Hydroponics | Prospects of Hydroponics

Hydroponics

                                         

Hydroponics literally means "cultivation of plants in water". It is made up of two words- Hydro (water) and Ponic (labor work) meaning "cultivation of plants by doing agricultural activities in water". Soil is not used in this. Hence it is also commonly called soil-less culture. The art of soilless farming or growing plants without soil was first developed in the 1930-40s. In this type of farming, the roots of the plant remain exposed directly in water and provide nutrition to the plant from the nutrients dissolved or dissolved in water. Since only water or nutrient solution is used in this instead of using rooting medium or soil, hence for this type of farming, plants requiring more water or plants tolerant to water logging are more suitable.

Concept of soil less culture - 

The main reason behind the idea of ​​soilless farming or growing plants in water is the decreasing land every day. In the conditions of increasing population and decreasing fertile land, a time will come when everyone will not be able to get enough food even for survival. In such a situation, the art of soilless farming developed as an alternative to food production. Hydroponics does not require soil or land and it can be adopted anywhere in any climate. Even on the roofs of buildings and factories, suitable plants can be grown in water filled vessels. Growing money plant, syngonium, ornamental bamboo etc. by filling water in glass vessels (bottle garden) are major examples of hydroponics.

Method of Growing Plants in Water -

As is clear from the definition of hydroponics, in this type of farming, plants are grown only in water instead of soil/land. But water alone does not fulfill the required nutrients for the plant and has an adverse effect on the growth of the plant. Therefore, Nutrient solution is mixed in water to provide adequate nutrients. Many times, fertilizers are directly added to water as per requirement, which dissolve in water and are used by the roots of the plant floating in water. In this way, glass or tin containers are required to grow plants, in which water/nutrient solution is filled and the plant is planted. New plants and their roots also need some support (Growing medium) till they become strong. Until the roots develop properly, some neutral growing medium like sand, brick, vermiculite, perlite, gravel etc. should be used. From time to time change the water in the container and fill it with fresh water and supply nutrients by adding a solution of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash in the ratio of 2:1:1. There is a difference between cultivation of aquatic plants and cultivation of plants in water. Aquatic plants do their entire growth inside water only whereas the plants that are suitable for hydroponics, only their roots remain inside water and the rest of the plant grows normally above the surface of water. Higher yield can be obtained from plants grown through hydroponics method in greenhouses as compared to plants grown in open fields.

Prospects of Hydroponics

1. This art has a bright future as an alternative to the fertile land which is decreasing day by day.

2. The wastage of water during irrigation of fields etc. can be avoided.

3. In areas where there is no rainfall or the ground water level is low or there is scarcity of water, sufficient yield can be obtained with less water by adopting hydroponics.

4. By adopting hydroponics, there will be savings from heavy mechanization like tractors etc. in farming.

5. There will be savings in the land used for farming which can be used for residential or industrial projects.

6. The products grown with the art of hydroponics will be free from various pollutions.

7. In cities where there is scarcity of open land, vegetables and flowers can be easily grown in homes through hydroponics.