The question asks for the most appropriate term to describe "the art of growing plants in water without using soil". This method is a specialized agricultural technique that has gained significant traction globally due to its various benefits, as highlighted in the sentence itself.

Hydroponics System Overview

Hydroponics is a cutting-edge method of cultivating plants that bypasses the traditional use of soil. Instead, plants are grown with their roots either submerged in nutrient-rich water solutions or in an inert medium like coco coir, perlite, or rockwool, which provides structural support. The essential mineral nutrients that plants usually derive from soil are precisely delivered directly into the water, ensuring optimal growth conditions. This system allows for precise control over the plant's nutrient intake, water supply, and growing environment.

Option Analysis for Soilless Growing

Let's examine each option to determine which one accurately substitutes the underlined phrase:

• Hydrophonically: This term is not recognized in the field of agriculture or plant science. The root "phono-" relates to sound, making this an irrelevant option for describing plant cultivation.
• Hydrophilia: This word refers to the property of being "water-loving" or having an affinity for water. It describes a characteristic of substances or organisms, not a method of growing plants. For example, hydrophilic materials readily absorb water.
• Hydromonics: This term is not a standard or established word used to describe the practice of growing plants without soil. It appears to be an invented or incorrect term.
• Hydroponics: This is the correct and widely accepted scientific term for the art and science of growing plants in water, often with added nutrients, but without soil. The word itself is derived from Greek: "hydro" meaning water, and "ponos" meaning labor or toil, literally translating to "water work".

Hydroponic Benefits and Advantages

The sentence emphasizes several key advantages that make hydroponics popular worldwide:

• Productive: Hydroponic systems can lead to significantly higher yields compared to traditional soil farming. This is because plants receive a balanced and consistent supply of nutrients, leading to faster growth and more robust produce.
• Profitable: Increased productivity, reduced water usage (up to 90% less than soil farming), and the ability to grow crops year-round, regardless of climate, contribute to higher profitability for hydroponic growers.
• Less space: Hydroponics allows for intensive farming in much smaller areas. Vertical farming, a type of hydroponics, can stack layers of plants, making it ideal for urban areas or locations with limited arable land.
• Without any soil: The absence of soil eliminates concerns about soil-borne diseases, pests (often reduced), weeds, and the need for tilling or crop rotation to maintain soil health. This simplifies the growing process and reduces labor.

Hydroponics Conclusion

Considering the description "the art of growing plants in water without using soil," and the benefits mentioned (highly productive, profitable, and requiring less space), Hydroponics is the only term that accurately and appropriately describes this advanced agricultural method. Therefore, it is the most suitable substitute for the underlined words in the given sentence.