ABSTRACT

Sahil ,Mohd Umair ,Saquib

Hydroponics is a modern –
day agriculture also known as
urban agriculture also known
as urban agriculture. It does
not require soil therefore it is
also known as soilless
agriculture. It is a good
AN INITIATIVE ON alternative for producing
healthy crops and vegetables
free from soil borne
HYDROPONICS pathogens as it is not growing
on soil.

FARMING
Submitted To Dr Noria Farooqui JAMIA HAMDARD New Delhi
 Introduction of the Hydroponics Farming
Hydroponics is a system of agriculture that utilizes nutrient –laden water rather than soil for plant nourishment.
The re-use of nutrients water supplies makes process –induced eutrophication (excessive plant growth due to
overabundant nutrients) and general pollution of land and water unlikely since runoff in weather –independent
facilities is not a concern.
Aeroponic and hydroponic system do not require pesticides, requires less water and space than traditional
agricultural system and may be stacked (if outfitted with led lighting) in order to limit space use (vertical
farming ). This makes them optimal for use in cities where spaces is particularly limited and populations are
high self -sustaining city based food systems mean a reduced strain on distant farms ,the reduction of habitat
intrusions ,fewer food miles ,and fewer carbon emissions.
Boosted by rising consumer demand owing to better health awareness and purchasing power, production of fruits and
vegetables across India has increased this year with their total yield surpassing the production of food grains. India is also
prominent exporter of Fresh Vegetables in the world.

As per the Volzas India Export data Hydroponic exports shipments from India stood at 73, exported by 81.
India reported to 107 Buyers. India exports most of the Hydroponic to Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh
and is the largest exporter of Hydroponic in India.
The Indian consumer are willing to spend more on fitness classes and consuming natural foods.
The country is day by day expanding its roots in the exports of fresh vegetables. India grows the largest number
of vegetables from temperature to humid tropics and sea level to snowline. Thus as an entrepreneur this
initiative can help to grasp opportunity in terms of business.
In recent years hydroponics has found application in the field of commercial production and horticulture.
Similarly, residents of cities with limited space are using this methods to grow fresh plans in their homes and
surroundings

In Hydroponics, the photosynthesis process is expressed as –

6CO2+ 6H2O = C6H12O6+ 6O2

Some of the most common hydroponics examples include – the production of artichokes, sprouts, cabbage, peas
onions ,tomatoes and yams.

Figure 2

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 Marketing outlook on hydroponic farming

The global hydroponics market size was valued at USD 2.1 billion in 2020. It is expected to expand at a
compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.7% from 2021 to 2028. This high growth rate is attributed to the
increasing use of hydroponic systems for the indoor farming of vegetables. Also, the adoption of alternative
farming methods for cannabis cultivation is rapidly rising, owing to the legalization of marijuana in countries
like Canada, the Czech Republic, South Africa, and others. Increasing awareness among consumers regarding
the effects of pesticides and artificial ripening agents on their health is expected to drive the demand for
hydroponics, as the method eliminates the need for such products, thereby providing nutritionally superior
vegetables. Low installation cost and ease of operation of these systems are also expected to boost the adoption
in near future.

Hydroponic farming is a method of growing plants without soil, where the soil is replaced by a mineral solution
inserted around the plant roots. Herein, the plant roots are submerged under the chemical solution and checked
periodically to ensure that appropriate chemical composition is maintained for growth. As such, the hydroponics
method removes the risk of diseases that are caused by soil organisms. Additionally, the hydroponically grown
plants produce a higher yield than similar plants grown in soil because of proper control over the nutrients.

