Hydroponic Systems

LIQUID (NON-AGGREGATE) HYDROPONIC SYSTEMS

This method involves growing plants in special nutrient solutions without any solid growing medium, or by spraying the nutrient solution onto plant roots at regular intervals. The term “hydroponics” literally means growing plants unsupported in a nutrient solution. However, growing plants in solid media using nutrient solutions also falls under hydroponic systems.

Hydroponic systems can further be classified as open or closed systems:

• In open systems, the nutrient solution is delivered to the plant roots once and is not reused.

• In closed systems, the excess solution is collected and recirculated.

AGGREGATE HYDROPONIC SYSTEMS

This type of soilless cultivation uses solid or coarse materials obtained locally as the required growing medium. The selected medium should be porous, friable, have high water and air retention capacity, and offer good drainage. Additionally, it must be free from toxic substances, pests, and pathogens.

In this method, plants are sown or placed in containers such as grow bags, troughs, pots, trays, or similar structures filled with organic or inorganic substrates. The nutrient solution is applied at intervals through drip irrigation or sprinkler systems, and plants absorb water and nutrients from the substrate.

Core Principle of All Hydroponic Techniques

The fundamental principle of all hydroponic methods is to deliver nutrient-rich solutions directly to the root zone of plants without the use of soil. The nutrient levels are specially formulated according to plant species, and the contents are adjusted based on the plant’s growth stage.

Advantages of Hydroponic Systems:

• Provides optimal moisture and aeration to the root zone. Issues like soil compaction common in traditional farming are eliminated. No need for tilling or hoeing.

• Weed seeds typically present in soil are not a concern. Airborne weeds can be easily managed, minimizing the need for weeding.

• Nutrients are delivered with water, eliminating the need for traditional fertilization and reducing nutrient loss.

• Ensures equal and balanced distribution of water and nutrients to all plants, leading to uniform and consistent crop quality.

• Promotes water efficiency, resulting in higher yield and improved quality.

• Easier to sterilize compared to soil-based systems.

• Enables plant production in saline, rocky, desert, or shallow soils that are unsuitable for conventional agriculture.

• Nutrient formulations can be adjusted to promote either vegetative or generative growth phases.

• No water stress occurs for the plants.

• Fully compatible with automation; irrigation and fertilization can be automated to save labor.

• In soilless culture, parameters like pH, salinity, nutrient content, and air/water ratio in the root zone can be precisely controlled.