1. Seminar – I ( AGRON 649) Date : 4/12/2018
SCOPE OF AEROPONICS IN INDIAN
AGRICULTURE AND FUTURE
STRATEGIES
SOUMEN KARAK
M.Sc. (Ag.) Agronomy, 3rd Semester
Dr. Sibajee Banerjee
Chairman, Advisory
Committee
Department of Agronomy
Faculty of Agriculture
Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya
Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, Pin: 741252
Prof. Mrityunjay Ghosh
(Seminar Leader)
Prof. Sukanta Pal
Dr. S. K. Gunri
( Member)
2. With the current global and local economic crisis the word. Diversification is on
everyone’s mind and even though we are aware of the important role the agriculture
sector played in our economy in the past, it has been difficult to really get the sector to
grow as fast as the economy requires.
Fortunately on a scientific basis the sector is just beginning to be explored with methods
and possibilities.
One of the most recent discoveries is Aeroponics a technology that proves plants do
not require soil to grow, not only that but that soil may even inhibit swift and healthy
growth of plants.
3. VERTICAL FARMING
Vertical farming is the practice of growing produce in
vertically stacked layers.
Vertical farms come in different shapes and sizes, from
simple two-level or wall-mounted systems to large
warehouses several stories tall.
Vertical farming typically uses a mix of natural light
and artificial light. Artificial lighting is often LED-
based and may be driven by a renewable power source
such as solar power or wind turbines.
4. Vertical farming
Vertical farming is the practice of producing food
and medicine in vertically stacked layers, vertically
inclined surfaces and/or integrated in other structures
(such as in a skyscraper, used warehouse, or shipping
container). The modern ideas of vertical farming use
indoor farming techniques
like
Hydroponics
Aeroponics
14. AEROPONICS
Aeroponics is the process of growing plants in an air
or mist environment without the use of soil or an
aggregate medium (known as geoponics). The word
"aeroponic" is derived from the Greek meanings of
aer ( "air") and ponos ( "labour").
15. OBJECTIVE
The core objective for our Aeroponics services is to:
Make farming easier to manage.
Eliminate waste of vegetables during harvest caused by pathogens( Algae and mold).
Increased profit allows for the re invesment and expension.
Sustantial expansions creates more job and raises the standard of living.
Aeropo reduces cost of maintenance requirements such as
fertillizer,chemicals,insect,fumigation,soil,staff and more.
Aeroponics dreastically reduces the amount of water required due to the recycled water
structure put in place.
Aeroponics can be applied on a small,medium and industrial large scale.
16. 1911, V.M.Artsikhovski published in the journal "Experienced
Agronomy" an article "On Air Plant Cultures", which talks about his
method of physiological studies of root systems by spraying various
substances in the surrounding air - the aeroponics method.
Despite this leap in advancement, aeroponics actually had a
fairly slow start
Techniques for growing plants without soil were first developed
in the 1920s by botanists
In 1944, L.J. Klotz was the first to discover vapor misted citrus
plants in a facilitated research of his studies of diseases of
citrus and avocado roots.
It was F. W. Went in 1957 who first coined the air-growing
process as “aeroponics”, growing coffee plants and tomatoes.
As of 2006, aeroponics is used in agriculture around the
globe.[11]
HISTORY OF AEROPHONICS
17. The basic principle of aeroponic growing is to grow plants
suspended in a closed or semi-closed environment by spraying
the plant's dangling roots and lower stem with an atomized or
sprayed, nutrient-rich water solution. There are three types of
aerophonics-
Low-pressure units
High-pressure devices
Commercial systems
TYPES OF AEROPHONICS
18. Low pressure aeroponics (LPA) is one of two types of
aeroponic growing systems. In an aeroponic growing system,
plants are not grown in soil. Instead, they are grown with their
roots hanging suspended in air while a nutrient solution is
delivered to the roots as a mist. Low pressure aeroponic
systems deliver the mist to plant roots at a low pressure with
large droplets.
in most low-pressure aeroponic gardens, the plant roots are
suspended above a reservoir of nutrient solution or inside a
channel connected to a reservoir. A low-pressure pump
delivers nutrient solution via jets or by ultrasonic transducers,
which then drips or drains back into the reservoir.
LOW-PRESSURE UNITS
20. High-pressure aeroponic techniques, where the mist is
generated by high-pressure pump(s), are typically used in the
cultivation of high value crops and plant specimens that can
offset the high setup costs associated with this method of
horticulture.
