Soilless Growing

Revolutionizing CEA Farming

Soilless Growing: The Future of CEA Farming 

Soilless growing, which includes hydroponics, aeroponics, and aquaponics, has become increasingly popular in commercial farming because it produces high yields while conserving resources. But like any agricultural technique, it has its pros and cons. 

Below, we explore the advantages and disadvantages of soilless growing, focusing on its potential to transform agriculture and discussing why the Moving Gutter System might be an ideal choice for most crops. 

What is Soilless Growing? 

In soilless growing, plants are cultivated without traditional soil. Instead, they grow in nutrient-rich solutions, inert substrates, or suspended in air where nutrient-enriched mist is delivered directly to their roots. These methods aim to provide plants with optimal growing conditions and maximum control over their nutrient intake, water, light exposure, and environmental factors. The three primary soilless techniques are: 

 

  • Hydroponics: Plants grow in a water-based nutrient solution or inert media like perlite, vermiculite, or coconut coir. The water solution circulates, allowing roots to access nutrients consistently. 

 

  • Aeroponics: Plants are suspended in the air, with their roots exposed and regularly misted with nutrient solutions. This approach maximizes oxygen exposure and allows for rapid nutrient absorption. 

 

  • Aquaponics: A hybrid of hydroponics and aquaculture, aquaponics involves raising fish and plants together. Fish waste provides nutrients for plants, and plants help filter water, creating a symbiotic system. 

 

Each of these systems has unique advantages and caters to specific plant needs. Some methods are more suited to leafy greens and herbs, while others support fruit-bearing plants and vegetables. 

We utilize the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) as part of our advanced soilless growing systems. In our NFT setup, plants grow in shallow channels where a thin, continuous film of nutrient-rich water flows over the roots, providing a steady supply of nutrients and oxygen. This technique maximizes nutrient efficiency and promotes healthy, rapid growth, especially for smaller, fast-growing plants like leafy greens and herbs.

 

The Advantages of Soilless Growing 

The primary benefits of soilless growing methods are increased efficiency and sustainability. Plants grow in a nutrient-rich solution or other media rather than in soil, allowing for greater control over the growing environment. This offers numerous advantages that traditional soil farming often cannot achieve. 

First, soilless growing allows for year-round cultivation. With climate-controlled systems, crops can grow regardless of season, providing a steady supply of produce even in the dead of winter. This is a significant advantage in regions with harsh winters or extreme weather that would otherwise make year-round farming impossible. Furthermore, since soilless systems are often housed indoors or in greenhouses, they are less affected by pests and diseases, reducing the need for pesticides. 

Another major advantage is the efficient use of water. In soil farming, water is absorbed by the soil and lost through evaporation, making it difficult to deliver water directly to the plants’ roots. In soilless systems like hydroponics, however, water is delivered directly to the roots, where it can be recycled and reused, resulting in water savings of up to 90%. This makes soilless growing particularly attractive in regions where water scarcity is an issue. 

 

Space Efficiency and Higher Yields

Soilless systems are also more space-efficient, especially when combined with vertical farming structures or our Moving Gutter System. These methods allow for stacking or moving plants either vertically or horizontally, optimizing the use of space. For urban areas with limited land, this feature is invaluable, allowing fresh produce to be grown close to where it will be consumed, reducing transportation costs and emissions. 

Finally, soilless systems provide faster plant growth and higher yields. Since plants receive a constant supply of nutrients and water, they can grow up to twice as fast as those grown in soil. Farmers can customize the nutrient mix according to the specific needs of their crops, ensuring optimal growth conditions. This level of precision simply is not possible in traditional soil farming, where nutrient levels can vary widely even within the same field. 

NFT Systems applied to our Moving Gutter System
Soilless Growing with a NFT System

The Disadvantages of Soilless Growing 

While the advantages are compelling, soilless growing also comes with challenges that are important to consider, especially for new adopters. The first barrier to entry is the initial cost. Setting up a soilless system, particularly a high-tech hydroponic or aeroponic system, can be expensive due to the cost of materials, nutrient solutions, pumps, and lighting systems. For larger operations, greenhouse structures and climate control systems add to the price tag. However, soilless systems, such as our Moving Gutter System often pay for themselves over time with higher yields and lower water and pesticide costs. 

