Hydroponics is a technology that can change Indian agriculture by growing plants without soil. It has several advantages over traditional agriculture like lower water usage, precise nutrient control, higher yields, and fewer pests. Hydroponic greenhouses use various systems like grow bags, troughs, or nutrient film technique to cultivate crops without soil. They control the environment and precisely deliver nutrients to plants. Hydroponics is estimated to be used on 500 acres in India already and can help address issues of depleted land and fluctuating weather. It produces nutritious crops year-round with less resource usage and pest problems than traditional farming.

1. HydroponicsHydroponics
Technology that can Change theTechnology that can Change the
Face of Indian Agriculture IndustryFace of Indian Agriculture Industry

3. HydroponicsHydroponics
Hydro : Water Ponics : Labor
 Many people think of hydroponics as growing plants in water, but
hydroponic production actually is defined as growing plants
without soil.
 Plants may be grown with their roots in the mineral nutrient
solution only or in an inert medium such as Perlite, gravel, mineral
wool, expanded clay or coconut husk.

4. Advantages of HydroponicAdvantages of Hydroponic
 Soilless Cultivation
 Lower water costs
 Control the nutrition levels
 No nutrition pollution is released into the environment
 Potential for stable and high yields
 Pests and diseases are easier to get rid of than in soil

5. Challenges in Soil CultivationChallenges in Soil Cultivation
 Depleting arable land
 Loss of top fertile layer due to excessive tillage
 Insufficient absorption of nutrients by plants due to leaching of fertilizers
into soil
 Excessive water usage for irrigation
 Pest and disease attacks
 Fluctuating weather conditions leads to crop loss
 Labor intensive

6. SOLUTION?SOLUTION?
Hydroponic Cultivation in Controlled
Environment Agriculture (CEA)

7. FootstepsFootsteps
Past & Present Usage of HydroponicsPast & Present Usage of Hydroponics
The early use of Hydroponics system is dated back to Babylonians
civilization. Early Aztecs also made use of hydroponics systems, but the use
of nutrients and minerals in hydroponics systems started developing post
1800. In India, it was first developed in Bengal during the 1946-1947 periods.
Now, NASA uses hydroponics system to grow crops in outer space where
space and soil are not available. Hydroponic farming has now been adopted
by farmers worldwide to grow crops commercially. It is estimated that in
India, area of approx. 500 acres is already under hydroponic cultivation.

8. Components ofComponents of
Hydroponic GreenhouseHydroponic Greenhouse
 Greenhouse structure
 Growing system like grow bag, trough, channels etc.
 Environmental control like cooling & ventilation systems
 Flooring
 Drip irrigation and fertigation machine/system
 Plant Nutrient

9. Greenhouse StructureGreenhouse Structure

10. Growing SystemGrowing System
Troughs Channels

11. Environmental controlEnvironmental control
Fan- Fogger Cooling System Solar Heating System
Fan-Pad Cooling System

12. Growing MediaGrowing Media
Coco peat Reconstituted Coco peat Bricks

13. Irrigation & Fertigation SystemsIrrigation & Fertigation Systems
Drip Irrigation System Components of Drip Irrigation System
Fertigation System

14. Plant NutrientsPlant Nutrients
 Primary nutrients- A range of specialized hydroponic two-part and three-part
base nutrients (N-P-K), both organic and synthetic, which blends all the required
macro and micronutrients in specific ratios corresponding to the growth cycle of
the plant.
 Root enhancers- This class of nutrients include enzymes, beneficial bacteria and
fungi that facilitate root growth, ensures faster uptake of nutrients and protects
against nematodes, pathogens and root rot.
 Supplements- Imparts natural carrier compounds, enhance cellular metabolism,
germination rate and immunity of the plants. We formulate a variety of special
supplements that flushes your crops off the unwanted materials, revives the plants
from nutrient deficiencies and cut down the probability of crop loss.

15. Drip Irrigation – Grow Bag/ Trough
Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)
Basic Hydroponic Systems

16. Grow Bag/Trough CultivationGrow Bag/Trough Cultivation
Grow Bag Cultivation Trough Cultivation

17. Crops CultivatedCrops Cultivated
Cucumber
Lilium
Red Cabbage
Anthurirum
Broccolli

18. Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)
NFT is a hydroponic growing method
in which the plants have their roots
partly submerged in a shallow stream
of recirculating water containing all
the required growth nutrients and
where there is no solid rooting
medium.
The upper surface of the root mat
which develops above the water,
although it is moist, is in the air. So
around the roots which are in the air,
there is a film of nutrient solution -
hence the name nutrient film
technique (NFT). (Cooper 1979).

19. Crops CultivatedCrops Cultivated
Lettuce
Cherry Tomatoes
Capsicum

20. Benefits of HydroponicBenefits of Hydroponic
Greenhouse CultivationGreenhouse Cultivation
 No soil is needed.
 The water stays in the system and can be
reused - lower water consumption.
 It is possible to control the nutrition
levels.
 Stable, higher yields & shorter times
between harvests.
 Produces highly nutritious, attractive
crops.
 Less pest & disease attack, easier to get
rid of than in soil.
 Easier to harvest & source of income
from direct sales.

21. Application Of HydroponicsApplication Of Hydroponics
 Roof Top Garden
 Vertical Gardens
 Living Walls

22. Thank You
Dr. Rakhee Sharma