The debate on "Organics"
and "Hydroponics"
There is a huge popular
debate about the value of "organic" fertilizers
and methods, many people would like to apply "organics"
to hydroponics. Currently accepted organic fertilizer
components are dependent upon organisms in the soil to
convert the "organic" materials into a useable
form for plants.
In hydroponics we provide
the minerals required for plant growth directly, completely
eliminating the need for soil and soilorganisms. The result
is much higher growth rates, yields and even crop quality
than organic methods can achieve. This is not what some
people want to hear, but it is the simple scientific truth
- and practically all scientists and educators in the
fields of agriculture and chemistry know it and will be
the first to agree. In fact, the kinds of materials which
are permitted for use under "organic" regulations
are not of sufficient purity to be used for hydroponic
culture.
With this in mind it's important
to recognize the reasons that "organically"
grown produce is gaining such popularity. Consumers want
to buy produce which is not tainted with hazardous chemicals
or poisons. There is an increasing public demand for methods
which are gentle on our delicate planet and which don't
harm the soil, water or ecosystems. Hydroponic farming
methods fit properly into this system of values if used
appropriately. Hydroponics protects soil because it doesn't
use soil.
Less water is required for
hydroponic culture and consequently more food can be cultivated
with less water. The fertilizers we use for hydroponics
are ultra-pure and leave no residue in the cultivated
fruits and vegetables. Since hydroponic technologies are
more efficient than soil methods, more people can be fed
with less area and ecological impact.
THE ORGANIC HYDROPONIC DEBATE
OPENING PANDORA'S BOX
As seen in the Growing Edge
Magazine During the 1980’s, Americans increasingly
became more healthconscious. Cholesterol was ruled out
and exercise became a part of our daily routines. Today
this still holds true, but even more so. What we put into
our bodies is carefully scrutinized, even our fruits and
vegetables, which has made “organic” a buzzword
of the ‘90s. People are buying organic skin care
products, “organic shampoos” and even "organic
clothing”. Everybody seems to want “organic”
and hydroponic growers are quite aware of this.
Why, then, are there hardly
any "Certified Organic hydroponic growers”
in the United States? Many go through a great deal of
trouble to grow their crops "organically," but
even though they follow most guidelines, they still cannot
get the recognition or certification necessary to sell
their produce to most restaurants or natural food stores
as “organic”. What is it that is separating
organic from hydroponic methods? Why can't these two technologies
work together under today's American states' certification
guidelines?
WHAT'S ORGANIC, WHAT'S NOT?
We would think that this
is an easy question to answer, but it isn't. In the United
States there are numerous different definitions of "organic",
many of which differ significantly. Each state has its
own regulations for labeling produce as “organic".
Additionally, there are 36 non-governmental organizations
which can certify" produce as organic. For example,
California growers who wish to sell their produce as "organic"
must register with the California Department of Food and
Agriculture and pass their inspection. However, California
grower's can also obtain certification through the California
Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), which actually has higher
standards for organic than the state has.
The CCOF certification is
optional, but produce with California state registration
and CCOF certification may be offered for sale within
the state as "certified organic" If the grower
chooses not to seek CCOF certification, the produce can
be offered for sale in California as "organic,"
but not "certified organic”. Any produce grown
outside of the United States can be sold as "certified
organic" in the country if one of the 36 non-governmental
organizations certifies it. In fact, produce from any
state can be granted certification from one of the non-governmental
organizations, even if it does not meet the organic standards
for the state in which it is being sold. Pretty confusing!
What this all means is that
the "organic" label is a matter of bureaucratic
definitions, which can vary from state to state, and country
to country. In order to bring some kind of standard into
play, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) –
along with state government regulators, non-governmental
certifiers, consumers, industry interest groups, food
processors and various special interest groups –
is writing a federally mandated set of "organic"
standards. No state will be able to apply more stringent
standards than those of the federal. Sometime this spring,
the federal standards will be released for a 90 day comment
and review period, and by the end of 1996 or early 1997,
these standards will become law, or "Frankenlaw";
we'll have to wait and see.
