With the increase in the demand of agricultural products and shrinkage of fertile cultivable land;scientists and agricultural researchers started working on alternative methods of farming. Thus, they founded many new methods of farming or cultivation of crops with highly...
With the increase in the demand of agricultural products and shrinkage of fertile cultivable land;scientists and agricultural researchers started working on alternative methods of farming. Thus, they founded many new methods of farming or cultivation of crops with highly satisfied results. Among those methods, Hydroponics is one of those. This process of cultivation or farming doesn't come into use overnight. In fact, it has evolved from primitive type of farming and has undergone lots of scientific researches by scientists. And what we have today is modern Hydroponics, which have been globally adopted by the farmers, youth and hydroponics hobbyists.You may have heard the word "hydroponics" So many times in television, newspaper or through your friends. I think medias have popularized this method of farming. But you may be thinking, how does it works. Well you are at right place. You are about to find your answer.
Hydroponics is a Greek word, made from two word i.e Hydro & Ponos. Where hydro means water and ponos means labour. Thus, working water is it's raw sense.
To define it simply, Hydroponics is the method of Soilless farming in which plants are grown or raise in nutrients rich water solution.
How does it work?
Every process of the cropping is same as that of traditional method of farming but the difference is that in this system plant are grown in nutrients riched media on a coco peat (anchoring media so as does the soil) . This system of farming is mainly done in the artificial environment to provide all the plant requirements as that of nature. The influence of mother nature is ruled out. It can be operated well in the place as long as you are able to provide with what the crops need, crops will grow well.
The major thing in hydroponics is that it replaces soil with water and the growing or anchoring media like coco peat, sand, etc. The micro and macro nutrients are delivered to the crops that have been premixed into water tank, along with high level of oxygen to the crops with the help of submersible pump and air pump respectively. The interval of each action is set by a timer.
There are various hydroponics systems, but all those work in the same principles. Thus we can also say hydroponics is dirt free, space saving, water effective and soilless method of farming either outdoor or indoor.
Materials required in hydroponics:-
PVC pipe fittingsReservoirGrowing mediaWater pumpAir pumpGrow trayWater testing kitEC or TDS meter
Who can start hydroponics:-
It can be started by anyone but before starting one must learn some basic about it. This can be started by:-
Farmers YouthsAgricultural studentsAgricultural co-operative society
Where to start:-
This system of farming doesn't require specialized place. You can start on your garden, on the terrace of house, on the backyard of your house. Similarly you can also start it in the greenhouse. Hydroponics perform better in the green house. It is scalable and fits on most of sizes and budgets from small countertop herb systems to backyard garden to full scale farm.
Plants that can be planted:-
Leafy vegetablesTomatoesChiveBasilMintsStrawberriesBlueberriesSpring onion
Advantages of hydroponics systems of farming:-
Higher yield compare to that of traditional methods of farming. Better Utilization of water with minimum wastage. Better utilization of nutrients. Minimum or no infection with soil borne as this system excludes use of soil. Helps in the production of unseasonal crops. Better growth rate of crops
Disadvantages of hydroponics systems of farming:-
Initial expenses are high. Requires technical knowledge and skill. System failure and power outage. Organic product debate.