High-pressure aeroponics systems include technologies for air
and water purification, nutrient sterilization, low-mass
polymers and pressurized nutrient delivery systems.
HIGH-PRESSURE DEVICES
22. Hydroponics is relatively
modern technology and can
be proved as a good option
for traditional cultivation
using soil for better yield of
crops.
Hydroponics are easier to
establish and one can make a
small garden in front of home
and can get good quality of
vegetables with a little more
effort.
Aeroponics helps to
conserve water, land and
nutrients, so the aeroponics
system is the way of the
future, making cultivation of
crops easier.
Aeroponic growing allows
plants and crops to grow
without the use of pesticide
and thus it will be disease
free.
COMPARISON BETWEEN HYDROPONICS
AND AEROPONICS
23.
24. Advantages
Crops are grown close
together, so more crops can
be grown.
Plants are not exposed to
soil disease or bacteria, so no
pesticide is needed, which
means healthier crops.
The crops mature faster,
which means there will be
more harvests.
Disadvantages
A lot of money is needed
to set- up an aeroponics farm.
Many consumers believe
that aeroponically grown
plants are not as nutritious as
other grown plants
Maintenance of an
aeroponics farm is very
expensive.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
25.
26. AEROPONIC PROPAGATION (CLONING)
Aeroponic culturing revolutionized cloning (propagation from
cutting) of plants. Firstly, aeroponics allowed the whole
process to be carried out in a single, automated unit.
Numerous plants which were previously considered difficult,
or impossible, to propagate from cuttings could now be
replicated simply from a single stem cutting. This was a major
boon to green houses attempting to propagate delicate
hardwoods or cacti – plants normally propagated by seed due
to the likeliness of bacterial infection in cuttings.
27. Aeroponics significantly advanced tissue culture technology. It
cloned plants in less time and reduced numerous labor steps
associated with tissue culture techniques. Aeroponics could
eliminate stage I and stage II plantings into soil (the bane of
all tissue culture growers). Tissue culture plants must be
planted in a sterile media (stage-I) and expanded out for
eventual transfer into sterile soil (stage-II).
AIR-ROOTED TRANSPLANTS
28. The aeroponic system is probably the most high tech type
soilless agricultural system.
In aeroponic system the roots hang in the air and are misted
with nutrient solution.
The mistings are usually done every few minutes.
Because if the roots are exposed to the air they will dry out
rapidly if the misting cycle are interrupted.
in aeroponic,growing medium is primarily air.
AEROPONICS IS A SOIL LESS AGRICULTURE
41. Aeroponic Facility Inaugurated at
CPRI
Shri Arvind Kaushal,
Additional Secretary,
DARE and Secretary,
ICAR inaugurated the
Aeroponic facility-II for
disease free seed
production at Central
Potato Research Institute
(CPRI), Shimla on 16th
November, 2013.
42. Researches
Dignitaries also visited
different laboratories and
reviewed the work done
by CPRI in the field of
potato research and
development.
43. Hi-tech seed production system revolutionizing the
seed potato industry in India
Availability of quality planting material has always
been a limitation in vegetatively propagated crops.
Potato, largely being a vegetatively propagated crop, is
subjected to large number of seed-borne diseases
responsible for yield degeneration. Hence, it is
imperative to use good quality healthy seed for
sustainable and economic production of potato. The
conventional seed production technology based on
“seed plot technique” is successfully being used in
India since last five decades for quality potato seed
production.
44. System and technology are used
Keeping that in view, ICAR-CPRI, Shimla has
standardized a number of high-tech seed production
systems based on tissue culture and micropropagation
technologies.
45. Several Government/Private seed producing organizations
procure virus-free in vitromother cultures of important
notified and released potato varieties every year from
ICAR-CPRI, Shimla for further multiplication in their high-
tech seed production programmes.
46. 68th Foundation Day of CPRI
Shimla, 20 August 2016. Dr Trilochan
Mohapatra (Secretary, DARE and DG,
ICAR) inaugurated 68th Foundation
Day, and launched ‘Smart Potato
Portal’ for providing all decision
support systems developed in potato
under one umbrella. Dr Mohapatra
emphasized on ‘Farmer based
research to increase the production
and productivity’ and also urged that
India must be the torch bearer in
potato development for the world.
