EXERCISES 14 Refer to the pictures below and match each system to its definition. Drip System Ebb & Flow NFT Deep Water Culture Wick Aeroponics 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. ▢ Flood and drain system where nutrients are pumped to the plant’s roots and back to the reservoir. ▢ Shallow stream of nutrient-rich water is provided to roots through a channel. ▢ The nutrients move up the wick or string from a solution reservoir to the plant’s root systems through capillary movement. ▢ Emitters drip a mix of water and nutrient solution onto the surface of the growing media. ▢ The plants are fed and watered by misting the roots with a nutrient-rich misting system. ▢ The plant’s roots are fully submerged in a nutrient solution. a. b. c. d. e. f. 15 Say whether these features of aeroponics are advantages (A) or disadvantages (D). Little space required ▢ A ▢ D 1. Regular cleaning of the root chamber ▢ A ▢ D 2. Easy system maintenance ▢ A ▢ D 3. High cost ▢ A ▢ D 4. Technical knowledge required ▢ A ▢ D 5. Less need for nutrients and water ▢ A ▢ D 6. Dependence on the system: in case of equipment break down, plants can be damaged or killed easily ▢ A ▢ D 7. Fast plant growth ▢ A ▢ D 8. Watch this video on hydroponic gardening and answer the questions. What is this video about? What does Taylor produce? Does Taylor appreciate her produce? Why? How many employees does Taylor have? Where does the investor group come from? How long do the little plants stay in the nursery after germination? How are the plants nourished? How much water is contained in the tank? How much land is necessary for two greenhouses? Who are Taylor’s customers? How many Americans eat lettuce? How is Taylor’s business? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. GLOSSARY : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : to cope with far fronte a to drain drenare drip gocciolamento to dry out seccarsi ebb & flow flusso e deflusso film pellicola to flood allagare gravel ghiaia misting nebulizzazione moist umido moisture umidità reservoir serbatoio rockwool lana di roccia root radice sealed sigillato shallow poco profondo stream flusso throughout in tutto il corso di wick stoppino to yield produrre