Hydroponic based Vertical farming, Soilless Farming - history of Hydroponic,World in Hydroponic:500BC-2023, Theory & Types of hydroponic, material requirement and apparatus requirement for Hydroponic, its working procedure, Experimental set-up and functional diagram for system communication, , Vertical farming technology, Procudure and Observation, Precaution before buying Hydroponics, Advantages and Disadvantages of Hydroponics, conclusion- Hydroponics

1. INVESTIGATORY PROJECT
ON
Hydroponic basedVertical farming
Submitted By-
Dolly Chouhan
Guided by: Ms. Bandana Pradhan
M.Sc(NIT),MFA,M.Ed, MA(Eng-USA)

2. CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that this “BIOLOGY INVESTIGATORY PROJECT on the topic “Hydroponic
Based Vertical Farming” has been successfully completed by Dolly Chouhan of class –
XII-Science under the guidance of Ms.Bandana Pradhan
Sir in particular fulfilment of the curriculum of CBSE leading to the award of annual
examination of the year 2023-2024.
Internal Principal External
Examiner Examiner

3. I would like to express my sincere thank to our Biology guide Ms. Bandana Pradhan
for her guidance and support in completing my project.
I would like to extend my gratitude to our Principal Sir for providing us with all the facilities
that were required.
I would also like to thanks my parents and friends who helped me with the necessary suggestion
and ideas for completing this project.
Name- Dolly Chouhan
Roll No-

4. Index
Sl.No Topic Pg.No
1 Certificate
2 Acknowledgement
3 Index
4 Aim of the Experiment
5 Introduction
6 History of Hydroponic
6 World in Hydroponic Development : 500BC to 2023
7 Aim & objective of hydroponics
8 Theory
9 Soilless farming
10 Types of hydroponic farming
11 Materials requirement
12 Apparatus requirement for experimental set up
13 Functional diagram for system communication
14 Procedure and Observations
15 Vertical Farming Technology: How Does It Work?
16 Precautions
17 Advantages of vertical farming
18 Disadvantages of vertical farming
19 Conclusion
20 Bibliography

5. Aim of the experiment
“Hydroponic Based Vertical Farming”
Hydro- “water” Ponos- “ labour”
Means “Water working”

6. INTRODUCTION
• Vertical farming is a relatively new concept in India, but it is gaining popularity as a sustainable solution to address food security and urbanization challenges in the country.
In India, the vertical farming market is still in its nascent stage, but it is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.
• The scope of vertical farming is : Vertical farming leverages advanced techniques, such as hydroponics and aeroponics, to produce crops in stacked layers, conserving space
and resources. The environmentally-friendly nature of vertical farming reduces water consumption, eliminates the need for pesticides, and boosts food security.
• Hydroponic vertical farming is growing plants on a vertically inclined surface with the help of a specific nutrient solution.
• Verticle farming is an Israeli farming technique. You will be surprised to know that with this technique you can get 100 acres of production from only 1 acre and earn about
2.5 crore rupees (profit in Vertical Farming) from turmeric cultivation.
• The most commonly used vertical grow system is hydroponics. With this technique, the roots of the plants are not planted in soil but in a water solution rich in the essential
nutrients only.
• While hydroponic systems have higher upfront costs, they can be more cost-effective long-term due to increased yields and efficient resource use.
• At first blush, vertical farms are more expensive to build than greenhouses — sometimes up to 10 times as costly. Vertical farming costs $ 2,200 to $ 2,600 per square meter
of cultivation bed space, while high-tech greenhouses cost $ 250 to $ 350 per square meter of cultivation space.
• Lettuce, rocket and other salad types are some of the most common crops to be grown in vertical farms. In fact, 57% of indoor farms produce leafy greens.
• Cucumbers, peas, beans of all types, melons, tomatoes, and squashes of all types. You need to provide support for the heavier crops as they grow.
• We selected for you the best of the most grown herbs in Vertical Farming: basil, coriander, chives, parsley, dill and many others. As an aromatic breeder, these varieties are
our strength and we strive to develop characteristics for optimal growth in your conditions.
• Sky Greens is the most famous vertical farming company in Singapore, if not in the entire world. Over 800 kg of various vegetables are produced there daily. Most plants are
traditional Asian greens, like nai bai, cai xin, chinese cabbage, etc. Singapore today has over 25 indoor vertical farms.
• Herbs and microgreens are preferred for their quick growing times and excellent suitability to hydroponic systems. Leafy greens are a close second as they also grow quickly
and adapt well to the system.
• there are three processes usually adopted in the vertical farming systems viz., 1) Hydroponics, 2) Aeroponics and 3) Aquaponics
• There are several types of growth media that are used in vertical farming; the most commonly used are rockwool, coco coir, compost, jute and carpet remnants.
• Small-scale adaptations of vertical farming have been seen in Nadia, West Bengal and in Punjab. Bidhan Chandra Krishi Vishwavidhalaya in Nadia has found initial success in
growing brinjal and tomato. Punjab also has succeeded in producing potato tubers through vertical farming
• Reports indicate a bright future for hydroponics in India. The Indian hydroponics market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13.53% from 2022 to 2029. That's some growth!
Hydroponics' potential to transform Indian agriculture is gaining interest and recognition.
• The biggest downside of vertical farms is the large amount of energy it takes to grow crops: between 30-176 kWh per kg more than greenhouses. With that difference in
energy, you could run your washing machine approximately 132 times.
• Both hydroponics and aquaponics have clear benefits over soil-based gardening: lessened, adverse environmental impacts, reduced consumption of resources, faster plant
growth, and higher yields. Many believe that aquaponics is a better option over hydroponics when choosing a soilless growing system.

