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without Introduction
The science of growing plants in
soil nutrient-rich water
is hydroponics. The
word hydroponics means "working water" and comes
from the Latin words hydro, meaning "water,"
and ponos, meaning "work." In hydroponics, the nutrients
are available at the plant's roots. From our lower grades
we have learnt that for photosynthesis of plants they need
soil, water, sunlight and minerals. but do you know that
we get these nutrients macronutrients (like carbon,
nitrogen, and phosphorus) and micronutrients (like iron,
sodium, and zinc) from the soil. then how about we grow
plants without soil. the idea is very simple, what if the
water had all the nutrients in it that soil does? So, without
any work, the plant gets its food and nutrition. A plant
with roots in soil must work hard to extract its nutrition
from the soil, and it can waste a lot of energy doing that.
But a plant in nutrient-rich water can spend its energy
growing bigger leaves, fruits, and flowers in a shorter
amount of time. One benefit of growing plants
hydroponically is that the nutrients in the water can be
completely controlled, and the plant can receive exactly
the right amount of nutrients at exactly the right time.
Another benefit of hydroponics is that it works in areas
where the soils are not arable (not suitable for farming)
and in areas where there is no soil.
1. Wick System
Grow tray, rope wicks, air stone, non-submersible air pump, and air hose.
2. Water Culture
Water culture uses a floating platform, non-submersible air pump, air stone,
and an air hose.
3. Ebb and Flow
Grow tray, overflow tube, submersible air pump, timer, and air hose.
4. Drip System
Grow tray, drip manifold, drip lines, overflow tube, submersible pump, timer,
non-submersible air pump and air hose.
5. Nutrient Film Technique
Grow tray, overflow tube, submersible pump, non-submersible air pump, air
stone, and air hose.
6. Aeroponics
Aeroponics uses a submersible pump, short-cycle timer, air hose, and mist
nozzles.
The advantages
1. Maximizes Space
2. Conserves Water
5. Needs No Soil
Food that ripens naturally, on the plant, typically has more nutrients and
better taste too. Because hydroponic gardens contain their own
microbiomes, these crops can be grown just about anywhere. This means
they can be picked at the peak of ripeness.
We don’t usually get all the crops in all seasons, many crops are seasonal so
to avoid this problem, In a hydroponic greenhouse, conditions are
controlled by the grower so the crops can be grown and also the lifetime
of that crop is increased by using those particular conditions so there is
no damage to the crop
The disadvantages
Risk of Water Borne Diseases and Algae Bloom
Most hydroponic systems are closed units in which all the plants
may share the same water or nutrient solution through
recirculation.
The risk with this system is that any waterborne pathogen that
infects one plant can easily spread to all the other plants at once.
This can destroy entire batch of plants if it’s not handled properly.
Capital Intensive
One of the most common disadvantages of hydroponic farming or
gardening for many people is the high cost involved in starting up.
setting up or scaling up to a large-scale hydroponic farm will
entail investments in equipment like HVAC systems, fans,
ventilation, irrigation systems, control systems, lights etc. You will
also need to have significant resources like land, manpower,
expertise etc