Plants transform light energy to chemical energy by the process of Photosynthesis. They need light, water, CO2, and certain minerals. Plants absorb water and essential nutrients for the growth of the plants from soil. In 1860, Von Sachs, a German botanist demonstrated that plants can grow without soil if they are provided with a nutrient-rich solution and fulfil their oxygen demand. This technique of growing plants without soil is known as hydroponics. It may sound weird to grow plants without soil but there are many plants like tomatoes that are already being grown hydroponically.
The word “Hydroponics” came up from the word “hydros'' which means water and “ponos” meaning toil or labour. It is an agricultural technique where plants are grown in a nutrient solution in the complete absence of soil. Here soil is substituted by sterile mediums such as rockwool, vermiculite, sand, gravel, clay pellets, and perlite to give stability to roots. Nutrients are passed through roots differently, based on the type of hydroponic system used and oxygen is pumped through. pH level is regulated and sufficient light is provided to carry out photosynthesis. In the areas where natural light is not available, artificial lighting is provided. It is an innovative method of farming and is being widely used now for food production.
The hydroponic technique is used in determining the deficiency symptoms of various nutrients in plants and to find out essential nutrients for the plant’s growth and development.
Types of Hydroponic Systems
Plants need water, mineral nutrients and oxygen to thrive. There are six hydroponic systems, based on different ways by which these requirements are fulfilled.
Ebb and Flow System: It requires a medium such as perlite to give stability. Water and mineral solutions are time to time pumped into the tray containing plants. Plants absorb the solution and the remaining solution drains back to the reservoir. This method is simple and used in home gardens. Herbs are grown by this method.
Nutrient Film Technique (NFT): No medium is required. Plants are kept in wooden channels with a slope. The mineral solution is pumped to the high end of the channel and slope down water is collected and reused. Plants with large roots are grown by this method.
Drip Systems: It is similar to ebb and flow but here water goes through smaller tubes and drains on top of plants. By using this method, small plants tend to have less developed root systems.
Wick Systems: This is a medium based system where perlite or rockwool is used. Nylon rope is placed at the base of each root which extends to the reservoir. It takes up mineral and water and releases in the medium which makes it available for plants. It is an economical method because no pumps are required.
Aeroponics: This is a water-based system similar to NFT and doesn’t require a medium. In the form of mists, the mineral solution is sprayed to the plants This is difficult to set up but is beneficial in the large commercial setting.
Deep Water Culture (DWC): In a container, the plant’s root is suspended in oxygenated water containing minerals. An air pump is used. This is an easy method and requires low maintenance.
Benefits of Hydroponic Systems
Hydroponics has been used since ancient times. Hanging Gardens of Babylon is one such example. There are many benefits of growing plants hydroponically.
Plants grow faster so the yield is high
Can be grown anywhere, underground, rooftops and greenhouses
Plants can be grown where traditional farming is not possible
Water and nutrients are recycled and reused
Organic food can be produced without using fertilizers or pesticides
Hydroponics is extensively used in space research programmes. Hydroponics is the best method that can be used to grow food away from earth where there is unavailability of soil.
In Spite of All the Benefits, There Are a Few Drawbacks of Using Hydroponics
High upfront investment
Requires technical knowledge
It can also be misused to grow marijuana that comes under banned products
FAQs on Hydroponic Systems
1. Define Hydroponics
The word “Hydroponics” came up from the word “hydros'' which means water and “ponos” meaning toil or labour. It is an agricultural technique where plants are grown in a nutrient solution in the complete absence of soil. Here soil is substituted by sterile mediums such as rockwool, vermiculite, sand, gravel, clay pellets, and perlite to give stability to roots.
2. What Are the Types of Hydroponic Systems?
Plants need water, mineral nutrients and oxygen to thrive. There are six hydroponic systems, based on different ways by which these requirements are fulfilled.
Ebb and Flow System: It requires a medium such as perlite to give stability. Water and mineral solutions are time to time pumped into the tray containing plants. Plants absorb the solution and the remaining solution drains back to the reservoir. This method is simple and used in home gardens. Herbs are grown by this method.
Nutrient Film Technique (NFT): No medium is required. Plants are kept in wooden channels with a slope. The mineral solution is pumped to the high end of the channel and slope down water is collected and reused. Plants with large roots are grown by this method.
Drip Systems: It is similar to ebb and flow but here water goes through smaller tubes and drains on top of plants. By using this method, small plants tend to have less developed root systems.
Wick Systems: This is a medium based system where perlite or rockwool is used. Nylon rope is placed at the base of each root which extends to the reservoir. It takes up mineral and water and releases in the medium which makes it available for plants. It is an economical method because no pumps are required.
Aeroponics: This is a water-based system similar to NFT and doesn’t require a medium. In the form of mists, the mineral solution is sprayed to the plants This is difficult to set up but is beneficial in the large commercial setting.
Deep Water Culture (DWC): In a container, the plant’s root is suspended in oxygenated water containing minerals. An air pump is used. This is an easy method and requires low maintenance.
