II.

Methodology

Agricultural land use is the result of interaction between man and the

environment. [14] Unfortunately, some advancements in human civilization and

agriculture do not necessarily contribute to positive outcomes. Rapid urbanization leads

to a continuous reduction of agricultural land for economically productive activities.

Therefore, the most crucial problem of agriculture is the lack of cultivable land which

can result in a food crisis. Many experts, environmentalists, agriculturists, and

politicians have come up with different solutions that tackle the issue on the

Philippines’ level of food security—one of these solutions is called “urban farming”.

[15] With this, the researchers believe that this research can solve these issues in

agriculture. Hydroponic systems are presently being experimented on and assiduously

employed in the available lands within the confines of the Philippines. [16] This

practical method approach can address food crisis and land resource concerns and

effectively handle challenges arising from rapid urbanization. The proposed

technological advancements in this project make vertical hydroponic farming a more

efficient and cost-effective option for urban agriculture.

Statement of the Problem (Efficiency)

While constructing the prototype, the primary objective was to develop a

hydroponic system tailored for urban farming, emphasizing its compactness, low

maintenance requirements, and cost-effectiveness. The hydroponic system in this paper

is very different compared to the other existing ones. The goal is to construct four

interconnected grow towers supported by a single water storage tank, enabling the

creation of multiple tiers of planting zones within a compact area. In developing a low-
maintenance system, specific elements, such as the watering system, were automated

using a timer. Additionally, as it operates on solar power, the researchers incorporated

a charge controller to simplify management and monitoring processes. The purpose of

adding a charge controller is to keep the solar battery from overcharging by regulating

the voltage and current coming from the solar panel to the battery. This project also

aims to generate a cost-effective system; therefore, the hydroponics system was

designed to operate in a non-controlled environment. This implies that the installation

of a lighting and ventilation system is not required for this research. Moreover, the

prototype was constructed using readily available and affordable materials to minimize

construction costs, thereby enhancing its overall cost-effectiveness.

In terms of fabricating the prototype, the researchers chose materials that were

both cheaper and more efficient to produce a solid and well-operated system.
 Figure 1. A 3-dimensional model of the hydroponic system with four grow

towers

Fabrication of Tower. The materials used to create the grow towers are PVC

pipes. According to the articles cited above, the standard and suggested size for each

pipe should be 4 inches in diameter. The constructed prototype is approximately 6 feet

from the water tank, allowing it to be more accessible to everyone. Each tower can

grow 15 plants and have 60 slots in total. The four grow towers are connected via a

central pipe through which nutrient-rich water flows, providing essential nutrients

directly to the plant roots without requiring soil.

Water and Nutrient Management. Hydroponics farming uses less than 10%

of the volume of water that is used in traditional method of farming, and the water left

out by the plants is even recycled. [17] In this research, the water tank holds 56 liters,

which proves to be more than sufficient for irrigating the four towers. According to

Tarlac Hydroponics, the ratio of water and nutrient solution is 1:3. The instruction is to

mix 3mL of Solution A and 3mL of Solution B in one liter of water. Therefore, the

combined total nutrient solution needed in this study is approximately 326mL.

Statement of the Problem (Effectivity)

Plant Cultivation. To test the whole process of the system, the researchers

must conduct the planting process correctly. Each tower varies from different types of

leafy vegetable: lettuce, petchay (pai-tsai), basil, and spinach. To start the testing

procedure, several steps in the planting process should be done. These include pre-

germination, transplanting, growing, and harvesting. The estimated days of the pre-

germination depend on the type of plant.

 Duration of Pre-
Type of Plant Number of Day/s
Germination

Lettuce 1 2

Petchay (pai-tsai) 1 3

Basil 2 3-4

Spinach 2 2

Table 1. Days of the Pre-Germination of Each Plant

Table 1 displays the number of days and duration of pre-germination for

each plant. The process of pre-germination refers to the initial stage that occurs

before the emergence of the seedling above the soil. In hydroponics, involves

soaking seeds in water until they begin to sprout or show signs of germination.

Once the seeds have started germinating, they are then transferred to the hydroponic

system for further growth. In this study, the researchers use cocopeat as their

primary medium as substitute for soil. Based on the interview with the Bureau of

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the most applicable substituent is cocopeat. This

is based on their previous experiences with hydroponics.