Hydroponics Market Top Players

 AeroFarms
 AmHydro
 Argus Control Systems Ltd.
 Emirates Hydroponics Farms
 Freight Farms
India Hydroponics Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.53% during
the forecasting period 2022-2029

In the contemporary times, the Hydroponics market is flourishing and contributing in shaping the future of the
agriculture industry. According to the World Economic Forum, the global population is expected to reach
nearly 10 billion by 2050 and then the need for food will be 60% higher than what it is today

Vegetable Soil Agriculture Avg per

Hydroponics Agriculture Avg per acre
Type Acre

Lettuce 9-10 tons 300-400 tons

Strawberries 20-25 tons 50 tons

Cucumber 15-20 tons 200 tons

Tomato 10-12 tons 180-200 tons

Bell Pepper 10-12 tons 120-140 tons

Potato 8-10 tons 60-70 tons

Cabbage 6-7 tons 10-12 tons

According to a report by DataM Intelligence, though still nascent, Indian hydroponic market is expected to
grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13.53 per cent between 2020-2027. In comparison, the
growth in the global market is estimated at just half of it at 6.8 per cent.

We are planning to capture at least 40% market share in the coming 5 years. After this, we might look upon
expanding to other geographies such as Surat and Ahmedabad. Nutrifresh wants to overcome the price war and
benefit from the 100% dependency after a few years. We will gradually use skimmed pricing policy for our
high-quality products. We are planning to expand our model by firstly building a knowledge platform for the 42
crops we are well versed with and secondly, owning and developing agricultural lands and growing and selling
the produces across. Recently we have raised funding of USD $5 million from global investors for expanding
India’s largest iconic hi-tech Hydroponic farm also, to scale up farm operations, implement complete
traceability and transparency of produce, marketing and creation of an integrated Farm-tech platform. (These
are the assumption Nutrifresh company)
 Features of Hydroponics Farming

1. Maximizes Space

Hydroponics requires far less space than plants grown in soil. Depending on the system, when
hydroponics are combined with vertical farming techniques, they can use up to 99 percent fewer lands
than typical farming techniques . 

One reason for the smaller footprint of hydroponic plants is that the roots do not have to spread out
to search for nutrients and moisture. Water and nutrients are delivered to the roots directly, either
intermittently or constantly, depending on the hydroponic technique being employed. This means
that each plant’s root system can take up far less space, resulting in the ability to grow more plants in
a smaller space. When you add in vertical stacking methods, it’s easy to see how a much smaller area
is needed to produce a hydroponic garden than a traditional one.

2. Conserves Water

It may seem counterintuitive, but growing plants in water actually use less water than growing the same
plants in soil. In fact, hydroponic plants can grow with up to 98 percent less water than traditional growing
methods. 

Why is this important? According to a 2019 report from the World Health Organization , only 71 percent
of the world’s population has a safely-managed water drinking service. By 2025, half of the world’s
population will live in water-stressed areas. Conserving water is likely to become more and more crucial
as time goes on, making irrigation for agriculture more difficult and less profitable.

Of the water taken in through a plant’s roots, only about 0.1 percent of the water taken in is actually used
by the plant itself. Most are then released into the air through evapotranspiration . Hydroponics systems
make use of recirculated water, allowing plants to absorb what they need, then return the rest to the
system. As global food production continues to increase year over year, it’s consuming more water than
ever before. It’s estimated that it takes about 3 gallons of water to produce a single cup of lettuce through
traditional methods.

3. Facilitates a Micro-Climate

Hydroponic gardens can be easily contained within a hydroponics greenhouse or other structure. This
means they can have their own micro-climates, insulated from many of the difficulties that traditional
farmers must work to address. They aren’t left to the mercy of pests and don’t need to be treated with a
wide range of insecticides. In temperature-controlled facilities, plants can be grown year-round, regardless
of the climate or weather outside. And with artificial grow lights, even the amount of sun available isn’t a
problem

4. Produces Higher Yields

Creating ideal conditions ensures plants receive the perfect amount of nutrients, which come in direct
contact with roots. Additionally, microclimates allow for year-round growth and faster crop cycles. All
of this adds up to create far higher yields than traditional farming methods. In fact, we’ve found that
our hydroponic greenhouses can produce about 240 times the yield of other farming practices .

5. Require Less Labor

Without the need for tilling, weeding, herbicide and insecticide application, and other labor-intensive farm
jobs, hydroponics offers a lighter load for laborers and can easily be managed with far fewer man-hours.
This both cuts back on the cost of producing crops, and frees up time for other pursuits. In fact, a small
hydroponic greenhouse can be entirely managed by a single part-time worker .

