Historically, hydroponics is not a new field; plant physiologists have known and used it for some 100 years. Inevitably, some enthusiasts got carried away.Claims were made of enormous potential yields; skyscraper tops were said to be capable of producing enough food for all of their occupants; and closets, basements, garages, etc. were wishfully converted into fields for hydroponic culture. Numerous publications on the subject appeared during this period. Basic requirements for hydropinc techniques are given along with examples of where soilless culture has been used commercially

Chapman, H. D.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

JPL SEMINAR PROCEEDINGS 
CHAPMAN 
Agriculture' 
- w w -  
Hydroponics 
Hydroponics or Soilless Culture 
Tomato 
Rice' 
Pototo 
Cornb 
lettuce 
Beet root 
French beon 
Cou lif lower 
Historically, hydroponics is not a new field; plant phys- 
iologists have known and used it for some 100 years. 
(Knop is credited with having originated the method 
around 1860.) During the late 1930s, a great upsurge of 
interest in soilless culture took place. Inevitably, some 
enthusiasts got carried away. alaims were made of enor- 
mous potential yields; skyscraper tops were said to be 
capable of produking enough food for all of their occu- 
pants; and closets, basements, garages, etc. were wishfully 
converted into fields for hydroponic culture. Numerous 
publications on the subject appeared during this period 
( see Bibliography). 
12 Ib/plant 27.4 Ib/plant 
10 Ib/plant 22.5 Ib/plant 
3000 Ib/acre 9000 Ib/acre 
60,000 Ib/ocre 130,000 Ib/acre 
140,000 Ib/acre 
6000 Ib grain/acre 2000 Ib groin/acre 
9000 Ib/acre 2 1,000 Ib/acre 
9000 lblocre 2Q.QQQ Ib/acre 
210 lb/1000 ft' 
15,000 Ib/acre 32,000 Ib/acre 
588 lb/1000 ft' 
Although, in fact, the yields obtained with soilless 
culture can be excellent ( see Table 1 ), they are generally 
no greater than those obtainable in good soil without 
the addition of similar chemicals. It is probably easier in 
terms of effort involved to get high yields with hydro- 
ponics; the quality of the foodstuffs is satisfactory; and 
the seed produced is viable. Where no soil is available, 
such as in rocky areas, on steep hillsides and mountains, 
and on water and marsh surfaces, soilless culture is defi- 
nitely advantageous ( see Table 2 ) . Where good soil and 
water are available, on the other hand, there are at 
present no special advantages to the use of hydroponics. 
Problems of insects and plant disease are no less, and the 
construction, control, and operations costs exceed those 
incurred with standard agricultural methods. In the 
future, with increasing pressure of population, the soilless 
culture of foodstuffs will in all probability come into 
much wider commercial use. ( See Table 3 for locations in 
which hydroponics has been used commercially to date.) 
Table 1. Comparative yields - agriculture vs hydroponics 
1 
Location 
per ft' 
- 
- 
0.20 
2.90 
3.20 
0.1 4 
0.48 
0.46 
0.58 
0.73 
California 
India 
India 
Californio 
India 
India 
India 
India 
India 
India 
, 
L 
1 0  
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19670087142 2020-03-12T05:39:28+00:00Z
b 
I 
Iwo Jim0 ond 
Woke lslond 
JPL SEMINAR PROCEEDINGS 
HYDROPONICS O R  SOILLESS CULTURE 
lock of good soil, 
economics (war) 
Table 2. Advantages of soilless culture 
8ohrein 
lroq (Hobbiniyah) 
India 
Moximol yields (more research needed) 
Use in oreos where soil unovoiloble; steep hillsides, mountoins, 
rocky, gravelly areas, unused paved oreos, roofs, basements 
(light necessary), window boxes, verandas, etc. 
Freedom from weed problem 
Bottor control of diseases 7 
Better control of insects? 
