There is a huge popular debate about the value of "organic"

fertilizers and methods, many people would like to apply

"organics" to hydroponics. Currently accepted organic fertilizer

components are dependent upon organisms in the soil to convert

the "organic" materials into a useable form for plants.

In hydroponics we provide the minerals required for plant growth

directly, completely eliminating the need for soil and soil organisms.

The result is much higher growth rates, yields and even

crop quality than organic methods can achieve. This is not what

some people want to hear, but it is the simple scientific truth - and

practically all scientists and educators in the fields of agriculture

and chemistry know it and will be the first to agree. In fact, the

kinds of materials which are permitted for use under "organic"

Regulations are not of sufficient purity to be used for hydroponic

culture.

With this in mind it's important to recognize the reasons that

"Organically" grown produce is gaining such popularity.

Consumers want to buy produce which is not tainted with

Hazardous chemicals or poisons. There is an increasing public

demand for methods which are gentle on our delicate planet and

which don't harm the soil, water or ecosystems. Hydroponic

Farming methods fit properly into this system of values if used

appropriately. Hydroponics protects soil because it doesn't use soil.

Less water is required for hydroponic culture and consequently

more food can be cultivated with less water. The fertilizers we use

for hydroponics are ultra-pure and leave no residue in the

cultivated fruits and vegetables. Since hydroponic technologies are

more efficient than soil methods, more people can be fed with less

area and ecological impact.

THE ORGANIC HYDROPONIC DEBATE OPENING

PANDORA'S BOX

As seen in the Growing Edge Magazine

During the 1980’s, Americans increasingly became more health conscious.

Cholesterol was ruled out and exercise became a part of

our daily routines. Today this still holds true, but even more so.

What we put into our bodies is carefully scrutinized, even our

fruits and vegetables, which has made “organic” a buzzword of the

‘90s. People are buying organic skin care products, “organic

shampoos” and even "organic clothing”. Everybody seems to want

“organic” and hydroponic growers are quite aware of this. Why,

then, are there hardly any "Certified Organic hydroponic growers”

in the United States? Many go through a great deal of trouble to

grow their crops "organically," but even though they follow most

guidelines, they still cannot get the recognition or certification

necessary to sell their produce to most restaurants or natural food

stores as “organic”. What is it that is separating organic from

hydroponic methods? Why can't these two technologies work

together under today's American states' certification guidelines?

WHAT'S ORGANIC, WHAT'S NOT?

We would think that this is an easy question to answer, but it isn't.

In the United States there are numerous different definitions of

"organic", many of which differ significantly. Each state has its

own regulations for labeling produce as “organic". Additionally,

there are 36 non-governmental organizations which can certify"

produce as organic. For example, California growers who wish to

sell their produce as "organic" must register with the California

Department of Food and Agriculture and pass their inspection.

However, California grower's can also obtain certification through

the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), which actually

has higher standards for organic than the state has.

The CCOF certification is optional, but produce with California

state registration and CCOF certification may be offered for sale

within the state as "certified organic" If the grower chooses not to

seek CCOF certification, the produce can be offered for sale in

California as "organic," but not "certified organic”. Any produce

grown outside of the United States can be sold as "certified

organic" in the country if one of the 36 non-governmental

organizations certifies it. In fact, produce from any state can be

granted certification from one of the non-governmental

organizations, even if it does not meet the organic standards for the

state in which it is being sold. Pretty confusing!

What this all means is that the "organic" label is a matter of

bureaucratic definitions, which can vary from state to state, and

country to country.

In order to bring some kind of standard into play, the U.S.

Department of Agriculture (USDA) – along with state government

regulators, non-governmental certifiers, consumers, industry

interest groups, food processors and various special interest groups

– is writing a federally mandated set of "organic" standards. No

state will be able to apply more stringent standards than those of

the federal. Sometime this spring, the federal standards will be

released for a 90 day comment and review period, and by the end

of 1996 or early 1997, these standards will become law, or

"Frankenlaw"; we'll have to wait and see.

The basic objectives of "organic" practice include the following:

• Avoidance of pesticides, by use of natural pest controls (also

applied by many hydroponics growers).

• Caring for soil by recording nutrients and composting, and

• Moderation of nutrient application with reliance on the buffer

action of humus derived from compost.

