PowerPoint Presentation

[Audio] HYDROPONIC FARMING. abstract. HYDROPONIC FARMING.

[Audio] Hydroponics is the technique of growing plants without soil. The roots grow either in air, which is kept very humid; in water which is well aerated; or in some solid, non-soil medium, which is kept moist. The water around the roots contains a carefully balanced mixture of nutrients which provides food for the plants..

[Audio] There are three main ways of growing plants hydroponically Aggregate Culture : where small particles of chemically inert substances provide suitable environment for the plant roots to grow through. Rockwool culture: a fibrous sponge-like material made from molten rock provides an environment for the roots to grow through. Water: perhaps mixed with air( with no solid material),provides material for the roots to grow through..

[Audio] The aggregate, rockwool or water which is used to provide the root environment, supplies the physical needs of the roots. The roots (and in fact the whole plant) also have chemical needs which must be catered to. The chemical needs are supplied by adding a carefully calculated solution of nutrients to the root zone and maintaining the balance of chemicals in that solution at appropriate levels. Hydroponics has also been called " soilless culture", " Nutriculture", and " Chemiculture"..

[Audio] The Variables of a systems The types of hydroponic system that can be used vary for a range of reasons. The most common variables are: Solution Dispensation – Closed or Open (i.e. the solution is recycled or drained through and lost) - Drip, capillary feed, wicks, misting Automatic or manual operation Type of medium- gravel, vermiculite, perlite, sand, scoria peat, expanded clay Construction material – concrete, fiberglass, plastic, wood, masonry, metal, PVC, ceramic, polystyrene Rate and frequency of irrigation and feeding Air injection (in water culture, where oxygen is pumped into the nutrient solution to raise the oxygen level) Plant support- trellis Environmental controls- temperature, ventilation.

[Audio] Advantages & Disadvantages of a Hydroponic system Advantages You can grow anywhere- crops can be grown where no suitable soil exist or where soil is contaminated with disease. Culture is intensive – a lot can be grown in a small place, over a short period of time. It is also possible to grow in multi-levels. Where transportation cost to market are significant( i.e. in the center of large cities) Hydroponic farms may be viable irrespective of land values. The savings on transport cost and the benefits of having fresh produce offsets the increased cost of space in these cities. Heavy work is reduced – Labor for tilling the soil, cultivation fumigation watering and other traditional practices can be reduced and sometimes eliminated..

[Audio] 4. Water is conserved- a well designed, properly run hydroponic system uses less water than gardening. This is an important advantage in areas with poor quality or limited water supplies. Hydroponic is seen to have potential benefits in controlling water pollution in developing countries. 5. Weed problems are almost eliminated- weeds a major problem in most soil-bases systems. Weed are almost non-existent in hydroponic setups 6. Yields can be maximized- maximum yields are possible making the system economically feasible in high density and expensive land areas..

[Audio] Advantages 7. Pest& Disease problems are reduced – the need to fumigate is reduced. Soil-borne plant diseases are more easily eradicated in many nutriculture systems. This is particularly true in "closed systems" which can be totally flooded with an eradicant. The chance of soil-borne human disease is also reduced. Though rare in developed countries, it is possible for diseases to be transmitted from animal manures or soil micro-organism onto food plants grown in soil, leading to illness. 8. Nutrients are conserved- this can lead to a reduction in pollution of land and stream because valuable chemicals needn't be lost..

[Audio] 9. The environment is more easily controlled- in a greenhouse operation the light, temperature, humidity, and composition of the atmosphere can be manipulated, while in the root zone the timing of the nutrients can be readily controlled. 10. Root Zone chemistry is easier to control- Salt toxicities can be leached out; pH can be adjusted; EC ( electrocondutivity) can be adjusted. Also salts will not bind chemically to the majority of the media used in hydroponics so problems of salt build-up that may occur in soils. Particularly when highly soluble nutrients are used are uncommon in hydroponics. 11. New Plants are easier to establish- transplant shock is reduced..

[Audio] 12. Crop rotation/ Fallowing is not necessary – all areas can be used at all times – you do not have to leave a Paddock/ field for a year to fallow every so often. The amateur Horticulturist can use hydroponic systems at home, even in a high rise building. A hydroponic system can be clean, light weight and mechanized..

[Audio] Disadvantages Initial cost is high – the original construction cost per hectare is high. This may limit you to growing crops which either have a fast turnover or give high return. Skill and knowledge are needed to operate properly – trained plantsman must direct the growing operation. Knowledge of how plants grow and the principles of nutrition are important. Disease and pest can spread quickly through the system - introduced diseases and nematodes mat be quickly spread to all beds using the same nutrient tank in a closed system..

[Audio] Beneficial soil life is normally absent Plant react fast to good and bad conditions – the plants in a hydroponics react more quickly to changes in growing conditions. This means that the hydroponic gardener needs to watch his/her plant more closely for changes. Availability of plant varieties are not always ideal – most available plant varieties have been developed for growth in soil in the open. Development of varieties which are specifically adapted to more control conditions may be slow to occur.

[Audio] THANKYOU. THANKYOU.