmer knows the mineral content of the well water used for irrigation, adjusting the nutrient recipe is a relatively simple task. While hydroponics may seem like the stuff of science fiction, changes in environmental laws may soon make it a more viable option to farmers faced with losing one of their most effective soil pesticides. Concerned about its effect on the Earth s protective ozone layer, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has enacted rules that will phase out the use of methyl bromide over the next five years. Methyl bromide is a soil fumigant that addresses the four biggest causes of crop damage insects, nematodes, diseases and weeds. It s been very effective in helping crops like tomatoes, strawberries and peppers.