7. HISTORY OF HYDROPONICS
The origins of hydroponics can be traced back to the ancient city of Babylon, where present-day Iraq is located. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the
Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, is the first known example of soil-less growth of plants. This was around 500 BC.
The history of hydroculture is even more grand and includes the legend of the great Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Today, hydroponics has evolved into the
creation of household vertical gardens and vast greenhouses of vegetation—all grown without the use of soil.
Hydroponics is the cultivation of plants without using soil. Hydroponic flowers, herbs, and vegetables are planted in inert growing media and supplied with
nutrient-rich solutions, oxygen, and water. This system fosters rapid growth, stronger yields, and superior quality.
In 1937, William Frederick Gericke is credited for his earliest modern reference to hydroponics. He grew tomato vines about 7.6 meters high in his backyard
in a mineral nutrient solution.
John Woodward an English scientist is known as the father of our present day hydroponic system. In India the hydroponic system was developed in the year
1946 by an English scientist W.J. Shalto Duglas. In Kalimpang, West Bengal he established a hydroponic laboratory for the first time.
Hydroponics, also called aquaculture, nutriculture, soilless culture, or tank farming, the cultivation of plants in nutrient-enriched water, with or without the
mechanical support of an inert medium such as sand, gravel, or perlite.
Nutrifresh is India's largest Hydroponic Farm. Nutrifresh is committed towards providing the population with hygienic, superior quality, non-GMO, residue
and pesticide free vegetables, fruits and herbs. They are constantly evolving and innovating technologies to achieve sustainability in agriculture.

8. Worldin Hydroponic Development : 500BC to 2023
500 B.C., The first known instance of water-based hydroponics is on the HANGING GARDEN of Babylon. Scholars and Archaeologists found remnants of a
complicated system of tiered stone culverts. They theorized that there was a continuous flow of water that came from a centrally located reservoir. They describe
it as an irrigation system of streams of water coming from an elevated source flowing down inclined stone channels, irrigating all the hanging plants.
1000, Ancient Chinese started using hydroponic methods to grow rice.
1200, Ancient Chinese farmers planted floating gardens in flooded rice patties. The farmers also raised and harvested freshwater fish in the flooded rice paddies
(Aquaponics).
1627, Sylva Sylvarum or Natural History by Sir Francis Bacon talked about growing terrestrial plants without soil.
1699, John Woodward published his water culture experiments with spearmint. He found that less pure water made the plants grow better.
1842, The discovery of the critical 9 elements needed for soilless cultivation
1859–1875, the Growth of plants without soil in mineral nutrient solutions was called solution culture
1929, William Frederick Gericke of UC Berkeley grew tomato vines twenty-five feet tall in his back yard in mineral nutrient solutions rather than soil!
1937, with help from W. A. Setchell, Gericke introduces the term hydroponics, water culture, and soon after published Complete Guide to Soilless Gardening
1939, The U.S. and British Armies installed hydroponic systems at several military bases on islands in the Pacific to provide fresh produce to troops during
wartime.
In the 1960s, Allen Cooper of England developed the nutrient film technique
In the 1970s, The rise of ubiquitous plastics significantly lowers the cost of construction and eliminates the destructive properties of earlier system components.
1982, The Land Pavilion at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT Center opens and features a variety of hydroponic techniques.
1960-Current, NASA does multiple experiments with hydroponics for advanced space travel.
2007, Eurofresh Farms in Willcox, Arizona, grows over 200 million pounds of hydroponically grown tomatoes in their 318 acres greenhouse.
2017, Canada becomes one of the world leaders in hydroponics with hundreds of acres of large-scale commercial hydroponic greenhouses.
2020, Currently Hydroponics can produce 10 times the yield per acre of soil planted crops and uses 1/20th the amount of water. Approximately 90 percent of all
lettuce and tomatoes in the US and Canada are being grown hydroponically. Advances in technology are allowing people to grow their own vegetables at home.
2023, The global hydroponics market is forecast to grow from $226.45 million in 2016 to $724.87 million.
This ever-expanding, evolving, and changing list is due to the advances in hydroponic technology over the last several thousand years, or more, and it looks as
though there is no end in sight. Hydroponics is considered by many, the most promising new development in farming technology that is the most flexible,
scalable, and sustainable option in commercial and hobby agriculture today.

