This document discusses different modern soil fertility concepts including hydroponics, tunnel farming, and rooftop/pot culture. Hydroponics is defined as growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions in water without soil. Tunnel farming involves growing out-of-season crops inside polythene tunnels to control the atmosphere. Rooftop/pot culture refers to various methods of growing plants on rooftops or in containers, such as green roofs, fire escape gardens, and window gardens. The benefits and challenges of these different soilless cultivation techniques are explored.

1. Modern concept in soil fertility
Hydroponics, tunnel farming
and roof top / pot culture

2. WHAT IS HYDROPONIC?
Hydroponics comes from the Latin language and it means working
water.
"hydro" means "water"
"ponos" means "labor".
Hydroponics is steadily growing in popularity throughout the world.
There are many reasons for this. First of all it is an eco-friendly
method of cultivation since it minimizes use of water and potentially
harmful.
Hydroponics is a subset of hydroculture and is a method of growing
plants using mineral nutrient solutions, in water, without soil. Terrestrial
plants may be grown with their roots in the mineral nutrient solution
only.

4. FIG: The hanging gardens of Babylon
FIG: The floating gardens of the
Aztecs of Mexico

9. HYDROPONIC TECHNOLOGY

10. FIG:PIPE L I N E C U LT I VAT I O N
FIG: FLOWERING
FIG: STRAWBERRIES

11. TUNNEL FARMING

12. Introduction:
 Growing out-of- season crops in controlled atmosphere
inside polythene tunnels is called Tunnel Farming.
 As it is not possible to grow summer vegetable in open
fields from December to February due to low
temperature and high frost levels, so these are grown
inside polythene tunnels so that proper atmosphere
may be given to plants for their maximum growth and
yield.
 Because of controlled atmosphere, Tunnel farming is
the source of higher yields and earlier production, and
this earlier and quality produce gives good profits to
farmers.

13. TUNNEL STRUCTURE
It depends upon type of tunnel. If tunnel is:
- LOW
- WALKIN
- HIGH

14. TYPE OF TUNNEL
Depends upon:-
1. Crop to be sown.
2. Stature of the crop.
3. Investment capacity.
4. Nature of the crop.
5. Variety to be sown.
6. Management level.

15. Type of tunnel
Crop to be grown Tunnel Type Tunnel Height
Cucumber
Tomato
Bottle gourd
High tunnel 10 to 12 feet
Sweet Pepper
Hot pepper
Walk in tunnel 5 to 6 feet
Sponge gourd
Water melon
Musk melon
Bitter gourd
Bottle gourd
Low tunnel 2.5 to 3 feet

17. Walk-in Tunnels
• Walk-in tunnels are lower than the high
tunnels but they are gaining popularity as they
provide high yield compared to low tunnels.
The tunnel is suitable for growing tomatoes,
cucumbers, sweet pepper and hot pepper.

19. High Tunnel
• High tunnel facilitates easy access for soil
preparation, picking and spraying due to its
width and height. The crop yield is maximum
in this type of tunnel. The tunnel is suitable
for growing tomatoes, cucumbers and sweet
peppers.

21. 34
Unique Garden Methods
Roof top/pot culture

22. Green
roofs
Reduced
energy
use
Urban
heat
island
Air
pollution
Storm
water
mitigation
Noise
reduction
Aesthetic
beauty
Benefits of green roof

23. Reduced energy use
• Reduces heat flux via evapotranspiration
• Acts as an insulator
• Minimizes the use of air conditioners
• Prevents heat escape in winter

24. Fire escape garden
• Plants are placed in appropriate containers
with broken pots at the base and well
nourished soils. Each day the plants were
watered and pinched back for optimum
growth. Unfortunately the building height
was such that a shadow was cast the fire
escape for more than half the day.

25. Residential rooftop garden
• This brownstone rooftop has beautiful raised
beds with vegetables spaced perfectly. They
are supplemented with compost and have
plenty of sunlight. The tar rooftop has had
pools of standing water, the owners are
considering adding a drainage pump.

26. Roof-top raised beds
• The raised beds were elevated and accessible
to elderly volunteers for gardening. The
plants were watered regularly and had
fantastic drainage. Rich compost was used
and sunlight was plentiful. Yet, the vegetation
didn’t grow tall and many of the roots were
exposed.

27. Plastic pool gardens
• The plastic pools are perfect for holding soil
and water.Holes and pebbles allow for proper
drainage. Ample sunlight is available, yet the
plants are not growing as quickly as they
could.

28. Wall design
• This wall, located in South America is north
face and gets plenty of sunlight. Yet, the
awning extend over the roof top.Each bottle
contains plenty of nutrients and is an ideal
structure to house plants up to 6 inches
height.

29. School-yard
• The school yard is well lit and students have
added the proper NPK fertilizer. The irrigation
system was installed according to guidelines,
but the hard water has clogged 80% of the
pores.

30. Window garden
• These window systems were well researched
and supply plants with the necessary minerals.
The only concern has been that the winter
light is sparse.

31. Window Garden
• These hydroponic window systems get plenty
of light and water. The openings in each
container allow for the plant to anchor. Still,
after the initial rapid growth, the plants are no
longer growing.

32. Kitchen Garden
• This design lets the chef access fresh herbs
and greens while cooking. The soil is rich and
holds water. Sphagnum moss helps keep in
moisture. A large picture window is nearby
and the hanging basket system is rotated
regularly. The roots are growing close
together, as the shallow basket’s don’t seem
to be deep enough.

33. Garden Wall
• This wall is made from a wooden platform.
The plants are growing snug, but not crowded.
The starter soil was nutrient rich and has
maintained nutrients but growing a variety of
plants. There is sufficient light, sometimes too
much, but the real problem lies elsewhere.

34. Hydroponics vertical garden
• The water filtration
systems
perfected,
has been
yet the
plants don’t seem to
be getting everything
they need. The
greenhouse let’s in
spectacular light.