47. . Dr Trilochan Mohapatra
emphasized on ‘Farmer-based
research to increase the
production and productivity’ and
also urged that India must be the
torch bearer in potato
development for the world. Dr
Mohapatra visited in Cell Biology
Lab., Genomics Lab. Tissue
Culture Facility, Diagnostic Lab.,
Post Harvest Technology Lab.,
AKMU, Library etc
50. BENEFITS OF AEROPONICS CULTIVATION -1
Field verses soil less grown
Open field:
• Farmer has no control on environment.
• Yields are not accurately predicted. • Budgeting is ineffective.
• Cannot always ensure adequate aeration of the root zone.
Soil-less/Aeroponics:
• Gives grower effective control over the environment.
• Yields are very predictable.
• Budgeting is easier,
• Root zone aeration as well as adequate porosity of medium is ensured.
51. BENEFITS OF AEROPONICS
CULTIVATION -2
• Plant nutrition
• • Aeroponic nutrient solutions can be tailored to the plant’s requirements, whereas in the field there is a
tendency to over or under-fertilise.
• • Aeroponic produce has all the macro/micro-nutrients that are needed by the human body.
• • Nutrients in the soil are often fixed as insoluble compounds that are not available to plants and therefore
a loss to the grower.
• • Uneven nutrition is ensured by virtue of leaching and sloping of land gradients.
52. BENEFITS OF AEROPONICS
CULTIVATION -3
Water Security and Savings
• • Irrigation water in field grown operations cannot be effectively recycled.
• • Aeroponics can reduce irrigation water usage by 95% by recycling the run-off water.
• • As water becomes scarce, and important as a resource, the use of aeroponics and
other water saving technologies is needed now and is poised to increase in time.
53. BENEFITS OF AEROPONICS
CULTIVATION -4
Microbial Diseases
• • Fungal disease can be significantly reduced through controlled humidity.
• • The Aeroponic system will reduce the amount of exposed moisture in the growing environment.
• • Aeroponics will effectively prevent wetting of the leaf surfaces which, in normal agriculture, provides the
fungal spores with the perfect medium to proliferate.
• • Aeroponics eliminates the possibilities of root diseases by allowing sufficient porosity for drainage of
excess water as well as increases oxygen availability to the root zone.
• • Root zone temperatures are maintained as is ideal to ensure good growth of the plant.
54. BENEFITS OF AEROPONICS
CULTIVATION -5
Labour
• • Weeds are a major problem in Soil cultivation and calls for the use of harmful
herbicides. Most farmers spend an enormous amount of money on labor for weeding.
• • All labour inputs associated with soil management, such as digging and weeding are
eliminated with aeroponics.
• • Substrates being sterile and inert, do not influence or allow weeds to flourish.
55. BENEFITS OF AEROPONICS
CULTIVATION -6
• Pest Management
• The use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in protected environments is ideally suited to
Aeroponic growing techniques, especially when carried out in a protected environment such as
a glasshouse or plastic/polythene tunnels.
• • The use of IPM can virtually eliminate the need to use toxic and expensive chemical
pesticides.
• • Whereas IPM is much more difficult in Soil cultivation and calls for near total use of
dangerous, life threatening chemical pesticides.
• • Diseases and pests from neighboring farms can cause spread of diseases in one’s field
crops.
56. Commercial Aeroponics Some Yields
Tons/Acre/Year/Season
• Lettuce 300-400 Tons
• Strawberries 50 Tons
• Cucumber 200 Tons
• Tomato 180-200 Tons
• Bell Pepper 120-140 Tons
*Note: Figures are conservative.
You see and ask “Why”?
I believe and say “Why Not?”
57.
In 1986, Stoner became the first person to market
fresh aeroponically grown food to a national grocery
chain. He was interviewed on NPR and discussed
the importance of the water conservation features of
aeroponics for both modern agriculture and space.[11]
Aeroponically grown food
60. AEROPHONICS IN DIFFERENT CROPS.(POTATO)
• There are several seed production techniques that are currently used worldwide such as
tissue culture, hydroponics and Aeroponics. Among these techniques, Aeroponics is one
of the most effective techniques because of its perceived numerous advantages over
these other techniques. The technology is based on the concept that it uses no soil and
grows the root systems in the air
• Saveer R & D Unit developed an Aeroponics facility for the production of potato. This
facility is unique of its kind in India. Such facility helps in the reduction of the cropping
time of the Potato crop. At the same time production is increased by about 6 times. The
main purpose of this facility is to produce quality virus free potato plants which in turn will
boost the quality production of the potato in the state
61. SPECIAL FEATURES OF AEROPONICS
TECHNOLOGY FOR POTATO SEED PRODUCTION
Aeroponics is a relatively new technique, especially for seed
potato production.