6. Needs No Soil

The world is quickly losing workable soil. It’s estimated that half of the world’s topsoil has been lost in
the past 150 years. This is due to erosion, compaction loss of soil structure, nutrient degradation, and
salinity. What does this mean for agriculture? We have a growing number of mouths to feed and a
shrinking amount of soil to plant. 

Additionally, there is a wide variation in soil quality from one location to the next, and many plants have
strong preferences for a particular soil type. This means traditional farmers can only grow crops suited to
the soil in their areas. In large parts of the world, few crops can be grown using traditional methods. With
hydroponic gardens, the soil is not a concern so farmers can grow whatever crops would be most
beneficial to their community without concern for soil degradation.

7. Produces Higher Quality Food

When it comes to fruits and vegetables, fresher is unmistakably better. Few people happen to live in an
area where they can get fresh produce year-round due to climate and soil conditions. So how do we get
high-quality food into the hands of the majority of the world’s population, even in the offseason?

With traditional farming, the answer has been to pick the produce before it’s ripe and then let it ripen in
warehouses and along the supply chain. At times, ethylene gas is used to artificially ripen food that has
been picked too early. This is necessary if traditionally farmed crops are going to reach consumers in far
off places. 

8. Reduces Supply Chain

At traditional commercial growing operations, lots of water and energy is used to grow crops and
maximize outputs. Then crops are harvested using even more energy. They’re transported long distances
on fuel-burning refrigerated trucks or trains to their supermarket destinations. Finally, they’re often
preserved using chemicals that increase the product’s shelf-life.
 PH Control of the Solution in Hydroponics Farming
The first step in maintaining the right pH levels is testing. A variety of testing supplies are available. Test strips
and liquid test kits are the least expensive and are available at pool supply stores and garden centers. Digital pH
meters are more accurate and offer repeatable results. You should test frequently with whatever hydroponic
testing instruments you choose, even daily if you have recently adjusted nutrient levels or have little experience
with hydroponics.

If you use a recirculating system, adjust the pH level according to test results from the supply reservoir. In a
media-based system, however, the pH changes as the nutrient solution travels from the supply reservoir and out
through the grow base. Adjust pH levels based on the pH of the leachate that drains from the grow beds.

Commercially prepared “pH up” and “pH down” products are available to maintain the right pH levels. You can
purchase these products in dry or liquid form and use them according to label instructions. Make sure you use
products that are formulated for hydroponic systems. For small systems or short-term results, you can add weak
acids such as vinegar or citric acid.

Automatic PH controller cost more than pH up or pH down products but they keep the pH at consistent levels.
This option works best in recirculating systems to prevent pH fluctuations that occur as plants feed.

If your water is hard, the buffering effect of the high mineral levels will cause high pH levels. A reverse
osmosis system is an efficient and relatively affordable 

Why pH is Important in Hydroponic Systems?

The right pH level is crucial because it affects nutrient availability for your growing plants. A pH level that is
too high or alkaline can prevent nutrient uptake and lead to deficiencies. Iron deficiency causes pale or yellow
leaves in young plants, while leaf cupping and tip burn are telltale signs of calcium deficiency. Calcium can also
form salts that leave white deposits or scale on reservoir walls and equipment.

Hydroponically grown plants need different pH levels than plants grown in soil. Without soil, plants do not
benefit from microorganisms, organic matter, and interactions between water and minerals that regulate pH
levels. The hydroponic gardener must constantly monitor and adjust pH levels. Make sure that you do not apply
pH recommendations for soil-grown plants to hydroponically grown plants.
Typical pH Ranges for Crops
With some exceptions, the optimal pH range for hydroponically grown crops is generally between 5.5 and 6.
Many fruits and vegetables, such as melons, apples, beans, squash, and tomatoes prefer that range. Blueberries,
on the other hand, need a lower, more acidic pH between 4.0 and 5.0. It’s a good idea to use separate nutrient
reservoirs for plants with similar pH ranges.

