Parameter | Geoponics (i.e. soil/sand) | Agar plates | Aggregate hydroponics | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Polystyrene/ Rockwool | Araponics© | This system (Conn et al.) | |||
Setup costs | Low | Low | Low | High | Low |
Running costs | |||||
Media | Low | Intermediate | Low | Intermediate | Low |
Equipment | Low | Intermediate | Low | Intermediate | Low |
Footprint | Small | Small | Small | Small-to- Intermediate* | Small |
Sterile culture | No | Yes | No | No | No |
Batch variability | High | Low | Low | Low | Low |
Experimental Flexibility | Low | Intermediate | High | High | High |
Contamination (algal, bacterial) | Medium | High | High | Low | Low |
Throughput | High | Intermediate | Intermediate | Intermediate | Intermediate |
Root entanglement | Yes | Potential | Yes | Yes | No |
Developmental window | Mature plants | < 3 week-old seedlings | Mature plants | Mature plants | Mature plants |