Soilless hydroponic cultivation moderates nutrient supply by the

more exact measurements of soluble nutrient formulations, mixed

to meet the optimum requirements of each plant species and

growth phase. Many consumers select "organic" produce,

believing that this is the only way to be assured of pesticide-free

non—hazardous food. While "organic" farming methods do

produce crops generally superior to and safer than those grown by

agri-business practices, modern hydroponic techniques can put

forth equally safe food that in many cases offers advances in

nutrition and taste over their soil-grown “organic” counterparts.

But to the consumer, it's the label that counts, so an increasing

number of growers throughout the United States are struggling to

get organic certification in any way, shape or form.

Meanwhile, this whole situation poses an enormous dilemma to

hydroponic growers who also want organic recognition for their

produce. The primary problem for organic hydroponic growers is

in the formulation of the soilless nutrient solution. A secondary

issue, which concerns the federal regulators, is in the way used

hydroponic nutrient and media such as rockwool are disposed of.

Since "organic" is to a large extent a farming philosophy in support

of a healthy environment, the federal concern is entirely

reasonable.

Although the latter factor has no bearing on the quality and safety

of the produce itself, the impact upon the planet is a real driving

force behind the issue of "organic" farming. If hydroponic growers

can find a way to completely recycle exhausted water, nutrients

and media, then the argument in favor of "organic-hydroponic

certification" becomes much stronger, but there's still the issue of

formulating a satisfactory organic hydroponic nutrient mix.

Organic nutrient regulations prohibit the use of many mineral salts

and highly refined substances, including food and pharmaceutical

grade ingredients that are extremely important for successful

hydroponic nutrient formulation.

Only unrefined minerals can be used on "organic" crops and these

often don't dissolve well or contain quantities of impurities, some

of which are even relatively toxic but are "natural” and therefore

“okay”, according to organic standards. For example, mined

phosphate may contain excessive amounts of fluoride, good for

teeth in very small quantities, but harmful to humans in excess.

Mined phosphate also can contain small amounts of radioactive

elements such as radium, which releases radon, also not good for

human health. Chlorides, too, are permitted for organic cultivation

but though they are naturally mined, they can be bad for both

plants and soil, especially if used in excess. Some soils used by

organic farmers contain such toxic elements as selenium, which

can accumulate in the plant tissues and produce. Amazing, isn't it?

When refined, any impurities or toxicities such as those listed

above are removed, but refined minerals make for non-organic

produce. Blood meal, bone meal, fish meal and manures pose

almost no potential safety hazards, but they don't dissolve very

well; they must be broken down through microbial action in the

soil and therefore don't work well in hydroponic applications.

There is also a problem that sometimes arises when using manures.

The Western Fertilizer Handbook, an important guide for

American farmers, points out that many gastro-intestinal illnesses

can he traced back to manures used on organically gown crops. In

the summer of 1995, a serious outbreak of salmonella poisoning

resulted from an organic cantaloupe crop growing in soil fertilized

with fresh chicken manure. The rinds of the melons had become

contaminated and the bacteria caused serious intestinal illness for

many consumers.

Another point that can be made is that strict vegetarians or animal

rights activists may be offended by the use of blood, bone, horn,

hoof and feather meals to grow their food, but these are primary

nutrient sources for organic farmers.

As you can see, this issue Is very complex and there are many

points of view. Essentially though, "organic" farming is part

philosophy and part methodology, but unfortunately defined

bureaucratically.

WHAT'S HYDROPONIC; WHAT'S NOT?

If a plant is grown without soil and with a complete nutrient

solution, that's hydroponics! It can be as simple as plants glowing

in sand, gravel or rockwool with a nutrient drip, or as complex as a

complete waterculture system, such as NFT (Nutrient Film

Technique) or aeroponics.

No matter what method you use, the key to successful

hydroponics is nutrients. Hydroponic crops are raised on a

perfected mix of primary, secondary and micro-nutrients. The

formulas for different crops and environments vary, but all have

been defined from extensive experience with a wide variety of

crops growing in many different environments throughout the

world. Problems may occur where water quality is poor and where

environmental extremes of high or low temperature and humidities

place stress on crops; however, when a hydroponic facility is

properly planned and installed, the resulting crops can be

impressive. Data generated in Europe, Israel, Canada, Australia

and the United States have defined precise combinations of

minerals for a variety of crops. The data is so accurate that

required elements are specified in mS (milisiemens) and uS

(microsiemens), a system of measuring by electrical conductivity

and calculating by atomic weight.

