Aquaponics & Agricultural Benefits By Philippe Van Den Bossche

For the longest time, the methods utilized in order to cultivate crops have been relatively unchanged. The basics have been utilized - sunlight and water included - and they have yielded good results, especially under weather conditions which can change on a day to day basis; sometimes without the shifts being able to be predicted. That being said, a new development has been occurring and it goes by the name of aquaponics. To say the least, it is intriguing and Philippe van den Bossche would be able to agree.

Mashable posted an article about aquaponics, which is a method that will be able to help plants grow. It involves not only plant growth but the growth of fish as well in the same body of water. The way that this relationship works is that when the fish create waste, the water is able to circulate it before allowing it to be converted into feed that that plants can use in order to grow. Parcs Holman gave it the name of "replicating nature," which is accurate.

Keep in mind that the growth of plants and aquatic life in the same body of water is not exactly new, as it has gone on since ancient times. That being said, the one difference that Philippe van den Bossche, as well as other authorities, can pinpoint is the more concentrated focus on science. The system that has been put into place is a sensitive one and the attention to detail has to be strong. Names like Philippe can tell you that one misplaced creature can cause chemical imbalance.

One of the details that stood out the most to me was just how much water was able to reach the plants through this method. For example, if a standard watering method was utilized in order to let plants grow, only about 2 to 5 percent will make it onto them. With a detailed aquaponics scenario, though, water flows at such a continuous rate that instances like evaporation do not matter nearly as much. With several gallons of water being pumped, it's apparent that plants will have more than their needed amount of nourishment.

While not everyone will be able to grow and manage their own aquaponics greenhouse, the fact that work is being done in this regard is noteworthy. One would have to wonder how much more consistent the growth of crops can be with this method set in place. Could farming be made easier thanks to a system like this or is it nothing but a pipe dream? To me, aquaponics is the ideal marriage of traditional methods and more modern technology in order to create sustainable agriculture.

Consult Philippe van den Bossche if you would care to learn more about sustainable agriculture.. Free reprint available from: Aquaponics & Agricultural Benefits By Philippe Van Den Bossche.