Another concern is the reliance on electricity. Many soilless systems use pumps to circulate water and nutrients, as well as grow lights to mimic natural sunlight. This dependency on electricity not only increases costs but also raises concerns about energy consumption and sustainability. As the world moves toward greener energy sources, this may become less of an issue, but for now, it remains a drawback for eco-conscious growers. 

The skill required to operate soilless systems is also higher than traditional farming. In soil farming, the earth naturally regulates certain conditions for plant growth, but in soilless systems, farmers need a solid understanding of plant biology and system management. Precision is essential in maintaining the correct pH, nutrient balance, and water levels. Mistakes in these parameters can lead to crop failure, meaning that consistent monitoring and adjustments are necessary for success. 

 

The Moving Gutter System: An Innovative Soilless Solution 

One innovative solution within the soilless farming sector is the Moving Gutter System, a system designed to maximize space and automate certain aspects of crop production. In our Moving Gutter System, plants are placed in narrow gutters or channels that are suspended horizontally. These gutters can be moved along a track to adjust the spacing between plants as they grow. 

Our Moving Gutter System is particularly advantageous for leafy greens and herbs, which have shorter growth cycles and benefit from the ability to expand their root systems over time. As the plants mature, the gutters are moved apart, giving each plant more room to spread and receive adequate light. This movement also makes harvesting more efficient, as the gutters can be shifted toward the edges of the growing area, where workers can easily access mature plants. 

 

The MGS Systems’ Flexibility in Space and Water Usage

The system’s modular nature is another significant benefit. It can be customized to fit various spaces and scaled up or down depending on the available area and budget. For urban growers and vertical farms, our Moving Gutter System allows for greater flexibility in both small and large spaces. Since the gutters can be moved, it also facilitates crop rotation and maximizes output by continuously making room for new plantings as soon as a harvest is completed. 

In terms of water and nutrient use, the Moving Gutter System is highly efficient. Water flows along the gutters and directly reaches the roots, minimizing waste and evaporation. Like other hydroponic systems, this setup allows for the reuse and recirculation of water, significantly reducing consumption compared to traditional methods. 

Indoor Farming Operation
Our Moving Gutter System

Is Soilless Growing the Future? 

Soilless growing presents a powerful solution for modern agriculture, especially with innovations like our Moving Gutter System enhancing its potential. Although there are challenges—such as costs, energy needs, and upkeep—these are manageable and expected to diminish with ongoing advances in technology and greater access to renewable energy. 

The environmental and economic benefits are compelling: from significant water conservation to enabling year-round crop production, soilless growing meets the needs of urban areas where space is scarce and the demand for fresh, local produce is high. Innovations like our Moving Gutter System demonstrate that soilless farming can be both adaptable and highly efficient. 

Ultimately, soilless growing offers immense promise as an efficient agricultural approach for the future. While it may not completely replace traditional soil farming, it provides a crucial alternative that complements conventional methods—especially in areas with limited space and resources.

Reach out to us

Soilless Growing represents an intriguing progress in the realm of hydroponics.

If you are interested in discovering more about establishing your soilless farming system using our MGS systems, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team at Viemose DGS.

​Our services

Benches

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We have developed two different types of benches that meet today’s demands for efficient plant production.

About Us

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“The future meets tradition”. We are creating a both cleaner, greener and more efficient industry.

MGS

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Our Moving Gutter System (MGS) is designed to reduce energy and water consumption, thereby reducing both your production costs and your environmental footprint.

Vertical Farming

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Your production is moved directly into the future. Enabling production in any place, while reducing both your production costs and your environmental footprint.

Transport systems

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We are specialized in development, production and installation of high technology transport systems and processing systems for horticultural producers.