Type of Plant Duration of Transplanting

Lettuce 7

Petchay (pai-tsai) 7

Basil 7

Spinach 7

Table 2. Days of Transplanting Process of Each Plant

 As shown in Table 2, the number it takes for all the plants to transplant is seven

days. This process is the act of transferring a plant from one growing medium to another

within the context of a hydroponic setup. The four grow towers serve as the main

growing system of the four plants. The following processes will be tackled during the

discussion of results.

One of the objectives of this study is to shed light on the agricultural community

regarding the advantages of hydroponics. The researchers cited some of the previous

studies that compare the level and quality of production using hydroponics and

traditional methods.

Lettuce. “Comparative Analysis on Lettuce Quality Produced From Urban

Agriculture and Organic Farming” by Carandang J. et.al., The findings of this study

suggest that the hydroponics method reduces the growth period, even though the yield

of organically grown lettuce is greater and heavier. Nevertheless, the abbreviated

maturation period can be translated into more planting cycles and, consequently, a

higher overall yield.

Petchay. “Performance evaluation of pechay (Brassica rapa var. chinensis)

using different organic growing media under hydroponic system”- S Solis 2023 IOP

Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci. 1208 012038. According to the statistical analysis

conducted in this study, a pronounced and statistically significant distinction was

observed among various growing media concerning fresh head weight per plant, the

weight of marketable head, and the overall yield.

Basil. “Production of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) under different soilless

cultures” – Khater E. et.al., The total production costs of basil plants grown in
hydroponic system were 1.8 times higher than those basil plants grown in aeroponic

system,

Spinach. “Comparative Performance of Spinach (Spinacia Oleracea) as

Affected by Growing Media Hydroponics Vs. Soil” – Agarwa A. et.al., Leaf size under

hydroponics system was about 40% higher over soil grown spinach. The width of the

leaf was also comparatively more under hydroponics.

In addition, to achieve a highly effective of the whole system, several

parameters are followed. These include ensuring the correct utilization and proportion

of the nutrient solution, rendering the grow tower resistant to sunlight. To uphold

nutrient levels in the water, pH meters electronically monitor. The pH meter regulates

the water's acidity and alkalinity, with the recommended pH level in hydroponics

falling between 5.5 to 6. Anything under or over these levels can destroy the health of

the plants.

To prevent algae formation in this hydroponic system, it is necessary to apply

white paint to both the PVC pipes and the water tank. White paint possesses the ability

to block sunlight from entering the system, thereby preventing algae formation.

Permitting the growth of algae in the hydroponic garden results in a decrease in the

nutrient and oxygen levels supplied to each crop, thus, leaving both levels at a reduced

state. The variety of algae commonly found in hydroponic systems tends to adhere to

the walls of the tank or the tubes of the drip irrigation system. Beyond depleting

nutrients and oxygen, its presence can lead to blockages and pose a threat to your plants

if they undergo decay.

 The researchers conducted a trial-and-error process to determine the optimal

method for the pipe. An experiment was done with different heating temperatures for

the pipe to prevent it from tearing. When initially considering the creation of the water

tank, the primary concept involved using a plastic storage box. However, through

testing, it was discovered that the plastic box lacked the strength required to support

the five PVC pipes. As a solution, the researchers opted to abandon the original idea of

using the box and instead crafted a new water tank cover using plywood.

Statement of the Problem (Acceptability)

The application of hydroponics varies depending on the type of plants used.

This is because of several factors that can influence the growth and health of the plants.

In this study, researchers concentrate on assessing how plants respond to the new

growth system and whether this system proves more effective compared to alternative

methods. To address these concerns, researchers have outlined a series of questions:

1. Have you ever grown plants?

2. Do you love plants and planting?

3. How familiar are you with hydroponic farming?

4. How innovative does the idea of hydroponics sounds to you?

5. What do you think is the biggest advantage and disadvantage of hydroponics?

6. How do you think a small solar powered hydroponic system would cost?

7. Would you ever adapt or promote hydroponics?

To demonstrate the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the solar-powered

hydroponics grow tower, researchers have formulated specific inquiries.

1. With water being used as a substitute for soil, did the plants grow better?
2. How long did it take for each plant before they began the transplanting process?

3. Did the nutrient solution help the plants to grow faster and healthier?

4. How long did it take to start the harvesting process? Does the system provide

more harvests than the traditional method?