Comparison between growing lettuce in a hydroponic system and a soil based system

Abstract

This project distinguishes between two different crop growing systems in order to compare and perceive which system is the most sustainable with the lowest cost and more efficiency. The first method examined is the soil-based system that is the conventional system, while the other system is the hydroponic. The studied crop in these two different systems was lettuce. The growth and cultivation were assessed. In this project seven farmers, four using the hydroponic system and three using the soil cultivation system were interviewed with regards to the amount of resources needed and energy costs. All the farmers were enquired on the usage of land, water, pesticide, fertilizer, energy, plant growth and yield. In conclusion of this project from the data collected one can comprehend that the main disadvantage of hydroponics is that it has a high capital and maintenance cost and the use of fertilizer is higher than that used in the soil cultivation system. Nonetheless, from the data obtained, it can be concluded that the overall hydroponic system still has higher returns and lower costs than the soil cultivation system.