Potato seed production can be increased dramatically in the
greenhouse.
Aeroponics production is particularly sensitive to climate.
Sequential harvests are needed.
Vegetative period of plants is increased in 1 to 2 months.
Minimized use of nutrients and water due to recycling capability.
Independence from local land and climate conditions when
grown in the controlled environment of a greenhouse.
Initial investment can be recovered rapidly.
Aeroponics can significantly increase income or reduce the
production costs of quality potato seed to make it more
accessible to growers.
62. BENEFITS OF POTATO SEED PRODUCTION BY
AEROPONICS:
The vertical Aeroponics growing system is a game changer for
the farmers and the commercial plant growing industry. Air
grown system benefits include:
100% ensure of availability of seed
Save money and transportation
International mileage
Good for carbon food chain reduces food mileage
Greater yield, Superior taste &Ease of harvest
Eco- friendly
Organic certification relatively easy
Aeroponics can significantly increase income or reduce the
production costs of quality potato seed to make it more
accessible to growers
64.
In 1999, Stoner, funded by NASA, developed an
inflatable low-mass aeroponic system (AIS) for space
and earth for high performance food production.This
advancements are very useful in space aeroponics.
NASA inflatable
aeroponics
65. AEROPONICS IN SPACE
• Space plants:-
• Plants were first taken into Earth's orbit in 1960 on two separate missions, Sputnik 4
and Discoverer 17 (for a review of the first 30 years of plant growth in space, see
Halstead and Scott 1990).[17] On the former mission, wheat, pea, maize, spring onion, and
Nigella damascena seeds were carried into space, and on the latter mission Chlorella
pyrenoidosa cells were brought into orbit.
• Biocontrols in space:-
• In 1996, NASA sponsored Stoner’s research for a natural liquid biocontrol, known then as
ODC (organic disease control), that activates plants to grow without the need for
pesticides as a means to control pathogens in a closed-loop culture system. ODC is
derived from natural aquatic materials
66.
Aeroponic bio-pharming is used to grow
pharmaceutical medicine inside of plants. The
technology allows for completed containment of
allow effluents and by-products of biopharma crops
to remain inside a closed-loop facility. As recently as
2005, GMO research at South Dakota State
University by Dr. Neil Reese applied aeroponics to
grow genetically modified corn.
Aeroponic bio-pharming
67.
Aeroponics is an improvement in artificial life
support for non-damaging plant support, seed
germination, environmental control and rapid
unrestricted growth when compared with
hydroponics and drip irrigation techniques that have
been used for decades by traditional agriculturalists.
21st century aeroponics
68.
In 2006, the Institute of Biotechnology at Vietnam
National University of Agriculture, in joint efforts
with Stoner, established a postgraduate doctoral
program in aeroponics. The university's Agrobiotech
Research Center, under the direction of Professor
Nguyen Quang Thach, is using aeroponic
laboratories to advance Vietnam's minituber potato
production for certified seed potato production
Large scale integration of
aeroponics
69. SUMMARY OF AEROPONICS BENEFITS
Market Control
Environment Control
No Soil – No Problem
Pests and Diseases are eliminated
Less labour inputs for the owner of the system
Higher Value Crops as they are healthier and tastier
Longer Shelf Life due to minimum injury to produce
Extended Growing Season as it is not weather dependent Improved Produce Quality because
of greenhouse technology Increased Yields and Growth Rates due to exposure to oxygen
Reduced water consumption unlike geoponics (soil) or hydroponics
Happier Workers using remote and different technologies to control plant growing
70. Beneficiaries from
Commercial Aeroponics
Retail Chains Private Investors
Public Sector Companies Hotel Chains
Fast Food Chains Processed Food
Industry as Backward Integration
Railway Catering companies Corporate
Hospitals
FFV Exporters Large land
owners
NGO’s Foreign Retail
Companies (Outsourcing)
Defence establishments Public-Private
Partnerships.
* FFV-Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
73. Before Aeroponics, you
should
capital costs.
Trained Manpower.
Education required.
Attention to shifting market demands.
Attention to crop growing or cultural
practices.
Knowledge of IPM.
Knowledge of Environment Controls in GH.
Knowledge of Climate Controls.
Knowledge of Bio-friendly insects.
75. Aeroponic product marketing
It is marketed more on the quality and the quality and
consistancy, rather then the method of production
Should not compete with soil grown produce.
