The quantity of cultivable land is decreasing due to population growth. Additional food needs to meet increased demand. Meanwhile, with increasing levels of pollution, there is a risk of damage to the crops that grow by applying pesticides on the earth. Moreover, during the heyday of organic farming, the question remains as to how environmentally friendly it is that you are trying to eat healthy and organic food. Standing in this situation today hydroponic farming is becoming the direction of the future.
Since the innovation of technology and science the farming system is growing randomly day by day. Farmers use modern technology in their farming and innovating new farming methods. Hydroponic farming is one of them and one of the best examples of modern farming technology. Today in that context, we will discuss about hydroponic farming method and all queries of it.
This farming method encourages you to fulfill your gardening hobby at home. Most people spend their leisure time doing some workout or cooking food. But this modern farming method gives you fresh fruits and vegetables at your own home.
#What Is Hydroponic Farming?
Hydroponic is a sophisticated farming method. In the case of highly profitable crops, this method produces crops by providing essential nutrients to the plant in water instead of soilless farming in a controlled environment. In densely populated countries where normal arable land is scarce, vegetables and fruits are grown hydroponically in rooftops, backyards, poly tunnels and net houses.
In countries like America, Japan, Taiwan, China, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, vegetables and fruits are produced commercially throughVerticalhydroponic farming. The biggest advantage of this crop is that it can be cultivated all year round and no pesticides have to be used in the crop produced. More than that, the hydroponic method has shown that it is possible to meet the demand for food by producing crops through different means without soil. Just as crops can be grown in this way in a controlled environment in barren and coastal saline areas, it is possible to benefit by producing high value crops in the confined spaces of a sprawling city. It is environmentally friendly and the cultivation of this method does not require any pesticides or insecticides on the crop as it is less susceptible to pest infestation. As a result there is no toxic effect on the crop produced.
It cannot be said that the cultivation of this method is completely new. Hydroponic farming has been going on for a long time. But now it has become more advanced with the use of technology there. In areas where water is stagnant for a long time, floating organic beds are being cultivated to a limited extent in this manner. However, for the development of conventional methods, it is necessary to know about modern hydroponic methods. It is important to keep in mind that floating farming methods differ from current technology dependent hydroponic methods.
#Why We Do Hydroponic Farming?
The amount of cultivable land is decreasing day by day due to population growth. On the other hand, extra food is needed to meet the increased oral demand. By hydroponic method it is possible to meet the demand by producing crops by means other than soil. In this way, just as it is possible to produce crops in a controlled environment using the land of barren and coastal saline areas, it will also be possible to benefit by producing high value crops in closed areas in the city. Hydroponic farming methods are environmentally friendly and no pesticides are required in this crop as there is less pest infestation. As a result there is no toxic effect on the crop produced.
There is a scientific vegetables cultivation management suitable for the present time. Usually when we cultivate vegetables, we think of land and soil, how we will cultivate vegetables on our land. Our country is a reverie country. Hydroponic is the method of cultivating vegetables using only water without soil. There is huge demand of foods for the great population but for shortage land it isn’t possible. To solve this problem this farming method is the best to fulfill all demand. All farmers will be able to cultivate vegetables in this way.
#What You’ll Need
1. Equipment/Tools
The essential equipments or tools of this farming method are given below:
- Growstones
- Expanded clay aggregate
- Rice husks
- Coconut Coir
- Pumice
- Perlite
- Sand
- Wood fiber
- Gravel
- Brick shards
- Rock wool
- Sheep wool
- Vermiculite
2. Materials
Fresh water:
For this farming method we need fresh water and balanced pH as most plants like it. Always manage the water and its pH level. Adjust the acidity level of water. Generally the pH level should be 5.6-6.5 and the EC level should be between 1.5-2.5 ds / m. going beyond this level can damage the roots of the tree. The pH and EC of aqueous food solution should not be changed suddenly.
