“Art of Farming without using soil” A case
study on Hydroponics
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
Hydroponics is an innovative agricultural method that offers a
sustainable and efficient solution to traditional soil-based farming.
This report provides a comprehensive overview of hydroponics, Hydroponics is a hydroponic cultivation technique (Smith et al.) that is gaining great interest as a new approach to modern
including its principles, advantages, components, techniques, and agriculture. No-irrigation farming techniques represented by hydroponics have many advantages such as efficient use of
applications. It highlights the environmental benefits, higher crop resources, higher yields and reduced environmental impact (Brown & Johnson ., 2020). This technology has emerged as a
yields, water and nutrient efficiency, and year-round cultivation
solution to solve problems in traditional agriculture. By eliminating dependence on traditional soil systems, hydroponics has
opportunities offered by hydroponic systems. Additionally, the
report explores various hydroponic techniques such as nutrient the opportunity to overcome limitations such as barren land, water scarcity, and soil degradation (Nelson et al et al, 2019). By
film technique (NFT), deep water culture (DWC), and vertical controlling factors such as water, nutrients, pH and light, hydroponic systems provide a controlled environment that optimizes
farming, providing insights into their setups and operational plant growth and improves crop quality. The efficient use of resources such as water and fertilizer, and the reduction of waste
considerations. The report concludes with a discussion on the
and environmental pollution make hydroponics environmentally friendly.
challenges and future prospects of hydroponics, emphasizing its
potential to address food security and environmental sustainability
concerns Additionally, the ability to grow crops year-round in a controlled, weatherproof environment can improve food security by
increasing food availability, particularly in areas affected by seasonal changes or extreme weather conditions. ). The absence of
weeds and pests often associated with farmland reduces dependence on pesticides and promotes safe and healthy crops.
Measuring the economic value of hydroponics is important because it involves an initial investment in infrastructure,
equipment and skills (Miller & Thomson, 2016).
Methodology
The method we adopted is nutrient film technique, firstly we have to locate the hydroponic system
in an enclosed structure, such as a greenhouse or the basement of your house, or on an outdoor
patio or deck. During cold temperatures, bring the hydroponic system indoor. If placing the system RESULTS
in an interior room of your house, add grow lights to provide supplemental lighting to plan.
Nutrient solutions were added every nine days when EC level reached 0.3 or less, it suggests that the nutrient
The study was carried out in a greenhouse (East-West orientation) from November 2022 to January concentration in the solution is being depleted by the plants within that time period.
2023(winter) at the Water Technology department , belonging to VC farm Mandya. The greenhouse Nutrient Uptake: The plants are actively taking up nutrients from the solution, causing a decrease in the EC level.
was 7 m wide and 32 m long, with ceiling height of 4 m, protected on the sides by shade screen This is a positive sign, as it indicates that the plants are growing and utilizing the available nutrients.
(50% luminosity) Nutrient Balance: The nutrient solution is being consumed by the plants at a rate that lowers the EC level below
0.3 within nine days. This suggests that the nutrient concentration in the solution is appropriate for supporting
Seed germination Process:
plant growth without causing nutrient excess.
