CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

There are different factors such as temperature,ph,and humidity of the system to

take note when studying and researching about the Hydroponics system and how it

works. This Chapter aims to briefly present literature, information, and studies from

both local and foreign researchers that could help clarify certain terms that will be used

in this study.

2.1. Hydroponics: Theories and Concepts behind the System

Hydroponics allows plants to intake key nutrients with minimal effort. There are

different types of Hydroponics systems that are developed, each with specific qualities.

Some of these systems are nutrient film technique(NFT), simple nutrient addition

program (SNAP), and many more. The NFT is a versatile and modular type of

hydroponics system due to the nature of its components. The NFT uses a water pump

to deliver nutrient solutions to the plant. It then uses the concept of gravity to guide the

water back to the main reservoir. The key element in the NFT system is how the solution

flows to the roots allowing good nutrient absorption. (Tagle, et. al.). Most of the

hydroponics system works by effective nutrient transport ensuring the efficient growth of

any crop.

2.2. Promises of Hydroponics

Hydroponics is a way of growing crops without soil through the use of various

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 mediums and nutrients a crop will need to grow. The Hydroponics system can also

boost efficiency by allowing greater nutrient supply control, greater plant growth, and

and the modification of the root environment to improve factors of plant production.

Since Hydroponics systems are frequently incorporated in greenhouses, this allows pest

and adverse climate protection, control over plant environment, and allows water

efficiency through recycling water. The system also promises higher and greater yields,

higher efficiency of water and fertilizer use, lower operational costs regarding water and

nutrient recycling, more predictable growth and time of harvest, and more.(Abu Dhabi

Farmers’ Services Centre: hydroponics manual n.d.)

2.2 Studies About the Hydroponics system in the Philippines

The Philippines is an agricultural country in which the main economic factor is

agriculture. This section of the review of literature will present studies that were set in

the Philippines. This studies will be greatly significant because of it being set in the

country.

2.2.1. Development of Indoor Hydroponics Tower for Urban Gardening

According to a study conducted by Tagle S., Benoza H., Pena R., and Oblea A.

developed a indoor hydroponics tower for urban gardening. The Researcher’s

Hydroponics Tower design was made of galvanized steel bars having a total dimension

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 of 2.2’x2.2’x7’. The hydroponic system they used was the Nutrient Film Technique

(NFT) system where the usage of Polyvinyl chloride downspout tubes as NFT channels

where the nutrients would flow and the usage of ½” translucent flexible hoses as a way

to connect one level of the channels to the next. Leak tests were conducted after 24

hours. T5 fluorescent tube consuming 8 W to 14 W with daylight color temperature

between 5600K to 6500k was used as a substitute for natural light and a ventilation

system for the tower was in the form of a small electric fan that would ventilate the tower

for 2 hours after every 3 for 6 hours. This provided proper air circulation to improve the

growth of plants. The Reservoir of the system contain the nutrient solution which give

the plant nourishment and a pump which would allow water circulation. The results of

the system that was tested for a span of 27 days were that the growth of the romaine

lettuce was very successful having an average plant weight of 21.9g in the hydroponics

system even the researchers say that the system could potentially be used as a

profitable equipment considering its productivity and low maintenance. The researchers

concluded that the system is very efficient occupying only 4.84m^2 of space but can

have a carrying capacity of 52 plants proved to be suitable for the urban setup.

2.2.3. Vertical Farming Using Hydroponic System:Toward a Sustainable Onion

Production in Nueva Ecija, Philippines

Marilou P. Pascual, Gina A. Lorenzo, and Arniel G. Gabriel conducted a study

that employed vertical farming using hydroponics to plant onions in Nueva Ecija,

Philippines. The study focused on measuring the sustainability of onion production

using this system and its acceptability to farmers in the area. The study was performed

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 by using the experimental method and used single factor analysis of variance as the

statistical analysis to be used to determine the sustainability of the onion production.

The acceptability was determined using interviews and focus group discussions. The

study concluded that Vertical Farming using Hydroponics(VFH) resulted to a significant

difference in the onion bulb growth per week, the sustainability, and comparability of the

technology to the conventional method of farming. The study also concluded that the

VFH is acceptable to most of the farmers despite some not being in agreement

regarding the initial cost of investment in the technology.

2.2.4.Hydroponic system for watercress suits in urban areas

A researcher from the Benguet State University decided to adapt the

Hydroponics technology in order to solve the problem of pollution and other factors

affecting the growth of watercress. A plastic covered metal pan with a measurement of

1m x 2m was used for the study. Three replications were developed wherein two are

supplied with water pumps while the other is supplied by an aerator to circulate and

oxygenate the water. Watercress production through hydroponics will be another

reliable way of farming in La Trinidad that assures them that the crop is not harvested

from the the dirty riverbanks near the area.

