Hydroponics: Its history and use in plant nutrition studies

Abstract Hydroponics is a widely and frequently used technique for growing plants without soil, providing for a considerable degree of control of the elemental environment surrounding the root. The technique has an interesting history of development and use dating back into the mid 18th‐century, although the growing of plants in nutrient rich water may have dated back into the early history of man. The determination of the essential elements required by plants were discovered using solution culture techniques. This paper discusses the past history of solution culture as well as its importance and use today.