Why Is Hydroponics An Effective Farming?

According to a report, the estimated market value of hydroponics crops will be around 725$ million, by 2023. Moreover, the compound yearly growth rate will be approximately 18.1%.

These days, hydroponic systems or hydroponic gardening is considered one of the latest smart farming practices. Because the farmers use advanced technological tools integrated with AI, IoT devices, & drones for better production. 

However, the highly climate-resistant crop growth, less environmental damage, and least overexploitation of natural resources make it a popular farming technique. So, let’s discuss it in detail along with the process, techniques, advantages, & disadvantages. 

What Is Exactly Hydroponics?

It is a system in which farmers use water solutions rich in nutrients instead of soil for crop growth.  Specifically, they obtain the nutrients from various sources, especially from aquaponics techniques or fish excrement.  

Mostly, this farming technique requires less land, water & energy usage. Farmers use nitrogen, magnesium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and sulfur-rich water solution. Also, they use perlite, vermiculite, pumice, rock wool, or rice husk & wood fiber to support crops’ roots. 

Moreover, they rely on equipment like pH meters, sufficient lighting gadgets, air control devices, & conductivity meters for better cultivation. For better & consistent growth, the plants also need d uninterrupted supply of oxygen.

With 90% less water consumption & 25 to 50% faster crop growth, the hydroponics technique produces crops throughout the year. Additionally, farmers can use farming space more efficiently & grow them anywhere limiting the logistic cost. 

Generally, farmers grow crops like green vegetables including cauliflower, celery, broccoli, peas, lettuce, beans, spinach, etc. Some of the other vegetables & fruits grown by hydroponic technique include beetroot, onion, cucumber, tomato, strawberry, lemon, blueberry, grapes, etc. 

The History of Hydroponics

This farming concept is comparatively new in the agricultural field. However, the concept first emerged in the hanging gardens of Babylon. 

The Euphrates diverted into several channels running through the garden walls was the first practical example of a hydroponic mechanism. Also, Marco Polo mentioned witnessing marvelous floating gardens in 13th-century China. 

In the 1990s, NASA started to grow aeroponic seedlings at a space station with zero gravity6. This opened new possibilities for sustainable agricultural practices even in the space. Today, the practice of hydroponic technique has developed as a timeless & sustainable farming practice throughout the world.  

How Does Hydroponics Work & The Setup

Hydroponic farmers can have precise control over environmental conditions like pH level, temperature, and nutrient management. Precisely, they rely on one simple strategy of providing plants with exactly what they need at the right time.

Farmers use pH-balanced growing media to support plant weight, air stones & pumps for oxygen supply, & net pots for root growth. Ideally, the suitable pH level for this farming practice is 5.0 to 6.0. Sometimes, farmers need to add diluted Sulfuric acid or alkaline Sodium Hydroxide to adjust the pH level.

Also, they partly or entirely empty the holding tank & refill it with a strong nutrient solution. Depending on the plant & scale of cultivation, farmers create different types of solutions combining several components. 

Two Types of Hydroponics

Hydroponic farmers might use passive as well as active systems for plant growth. Mostly, passive systems use a wick media to supply water to plants. 

However, in active systems, they actively pass the nutrient-rich solution over the plant roots. Now, let’s have a look at the two different types of hydroponic farming systems. 

Liquid 

In this system, farmers place the plants in a polyethylene tube with slit cuts in the outside material to insert the roots. Also, they pump nutrient solution through the tube & spray solution mists at short intervals at the roots.

Aggregate

In an open aggregate system, farmers use rockwool medium for water retention & air circulation. Usually, they heat the basalt rock & spin it into woolen threads. 

However, farmers also use sand for the same purpose. In a closed aggregate system, farmers use gravel, NFT & Rockwool channel slabs to provide the plants with nutrient-rich water.

12 Popular Techniques of Hydroponics

Static Solution

With this process, you can grow plants in glass mason jars, tubs, buckets, or pots partly filled with nutrient solution. Generally, the level of an un-aerated solution is lower than aerated one to keep roots above it for oxygen supply. 

Continuous-Flow Solution

In this system, the producers let the nutrient-rich solution flow continuously past the roots. Usually, they use a large storage tank for plantation under controlled environmental factors including the pH, temperature, etc. Also, sometimes, they use a Nutrient Film Technique for abundant oxygen supply & better crop growth. 

Aeroponics

This system suspends the crop roots in the air. Generally, the farmers spray mists of nutrient-rich water solution. As a result, the crops grow faster.

Fogponics

This soilless method of crop growth requires a high-pressure fogging environment for constant nutrient & oxygen supply to the plants. Moreover, it demands less energy for growth as the roots can quickly absorb the fine nutrient droplets through the pores.

Wicking

According to the producers, it is the most easy & cost-effective hydroponics method. They use a wick to connect the plants or the crops and the reservoir filled with nutrient solution. This way, the plants feed on the nutrient components slowly & start to grow. Also, farmers use cotton or other porous materials as common mediums for a successful supply of nutrients to plant roots.

