The document provides an overview of hydroponics, including: - Hydroponics is a technique for growing plants without soil by having roots absorb nutrients dissolved in water. - It was popularized in the 1920s and was used by the US Army during WWII to grow fresh food for troops. - There are several types of hydroponic systems that circulate nutrient solutions to plant roots, including wick, water culture, nutrient film technique, ebb and flow, and drip systems. - Hydroponics has advantages like higher yields, healthier plants, and less water use than traditional agriculture but requires more initial investment and maintenance than soil-based gardening.

1. Under the Guidance
PRAMOD VB
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
AIET, Mijar
“INTRODUCTION TO HYDROPONICS”
Alva’s Institute Of Engineering And Technology Moodbidri, Mijar
Department Of Mechanical Engineering
A SEMINAR TOPIC ON
PRESENTED BY
D JAYKUMAR
7th SEM

2. CONTENTS
 Introduction
 History of hydroponics
 Hydroponics system
 Why should we grow things hydroponically?
 Working of hydroponics
 Types of hydroponic system
 Materials used and Nutrients solution
 System requirements
 Advantages and Disadvantages CDBPV5013Q

3. INTRODUCTION
 Technique for growing plants without soil.
 Utilizing this method, roots absorb balanced nutrient dissolved in water that meets all the plant
developmental requirements.
 Many aggregates and media supports the plant growth.
 Mainly used to grow vegetables like tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, etc and herbs like roses, foliage
plants, etc.

4. HISTORY
 Hydroponics was popularized in media’s and newspapers in 1920’s.
 Dr William F. Gericke, professor from University of California began to develop plants commercially
using this technique which was initially a laboratory technique.
 During World War II,US army used hydroponics to grow fresh food for the troops.
 By 1950’s,this was commercially grown in America, Europe, Asia, Africa.

5. HYDROPONICS SYSTEM
 System involves growing of plants usually crops using water based mineral nutrients solutions and
without any soil.
 Roots are exposed to nutritious liquid and mechanically supported by an inert medium such as
pearlite, gravel and other substance.
 Nutrients used can be from different organic and inorganic sources, which includes fish excrement,
duck manure or fertilizers, artificial nutrient solutions.
 Plants are grown hydroponically in greenhouse or contained environment.

6. Why should we grow things hydroponically?
 Nutrients to the plants are easily supplied through nutrients-rich solutions.
 Smaller roots, occupies less area and more yield.
 Many pests can be stopped by growing plants using this technique.
 Less water is used for farming.

7. TYPES OF HYDROPONIC SYSTEM
 Wick system
 Water culture
 Nutrient film technique(N.F.T)
 Ebb and flow(drain and flow)
 Drip system

8. WICK SYSTEM
 In this system, the plants growing are placed on
the tray and nutrient solution are placed in the reservoir.
 To transport the nutrient solution wicks are used.
 This wicks are usually made of wool rope, nylon rope or
felt.
 This wicks acts as connection between the growing
media and reservoir.

9. WATER CULTURE SYSTEM
 It is also called as Deep water culture system(DWC system).
 In this system, the plants roots and nutrient solution both are in
connect.
 Since they are always in connect, the roots usually are less
exposed to the oxygen.
 Therefore,an airstone which is in turn connected to the air pump
is placed in the reservoir.
 This air stone function is to provide oxygen to the plants roots.

10. NUTRIENT FILM TECHNIQUE SYSTEM
 In this system,the roots in growing tray exposed to
continuously flowing nutrient solution.
 The growing tray is tilted by an angle, so that solution
is not stayed or remained in tray itself.
 After the solution is passed over the plants roots, they
are directed back to the reservoir.
 Here, they are nutritionized and again pumped back
to the growing tray using a pump.

11. EBB AND FLOW SYSTEM
 In this system,the grow bed and reservoir are not
in connect.
 The nutrient solution from the reservoir pumped to
the grow bed.
 According to the timer, the pumping action takes
place.
 After pump is stopped, due to gravity the nutrient
solution is dripped back to the reservoir.
 An overflow pipe is connected from grow bed to
reservoir in case of any overflow occurs.

12. DRIP SYSTEM
 In this system,the nutrient solution is supplied through
drips.
 Each individual plants are supplied with enough nutrient
solution to keep itself moist and well-nourished.
 If there is any excess nutrient solution, this are flown through
the overflow pipe.

13. MATERIALS AND NUTRIENT SOLUTION USED
 Materials like COCA COIR,EXPANDED CLAY PELLETS AND POTTING SOIL(PERLITE) are used
as an grown bed in few systems.
 Solution which are rich in NITROGEN are used for growing and solution of PHOSPHOROUS AND
POTASSIUM rich are used for blooming the flowers.

14. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
 Higher yield in less space  Initial investment is high
 Plants are healthier and grows faster  Maintenance is more
 Nutrients can be precisely controlled.  High level knowledge is required.
 Pests and other diseases are eliminated.  Water borne diseases may spread
 Weeds are eliminated  Formulated nutrient solution must be supplied
to plants regularly.

15. REFERENCES