In conclusion, with evidence from our experiments and data, our hypothesis was proven to be incorrect. We believed that growing vegetables in hydroponics was better than growing vegetables in soil, but in fact, it was the opposite. Although most factors such as colour were the same, the pole beans in soil grew taller/faster than the ones in the hydroponic system and may have seemed healthier. Most of the bottom leaves from the beans in the hydroponic system had brown and yellow edges, while the ones in soil did not. On top of this, the beans growing in soil had much more activity than the ones in hydroponics. They intertwined with each other more, and always grew bigger after moving towards the light, while the ones in the hydroponic system did not have as much activity.
Even in terms of cost, soil uses less money. Hydroponic systems require lots of equipment and materials, some which could be quite pricey. An example of this would be the nutrient solution. The nutrient solution was the item that cost the most, and it could not have been omitted, as it was essential to the hydroponic system. Other equipment that cost money, was the electricity. We had the lamps on for 24 hours every day, which also could be pricey. Growing vegetables in soil would not require that much electricity, since they can simply be grown outside with natural sunlight.
With all these factors in mind, we can confidently say that growing plants/vegetables in soil is better than growing them in a hydroponic system.
This experiment we conducted was for a smaller sample size, such as at home. If we wished to test for large-scale commercial hydroponic farms, further studies would need to be done.
Even in terms of cost, soil uses less money. Hydroponic systems require lots of equipment and materials, some which could be quite pricey. An example of this would be the nutrient solution. The nutrient solution was the item that cost the most, and it could not have been omitted, as it was essential to the hydroponic system. Other equipment that cost money, was the electricity. We had the lamps on for 24 hours every day, which also could be pricey. Growing vegetables in soil would not require that much electricity, since they can simply be grown outside with natural sunlight.
With all these factors in mind, we can confidently say that growing plants/vegetables in soil is better than growing them in a hydroponic system.
This experiment we conducted was for a smaller sample size, such as at home. If we wished to test for large-scale commercial hydroponic farms, further studies would need to be done.