University of Nebraska–Lincoln students in the Horticulture 307 Hydroponics for Growing Populations class, taught by Stacy Adams, are exploring different water culture approaches to plant production, specifically food crops.

Students will demonstrate hydroponic systems during an open house from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 17 in the Plant Science Teaching Greenhouse, 3855 Fair St., on Nebraska East Campus.

“Plants grown in hydroponics do not have soil as the source of nutrients, but the irrigation water is enriched with targeted nutrient elements to maximize plant productivity,” Adams, associate professor of practice in agronomy and horticulture, said.

Students are introduced to many aspects of hydroponic plant culture and actively produce crops using Nutrient Film Technique and deep-water solution culture systems and substrate systems using bato buckets, bag culture and Rockwool slabs. The course is designed to expose students to alternative plant production systems as a way to meet the demands for more food to meet a growing population in an efficient and environmentally conscious approach.

The open house will showcase team prototype development projects including tower hydroponics, stack NFT, gravel culture, Kratky, Deep Water Culture (DWC) and more. Students will be present to discuss the development of their projects and suggest applications for their use.

This event is open to the public. Guests can enter through the north door of the greenhouse and peruse the different systems at their leisure and engage in discussion with students about hydroponics. Meter parking is available in the parking lot east of the greenhouse, across N. 39th Street.