Editing Hydroponics (section)

=== Environmental benefits ===
Hydroponic farming offers several environmental benefits when compared to traditional agriculture. The most significant of these is reduced water consumption and controlled nutrient usage. Hydroponic systems can use up to 90% less water when compared to conventional farming. Also, in hydroponic systems, water and nutrients are recirculated in a controlled environment, eliminating runoff and the discharge of pollutants into local waterways.<ref name=":8">{{cite journal |title=Closed soilless growing systems: A sustainable solution for Dutch greenhouse horticulture |journal=Water Science and Technology |date=1999 |volume=39 |issue=5 |doi=10.1016/S0273-1223(99)00091-8 }}</ref>

By using hydroponics to grow crops indoors or in greenhouses, land use is minimized, reserving arable soil and land for other purposes. Also, utilizing the controlled environment created for hydroponic farming reduces the need for pesticides and other chemicals. This is due to the fact that many pests and diseases in farming are soil-borne. Since hydroponics uses other substrates, eliminating soil use, these farming obstacles are reduced.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Gruda |first1=Nazim |title=Do soilless culture systems have an influence on product quality of vegetables? |journal=Journal of Applied Botany and Food Quality |date=6 May 2009 |volume=82 |pages=141–147 |doi=10.18452/9433 }}</ref>

Using hydroponics systems that grow vertically in a space-efficient manner also makes cultivating crops in urban areas possible. However, These systems can use large amounts of energy due to the use of water filtration systems and artificial lighting. Due to this, the carbon footprint of a hydroponic farm can vary depending on factors like the energy source, local climate, and the scale of the operation. Using renewable energy sources such as solar panels has the possibility of making hydroponic farms more sustainable.<ref name=":8" />