Nutrient Uptake

The nature of the aeroponics, that interval and duration are separate from each other, allows the measurability of the nutrient uptake over a specific period under vitiating conditions. Barak et al. Used a areoponic system for the nondestructive measurement of water- and ion uptake of cowberries (Barak, Smith et al. 1996).


Close-up view of roots that are grown from seeds via the aeroponic method, 1998

In their research the scientists found that by measuring the concentration respectively the amount of the given and the outflowed solution, the rate of the nutrient uptake (of which the correctness was verified by the N-isotope-measurement) can be calculate precisely.

After the verification of their analytical method, Barak et al. produced more data specific for cowberries, like for example the occurring variation in the nutrient uptake during the day, the correlation between ammonium uptake and proton donation, as well as the relation between ion-concentration and –uptake.

Research like this, do not only show the meaning of aeroponics as a research tool for the observation of nutrient uptake, but also establish possibilities to monitor the health of the plants to optimize the plant cultivation in closed surroundings / indoors.