Evaluation of Crop Diversity in Hydroponic Systems for Maximizing Nutritional Output
Adeoluwa Abraham Olasehinde
*
Gannon University, Erie, Pennsylvania, United States.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Hydroponic farming receives increased interest because it effectively uses resources to produce abundant crops. Few studies have explored the relationship between multiple crops grown under hydroponic conditions, and globally they do not represent hydroponic cultivation. This study investigates hydroponic crop diversification by studying the growth patterns together with nutritional characteristics of controlled hydroponic plants. There was analysis of leafy greens and fruiting vegetables along with herbs for determining their nutritional value, production rates and suitability toward hydroponic cultivation. Hydroponics produce superior nutrition quality when vegetative crop varieties are grown together because it fosters greater nutritional content throughout the agricultural system. Further, it was established that integrating multiple hydroponically grown crops in one system represents an important solution to improve nutrition access in areas with limited resources and urban environments.
Keywords: Hydroponics, crop diversity, nutritional output, sustainable agriculture, food security