Aeroponic and Hydroponic Systems for Medicinal Herb, Rhizome, and Root Crops

TLDR

Hydroponic and aeroponic production of medicinal crops in controlled environments offers opportunities to improve quality, purity, consistency, bioactivity, and biomass on a commercial scale. The goal is to optimize environmental and system parameters to maximize these five characteristics. The study examined perlite hydroponics, nutrient film technique, ebb and flow, and aeroponics for various root, rhizome, and herb leaf crops. Biomass and phytochemical data for burdock root, stinging nettle herb and rhizome, yerba mansa root and rhizome, ginger rhizome, and skullcap herb were presented, showing differences between aeroponic, soilless, and field‑grown systems.

Abstract

Hydroponic and aeroponic production of medicinal crops in controlled environments provides opportunities for improving quality, purity, consistency, bioactivity, and biomass production on a commercial scale. Ideally, the goal is to optimize the environment and systems to maximize all five characteristics. Examples of crop production systems using perlite hydroponics, nutrient film technique (NFT), ebb and flow, and aeroponics were studied for various root, rhizome, and herb leaf crops. Biomass data comparing aeroponic vs. soilless culture or field grown production of burdock root ( Arctium lappa ), stinging nettles herb and rhizome ( Urtica dioica ), and yerba mansa root and rhizome ( Anemopsis californica ) are presented, as well as smaller scale projects observing ginger rhizome ( Zingiber officinale ) and skullcap herb ( Scutellaria lateriflora ). Phytochemical concentration of marker compounds for burdock and yerba mansa in different growing systems are presented.