9. Spearmint Growing in a
glass of water
Floating garden on
raft in rice patties
Large Greenhouse
in Canada
Steel and PVC
pipes
NASA
Hydroponics

10. AIM& OBJECTIVE OF HYDROPONICS
The aim of all hydroponic systems is to enhance control and efficiency in crop production.
In all cases, the environment in which plants are grown is the main limiting factor to their
productivity. In a conventional outdoor production system, crops are at the mercy of the
weather and soil conditions.
The objective of this experiment, we show how modern methods to grow vegetables and
fruits, can phenomenally affect the yield, nutritional value and harvest time of the
produce. We compare growing a plant in conditions an average farmer would provide in
India, and compare it to an optimized hydroponic version to see the difference on growth
rate

11. THEORY
The word Hydroponics is derived from the Greek Hydro=water and ponic=cultivate. Hydroponics is a type of horticulture and is considered (by some) a
subset of hydroculture. Due to the way the history of hydroponics rolls out, we will treat water culture/ hydroculture as a variation or method of
Hydroponics .
Hydroponic system
Photosynthesis process:
Carbon Dioxide + Water  Glucose + Oxygen
6CO2 + 6H2O  C6H12O6 + 6O2
There is no mention of soil anywhere in there and that’s all the proof you need that plants can grow without it.
Hydroponics = “Water Cultivate” in Greek. The root of all hydroponic methods
and types of systems.
Hydroculture = hybrid of “Water” in Greek and Culture in English. A method
of hydroponics where farmers grow plants in water with the aid of using a
soilless medium.
Water Culture = the name may mean the same as Hydroculture but in
practice it is different. Water culture means growing plants in water “without”
medium. Most hydroponic growers know it as the very popular Deep Water
Culture and you will learn that some systems actually do incorporate the use
of a growing medium.

12. SOILLESSFARMING
Hydroponics is the method of growing plants in
the nutrients that they need instead of soil.
The nutrients are simply put into the water
resulting in a nutrient rich solution for the plants
to live in.
Soilless cultivation is a modern cultivation system of plants
that uses either inert organic or inorganic growing
substrates, mostly in combination with nutrient solution to
supply nutrients to plants. It is a variation of hydroponics
where both growing medium and flowing water are absent.
The roots of the plants, in this method, are sprayed with
water and nutrient solution. This technique enables farmers
to control humidity, temperature, pH levels and water
conductivity inside a greenhouse.
Soilless Culture
• Rootstock.
• Aeroponics.
• Rhizosphere.
• Hydroponics.
• Irrigation.
• Nutrient Solution.