Elimination of salinity problems 
Eliminotion of droinoge problems 
lock of good soil 
lock of soil 
lock of good soil, shipping, 
economics, population 
density 
Table 3. Some locations where soilless culture has 
been used commercially 
United Stotes 
Englond 
Probable purpose or mason 
for use Locotion 
food supply 
Substitute for soil 
Cultivotion of specialty 
crops, such os tomotoes, 
flowers, etc. 
Growing of cornations 
Curocao lock of good soil 
Jopon I US. Army personnel 
h s o n t  position 
? 
Not used now; fresh 
fruit ond voge- 
tables flown in 
7 
7 
Stil l  underway in 
1955 
Discontinued 
In use and interest 
increosing 
Many discontinued 
7 
The basic requirements for the growing of plants by 
1. Substrate-gravel, sand, cinders, haydite, vermicu- 
lite, water. 
2. Nutrient solutions (see Table 4 and example, Table 
5)-chemicals in salt, tablet,'or solution form (Table 
6)  ; synthetic resins; possibly fertilizer salts [KNO,, 
MgSO,, CaH, ( PO, ) 2, etc.]. 
the soilless culture method are as follows: 
3. Water ( see Tabie 7 j I 
4. Air-carbon dioxide and oxygen (Table 8). 
5. Light-minimum, 2000 ft-c; optimum, 4000 ft-c 
(Tableg). 
Table 4. Methods of supplying nutrients' 
r 
Concentrated stock solutions of vorious salts 
Pockets of dry chemicols to known omounts of solution or sprinkled 
on top of bed 
Compressed tablets 
Synthetic resins, onion- and cation-soturoted 
Iron, os finely divided mognetite; olso chelates 
Frits, for Zn, Mn, B, Cu, and Fe 
Perforotd, plastic-cooted chemicol pockets o possibility 
.F.rtliizer ond technical grod. salts con bo u s d .  
Table 5. Example of hydroponics nutrient solution 
Compound 
707.7 
708.5 
246.5 
196.0 
7.4 
1.54 
0.93 
1.1 1 
0.72 
0.1 2 
0.01 6 
I 870.4 
Nutrient 
ruppl id '  
N 
K 
N 
Co 
Mg 
S 
N 
P 
K 
CI 
B 
Mn 
Fe 
Zn 
cu  
Mo 
13 ale- 
ments 
total  conon- 
tmtion in final 
aoIutionb 
PPm 
N 198 
K 273 
Co 120 
Mg 24 
S 32 
P 31 
CI 3.50 
B 0.27 
Mn 0.27 
h 0.22 
Zn 0.16 
Cu 0.03 
Mo 0.009 
682.46 
* lhir tnn elements ore eswntiol in vorioble omounts. 
Wino1 solution contoins obout 2 0 of toto1 salts per Ilhr. 
5ot/SfQc101y 
rariotionr 
PPrn 
50-400 
50-400 
50-400 
12-1 20 
1 +so0 
10-200 
1-50 
0.1-0.5 
0.1-1.0 
0.1-1.0 
0.1-0.5 
0.01-0.2 
0.01 -0.1 
6. Temperature-acceptable range, 32-120°F; optimum 
7. Humidity-2%90% preferred but not essential. 
range, 60-100"F (Table 10). 
In addition to these basic requirements, protection 
must be provided against weather extremes, air pollution, 
and excessive radiation, as well as insects and disease. 
Also, some means must be devised of checking the nutri- 
ent solution periodically for conductivity, pH, etc., and 
of making appropriate adjustments. Table 11 presents a 
list of the types of containers that may be used for hydro- 
ponic plantings. 
JPL SEMINAR PROCEEDINGS 
CHAPMAN 
Major salt 
Sodium nitrate (NoNOa) 
Ammonium sulfote ( [NHIIYSOI) 
Calcium sulfote (CaSO, * 2H10) 
Superphosphate (Cak [ PO,] Y) 
Potassium sulfate (KYSOI) 
Trace element mixture 
Zinc sulfote 
Mosganere chloride 
Magnesium sulfate (MgSO,' THIO) 
Table 6. Chemical mixture' 
Weight 
5 02 
3 02 
1.5 02 
3.0 oz 
4.0 oz 
2.5 oz 
0.5 g 
5.3 g 
16.0 g 
Plant 
Millet 
Sorghum 
Corn 
Barley 
Wheat 
Oats 
RY e 
Legumes 
Grasses 
.Applied a t  rate of 1.0 01 per week to 9 Ha o f  trough space will provide sufficient 
nutrients. 