2.3.Studies About the Hydroponics system in Other Countries

Aside from the Philippines, other countries are also using the hydroponic system

technology due to its various benefits. This section will show studies from other

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 countries. This will give the researchers a background regarding the hydroponic system

and will be useful in explaining terminologies in the paper.

2.3.1.Performance of Hydroponic System as Decentralized Wastewater Treatment and

Reuse for Rural Communities

Marwan Haddad , Numan Mizyed, and Adel Abdulah performed a study about

the performance of the hydroponic system as decentralized wastewater treatment and

reuse in rural communities. Since wastewater collection and disposal continues to be

one of the problems in public health and environment, the researchers decided to adapt

the hydroponic system as a decentralized wastewater treatment since the hydroponics

system has several advantages like small space requirement, protection from weeds,

parasites, and diseases, does not require any special drainage system,is available to be

adapted to almost any crop, more efficient than soil gardening, and many more. The

hydroponic system proved to be successful as a decentralized wastewater treatment

with some limitations like the wastewater used inhibits oxygen and has the presence of

oxygen consuming chemicals, and the use of non-domestic wastewater.

2.3.2.Water and Nutrient Reuse within Closed Hydroponic Systems

Emerson Christie conducted a study in Georgia Southern University about the

Water and nutrient reuse within closed hydroponic system tackling the problem of

maintaining a low input of water and nutrient in the closed hydroponic system while

getting high outputs.The researcher used Lactuca sativa (lettuce) crops as the

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 experimental unit for the research where he grew the crop in six closed hydroponic

system utilizing the nutrient film technique.Electrical Conductivity was the primary

indicator for determining the nutrient solution quality. He had two systems the test and

control system that showed similar foliar nutrient and fresh mass across the experiment.

Compared to the control system,the test system consumed lower water and nutrients

needed for the system.

The study was able to provide valuable information in the case of lettuce that

similar crop yield with lesser inputs can be attained under a nutrient solution

management plan as compared to a more traditional plan. Although the limitations of

this study include Its location where it was conducted in southeastern Georgia,which

has a varying climate from other countries and climate is strongly tied with crop growth

and viability,where there was no structure that gave the researcher an environmental

control except for a circulation fan and roof vents which implies that the plants and the

nutrient solution were subjected to fluctuations in temperature and humidity, however

the variety of lettuce used was oak leaf which has an ability to withstand high

temperature environments. Another case that the researcher experienced was the

occasion of having an unknown pest that entered the greenhouse through the open roof

vents and damaged some plants which may have impacted the results of the study.

2.4. Summary and Conclusion

The hydroponics system is affected by several factors such as pH, humidity, and

temperature. It can also be designed in several manners such as the vertical farming.

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 The hydroponics system also have different types which specialize on different factors

making it an efficient technology to help in farming. Hydroponics gives several benefits

to those who are interested in using it. This section of the paper would be important in

defining terms and giving the researchers an idea on what factors to test and would

serve as support for the arguments that will be presented in this paper.

REFERENCES:

A. (n.d.). Hydroponics manual. Retrieved from

https://www.adfsc.ae/en/SiteAssets/Pages/AgriBestPractice/Hydroponic

bookletSpresds.pdf?

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pWEE

Abdallah, A. M. (2009, October). Performance of Hydroponic System as

Decentralized Wastewater Treatment and Reuse for Rural Communities.

Retrieved from

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 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228491522_Performance_of_Hydropon

ic_System_as_Decentralized_Wastewater_Treatment_and_Reuse_for_Rural_Co

mmunities?

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KY

BSU-R4D. (2017, March 22). Hydroponic system for watercress suits in urban

areas. Retrieved from

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/132713?

fbclid=IwAR07eoUALYlOIeEiMDC_lKx2EFfSPNE2s2iTfiBtKZdzLBia_jYbXzoCBC

Christie, E. C. (2014, Spring). Water and Nutrient Reuse within Closed

Hydroponic Systems. Retrieved from

https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?

article=2154&context=etd&fbclid=IwAR1cO98W4TQiLAkQ7kQFdNpDoYi34jeK04

JAfeSq3D_189jPtx7lK-_lk9E

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 Pascual, M. P. (2018, January). Vertical Farming Using Hydroponic System:

Toward a Sustainable Onion Production in Nueva Ecija, Philippines. Retrieved

from

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ydroponic_System_Toward_a_Sustainable_Onion_Production_in_Nueva_Ecija_

Philippines?

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Tagle, S. (2018, November 22). Development of an Indoor Hydroponic Tower for

Urban Farming. Retrieved from https://www.dlsu.edu.ph/wp-

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ojI5eFobzJpVNn5VRJoB8aoYIk

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