1. Hydroponics is the practice of growing plants without soil by instead providing nutrients through a water solution. Nutrients, water, and sometimes support mediums are precisely controlled. 2. The main types of hydroponic systems include ebb and flow, continuous drip, circulating, nutrient film, and water culture. Ebb and flow systems periodically flood trays while others constantly circulate or drip nutrient solutions. 3. Hydroponics allows for year-round production, precise nutrient control, and growth in non-arable areas. However, it also requires more management and has higher costs than traditional soil-based agriculture.

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Welcome

2. What is plant biomass?
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What makes up this Biomass?
C, H, O (N, P, S)
Where does plant get them from?
CO2 & H2O, N2 (soil)
Why then can we not provide
air & water

3. What is hydroponics?
 Practice of growing plants in nutrient solutions
with or without the use of solid medium to
provide mechanical support
 Types
 Liquid systems – no support medium for roots
 Aggregate systems – have a solid medium of support:
soil, sand, gravel, vermiculite
 Open - nutrient solution not reused after delivery to
plant roots
 Closed – surplus solution is recovered, replenished,
and recycled
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4. Hydroponics – pros and cons
 Pros
 Eliminates soil borne
organisms
 Allows control of water
and nutrients
 Higher quality plants
with healthier and
higher yields
 Able to grow
vegetables in areas
where otherwise is
impossible
 Cons
 Management is
tedious
 High costs if heating &
artificial lights are
needed
 Equipment expense
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5. Types of hydroponic systems
 Ebb and flow systems
 Continuous drip systems
 circulating systems
 Nutrient film systems
 siphon systems
 Water culture
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6. Ebb and flow systems
 Floods growth tray with
nutrient solution
 Drains solution into
reservoir
 Pump and timer failures
can dry out plants
 Uses medium such as
sponge or rock wool to
retain water
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7. Continuous drip systems
 Most popular
 Nutrient solution
dripped out to based
of plant
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8. Aeroponic systems
 Nutrient solution
sprayed onto roots in
closed chambers
where roots are
suspended in air
 Used at Epcot Center
at Disney World
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9. Nutrient film systems
 Constant flow of
nutrient solution
through growing tray
 Solution recirculation
 Roots are inside bag
and hang in air when
no solution recycled
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10. Wick systems
 Simplest design
 Nutrient solution
drawn into growing
area through siphon
 Large plants use
nutrient solution
faster than wick can
provide
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11. Water culture systems
 Plants grow on platform
with roots suspended into
solution
 air bubbled into nutrient
solution to provide
oxygen for roots
 Does not work well with
perinial plants or long-
term growing
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12. Growing vegetables and herbs
 Vegetables
 Common – lettuce, tomato, cucumber, chilies,
capsicum, beans
 Rapid growing, good taste, high yield
 Tomato sometimes lack taste Why?
 Herbs
 Common – basil, sage, coriander, mint
 Lack smell and taste
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13. Trees for Arid conditions – Non
arable land
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Tamarind
Neem
Pongamia
Custard Apple
Solution: Plant grown up saplings before
Monsoon in these dry lands
Benefits: (a) Greening – improvement in ground
Water table (b) stop soil erosion, © increase rainfall
(d) Improve health (particulate / dust in air will
reduce)
Moringa Olifera
Fig
Jujuba
Jamun
Accacia

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THANK YOU
&
WARM REGARDS