Oxygen:
In traditional farming the roots of a tree get oxygen from soil but here it is different. As in this method you must leave small spaces between the base of the plant and the water reservoir to provide them needed water. For this farming method you must buy air stone. The ideal temperature of the solution must be maintained. As the temperature of the solution increases, the rate of respiration and the demand for oxygen also increase. As a result the amount of oxygen in the solution decreases. Aquatic food solutions need to be supplied with extra oxygen. This is because if the roots of the tree are damaged due to lack of oxygen, the yield will decrease.
Root Support:
As you know that in this farming method you don’t need soil but for supporting the root you must use something. The materials that you can use for supporting the roots are peat moss, vermiculite, rockwool, and perlite and coconut fiber. And stay away from the using of moisture materials.
Nutrients:
In this method your plant needs huge amount of nutrient like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous. These nutrients help the plants to become productive stay healthy. And here the water plays vital role to provide them healthy nutrients. Theexcess of the nutrients of the plant can be understood by looking at the health of the plant and the color of the leaves. The deficiency is to be understood by looking at the symptoms of the food element and to fill that need as needed. For this you need to have knowledge about the symptoms caused by the deficiency of each ingredient.
Light:
Light plays an important role to grow plants, so if you are planting indoors then you must manage artificial light for plants. Different plants have different requirements of needs of lights. Adequate lighting should be provided in the cultivation area and disease free seedlings should be used. If any diseased tree is seen, it should be removed immediately.
Keeping this precaution in mind, there is a possibility of huge profit if cultivated in hydroponic method. Hydroponics farming is the future of agriculture in a populous country like India where the amount of cultivable land is declining.
#Hydroponic Farming Techniques or Methods:
Here we discuss about most used techniques or methods of this farming:
1. Circulating System:
In this method, the essential nutrients of the plant are mix in appropriate doses and take in a tank. The crop produces by pumping the nutrient solution into the tray. This process has to continue with the help of a pump for at least 6 to 8 hours every day. Initially, the incidental cost of trays, pumps, and pipes is a little higher in the first year but from next year only the cost of chemical food material requires. As a result, the cost reduces from the second year of cultivation.
2. Non-Circulating System:
This method provides direct crop production by supplying a moderate amount of essential nutrients to the plant in a tray. No pump or water supply requirements need to supply food. In this case, 5-6 cm space should need to leave between the food mixture and the middle of the cork sheet and 4-5 small holes should make on the cork sheet so that air can circulate easily. This allows the tree to collect the oxygen it needs from the empty space in the corkscrew.
These nutrients usually need to be added to the tray 2-3 times depending on the type of crop. This method does not require the use of electric motors, pumps or pipes. Using plastic buckets, bottles, etc., vegetables can be produced in a non-circulating manner on the roof, veranda and open space of the house. The cost is relatively low.
3. Static Solution Culture:
Static solution culture is a type of cultivation process where the plants are growing on the plastic container, buckets, pots, tanks, tubs etc. In this solution, at any level the roots need adequate oxygen to grow the crops fast. Here the cut of the top of the plants and reserve and put them in a jar. In this the reservoir size increases as the plant size increase. The method of hydroponic farming at home follows this tip.
4. Continuous-Flow Solution Culture:
In this solution the roots of the plant gets constantly nutrients. The adjustment of the temperature is most important of this farming technique. In a large storage tank you can cultivate thousand of plants. The shallow of streaming water provide the proper nutrients and help to grow the plants.
5. Aeroponics:
The aeroponics method involves spraying nutrients on the roots of the crop all the time or from time to time. This is also considered a hydroponic culture as no production media is used here either. Interested farmers should start working after knowing about these issues. Technology needs to be combined with affordability. Necessary information and services are also required at the government level to assist those interested.
6. Fogponics
This is an innovative technique of this farming and the aeroponic origin in which a diaphragm vibrates at ultrasonic frequencies aerosolizes the nutrient solution. The small size droplets permit them to spread more quickly through the air and supply the roots with nutrients without restricting their access to oxygen.
7. Passive sub-irrigation
Passive hydroponic is a technique where the plants raised in inert absorbent medium which, by tube action from a separate reservoir, transports water and fertilizer to the roots as essential, reducing effort and provide the roots with a regular bring of water.
