Aeroponics vs Hydroponics

Aeroponics	Hydroponics
Roots: Suspended in mid air OR in an enclosed environment Thus, the plants are able to absorb the nutrient-rich water solution and is able to remain oxygenated	Roots: Immersed in a nutrient-rich medium such as water or soil OR may be supported by inert media such as gravel or perlite Thus, the plants are able to absorb the dissolved nutrient in the medium
Solution: Sprayed onto the fine mist of mineral nutrients Thus, resulting in a mist environment	Solution: Dissolved in the medium
Sealed Environment: Absence of wind Thus, mist is unremoved and this leads to a healthy growth of plants.	Physical Environment: A mixture of water and required minerals
Advantages: Elimination of soil-borne disease, Quicker reproduction and Production cycles and Easy harvesting.	Advantages: Absence of soil erosion, Extensive culture and Conservation of water and nutrients
Operation Costs for the System: Cheaper	Operation Costs for the System: More costly
Crop Yields: Harvest better quality and more food due to better aeration available to roots	Crop Yield: Harvest poorer quality and less food due to a limited amount of air which the nutrient can contain
Exposure to CO2: Greater and Larger exposure	Exposure to CO2: Smaller and Less exposure
Infestation: Reduced as each nutrient spray is fresh and sterile	Infestation: Possible to occur as mineral solution can be infected subsequently
Spread of Diseases: Reduced	Spread of Diseases: Possible
Water: Required in minimal amount	Water: Required twice the amount of water by Aeroponics
Nutrient Supply: About 25%	Nutrient Supply: 100%
Plant Health: In better condition as chances of foreign objects coming in contact with plants is minimal and nutrient solution is sprayed on the plants at regular inteval	Plant Health: In poorer condition as due to the high humidity, it will encourage bacteria growth
Environment-friendliness: “Green” as it does not make use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides	Environment-friendliness: (geoponics) promotes usage of chemical fertilizers and pesticides