Kelemahan Sistem Hydroponic Berbanding Tanaman Di Atas Tanah/Disadvantages Of Greenhouse Hydroponic Over Soil Culture

• Hydroponic system requires a large capital ($money$) input and energy input - *Any size commercial hydroponic or drip irrigation/fertigation operation (including injector irrigation systems, computer controls, etc.) will cost about RM300,000 per acre with the land itself costing RM4000 - RM8000 per acre (depending on location). *Energy costs can be high and can include those for heating (usually burn natural gas), cooling (usually use evaporative – fan and pad – cooling), electricity to run various types of equipment (some injectors, computer controls, motors, sorting/packing/storage equipment, etc.).

• The Hydroponic grower needs a high degree of competence in plant science, engineering, computer control systems and marketing.*Or experts in these fields needs to be hired. This is an intensive form of agriculture where a small problem can escalate to a major disaster very quickly.
  

• The Hydroponic technology is limited to crops of high economic value.*Since the initial cost of a large commercial facility is so high it would not be profitable to grow anything but crops of high economic value including tomatoes, colored bell peppers, cucumbers and even lettuce which, in a hydroponic greenhouse, can yield multiple crops per year.Plant diseases and insect pests may be more difficult to control.

• *Root pathogens that produce water-borne spores (e.g., zoospores of such fungi as Pythium or Phytophthora) can be devastating to plants growing in a “closed” Greenhouse system where the nutrient solution is recirculated since infected solution will circulate to all plants. NOTE: For treatments see Chapter 4: Plant Protection.*The greenhouse, with its controlled environment, is a perfect habitat for many types of insects, including those considered “pests” on plants such as white flies, aphids, thrips, spider mites, shore flies and fungus gnats. These pests may cause direct damage to the plants or may transmit viruses to the plants. NOTE: Beneficial insects that can be released. See Chapter 4: Plant Protection.*$0.80 – $1.00 per plant can be spent for insect pest control. That adds up!