Agronomy Degree Practice Exam

Which farming method allows crops to grow without soil, utilizing a liquid medium instead?

1. Hydroponics

2. Traditional farming

3. Organic farming

4. No-till farming

The correct answer is: Hydroponics

The method that allows crops to grow without soil by utilizing a liquid medium is hydroponics. This innovative agricultural practice involves growing plants in nutrient-rich water solutions, which provides them with all the essential minerals and nutrients they would typically derive from soil. Hydroponics is advantageous because it maximizes space efficiency, reduces the use of water compared to traditional farming, and can accelerate plant growth due to the direct access to nutrients. Additionally, this method enables more precise control over environmental conditions, which can lead to higher yields and fewer pest and disease issues. In contrast, traditional farming relies on soil as the primary medium for crop growth, while organic farming focuses on maintaining natural soil health and fertility, often without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. No-till farming refers to a soil conservation practice that avoids disturbing the soil, but it still requires soil as the growth medium. These other methods emphasize the soil's role, which sets hydroponics apart as a unique and soil-less growing technique.