Water transpired 
per Ib dry mattorb 
Ib 
187-367 
272-303 
253-495 
394639 
Table 7. Water requirements of plants 
Relative 
requiremente 
1 .oo 
1.14 
1.31 
1.94 
2.09 
2.1 8 
2.37 
2.81 
3.10 
CAff.cted by humidity, fertility (leaa water required for excellent than for poor 
ground), soil moisture (good moiature supply rmducea woter requirementl, and 
dis.aua (leaf ruata increou woter requirement). Under optimum condition] of 
humidity, fertility, etc., a t  least 100.150 I b  of water would probably ba required 
por pound of dry matter. 
Research in hydroponics is currently being conducted 
quite vigorously. At Scripps, Drs. W. H. Thomas, F. T. 
Haxo, K. A. Clendenning, Ralph Lewin, and Joyce Lewin 
are culturing algae. The following are also reported to be 
doing work on algal culture: 
Dr. Mary Belle Allen 
Kaiser Foundation Laboratory of Algal 
Research Inst. Physiology 
S. 14th and Cutting Blvd. University of Texas 
Richmond, California Austin 12, Texas 
Dr. Jack Myers 
Table 8. Carbon dioxide requirements of plants' 
for photosynthesis 
Normal content of oir an Earth: 3 parts CO: in 10,000 of air (by 
volume) = 0.03%; higher in industrial areas, close to soil, and in 
soil (e.g., 5 to 10 times higher in sail). 
Source of COz: respiration of plants and animals, argonisms, com- 
bustion of wood, coal, petroleum, disintegration of rocks (e.9.. 
CaCOd, volcanoes, water in streams, oceans, etc. 
10,000 I of oir contain 1.7 g of carbon. 
One acre of corn wauid need the COz out of 20.000 tons of air where 
concentration of COZ i s  3 parts in 10,000. 
There i s  evidence that roots can absorb some carbon from dissolved 
CO, in the soil solution. 
Photosynthesis can be increased by increasing the COX of the air. 
(Warburg, using chlorella, obtained a proportional increase from 
0.05 to 10% COY in the air. Toxicity and other limiting factors 
came into play (Le., light, stomata numbers, etc.). 
When COY i s  10 to 15% in air, it inhibits growth. 
For 610 Ib dry matter, assuming 50% carbon content, 1,120 Ib CO? 
would be required. 
.In a cloamd system in  equilibrium with man, C 0 2  would be reused continuolly. 
Dr. Michael Droop 
Marine Station 
Millport, Scotland 
Dr. G. E. Fogg 
Department of Botany 
University of London 
Gower St., 
London, W.C. 1, England 
Dr. R. R. L. Guillard 
Woods Hole Oceanographic 
Woods Hole, Massachusetts 
Inst. 
Dr. R. W. Krauss 
Department of Botany 
University of Maryland 
College Park, Maryland 
Dr. Jack MacLachlan 
Division of Biology 
National Research Council 
Ottawa, Canada 
Dr. Mary Parke 
Marine Biological 
Association 
Citadel Hill 
Plymouth, England 
Dr. Luigi Provasoli 
Haskins Laboratories 
305 E. 43rd Street 
New York 17, New York 
Dr. J. D. H. Strickland 
Pacific Oceanographic 
Nanaimo, B. C., 
Group 
Canada 
Dr. Janet Stein 
University of 
British Columbia 
Vancouver 8, B.C., 
Canada 
12 
JPL SEMINAR PROCEEDINGS 
HYDROPONICS O R  S O I L L E S S  CU.LTURE 
Table 9. light requirements of plants' Table 11. Types of containers 
Middoy intensity on cleor doy in temperote zone i s  10,000 to 12,000 
ft-c. (2,000 to 3,000 ft-c ore sufficient for many plonts.) 