Passive Sub-Irrigation

In this system, cultivators supply the essential water & nutrients to the plant roots from a separate reservoir. So, the process works without any recirculating system. Mostly, the farmers use porous mediums like expanded clay or coconut husks for the conduction of the capillary activity. 

Additionally, this system demands less labor and uninterrupted water supply. However, it results in reduced root rot and increased oxygen availability to the roots. 

Ebb & Flow

This hydroponics method demands flooding the entire planting area at regular intervals. In between, the products drain back the nutrient-rich solution into the reservoir. However, the benefit of this intermediate farming technique is that it requires less water.

Dripping

This way, the farmers slowly feed the plants. Specifically, they use slow-draining mediums like coconut coir, rock wool, or peat moss for feeding the roots on nutrient solution.

Run-To-Waste

This method of hydroponics is a 1946 Bengal invention, also known as “The Bengal System.” However, in this system, the producers supply the nutrient-rich water to the medium periodically. 

However, they can apply the solution manually once or twice a day to the container with growing media. Moreover, they can automate the complex process as well with delivery pumps, timers, or an irrigation tube.

Deep Water

In this case, producers suspend the plant roots in the nutrient-rich oxygenated water solution. Traditionally, they use large plastic containers for better absorption of oxygen by the roots resulting in faster growth. 

Top-Fed Deep Water

Usually, the farmers pump up the nutrient solution right from the reservoir to the roots. Once they release the water to the roots, it immediately returns to the reservoir. 

Hydrozone

Through this technique, farmers produce rare or exotic species of plants and crops by implementing hydroponics. Particularly, this farming practice is remarkable for the conservation of endangered plants. Mostly, the researchers use equipment like LED lights, humidity controllers, ventilation systems, etc. for a controlled environment. 

5 Benefits of The Hydroponic Farming Technique

Higher Production

Hydroponic farming practice enables the farmers to have more precise control over the environment which can foster quick plant growth. 

Better Control

The crop producers can control the supply of nutrient content, pH levels, & other aspects of the environment. 

Less Water Required

Hydroponic crops require 20 times less water compared to crops grown by traditional farming techniques. Also, they consume less space due to the strategic vertical stacking system. 

Weather Resistant

Crops grown by hydroponic systems can withstand dry, humid, hot, and even cold temperatures. 

Few Toxins

The crops are usually safe from insects & weeds & the producers do not use artificial pesticides & fertilizers. As a result, this results in zero water or soil contamination.

5 Drawbacks of Hydroponics

Environmental Impacts

This harvesting system demands a lot of energy usage in the form of heating, lighting, & pumping water. Moreover, it can generate waste like excess water. 

Sophisticated

The farmers need to be well-equipped with the proper technique and must have the necessary knowledge required for practicing. Also, if installed incorrectly or the timer, string, or pump fails, the entire production will be at risk. 

High Investment

The initial operational costs are a bit higher compared to the other farming techniques.

Nutritional Value

The nutritional value of the crops grown by hydroponic systems may vary depending on the nutrient solution. 

Ethics

Some farmers think that growing plants in water instead of soil is ethically wrong. Moreover, it results in reduced carbon sequestration in the soil. 

The Commercial Practice of Hydroponics & The Future Sustainability

To produce crops through a hydroponic system on a large scale, you need to weigh the pros and cons first. After that, if you plan to start farming short-term crops like lettuce, opt for NFT or the flood & drain technique. 

However, for longer-term crops, you can implement non-recirculating or other media-based farming systems. These days a lot of commercial farming sectors opt for hydroponic farming procedures for better crop yield & profitability. 

Moreover, the commercial hydroponic practice is a highly sustainable agricultural method. Precisely, the areas with water scarcity can grow plants & crops through hydroponic techniques. Not only does it minimize water usage, but also, results in greenhouse gas emissions due to food transportation at longer distances.

Additionally, the latest technologies integrated with automation & AI can aid in seed development & better market reach. So, in the future, you can expect better control over the environmental, crop production, and marketing techniques. 

How to Start Hydroponics at Home?

It was in 1936, that Gericke produced tomato plants by hydroponic technique. This innovative event revealed to the world for the first time, that growing plants without soil benefits is possible. So, you can also start growing plants through hydroponic techniques. 

You will need plastic containers with rock wool or coconut fiber as the substrates and nutrient-rich water solution as the basic equipment. Additionally, to control the environment, you need an aquarium pump for circulating nutrients, & sunlight. 

On a small scale, you can grow plants like cucumbers, peppers, herbs, spinach, celery, & lettuce, etc. Usually, a 27-gallon container & PVC pipe spray system will be enough to provide the roots with the vital nutrients.

So, when are you planning to start hydroponics at your home? Comment below right now!

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