Some hydroponic crops have a wide optimal pH range. Pumpkin, for example, will thrive in a pH between 5.5
and 7.5. Crops that require alkaline conditions include kale, onions, and peas, which prefer pH levels between
6.0 and 7. Mint plants tip the scale at an optimal pH range of 7.0 to 8.0.

Hydroponic nutrient products typically start with pH levels between 5.5 and 6.0, the optimal level for most
crops. The pH range, however, depends on the specific formulation.

For example, ammonium nitrate has a more acidifying effect than nitrate and will cause a drop in pH. Calcium
salts, on the other hand, cause a rise in pH, resulting in a more alkaline solution.
How Hydroponic Systems Work

Figure 4
Hydroponic systems can be either active or passive. Active means that nutrient solutions will be moved, usually
by a pump. Passive relies on a wick or the anchor of the growing media. Hydroponic systems are also
characterized as recovery or non-recovery. Recovery means the nutrient solution will be reused into the system.
Meanwhile, with non-recovery, the nutrient solution is applied to the growing media, and vanish. In essence, a
basic Hydroponic system will look like the image on the right. There are 6 main types of hydroponic system.
Meanwhile, the plant roots need 3 things, water/moisture, nutrients, and oxygen. So, what differs in the 6
methods is the way the systems deliver these 3 important things to plant roots. Of course, there are lots of
variations with different names but they all boil down to these 6 core types of Hydroponic systems
1.The Wick System

Figure 5

The nutrient solution is pumped from the reservoir up the growing tray and delivered to plant roots via the
capillary movement of the wick Pros:

 Very easy to set up

 Great start for beginners, children

Cons:

 Not suitable for larger plants.

 Not efficient in nutrient use.

The wick system works passively. It uses no pumps, and there are no moving parts. This hydroponic technique
is by far the most basic type of Hydroponic system. Just like it sounds, the wick system operates by drawing up
nutrient solutions from the reservoir to the plants through the capillary movement like a wick into the growing
medium. And suitable choices of the medium include coconut fiber, perlite, or vermiculite. The downside is that
because the wick isn’t able to produce a strong stream of water, and nutrient solution, it is only ideal for smaller
plants, and non-fruiting ones, like lettuce and herbs. Also, the system tends to keep the growing medium wet.
Getting too much moisture makes the oxygen absorbing activities of the plant roots become harder. The wick
system is not the most effective way to hydroponic plant
2.Deep Water Culture (DWC) System

Figure 6

Plants are placed in a net pot and are held by a floating platform above a container of nutrient and water. Plant
roots are suspended and stretched into the nutrient-rich oxygenated solution Pros:

 Inexpensive. Easy to build

 Recirculating. Water saving

Cons:

 Not suitable for larger plants.

 Not suitable for plants with a long growing period.

DWC is an active recovery system, so there are moving parts. Of all active system of hydroponic growing, this
is the simplest. All you need is a net pot, a reservoir/container, a lid, and a pump. Plants will be grown in a net
pot with some growing media. They are placed and held by the lid on the top of the reservoir/container. Roots
grow out the net pot and reach the nutrient solution held in the reservoir below. An air pump helps oxygenate
the water and let roots breathe. In order words, this system work by immersing plant’s roots directly into the
nutrient solution of the reservoir that is highly oxygenated. The cons of this system are that it does not work
well with large, and long-growing plants. Very few plants other than lettuce thrive in this system.

3.Ebb and Flow System (Flood and Drain)

 Figure 8

Also known as Flood & Drain. The system floods the nutrient solution onto the grow tray to surround plant
roots before draining back. Often automated by a pump connected to a timer. Pros:

 Good for water craving plants, like lettuces, spinaches

 Easy to build

Cons:

 Susceptible to pump/timer failure, power outages

 Require lots of growing media. So need proper knowledge.