Based on these findings, the Dutch research station at Aalsmeer

has organized nutrient solutions into three classes:

• "A" refers to formulas that have been extensively tested and can

be considered reliable.

• "B" signifies formulas that are fairly new but working quite

well; some changes can be expected before upgrading to a class

"A."

• "C" formulas are experimental; significant changes can be

anticipated before upgrading to class B or A.

Formulas are defined for a given crop growing under different

conditions. For example, elements are specified for the nutrient

reservoir, while a separate specification is made for the nutrients in

the "root environment" if growing media is used, particularly

rockwool. The root environment usually has higher concentrations

of elements since minerals will accumulate in rockwool. To test

the concentration within the media, the grower will squeeze some

nutrient out of a sample of the media, do a basic conductivity and

pH test, and sometimes send the sample to a lab for analysis. If the

concentration of elements in the media rises above the

recommended limits, the grower will have to adjust the

formulation of the nutrient in the reservoir or run a rinse through

the media to lower the nutrient concentration within the root zone.

Another formula may be defined for non-recirculating nutrient,

also called "run-to-waste," where nutrient is sent from the reservoir

on a one-way trip through rockwool onto the ground. This method

is falling into disfavor due to the pollution caused by the nutrient

run-off and discarded rockwool.

HYDROPONIC PRODUCE AND HEALTH

In 1994 a test was commissioned by an investment group to

determine the vitamin and mineral content of hydroponically

grown crops in comparison to soil grown crops, both organic and

nonorganic. Plant Research Technologies Laboratory in San Jose,

California, analyzed tomatoes and sweet peppers; those

hydroponically grown used General Hydroponics' "Flora"

nutrients. The hydroponic produce showed a significant increase in

vitamins and minerals beneficial to human health over the soilgrown

produce. This data indicates the importance of a calibrated

nutrient solution. The crops had been grown following the Dutch

recommendation for hydroponic tomatoes and sweet peppers, and

not only were they of higher nutritional value, the flavor was

reported to be outstanding.

The hydroponic crops were further analyzed to search for

chemicals on the EPA’s "priority pollutant list", of which, none

were found.

American agribusiness is beginning to apply hydroponics on a

significant scale. Large corporate facilities are showing profits and

generating high crop yields with consistent quality at facilities in

Colorado, Utah and Mexico. These installations mark an important

point for hydroponic farming in the United Stares. If the

investments prove profitable over the long term, then steady

growth is going to continue, slowly replacing many field-grown

crops in the marketplace. The British have been applying

hydroponic farming to meet consumer needs for decades. Farming

cooperatives grow tomatoes, cucumbers and salad greens on a very

large scale.

Van Heinegen Bros. produces three pounds of hydroponically

grown tomatoes per year for every man, woman and child in the

British lsles. In support of these enterprises, the British

government runs a research facility, which investigates improved

hydroponic methods, disease and pest control and new plant

varieties. The cooperation between government and farmers has

led to improved crop production, quality and profits.

Although hydroponically grown produce, while usually free of

pesticide and other chemical hazards, does not generally meet the

rather narrow definitions of "organic", it can offer superior flavor,

nutrition, appearance, freshness and she1flife. Many small

hydroponic growers are recognizing these market trends and

cashing in on the huge demand for higher quality produce. Small

growers find that gourmet restaurants and local markets are

delighted to have access to superior quality produce, whether

organically or hydroponically grown.

Since "organic" is pretty much out of the question, an increasing

number of hydroponic growers are promoting their produce as

"pesticide-free." This gives the consumer the reassurance that their

fruits and vegetables have been grown following the most

important principal of "organically” grown produce.

One consequence of this dichotomy is that the term "organic

agriculture" is declining in favor of the term "sustainable

agriculture", which applies to both organic and hydroponic

cultivation. Though many organic growers look down on

hydroponic technology, the superior quality and freshness of

locally grown hydroponic produce is in fact gaining market

acceptance. A new niche is developing for small hydroponic

growers, family farms, and even urban farms in areas that have

traditionally been served by large corporate farms far away.