8. Run-to-waste:
This innovative method was invented in Bengal. In this, the water and nutrients applied on the medium part. And can set up on immense patterns. It is the simplest form of water-nutrients solution. To growing the plants it may applies few times in a day.
9. Ebb and flow (flood and drain) sub-irrigation:
This is one of the most popular hydroponic systems that are mainly used for home gardening. The plants of this system are mainly grown on the Rockwool. If one time you carefully plant these then nutrient-rich water riches the roots of the plants. This system also ensures that it doesn’t overflow.
10. Deep water culture:
This system is another simplest technique that puts directly to the roots to provide proper nutrients and it bypasses the barriers plants and the water. Provide proper oxygen to the plants so that they can survive into the water. For that system you must keep in mind that the plants need secure and proper position in the pots.
11. Rotary:
This is a commercial hydroponic system to produce a circular frame and constantly rotate at that time of growth circles of plants. Although device specifics vary, systems usually rotate once every hour, giving a plant 24 complete turns every 24-hour cycle within the circle. A high intensity growing light, build to mimic sunlight, often with the aid of a mechanized timer, can be within the center of each rotating hydroponic garden.
#Advantages or Benefits:
- Hydroponic farming takes much less time to disinfect the media and it is possible to disinfect them in a very short time with some simple smoke-producing chemicals.
- It is possible to plant a large number of trees in a very small area, as a result of which the yield of trees per unit area increases a lot.
- This type of cultivation method does not cause any weed problem. This stops the use of weed cleaners and harmful weed-killing chemicals. As a result, the cost of cultivation reduces a lot.
- Among the traditional crop cultivation methods, many types of soil-borne diseases, pests, and insects infest. But in the case of hydroponic cultivation, no such problem is seen. As a result, there is no need to adhere to any particular crop cycle/crop cycle.
- In the case of hydroponic farming methods, there is no shortage of water for the plants. Humidity sensors usually install the near roots of the plant and the whole process is automatically computerize. As a result, as labor dependence decreases, so does the efficiency of water use. Water is not wasted outside the roots of the tree at all, just as water is wasted by evaporating from the surface.
- The fruits produced in this method are quite hardy and their durability is increased. Some experiments have shown that hydroponically grown tomatoes have an excess of vitamin A compared to soil-grown tomatoes.
- During the traditional method of cultivation, it observes that 50-60 percent of the amount of fertilizer that we apply at the base of the tree goes to the soil. In other words, this huge amount of fertilizer is of no use to the plant and is a complete waste. This fertilizer also contaminates the groundwater table. But in the hydroponic method, a very small amount of fertilizer is apply and its equivalent reaches the roots of each tree. This greatly increases the effectiveness of the fertilizer.
- Many saplings die in the soil while planting new saplings. The hydroponic method does not cause any disruption to the seedlings and they can easily adapt to the new environment.
- It observes that in hydroponic cultivation the tree yields much faster. The crop matures very quickly. This makes it possible to market quickly and easily. Farmers also get good market prices.
- If you cultivate in a poly house or greenhouse, you may have to change the soil completely after a few years. Because of the many trees planted in that small area, the fertile energy and structure of the soil are easily lost. However, there is no need to change the means used in hydroponics such as gravel, sand. No need to repeatedly use harmful chemicals to disinfect.
- Compared to conventional farming, the yield is much higher in hydroponic farming. For example, if you grow tomatoes inside a greenhouse, the yield per plant is 8-10 kg per year. The same tomato, if you do it through the hydroponic method, it is possible to get a yield of 25-30 kg per plant per year. It observes that in the Netherlands, about 70 kg of tomatoes were harvest from a single tree by hydroponic methods.
- Hydroponic farming methods do not depend on cultivable land. Hydroponic farms can build near the market and from there you can sell your crops. This way you can reduce transportation costs and air pollution.
- Since hydroponic crops grow indoors, the weather does not have much control over the crops. You can cultivate the crop all year round.
#Disadvantages:
- This type of farming method is largely dependent on human control. People need attention at every step of crop growth. If left it unmanaged, they can leave astray and lose the right path.