The basic objectives of
"organic" practice include the following:
Avoidance of pesticides,
by use of natural pest controls (also applied by many
hydroponics growers).
Caring for soil by recording
nutrients and composting, and
Moderation of nutrient application
with reliance on the bufferaction of humus derived from
compost.
Soilless hydroponic cultivation
moderates nutrient supply by the more exact measurements
of soluble nutrient formulations, mixed to meet the optimum
requirements of each plant species and growth phase. Many
consumers select "organic" produce, believing
that this is the only way to be assured of pesticide-free
non—hazardous food. While "organic" farming
methods do produce crops generally superior to and safer
than those grown by agri-business practices, modern hydroponic
techniques can put forth equally safe food that in many
cases offers advances in nutrition and taste over their
soil-grown “organic” counterparts. But to
the consumer, it's the label that counts, so an increasing
number of growers throughout the United States are struggling
to get organic certification in any way, shape or form.
Meanwhile, this whole situation
poses an enormous dilemma to hydroponic growers who also
want organic recognition for their produce. The primary
problem for organic hydroponic growers is in the formulation
of the soilless nutrient solution. A secondary issue,
which concerns the federal regulators, is in the way used
hydroponic nutrient and media such as rockwool are disposed
of. Since "organic" is to a large extent a farming
philosophy in support of a healthy environment, the federal
concern is entirely reasonable.
Although the latter factor
has no bearing on the quality and safety of the produce
itself, the impact upon the planet is a real driving force
behind the issue of "organic" farming. If hydroponic
growers can find a way to completely recycle exhausted
water, nutrients and media, then the argument in favor
of "organic-hydroponic certification" becomes
much stronger, but there's still the issue of formulating
a satisfactory organic hydroponic nutrient mix.
Organic nutrient regulations
prohibit the use of many mineral salts and highly refined
substances, including food and pharmaceutical grade ingredients
that are extremely important for successful hydroponic
nutrient formulation. Only unrefined minerals can be used
on "organic" crops and these often don't dissolve
well or contain quantities of impurities, some of which
are even relatively toxic but are "natural”
and therefore “okay”, according to organic
standards. For example, mined phosphate may contain excessive
amounts of fluoride, good for teeth in very small quantities,
but harmful to humans in excess.
Mined phosphate also can
contain small amounts of radioactive elements such as
radium, which releases radon, also not good for human
health. Chlorides, too, are permitted for organic cultivation
but though they are naturally mined, they can be bad for
both plants and soil, especially if used in excess. Some
soils used by organic farmers contain such toxic elements
as selenium, which can accumulate in the plant tissues
and produce. Amazing, isn't it?
When refined, any impurities
or toxicities such as those listed above are removed,
but refined minerals make for non-organic produce. Blood
meal, bone meal, fish meal and manures pose almost no
potential safety hazards, but they don't dissolve very
well; they must be broken down through microbial action
in the soil and therefore don't work well in hydroponic
applications. There is also a problem that sometimes arises
when using manures. The Western Fertilizer Handbook, an
important guide for American farmers, points out that
many gastro-intestinal illnesses can he traced back to
manures used on organically gown crops.
In the summer of 1995, a
serious outbreak of salmonella poisoning resulted from
an organic cantaloupe crop growing in soil fertilized
with fresh chicken manure. The rinds of the melons had
become contaminated and the bacteria caused serious intestinal
illness for many consumers.
Another point that can be
made is that strict vegetarians or animal rights activists
may be offended by the use of blood, bone, horn, hoof
and feather meals to grow their food, but these are primary
nutrient sources for organic farmers. As you can see,
this issue Is very complex and there are many points of
view. Essentially though, "organic" farming
is part philosophy and part methodology, but unfortunately
defined bureaucratically.