The simple truth is that top quality organically raised produce can

only be grown under fairly ideal conditions and only seasonally in

most parts of the United States. This results in produce that is

expensive and frequency unavailable or shipped from afar, causing

quality to suffer.

In the "organic” model, good soil is enriched with compost, blood

meal, bone meal, manures and a host of other natural amendments.

These components break down slowly in the soil at a rate in

harmony with the plants' growth; a microbiological process is

required to make the nutrients available to the plants. These

microbes include many organisms that are all in a symbiotic

embrace with the environment and the plants. When done skillfully

in the right environment with the right crop, this is nature and

farming at its finest. But it differs sharply from the hydroponic

model, where microorganisms are unnecessary for the plants to

absorb the prepared nutrients. The nutrient absorption rate of a

hydroponically grown plant is generally much faster than that of a

soil grown plant, since in hydroponics, nutrients are instantly

soluble and available, as is essential oxygen.

Hydroponic plants are usually grown in a relatively sterile

environment, and often with precise controls, from artificial

lighting to extend growing seasons to exotic computer systems that

enable the grower to actually tailor the environment to the crop

wherein hydroponics becomes just one part of the entire system. In

this type of setup, labor is reduced, yet plant growth rates, yields

and quality increase.

Many attempts have been made to create the perfect organic hydroponic

nutrient, but so far nothing matches the purified

mineral salts used in formulating hydroponic nutrient solutions.

We note that the European Economic Community (EEC) has

established the category of "mineral organic" for foods grown with

the required mineral nutrients to supplement an organic base of

nitrogen. We previously touched on the fact that United States

agricultural regulations are currently set and applied at the state

level but practically all states prohibit the use of refined ingredients

to cultivate “organic" crops; only mined minerals can be used.

Surprisingly, this precludes organic growers from using

pharmaceutical or food grade ingredients to formulate fertilizers.

This could be a safety risk, but at least mined minerals will break

down in the soil.

Hydroponic growers, on the other hand, must use refined minerals

because mined minerals dissolve poorly in solutions. As a

consequence, it is not currently practical to formulate a top-quality

"organic" fertilizer, which will work well for hydroponic crop

production, and meet U.S. standards. The Flora nutrients

developed at General Hydroponics, for example, currently meet the

EEC standards for the mineral component of the "mineral-organic"

category, but cannot be used in the United States to grow certified

"organic" produce.

A review of the standards for defining "organic" will soon be

completed by federal regulators in the U.S. Department of

Agriculture. There is some possibility that the USDA way

eventually consider the European standards, opening the door for

organic growers to use purified mineral nutrients and hydroponic

growers to cultivate organically certified produce. It is not

surprising that European regulations favor policies that promote

the cultivation of produce with superior quality and flavor.

Generally European consumers are accustomed to higher quality

foods and will not purchase flavorless produce. The myth that only

certified organically grown produce is of good quality, nutrition

and flavor has been clearly dispelled by the many successes of

hydroponic producers worldwide, but remains predominant in

public perception. This trend will most likely continue; the only

question is whether the United States will be a leader, or a

follower.

Lawrence Brooke is the president and founder of Sebastopol,

California based General Hydroponics, Inc.

Author's note: I’ve tried to describe a few of the problems

hydroponic growers face when trying to compete with "organic"

produce. I don't wish to leave readers with the impression that

there's anything wrong with organic, or that hydroponic produce is

always better. It can go either way depending upon the skill and

ethics of the farmer.

The main issue is for growers and consumers to understand that

"organic" is a matter of definitions. Sometimes the organic produce

is the best tasting and most nutritious available in the marketplace;

other times the hydroponic produce is better. In the final analysis,

organic farming has a low environmental impact on the Earth, and

this is an important point from a philosophical view. Until

hydroponic growers can find a way to recycle used water, media

and nutrients, the hydroponic method will not be equal to

"organic" in these terms. On the other hand, if a consumer is

comparing the flavor and nutrition quality of a crop, both

hydroponic and organic methods are excellent.