Seeds needs to be planted in a tray having number of circular holes.Each hole is to be filled with Regular Nutrient Addition: Adding nutrient solutions every nine days helps ensure a continuous supply of nutrients
the coconut coir. Coco coir growing medium comes from the same processes as coco peat, but it to the plants. By monitoring the EC level and replenishing the solution when it drops below 0.3,
isn’t ground into fine powder. It differs because it is the hair that is found on coconut husks.2 to 3
Salinity levels From day one to day 9
seeds are to planted in each hole, and the tray has to be kept in dark place for three days followed
Day pH EC Day pH EC
by light watering for 15 days.Seeds of Broccoli, Bok choy and lettuce were kept to germinate on Day 1 6.91 1.21 Day 10 7.12 1.5
Day 2 6.91 1.16 Day 11 7.12 1.35
November 3 2022 Day 3 5.75 1.14 Day 12 5.82 1.12
Day 4 5.75 1.16 Day 13 5.82 1.08
Growth Process: Day 5 5.75 1.17 Day 14 5.42 0.721
Day 6 5.65 1.01 Day 15 5.42 0.580
Based on our requirements PVC pipes(4.5 ft ) needs to be cut and arranged in the grid format. The Day 7 5.65 0.98 Day16 5.42 0.525
Day 8 5.32 0.685 Day 17 5.42 0.521
next step is to drill holes in the PVC pipes to make holders for the net pots(3.5 inches)Net pots are Day 9 5.32 0.525 Day 18 5.42 0.329
Salinity levels from Day 19 to Day 27 Salinity levels from Day 28 to Day 36
used to hold the samplings until the growth period of plants. The sponges need to be cut into the
Day pH EC Day pH EC
size of net pots, then the seedlings were inserted into sponges .A light expanded clay pellets are Day 19 7.06 1.5 Day 28 7.1 1.5
Day 20 6.82 1.31 Day 29 5.92 1.12
filled int the remaining portion of net pots for mechanical support. These net pots are placed in Day 21 6.82 1.21 Day 30 5.92 1.12
Day 22 6.82 1.15 Day 31 5.52 1.01
PVC pipes. These pipes are connected to water reservoir or tank .Place the water pump in the base Day 23 5.85 1.12 Day 32 5.52 0.921
Day 24 5.85 0.912 Day 33 6.12 0.725
of the reservoir or tank. Fill it with the nutrient rich solution. Submersible tank pumps are seated in Day 25 5.65 0.829 Day 34 6.12 0.725
Day 26 5.65 0.321 Day 35 5.62 0.512
the bottom of tank and designated to pump water upwards to the surface. In this method, the pump Day 27 5.65 0.241 Day 36 5.62 0.512
when turned on will flood the PVC pipes with nutrient rich water and facilitates plant growth. Once
turned off, the water will flow back into the tank. Plants were shifted to setup after 15
days(November 18 2022)These whole setup was kept in Green shed to maintain Temperature and CONCLUSION
humidity Yield Obtained
Hydroponics is a soilless farming method that offers numerous
advantages over traditional soil-based agriculture. It allows for higher
Plant Number Number Weight of Weight Total crop yields, efficient resource utilization, reduced pest and disease
Name of of pots in each of plant weight
Pipes(N) each plant per 0f Yield risks, year-round cultivation, space utilization in urban areas, and
length(N) length Obtaine
NUTRIENT SOLUTION (grams)
of d
water conservation. By providing precise control over nutrient
. pipe(gra (grams)
solutions, hydroponics ensures optimal plant growth and maximizes
ms)
Preparation of Nutrient Solution: productivity. Additionally, the ability to customize growing conditions
Plants require 17 essential elements to grow and reproduce.The first three are Hydrogen, Oxygen and carbon. Other Bok choy 3 13 136.6 1775.8 5,327.4
and create an ideal environment leads to healthier plants and better-
14 are:
Broccoli 3 13 140 1820 5460.0
Macro-Elements: Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Sulphur. Lettuce 6 7 184 1288 7728
quality produce. With its potential to revolutionize agriculture and
Micro-Elements: Iron, Manganese, Copper, Zinc, Boron, Chlorine, Molybdenum, Nickel. address global food security challenges, hydroponics is a promising
and sustainable farming technique for the future. We have concluded
Standardization of nutrient solutions with different salinity levels from the study that, water with salinities up to 7.0 dS m-1 can be
Salts Used (mg per liter) Salinity Levels
utilized for growing in NFT hydroponic systems fitted in PVC pipes
S1 S2
PROJECT MEMBERS
without harming the product's visual quality. The total water used by
Monoammonium phosphate 6.3 8.6
the plants were 0.89 L bunch-1.
Potassium nitrate 33 45.0
Calcium nitrate 35.7 48.0 ANUSHREE J 4PS19CV003
Magnesium sulphate 13.2 18.0
Ferrous sulphate.7H20 11.0 15.0 BHARATH S C 4PS19CV007
Copper sulphate. 5H20 1.1 1.5
Manganous sulphate. 2H20 3.55 4.55 BASAVARAJ KURI 4PS19CV006 Under the Guidance of
Zinc sulphate. 7H20 4.7 6.5
Boric acid 0.55 0.7 VIKAS D R 4PS19CV101 Mr. MADHUSUDHAN M S
Ammonium molybdate 0.27 0.37 Assistant Professor
pH 7.03 7.13 Department of Civil Engineering
EC (dsm-1) 1.1+_0.07 1.5+_0.11 PESCE, Mandya