The active and recovery type is less commonly seen, but still quite effective. How this system works is basically
like the way it sounds. Nutrient solutions are flooded onto the plant root system and then drain periodically.
And the process goes on. Plants are grown in a tray/container with a growing medium. A timer is scheduled to
turn on the pump, which pushes water with nutrient solutions in a reservoir below to rise through the tube and
onto the main part of the system. After the tray/container is filled (flooded) and soaks the plant roots at set
intervals and water level, gravity automatically drains the solution back down into the reservoir. With this
system, a variety of growing medium can be used, e.g., gravel, granular Rockwool, grow rocks, perlite, etc
depending on Hydroponic gardeners’ choice. However, there is a risk of power outages, or pump and timer
failure, which causes the root dryness, and water cycles are stopped.
4.Nutrient Film Technique (N.F.T)

A pump continuously forces the nutrient solution onto the grow tray, flowing over plants. Then it drains back to
the reservoir via the slightly downward channel. No timer needed Pros:

 Little to none growing medium used.

 Recirculating. Water saving

Cons:

 Susceptible to pump failure and power outages

 Not suitable for large, heavy plants.

This active and recovery system is a very common hydroponic one which has been used by lots of gardeners for
commercial growing. Again, N.F.T uses the submersible pump and reusable nutrient solutions. It works by
constantly flowing the solutions, so no timer is used. The nutrient is pumped into the growing tray (or a tube)
and delivered to the root systems of the plants. Once the flow reaches the channel’s end, it drains back to the
reservoir through the slight downward tube. The roots suspended above the water level, are constantly moisture
and get plenty of oxygen from the air surrounding them. To provide oxygen in the water, and the grow tube, air
stones or capillary matting must be placed in the reservoir. This also helps keep the system run for long without
manually and frequently checking. Since no growing medium is used, plants are usually held in a grow-basket
or a supporting collar. And because there is no growing medium to hold moisture, an extended period of
interruption of the nutrient solution can make the roots dry, and plants’ death.

5.Drip System
Drip system pumps the nutrient solution through the tube and drops onto plant roots via a network of drip lines.
The action is often made automatical by a timer. Pros:

 Simple to build and use.

 More control of nutrient amounts and water schedule

Cons:

 pH and nutrient fluctuations

 More suited to larger gardens

Drip systems can be active recovery or non-recovery type system. They are among the most common types of
hydroponic systems in the world, especially for commercial growers. The main principles behind the system are
quite simple yet effective, and so their popularity. A timer is set to schedule the submerged pump. When the
timer is on, the nutrient solution is pumped and dripped onto plants’ base through a small drip line. And with
this line emitter for each plant, gardeners can adjust the amount of solution per plant they want. In a recovery
drip system, the nutrient solution is sent back to the reservoir via the drip tray. Meanwhile, the non-recovery
system doesn’t collect the leach-out, which is not efficient, and this is only often used in the early days of
hydroponics. However, while the recovery one can be more efficiently, and cost-effective by reusing the excess
solution, non-recovery one needs less maintenance due to the same reason that solution is not recycled, and
hence pH of the reservoir is not affected. By this, gardeners can mix pH adjusted nutrient solution in the
reservoir, and forget all about it, until they want to fill more. Meanwhile, with recovery, hydroponic gardeners
need to check pH regularly. Since this is a drip system, slow draining medium is often used like Rockwool,
coconut coir, or peat moss The downside of the drippers/emitters system is the clogging, which is formed by the
particles from nutrients that accumulated in the emitter.

6.Aeroponics

Plant roots are suspended in the air and are misted with the nutrient solution continously. The misting interval is
fairly short, done by a pump controlled by a timer. Pros:

 Plenty of oxygen for plant roots.

 Little to none growing medium used. Efficient water use

Cons:

 More expensive than other types

 More vulnerable to dryness caused by the power outages

Aeroponic system is probably the most high-tech type of the six listed. Just like the N.F.C system, the plant
roots hang freely in the air, with no growing medium used. But in Aeroponics, the nutrient solution is pumped
and sprayed onto the root systems constantly instead of flowing through a thin film of nutrient by a channel. A
timer is used to control the nutrient pump, but the cycle is much shorter compared to other hydroponic types.
Typically, it is a few minutes between each misting interval. Again, since the roots are exposed to the air, the
roots will be dried out fast in case of a misting cycle interruption. And this system is not as cheap, and easy to
set up as other types.
7.The Kratky Method

Plants are placed in a net pot, hung by a floating platform. Parts of the roots are submerged in the water while
the rest are exposed to the air. Over time, when plants grow, the water level reduces, leaving an air zone for
plant roots. A hands-off system. Pros:

 Inexpensive. Very easy to set up

 Little effort needed

Cons:

 Only suitable for fast-growing plants, like lettuces, spinaches

 Not efficient for large systems.

