eChapter Name: Hydroponic Agriculture
9789390512171
eBook Name: NEW ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIES FOR MODERN FARMING
by N.S.Rathore, N. L. Panwar
5.1 Introduction
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants in a nutrient solution rather than in soil. Terrestrial plants may be grown with only their roots exposed to the nutritious liquid.
Traditionally, the soil supports the crop’s roots by helping them remain upright and ensuring the delivery of water and essential nutrients. In hydroponics farming, crops are supported by an inert medium such as perlite, gravel, or other substrates. Therefore, the nutrients are supplied by using various practices that bring mineral nutrient solutions to the crops. In the present situation there excessive use of chemical fertilizers, affecting fertility of soil is badly affected. The fertility of the soil is falling that affects the plants growth but in hydroponics, the plant remains unaffected. Plants grow faster than in soil. Produce better quality of plants and higher yields. It use less water. It is possible to use hydroponics on outdoor crops, but most of the hydroponics production is in greenhouse. Hydroponic farming system has the potential to reduce the problem associated with traditional crop production. Therefore, it could serve to be a turning point in feeding the global population. The greenhouse and its environment control system are the same whether plants are grown conventionally or with hydroponics. The difference comes from the support system and the method of supplying water and nutrients.
The hydroponic farming has been successfully demonstrated by the commercial growers for fast-growing crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers, spinaches, lettuce, radishes, strawberries, bens, spring onions, coriander, and ornamentals. Indeed, hydroponics technology enables a more precise control of micro climatic conditions. In this technique, the vigorous development of a root system is taking place, which enable the uptake of essential nutrients from nutrient solution for better crop yield. The initial investment in hydroponics farming is high and required constant energy input. Owing to this, hydroponics farming is recommended for growing high value crops in developed countries such as the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan.