Hydroponics/ Soil-less Culture– What is it?
[dir="ltr"]Hydroponics or soil-less culture is a technology for growing plants in nutrient solutions that contain all nutrient elements needed for optimum plant growth. This technology is implemented with or without the use of an inert medium such as gravel, vermiculite, rockwool, peat moss, saw dust, coir dust, coconut fibre, etc. to provide mechanical support.[/english]
History of Hydroponics
Hydroponics was practiced many centuries ago in Amazon, Babylon, Egypt, china and India where ancient men used dissolved manure to grow cucumber, watermelons and other vegetables in sandy riverbeds. The “hanging harden of Babylon” was actually a prototype of hydroponic systems. Later, when plant physiologists started to grow plants with specific nutrients for experimental purposes, they gave the name “nutriculture.”
Interest in practical application of “nutriculture” developed in 1925 when the green house industry expressed interest in its use. Green house soils had to be replaced frequently to overcome problems of soil structure, fertility and pests. As a result, researchers became interested in the potential use of nutriculture to replace conventional soil culture.
In 1929, Dr William F. Gericke of the University of California succeeded in growing tomato vines of 7.5 m height in nutrient solutions. He named this new production system “hydroponics” a word derived from Greek to reflect the importance of ‘Hydros’ (water) and ‘Ponos’ (working). Thus, hydroponics broke the laboratory bounds and entered the world of practical horticulture. The term hydroponics originally meant nutrient solution culture. However, crop growing in inert solid media using nutrient solution is also included in hydroponics in broad sense.
Basic Requirements of Hydroponics
Soils naturally maintain the temperature and aeration needed for root growth. When the soil is poor, plant growth and yield decline due to unsuitable aeration and temperature. Plant cultivation is impossible under ill drained condition due to these conditions. Soil adjusts itself to provide suitable conditions for plant growth. It is called the buffer action of the soils. Plants also absorb nutrients released through natural mineralization.
In a solution or inert medium, maintenance of acidity or alkalinity (pH) and electrical conductivity (EC) in suitable ranges for plant root system is called buffer action. This requirement, however, must be artificially maintained in hydroponics. In any hydroponics system the following basic requirements must be maintained at optimum levels.
• Buffer action (percentage) of water or the inert medium used.
• The nutrient solution or the fertilizer mixture used must contain all micro and macro elements necessary for plant growth and development.
• Buffer action of the nutrient solution must be in the suitable range so that plant root system or the inert medium is not affected.
• The temperature and aeration of the inert medium or the nutrient solution is suitable for plant root system.
Advantages of Hydroponics/ Soil-less Culture
• Land is not necessary. It can be practiced even in upstairs, on roofs, open spaces, and in protected structures.
• Clean working environment. The grower will not have any direct contact with soil.
• Low handiwork. No need of making beds, weeding, watering, etc.
• Continuous cultivation is possible.
• No soil borne diseases.
• Off-season production is possible (means you can grow your plants in earlier seasons).
• Vegetable cultivation can be done with leisure sense.
• Many plants were found to give yield early in hydroponics system.
• Higher yields possible with correct management practices.
• Easy to hire labour as hydroponics system is more attractive and easier than cultivation in soil.
• No need of electricity, pumps, etc. for the non-circulating systems of solution culture.
• Possibility of growing a wide variety of vegetable and flower crops including Anthurium, marigolds, etc.
• Water wastage is reduced to minimum.
• Possible to grow plants and rooted cuttings free from soil particles for export.
Limitations of Hydroponics/ Soil-less Culture
• Higher initial capital expenditure. This will be further high if the soil-less culture is combined with controlled environment agriculture.
• High degree of management skills is necessary for solution preparation, maintenance of pH and EC, nutrient deficiency judgment and correction, ensuring aeration, maintenance of favourable condition inside protected structures, etc.
• Considering the significantly high cost, the soil-less culture is limited to high value crops of the area of cultivation.
• A large-scale cultivator may have to purchase instruments to measure pH and EC of the nutrient solution.
• Energy inputs are necessary to run the system.
• Yields were found to decrease when temperature of the solution rises during warm periods.
Crops to Grow with Hydroponics/ Soil-less Culture
A variety of crops can be grown using hydroponics/soil-less culture. However, priority must be given to high-value crops depending on the market situation.
Leafy vegetables - Lettuce.
Vegetables - Tomato, Egg Plant, Green bean, Beet, Winged bean, Capsicum, Bell pepper, Cabbage, Cauliflower, cucumbers, melons, raddish.
Fodder crops (animal food) - Sorghum, Alphalfa, Barley, Bermuda grass, Carpet grass.
Cereals - Rice, Maize.
Condiments (peppers) - Parsley, Mint, Oregano, Sweet basil.
Fruit crops - Strawberry.
Flower/ornamental crops - Anthurium, Merrygold, Coleus, roses, carnations, orchids, chrysanthemums.
Medicinal crops - Alovera
Pleaze let us know if you are thinking to take the chance to go Hydroponic.
Hydroponics
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