The Kratky method is just a variation of the Deep Water Culture. What is different is that the Kratky does not
use electricity to run. So no pump, no timer needed. The way the Kratky method works is simple Start with a
reservoir/container, or anything that holds water. Fill it with water and nutrients Then cover it with a lid.
Drill/cut the lid so that you can place a net pot here Place plants in the net pot with growing media so that their
roots are hung by the lid. They are partly exposed to the air while parts of them are sunk into the water. That
means plants are able to take up sufficient oxygen, water, and nutrient Over a period of time, plants grow. They
will drain the water, still leaving parts of their bare roots come into contact with the air When the reservoir runs
out of the water, your plants also have reached the end of their growth phase. Otherwise, you can fill with water
and nutrient solution, and allow plants continue to its growth phase. So in theory, the Kratky requires little care.
It also does not cost much. That makes it one of the easiest system to set up, which is highly suited for starters,
hobbyists, and children.

8.Fogponics

An aeroponics variation. A fogger, which can be connected to a timer, is used to transform water and added
nutrients of the reservoir into super tiny small droplets (or fog). Plants roots are hung freely in the air with
plenty access to oxygen. They get moisture and nutrient via the wet atmosphere of the fog. Pros:

 Thorough coverage for the roots

 Recirculating. Water saving

Cons:

 Expensive.

 Susceptible to power outages.

 Built up salt.

The so-called fog is just the humid environment produced by the foggers. Fogponics is an advanced form of
aeroponics. If in aeroponics, growers use the water misting to provide water and nutrients for plants, in
fogponics, the foggers are used. Unlike traditional Hydroponic forms where plant roots are not sunk into the air
and get oxygen through the air pump, fogponics allows the roots to be bare into the air. They get necessary
moisture and nutrients via the fog In the sense, plants can get great amounts of oxygen and water in fogponics,
helping them focus on growing at a faster and stronger level Because the way it works, fogponis is fairly
suitable for growing many types of plants like green vegs, herbs, and especially seedlings, and cutting cloners.
The fogponics also comes with some downsides, including certain initial investment, built up salt from the
fogger, and they are quite vulnerable to the power outages.

Nutrients used in hydroponics

Organic nutrients and plant boosters are required in hydroponics for the growth of the plants.

Organic nutrients: These are mandatory in hydroponics. The organic nutrients consist of components used in
organic gardening. But they should be free from substances that can form deposits. Heavy particles cannot be
absorbed by the plants and can actually clog the hydroponic system in which the plants are being grown

Plant Boosters: These boosters are comparatively new in the market and help the plants in absorbing the
nutrients infused in the water. This improves the growth of the plants. Certain hydroponic nutrients are available
in the market that further speeds up the flowering in plants. These advanced concoctions should not be used
unless you have a sizeable garden. Technically, the high-end plant organic hydroponic nutrients should be used
only under the guidance of experts.

How to purchase nutrients for hydroponic gardens?

Hydroponic kits are available in brick-and-mortar stores as well as online. These should be purchased from
proper retails with the required instructions for usage and their methods. Hydroponic nutrients should be applied
to the plants in a proper way so that absorption is complete. Once you have selected a type of plant nutrient try
to stick to the same because repeatedly changing the types and brands is unsuitable for the plants. The nutrients
for the indoor hydroponic vegetables have to be applied in a systematic manner for the correct absorption and

growth of the plants.

Nutrients Required for Hydroponic Plants

1. Nitrogen (N)

2. Phosphorus (P)

3. Potassium (K)

4. Magnesium (Mg)

5. Sulphur (S)

6. Calcium (Ca)

7. Boron (B)

8. Manganese (Mn)

9. Iron (Fe)

10. Zinc (Zn)

11. Chlorine (Cl)

12. Copper (Cu)

13. Sodium (Na)