13. TYPES OF HYDROPONICS FARMING
A fast outline of the great 6 types of hydroponic systems.
• The aeroponic framework feeds the plants with supplement loaded
mist, and that’s it. The roots are held in a soilless mechanism of
development like coco coir. Supplement loaded water must be
intermittently siphoned for plants to develop.
• With NFT (Nutrient Film Technique), you will introduce a dainty
arrangement film at a tank’s genuinely profound base. Subsequently,
roots will get water and sustenance while the upper part will relax. In
case you see the roots mop-squeezed, then, at that point, they are
intended to resemble that.
• Drip Hydroponics system utilizes little producers to straightforwardly
sprinkle the supplement arrangement onto the plants. It is a shelter for
the enormous issue of air circulation as it furnishes steady watering
and nourishment with the hoses, lines, and developing media.
• With the EBB and Flow framework type, the plants in an extensive
developing bed. It is purely an organic farming. This framework deals
with the rule of routinely flooding the roots and for more limited
periods.
• The most oversimplified hydroponic farming framework must be the
Wick Hydroponics framework. It requires no aerators, siphons, or
power. Among the different sorts of tank-farming frameworks, this is
the main latent framework that can be managed without power.
• The Deep Water Culture framework turns out for a wide range of
plants, however it is a gift for huge plants, particularly those with
enormous roots. In this framework, the plant establishes are
suspended in a supplement arrangement, and you straightforwardly
furnish the air with a diffuser or an air stone.

14. Coco coir:
*it has an excellent air to water
*ratio with great water retention
Rockwool :
• A fibrous material made from
melted rock
• Non-biodegradable
• Hazardous to health
• Must be pH balanced
• Excellent water retention Expanded clay Pellets:
*Most popular media
*Drain quickly and pH neutral
*Reusable
*Used in EBB and flow , water culture
*50/50 mix of clay and coco creates a
breathable medium
*Heavy
Potting soil (perlite):
• Perlite + coco coir + vermiculite
• Synthetic materials
• Are puffed / heated to produce light and porous material
Plants require 17 essential elements to grow and reproduce
The first three are Hydrogen, Oxygen And Carbon
Other 14 are: Macro elements:- nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur
Micro elements:- iron, manganese, copper, zinc, boron, chlorine, molybdenum, nickel

15. APPARATUS REQUIREMENT FOR EXPERIMENTAL SET UP
• Set the apparatus as shown in the picture of Experimental Setup.
• The apparatus consists of a plastic trays for the medium, nutrient solution, and the plants
• A table or elevated stand to hold the trays.
• A container to hold the nutrient mixture.
• A pumping cable or pipe can pump 500litres per hour.
• Small pots with holes to hold the plants.
• Growing medium if necessary.
• Drainage tube.
• Timer, thermometer and other sensors.
• Seeds or plant cuts.
• Nutrient solutions.
• pH meter
• induction lights
• LED grow lights
• Beneficial insects
• sprayers

16. FUNCTIONAL DIAGRAMOF A SYSTEMCOMMUNICATION
Stand your plant in a plastic trough and let a nutrient solution trickle
past their roots with the help of gravity and pump.

17. PROCEDURE & OBSERVATION
Microclimate control system—responsible for monitoring several parameters of the environment, including air temperature and relative humidity.
The readings of these sensors are also used to estimate the vapour pressure deficit of the air;
Water control system—responsible for monitoring some parameters of the nutrient solution, including water temperature, pH and electric
conductivity (EC). Furthermore, the system monitors the water level within the reservoir;
Lighting system—responsible for providing the necessary lighting regime;
Heating system—responsible for ensuring appropriate environmental temperature conditions within the hydroponic chamber;
Ventilation system—responsible for ensuring appropriate air exchange and mixture within the hydroponic chamber. It is implemented with an
exhaust fan and appropriate air inlet, which blocks insects and light;
Water pumps—responsible for providing the necessary water debit within the hydroponic system. One of them provides the water flow through the
grown vegetables’ roots, and the other one creates the flow through the system controller’s measuring/actuator chamber;
Nutrient tanks—responsible for maintaining the required fertilizer parameters and pH levels within the water. Additional pumps for each tank could
be used, if necessary;
System controller—responsible for controlling all mentioned systems and maintaining the required environmental and hydroponic conditions within
the system.
The controller is connected to a server via a cable or wireless connection. It stores all sensor data and actuator operation characteristics in a
database.

