The Next Generation Of Farming: Hydroponics

Do you think farming is possible without soil?

Yes it is indeed. From childhood we are taught a process of photosynthesis where plant utilise carbondioxide and water in presence of sunlight to prepare food. There is no mention of soil which gives a proof that plant can grow without soil. Soil provide the base to hold the plants which can be replaced by other materials. Now the revoluntionary era has begun which allows the farmers to grow food at any part of the globe, all year round, with higher yields and fewer inputs hydroponically.

Hydroponics is a type of farming system where the crops are grown in nutrient rich solution excluding the soil. In latin word it means “working water”.It is a climate smart sustainable approach. Leafy vegetables can be grown easily in 30-45 days. No weeding in this system.

The history of hydroponics is connected from Hanging Garden of Babylon to Marco polo around 13th centuary who gave idea on seeing floating gardens in China. In 1990’s NASA grew aeroponic bean seedlings in zero gravity.

Hydroponics generate higher yield as the energy used by the plants to search their food is saved as the roots are given plenty of what they need. Hydro plants can also mature 25percent more quickly than the cultivation of same plants in soil. The other advantage is evaporation loss is minimal. Besides that the water used can be recycled instead of being waste. Researches says that at vertical roots this system saves 98 percent water in comaprison to traditional soil based farming. They require less space too. It is an ideal approach for who owns little or no land.

The basic elements which it depends on are:

• Fresh water: Generally plant preferred water at the pH level around 5.8-6.2. Over the counter solution is used to change the acidity of the water according to the crops requirement. Hard water contains higher mineral content which cannot dissolve nutrients effectively so it must be checked and filtered if required.
• Nutrients: this is the food of the plants with which they grow. Essential macro nutrients like potassium, calcium,phosphorus, nitrogen, magnesium and micro nutrients like iron, manganese, boron, zinc, copper, chlorine and molybdenum must be in adeqaute number. They are available in both liquid and dry formsas well as organic and synthetic.
• Root support: inert materials like vermiculite, perlite, peat moss, coconut fiber and rockwool etc where plant can anchorage.
• Oxygen: soil used to supply aeration for soil. In this system oxygen source depend on our hydroponic setup. For it air pump can ne installed.
• Light: one advantage is they can be installed in indoor or on roof top as well. Generally plants requires 12-16 hours light for indoor. Timer has to be set so that light turns on and off at the same time each day. Generally sodium or metal halide bulbs are used.
• Ideal temperature and humidity or a hydroponic grow room is 68-70 degree Fahrenheit and 40-60 percent relative humidity respectively.
• Net pots are used to hold the hydroponic plants. Air stones connected with external air pump generates the bubbles of dissolved oxygen for plants.

How does it work?

Hydroponics systems works by control over environment conditions like temperature and pH balance and maximized exposure to nutrients and water.

Principle:
Give plants what they need at the time they need.

Types of hydroponic systems:

For beginners four system are suitable: wick, water culture, ebb and flow system. One of the popular method is nutrient-film technique which is more advance system. The easiest plant to start with this system are greeen leafy vegetables like lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard and kale; herbs like basil, mint; fruiting plants like tomato, strawberries and hot peppers. The rest two are aeroponics and drip system.

1. Deep water culture systems
   DWC system can be operated on low cost on old aquarium or small bucket at home or in a classroom. Since the water used is static we have to focus on changing the nutrient solution on every 2-3 weeks as per the crop cultivated. The plant used should just touch the nutrient solution using styrofoam and net pots. Oxygenation should be managed by air stone and air pump.Temperature of our water solution shouldn’t exceed 68°F and does not go below 60°F.
2. Wick systems
   This system can be set-up by anyone and anywhere and doesn’t require much attention. This is the perfect one for beginners. Wicks are used which are placed close to root system. It work under principles of capillary action. There is a chance of fungal outbreaks and root rot due to humid and damp condition in the system.
3. Nutrient film technique system
   It is one of the popular commercial system where there is recirculating water system. Plants are suspended over continuously flowing nutrient solution. The slope of the channels are tilted to move the nutrient along the grow tray before it drains back to reservoir. A submerged pump then agains pump the nutrient rich solution and cycle continues. Water in reservoir is aerated by using airstone. The plants roots are not immersed in water instead the stream flows at the end of their rooots.
4. Ebb and flow systems
   It is also called flood and drain system. Any vegetation can be grown by this system. There is submerged pump which is timer operated. When it is turn on the system is flooded with water and special arrangement is made for overflow after certain level. In this period plants get enough nutrients. Afterwards when timer stops gravity slowly drains the water from growth bed down to the reservoir. This time plant gets enough aeration.
5. Drip systems
   This is the hydroponics system where nutrient rich aerated solution is supplied to the plants using network of tubes individually. Solution is slowly dripped keeping the plants moist and well nourished. It is popular among commercial growers.
6. Aeroponics
   The plants are suspended in the air nad their naked roots are exposed to a nutrient filled mist. It is one of most expensive and delicate hydroponic system. Water and nutrient are store in a reservoir which is atomized by noozle and released as mist.

In case of our country Nepal this systems is getting popular. Several company, organization like Hydroponics Nepal private limited ,Agriculture- Engineering plus private limited,Fresh Farm Nepal, Field ready nepal etc are innovating the techniques of hydroponics for the marginal farmers. Ganesh Kumar pandey started this system for the new generation of our country. Interested one can take a step more for taking its training and cultivating crops hydroponically later.

Hydroponics will be gateway for our survival if adequate care is not given to our mother earth now.