There i s  greater photosynthesis with intermittent light. 
light intensity, temperoture, ond COX ore all interreloted. 
Wavelength: blue and red important-730 mp upper limit; 
ultraviolet not important-390 mp lower limit; 
green not important. 
Ultroviolet beyond wovelength of 290 m p  i s  injurious. 
'Photosynthesis CO, 4- HxO -+ 1/6 IC,,H,,OJ + 0, AH = 112.000 colories. 
Table 10. Temperature 
For photosynthesis Threshold temperature, -6 to -2O'C. 
02 evolution ceoses at 0 to 2 O C  for worm, 
OZ evolution ceoses at 4 to B0C for rub. 
Photosynthesis, with no other foctor limit- 
temperote plants. 
tropical ond tropical plants. 
ing, increases up to 25OC. 
For plont growth 
~~ 
Vories with plont, but optimum region is  
generally 70 to 90'F. 
Higher plants are being investigated in Japan, at the 
University of California at Riverside, and in many other 
places, but mostly from a plant nutrition point of view. 
~~ 
Redwood tonks or troughs 
Concrete tonks or beds (orpholt cooted) 
Iron tonks or troughs (ospholt cooted) 
Plostic tonks, troughs, or containers 
Brick structures 
Puddled cloy 
Stones loid in pattern, outlined, and cooted with nonerodible 
Asbestos sheeting 
mud ploster, 4 ft wide ond up to 100 ft long 
Research is still needed to determine what combina- 
tion of crops will produce maximum digestible nutrients 
per unit area and meet the necessary protein, carbo- 
hydrate, fat, etc., needs of man (see Appendix). Other 
problems requiring further study are those concerned 
with securing the maximum yields of usable crops per unit 
area ( combination of nutrient levels, moisture, substrate 
character, light, temperature, COz, humidity, aeration, 
etc.; mechanical arrangements-stacking or layering to 
reduce space requirement ) ; plant breeding to produce 
desired yield and quality; control of diseases and insects; 
and finding the simplest and best means of renewing and 
controlling nutrient levels, resins, coated nitrogen sources, 
etc. In addition, experiments should be performed under 
simulated Moon conditions on the recycling of COz, 
oxygen, and water; the effects of reduced gravity; radi- 
ation control; and on enclosure materials which will 
screen out harmful radiation but not useful wavelengths. 
13 
JPL SEMINAR PROCEEDINGS 
CHAPMAN 
APPENDIX 
Food Requirements of Man 
The initial basic requirements for starting a hydro- 
ponics setup to support one man are as follows (see 
Table 1 ) : 
1. Plant beds-SO(L1000 ft2, made of suitable plastic or 
other material. ( Layering arrangements might de- 
crease this area.) 
2. Substrate-gravel, sand, soil-dust mixture. 
3. Water-roughly 100CL2000 gal for 500-10oO ft3 of 
gravel and sand. 
4. Chemicak-20-40 lb for 1000-2000 gal of nutrient 
solution. 
5.Carbon dioxide303 g carbon per day for 756 g 
food = 1,102 lb carbon dioxide in enough air to give 
concentration that man can tolerate. 
6.Oxygen-sufficient for man will supply plant root 
needs. 
7. Light source-to provide 3000-4000 ft-c intensity if 
setup is underground. 
8. Heat source-to maintain temperatures at 7045°F 
if setup is underground. 
9. Enclosure material-must be strong and permit trans- 
mission of useful light while screening out harmful 
radiation. 
Table A-1. Basic dietary needs of man 
(154 Ib or 70 kg; physically active) 
Calories 
Protein 
Calcium 
Iron 
Vitomin A 
Thiamine 
Riboflovin 
Niacin 
Ascorbic ocid 
Vitamin D 
Woter 
Salt 
Iodine 
Phosphorus 
Copper 
Carbohydrotcs 
Fat 
Amount 
3000 
70 g 
1 9  
12.0 mg 
5,000 I.U. 
