It is very easy for us to understand the advantages of soilless farming. But most of the time, for every advantage, there is always a disadvantage. So, as you read through this article, you will understand the disadvantages of soilless farming.
Disadvantages of Soilless Farming
The following are the disadvantages of soilless farming:
1# Premium Setup
Like traditional farming, a soilless farming system is very costly to attain and construct. The cost of the building is determined based on the type, category, and size of the system acquired.
Whichever type of farmland you want to set up for soiless farming depends on your individual financial capability.
2# Regular Monitoring and Support
Soilless farming necessitates a very critical level of monitoring and culturing of the plants to keep them flourishing and sustain the environment, including all the components: needs, regular checking, temperature, good nutrient solution, and good quality of light productivity.
3# High Risk of Water-borne Diseases
Because soilless farming is practiced without the presence of the soil, the rate of water-borne disease might be a bit significant.
Infections and diseases can be transmitted throughout the culturing system, thereby affecting the harvesting of plants.
In severe cases, water-borne diseases can kill all the plants within a short period of time if they’re not properly controlled or eradicated.
4# Negative Effect on Plants
Soil farming reduces the risk of diseases and pests on the farm through the maximum temperature transformation.
Without the function of soil as a mediator, plants cultured in a soilless system respond unfavourably to challenges like nutrient shortages and diseases.
5# Power Interruption Possibility
Whether the system is active or passive is determined by constant electricity and other components, which include aerators, light, and the list goes on. Therefore, constant power interruption will negatively affect the soilless system.
Water risk: Remember that in soilless farming, the usage of water and electricity is to a high degree.
6# Organic Proposition
There have been some arguments about whether soilless farming is organic or not. Lots of questions have been asked by farmers and non-farmers if plants grown in a soilless system will get genomes as they are in the soil.
The fact is that the majority of people across the globe have been cultivating soilless plants such as lettuce, strawberries, and tomatoes for more than a year, especially in developed countries like the United States of America, Australia, Tokyo, and the Netherlands.
7# Proficiency and Specialized Knowledge
Soilless farming requires more than basic techniques of proficiency. Soilless farming needs knowledge about various categories and types of apparatus, which demand critical skills.
We know that setting up a soilless farm is expensive, but when setting up your soilless farm in a soilless environment, make sure you have all the needed equipment to avoid the outbreak of hazards on your farm.
Many soilless farmers manage their equipment even though they know it’s risky. It’s advised to have proper and complete equipment for your farm.
How Much Does it Cost to Set Up a Soilless Farm?
It depends on the structure and type of plants you want to cultivate.
1# Less Time and Commitment
Because of the system of farming, farmers are very reluctant and spend less time on their farms. We must show a sign of dedication to cultivating in a soilless farming system to promote the production of fruits and vegetables.
Although, in soil farming, cultured plants can be kept for weeks and months and they will still survive. The reason is that nature and soil will help to nurture it if some components are not balanced.
But that is not the case with soilless farming. Rather, plants cultured may die very quickly if absolute care is not applied.
Remember that the plants cultured in the soilless system depend on your time for their survival.
2# System Threat
Let us not forget that we are using water and electricity to conduct this system, so if you do not take preparative measures and actions to reduce power interruption, then the death rates in plants will be high.
Therefore, a substitute power source and procedures should always be put into consideration, especially for farmers running a large-scale system.
3# Incipient Expenses
Running soilless farming is always very expensive because the cost of acquiring the types of equipment is high and affordable by few or no farmers at all.
Why is Soilless Farming Better than Soil Farming?
Because every seed planted has a unique genetic method regardless of what type of farm they are planted on, you will need quality substances or ingredients that promote growth and development.
Once all this has been put in place, the cost of setting up a soilless farm will decrease to only the nutrients needed on the farm and electricity.
This system needs an expert. In a soilless farming system, the operation of the electricity unit to the water system depends on the various approaches.
Conclusion
Some people have the mindset that soilless farming can culture plants more than soil farming. The reason for this is that each seed planting has its own unique genetic method that reduces risk while increasing yield capacity.
Reference
- An Overview of Soil and Soilless Cultivation Techniques—Chances, Challenges and the Neglected Question of Sustainability
- Soilless Farming-A Key Player in the Realisation of “Zero Hunger” of the Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria
- Hydroponics “Soilless Farming”: The Future of Food and Agriculture – A Review
