How do vertical farms reduce the need for soil?

Vertical farms reduce the need for soil by utilising hydroponic, aeroponic, or aquaponic systems to grow crops.

Vertical farming is a revolutionary method of agriculture that involves growing crops in vertically stacked layers, often integrated into other structures like skyscrapers, used warehouses, or shipping containers. This innovative farming technique significantly reduces the need for soil as it primarily uses hydroponic, aeroponic, or aquaponic systems for cultivation.

Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil by instead using mineral nutrient solutions in a water solvent. The plants' roots are submerged in this nutrient-rich solution, which provides all the necessary minerals for growth. This method eliminates the need for soil as a nutrient provider, although it still requires a medium for the plants to anchor their roots.

Aeroponics, on the other hand, is a system where plants are grown in an air or mist environment without the use of soil or an aggregate medium. The roots of the plants are sprayed with a nutrient solution, providing them with all the necessary elements for growth. This method is even more soil-independent than hydroponics, as it doesn't require any medium for the roots.

Aquaponics combines aquaculture (raising aquatic animals such as fish, snails, or prawns in tanks) with hydroponics in a symbiotic environment. The waste produced by the farmed fish or other aquatic animals is broken down by nitrifying bacteria into nitrates, which are utilised by the plants as nutrients. This system creates a sustainable ecosystem where both plants and animals can thrive, again without the need for soil.

These systems not only reduce the need for soil but also offer several other benefits. They use significantly less water than traditional farming methods, as the water in these systems is recycled and reused. They also allow for year-round crop production, regardless of weather conditions, and can be implemented in urban areas where space is limited. Furthermore, because these systems are closed and controlled, they reduce the need for pesticides, which are often used in traditional farming to control soil-borne diseases and pests.

In conclusion, vertical farming, through the use of hydroponic, aeroponic, or aquaponic systems, significantly reduces the need for soil in agriculture.