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A Review on Hydroponics and the Technologies Associated for Medium- and Small-Scale Operations

Author

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  • Roberto S. Velazquez-Gonzalez

    (CICATA Querétaro, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Cerro Blanco 141, Colinas del Cimatario, Querétaro 76090, Querétaro, Mexico)

  • Adrian L. Garcia-Garcia

    (CICATA Querétaro, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Cerro Blanco 141, Colinas del Cimatario, Querétaro 76090, Querétaro, Mexico)

  • Elsa Ventura-Zapata

    (Centro de Desarrollo de Productos Bióticos, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Calle Ceprobi No. 8, San Isidro, Yautepec 62739, Morelos, Mexico)

  • Jose Dolores Oscar Barceinas-Sanchez

    (CICATA Querétaro, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Cerro Blanco 141, Colinas del Cimatario, Querétaro 76090, Querétaro, Mexico)

  • Julio C. Sosa-Savedra

    (CICATA Querétaro, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Cerro Blanco 141, Colinas del Cimatario, Querétaro 76090, Querétaro, Mexico)

Abstract

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the world population will reach nine billion people in 2050, of which 75% will live in urban settlements. One of the biggest challenges will be meeting the demand for food, as farmland is being lost to climate change, water scarcity, soil pollution, among other factors. In this context, hydroponics, an agricultural method that dispenses with soil, provides a viable alternative to address this problem. Although hydroponics has proven its effectiveness on a large scale, there are still challenges in implementing this technique on a small scale, specifically in urban and suburban settings. Also, in rural communities, where the availability of suitable technologies is scarce. Paradigms such as the Internet of Things and Industry 4.0, promote Precision Agriculture on a small scale, allowing the control of variables such as pH, electrical conductivity, temperature, among others, resulting in higher production and resource savings.

Suggested Citation

  • Roberto S. Velazquez-Gonzalez & Adrian L. Garcia-Garcia & Elsa Ventura-Zapata & Jose Dolores Oscar Barceinas-Sanchez & Julio C. Sosa-Savedra, 2022. "A Review on Hydroponics and the Technologies Associated for Medium- and Small-Scale Operations," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-21, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:12:y:2022:i:5:p:646-:d:805954
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Devi Buehler & Ranka Junge, 2016. "Global Trends and Current Status of Commercial Urban Rooftop Farming," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(11), pages 1-16, October.
    2. Montesano, Francesco Fabiano & van Iersel, Marc W. & Boari, Francesca & Cantore, Vito & D’Amato, Giulio & Parente, Angelo, 2018. "Sensor-based irrigation management of soilless basil using a new smart irrigation system: Effects of set-point on plant physiological responses and crop performance," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 20-29.
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    Cited by:

    1. Xia Kuang & Hailan Qiu & Zhipeng Wang & Jiawei Wang & Feng Ye, 2025. "The Role of the Digital Economy in Promoting Sustainable Agricultural Development: Implications for Sustainable Food Security," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-16, April.
    2. Dimitra I. Pomoni & Maria K. Koukou & Michail Gr. Vrachopoulos & Labros Vasiliadis, 2023. "A Review of Hydroponics and Conventional Agriculture Based on Energy and Water Consumption, Environmental Impact, and Land Use," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-26, February.
    3. Neiko V. Nikolov & Atanas Z. Atanasov & Boris I. Evstatiev & Valentin N. Vladut & Sorin-Stefan Biris, 2023. "Design of a Small-Scale Hydroponic System for Indoor Farming of Leafy Vegetables," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-13, June.
    4. Angelika Więckol-Ryk & Alicja Krzemień & Łukasz Pierzchała & Matjaž Kamenik, 2025. "The Potential Use of Solid Waste and Mine Water for Land Rehabilitation of the Coal Mine-Affected Area in Slovenia," Resources, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-20, March.
    5. Thabit Alqardaeai & Abdulaziz Alharbi & Mekhled Alenazi & Abdulrasoul Alomran & Abdulaziz Alghamdi & Abdullah Obadi & Ahmed Elfeky & Mohamed Osman, 2025. "Effectiveness of Grafting in Enhancing Salinity Tolerance of Tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) Using Novel and Commercial Rootstocks in Soilless Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-18, May.
    6. Ankita Chopra & Prakash Rao & Om Prakash, 2024. "Biochar-enhanced soilless farming: a sustainable solution for modern agriculture," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 29(7), pages 1-21, October.

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