1.5 mg 
1 . 8  mg 
15.0 mg 
75.0 mg 
6.0 I.U. 
2.5 I 
0.15 to 0.30 mg 
Not in normal food 
1 to 2 mg 
595 g 
7 7  9 
5 9  
.Total dty food: 756  g 1.62 Ib per day 1610 Ib per year). 0.10 to 0.60 I b  dry 
corn can be produced Per square foot. Assuming optimum, 610/0.60 = 1000 ftz 
of hydroponic surface per person, or about 1/40 acre, = plot 4 X 250 ft or 
IO plots 4 X 25 ft. By oppropriatm layering or use of algae, the area occupied 
can be decreaaed. 
In summary, the needs per man are: (1) 500-1000 ft2 
of plant surface to absorb carbon dioxide and fix food at 
1.62 lb per day, ( 2 )  1000-2000 gal water to provide 25% 
saturation of planting bed, (3 )  3,636,000 lb air to supply 
1,102 lb carbon dioxide at 0.03%, and ( 4 )  20-40 Ib 
chemicals (assuming reuse) to make up 1000-2000 gal 
nutrient solution. 
14 
JPL SEMINAR PROCEEDINGS 
HYDROPONICS OR SOILLESS CULTURE 
BIBLIOGRAPHY 
Connors, C. H., and V. A. Tiediens, Chemical Gardening for the Amateur, Wm. H. Wise 
Co., New York, 1939. 
Davidson, 0. W., "Large-Scale Soilless Culture for Plant Research," Soil Sci., Vol. 62, 
1946, pp. 71 -86. 
Ellis, C., and M. W. Swaney, Soilless Growth of Plants, 2nd ed, revised and enlarged 
by T. Eastwood, Reinhold Publishing Corp., New York, 1947. 
Gericke, W. F., The Complete Guide to Soilless Gardening, Prentice-Hall, Inc., 
New York, 1940. 
Hoagland, D. R., and D. I. Arnon, The Water-Culture Method for Growing Plants With- 
out Soil, Univ. Calif. Agr. Expt. Sta. Circ. 347, 1950. 
Kiplinger, D. C., and A. Laurie, Growing Ornamental Greenhouse Crops in Gravel 
Culture, Ohio Agr. Expt. Sta. Res. Bull. 679, 1948. 
Laurie, A., Soilless Culture Simplified, Whittelsey House, New York, 1940. 
Mussenbrock, A., and G. Beach, "Cost Comparison-Soil and Gravel-Grown Carna- 
tions," Proc. Amer. SOC. Hort. Sci., Vol. 51, 1948, pp. 623-626. 
Nutriculture, War Dept. Tech. Manual, 1946. 
Robbins, W. R., "Growing Plants in Sand Culture for Experimental Work," Soil Sci., 
VOI. 62, 1946, pp. 3-22. 
Shive, J. W., and W. R. Robbins, Methods of Growing Plants in Solution and Sand 
Cultures, New Jersey Agr. Expt. Sta. Bull. 636, 1937. 
Sholto Douglas, J. W. E. H., Hydroponics: The Bengal System, Oxford University Press, 
1951. 
Sholto Douglas, J. W. E. H., "The Possibilities of  Soilless Cultivation," in Impact of  
Science on Society, Vol. 6, pp. 30-50, UNESCO, Paris, 1955. 
Stoughton, R. H., "Soilless Cultivation. A Review of Recent Progress," Jour. Min. Agr., 
London, Vol. XLIX( 11, 1942, pp. 25-29. 
Stuart, N. W., "Growing Plants Without Soil," Sci. Monthly, Vol. LXVl(41, 1948. 
Ticquet, C. E., Successful Gardening Without Soil, Chem. Publ. Co., New York, 1956. 
Turner, W. I., and V. A. Henry, Growing Plants in Nutrient Solutions, John Wiley 8 
Sons, Inc., New York, 1939. 
Withrow, R. B., and A. P. Withrow, "Nutriculture," Indiana (Purdue Univ.) Agr. Expt. 
Sta. S. C., VOI. 328, 1948, pp. 1-60. 
15 


Hydroponics or Soilless Culture

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