- It is not cropping production in the traditional way. It requires some experience and expert knowledge. For a slight mistake, all the trees could die. So, one should not go for commercial hydroponic cultivation without proper training and knowledge.
- In this method, water and electricity use together. It requires water and electricity at the same time to run the whole system smoothly. Mistakes can lead to life-threatening situations.
- If the power goes out for a long time, a complicated situation may arise. Because the whole system is power dependent. Initially, commercial hydroponic farms require a lot of capital. However, once it complete, the cost gradually reduce.
- Since there is no use of soil in this method, there are no pests or diseases coming from the soil. But if a waterborne disease enters this discipline, it spreads very quickly. In particular, bacterial plant diseases grow very fast and can kill all your crops overnight.
#Which Crops Are Suitable For Hydroponic Method?
Many types of crops, especially vegetables, cultivate hydroponically. It has been observed that in terms of quality, they are much better than conventional crops. Various studies have shown that vegetables such as lettuce, celery, feathers can be grown very well in this way. Hydroponic lettuce is ready to market in just 30-40 days. As such, you can harvest lettuce about 6 times a year. In the case of tomato and strawberry cultivation, it has been possible to increase production by using hydroponic methods.
For example, leafy vegetables include lettuce, coriander leaves, and cabbage. Fruits include tomatoes, eggplant, capsicum, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumber, melon, squash, etc. Fruits include strawberry cultivation. Moreover, flower cultivation is also possible. Flowers like marigold, rose, orchid, gerbera, chrysanthemum, etc. can be cultivated in the hydroponic method. You can easily produce these fruits and vegetables by doing hydroponic farming at home.
#The Future of Hydroponic Farming System:
Judging by this, it can be seen that in a very short period of time, that is, in the last 65 years, the hydroponic system has adapted to different places. For example, it has become one of the most widely studied subjects in the field, from open field farming to indoor greenhouses and highly well-planned space science research. Starting from the International Space Station, how it is possible to produce crops in the future on aliens can be solved through hydroponic farming methods. Note that this method is very effective in producing much more food in a very small range in third world countries. Where there is a lack of clean fresh water, sea salt water can use to reverse salt through reverse osmosis.
In the deserts of Dubai, Arabia, and Mexico, vegetables grow hydroponically by desalinating seawater, where large tracts of land cannot be cultivated, such as desert areas, hydroponic cultivation has great potential for improvement. In coastal areas, seawater that desalinates can use in farming, hydroponic methods. In a small country but with a large population, it is possible to produce much more crops in a small area with this method.
Over the past few years, hydroponics has proven to be a promising method in the production of various crops. In a very small space, low labor costs, year-round vegetable production – could be a new kind of opportunity for poor and landless people. Hydroponic cultivation in India will increase unexpectedly in the near future. Low-cost hydroponic technology, government assistance need to encourage commercial hydroponic farms. This will greatly reduce labor dependence and initial application costs.
# Hydroponic Farming In India
Finding open space in urban areas is quite a matter of luck. Using new methods to cultivate on the roof, porch, and even the house is amazing. With organic and hydroponic methods, the yield is equal to or greater than one-tenth of the land required for conventional cultivation. By cultivating in this way, educated youth and unemployed youth can also do the hydroponic farming business plans for their own self-employment.
Although the hydroponic method is very popular in different countries of the world, hydroponic farming in India is not so prevalent. We can successfully get environmentally friendly and nutritious crops through the soil-less cultivation method. As of 2017, the global hydroponic market value is estimated at 21,203 million. In our country, India, where soil quality is very low but water is abundant. So we can easily start hydroponic farming in India.
At present in some big cities of our country like Delhi, Chandigarh, Noida, and Bangalore people are producing vegetables and spices using hydroponic methods on the roofs and balconies of their houses. In some big cities, including Mumbai, a number of young people are using this method to deliver non-toxic vegetables from house to house. The institutes on Hydroponic farming training in India are growing to train the youth. Our country also has a lot of potential for hydroponic cultivation in the future. Many have left their lucrative jobs to pursue hydroponic farming and start their own businesses.