Usually gets a better price based on looks, texture, taste,
consistency on daily basis, high nutrition value, reliable
supply year round etc.
Extent to which premiums are realized are based on
seasonal volumes, marketing, presentation (Branding),
product quality. It is marketed more on the quality and
consistency, rather than the method of production. Aeroponic
Product Marketing
76. 1. Capital
2. 2. Location and Siting is very important.
3. 3. Climatic conditions in the area.
4. 4. Water must be of good quality in chosen area.
5. 5. Choice of right crop and a potential market.
6. 6. Proximity to markets.
7. 7. Logistics involved.
8. 8. Good Agronomists selected prior with ground level
experience. No theory masters.
9. 9. Topography of the land/ slope characteristics.
10. 10. Wind direction and speed, temperature range, frost
frequency, rainfall, humidity are all important
considerations.
REQUIREMENT FOR AEROPONIC SET-UP
77. choice of Commercial Aeroponics System
Type 1
Boutique style growers with a niche market close by.
Produces special produce. Eg. Culinary/Medicinal Herbs
Type 2
Family farms that are part of a larger cooperative. Product
sold by cooperative and achieves greater economies of
scale.
Type 3
Corporate farms with investors who are not in day to day
operations but left to a central management. Has a
production sufficient to capitalize on economies of scale
78. commercilization
in Israel in 1982, L. Nir developed a patent for an
aeroponic apparatus using compressed low-pressure air
to deliver a nutrient solution to suspended plants, held
by styrofoam[clarification needed], inside large metal
containers.[14]
In summer 1976, British researcher John Prewer carried
out a series of aeroponic experiments near Newport, Isle
of Wight, U.K., in which lettuces (variety Tom Thumb)
were grown from seed to maturity in 22 days in
polyethylene film tubes made rigid by pressurized air
supplied by ventilating fans. The equipment used to
convert the water-nutrient into fog droplets was supplied
by Mee Industries of California.[1
79. LIST OF CROP CAN GROWING IN AEROPONICS
SYSTEM
• Group A GroupB
Spanich Egg plant
saint leaf Tomato
Bitter leaf pepper
pumpkin
lettuce Group D
Group B Yam
Bean Irish potato
Rice Group E
Wheat Onions
Maize Carrot
Ginger
Garlic
80.
I. Venture not established in a realistic economic framework
like manageable loan repayments, cash flow etc.
II. II. Selection of system/crop/markets/correct management
not done.
III. III. Crop production management inadequacy.
IV. IV. Yield and quality did not meet budget projections.
V. V. Lack of diligence on part of the crew.
VI. VI. Non adherence to growing protocols.
VII. VII. Insufficient attention to marketing.
VIII. VIII. Lack of necessary labour.
IX. IX. Incorrect pricing of produce.
X. X. Product not tailored as per demand.
Reasons for Failure of
Commercial Aeroponics
System
81.
Drawbacks Aeropnonics
A Hydroponic garden requires your time and
commitment. ...
Experiences and technical knowledge. ...
Organic debates. ...
Water and electricity risks. ...
System failure threats. ...
Initial expenses. ...
Long return per investment. ...
Diseases & pests may spread quickly.
82. •Production scale, increasing returns to increasing size. Ability
to supply promised amount with quality and consistency.
•Capacity to add value and/or..
•Find and exploit a unique and high return/value market niche.
PROFITABILITY OF COMMERCIAL
AEROPONICS SYSTEM
83. More and more research work should be done on the subject.
Government should take more interest to encourage the
people for investing in these types of cultivations.
Various types of funding should be made available for
promoting establishment of soilless cultivation by Government
on large scale.
Educational seminars on the topic should be arranged
through out the country to educate more and more people so
as to increase the soilless type of cultivation.
Separate topic should be included in the curriculum of
agriculture to implement the new thinking about agriculture in
young generation.
SUGGETIONS
85. The Commercial Aeroponics industry is a
successful industry and is rapidly expanding.
The market is larger than opined as produce is
sold on quality rather than production method.
Aeroponics cannot displace bulk commodity items.
The industry is expected to grow exponentially as
conditions of soil growing is becoming difficult.
Government intervention and university interest can
propel the use of this technology.
89. Members of the
advisory committee:
Sl. No. Name of the Teacher Discipline Advisory
Committee
1. Dr. Sibajee banerjee Agronomy Chairman
2. Prof.Mrityunjay Ghosh Agronomy Member
3. Prof. Rajib nath Agronomy Member
4. Prof. Lalu Das Soil and
water
coservation
Member
