A Review of Hydroponics and Conventional Agriculture Based on Energy and Water Consumption, Environmental Impact, and Land Use

The increasing demand for food, the lack of natural resources and arable land, recent restrictions on energy consumption require an immediate solution in terms agricultural activities. This paper’s objective was to review hydroponics (a new soilless cultivation technology) compare it with conventional agriculture (soil cultivation) regarding its environmental impact water consumption. soil loss, crop/soil contamination, greenhouse gas emissions were criteria comparison hydroponics. As resource consumption, rates (L/kg), (kWh), required (kW) comparing Tomato cannabis used as case studies this review. results showed that advantages over include zero-soil cultivation, land-use efficiency, planting environment cleanliness, fertilizer saving, reduction, conservation. disadvantages versus found high investment costs, technical know-how requirements, higher amount demanded energy.