18. VERTICAL FARMING TECHNOLOGY: HOWDOES IT WORK?
Vertical farming is an increasingly popular technique of producing crops indoors in a vertical setting. A vertical system involves the cultivation of crops in controlled environments, where
every parameter affecting their growth is closely monitored and tailored to their needs.
The concept of controlled environment agriculture underpins vertical farming as cutting-edge technologies are utilized to provide adequate conditions for any crop. With the use of new
technologies like AI, ML, and IoT, vertical farming is poised to reach new heights.
Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA)
Controlled environment agriculture is fundamentally at the heart of vertical farming since it integrates several technologies in order to provide plants with the best environmental and
growth conditions during their growth. By using a controlled environment system, vertical farming can grow fresh, pest-free crops all year round. In vertical farms plants are isolated from
the outside environment, and workers take preventive measures to prevent pest infestations that could damage the crops. Although controlled environment systems are commonly
associated with vertical farming, they can be used by horizontal farming as well.
Vertical farms use smart sensors to monitor technical variables including temperature, carbon dioxide, oxygen, lighting, humidity, nutrient concentration, pH, pest control, irrigation, and
harvesting. Typically, controlled environments involve hydroponic, aeroponic, or aquatic cultivation. Moreover, controlled environment agriculture can utilize advanced imaging and sensor
technologies including cameras and thermal imaging to measure plant growth, temperature, and other factors. Presently, controlled environment systems have proven highly effective in
growing leafy greens, herbs, microgreens, and vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, melons, and sweet corn.
Controlled Environment Components:
Dosing systems
A common approach in vertical farming is to use an automated-dosing system to deliver nutrients to the plants and monitor the nutrient solution. Automatic-dosing systems continuously
assess the reservoir’s nutrient concentrations, pH and EC levels, and water temperature. The dosing system is connected to the nutrient source by peristaltic pumps that suck the required
dose of nutrients and dispense them into the reservoir.
Sterilization Systems
Sanitation is necessary for the optimal growth of plants and to ensure the production of pesticide-free crops all year round, vertical farming practices rigorous sterilization and disinfection
strategies. Sterilization can be accomplished using several methods however the most commonly used ones include chemical disinfection, UV-C sterilization, and ozone sanitation
Chemical disinfection
Chemicals such as hypochlorite and hydrogen peroxide help to sterilize surfaces like floors, transporting equipment, and tools such as harvesting clippers, that if not cleaned can easily
spread diseases from plant to plant.
UV sterilization
Sterilization using UV emitting lights is a chemical-free technique for destroying various types of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This is one of the most effective
methods of sterilization since it kills about 99.9% of all microbes in the treated area. Vertical farms most commonly use UV-C for sterilization.
Ozone Sanitation
The ozone gas, that is ubiquitous in the atmosphere and on the ground, is utilized to clean the air in indoor farms. High levels of ozone gas have been proven effective at killing fungi and
microorganisms.

19. Recapturing water from moist
The average vertical farm that utilizes hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic growing methods uses 95% less water than horizontal farms. Vertical farms
reduce their water use by recapturing and recycling irrigation water and the captured water is treated and reused in the production process.
Lighting
In indoor farming, the natural light is replaced by artificial lighting, which serves as the crop’s sole source of illumination. The color, intensity, and duration
of light all have an impact on plant growth and yield. In vertical farming, a great deal of research goes into selecting the best performing light source since
every stage of plant development has different lighting requirements.
There are currently three types of grow lights in indoor agriculture: fluorescent grow lights, high-pressure sodium lights (HPS), and LED lights.
Fluorescent grow lights
Fluorescent grow lights are typically used in vertical farming to grow leafy greens and vegetables. Light is produced by passing energy through a gas in a
tube, and it can be divided into two categories: tubular grow lights and compact fluorescent lights.
• Tubular grow lights
Fluorescent lights also provide a wide range of color temperatures from 2700K to 10,000K. Moreover, they come in thin shapes that could be easily
integrated into smaller spaces, different intensities and they have a long light life of between 12,000 and 20,000 hours. Despite this, fluorescent lights are
expensive to repair, require a ballast, contain mercury, and gradually lose efficiency.
• Compact fluorescent lights
Unlike traditional fluorescent lights, compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) produce less heat, are highly efficient, and do not require a ballast to function.
Specifically designed for indoor farming, these lamps are also the cheapest of the three main lighting options used in vertical farming. Nevertheless, CFLs
are characterized by low light intensity, which affects plant growth. Also, they contain small amounts of mercury, and their quality declines over time.
High-Pressure Sodium Lights(HPS)
The sodium lights, or HPS as they are commonly known, were developed for street lighting in the 1950s. They are a type of gas discharge light
(HID). According to the Edison Tech Center, an HPS lamp is composed of an aluminum oxide arc tube containing sodium, mercury, and xenon.
In vertical farming, HPS grow lights are very popular since they emit mostly Red(45%) and Green light (52%), both of which are essential to promote
flowering and fruiting. In contrast, HPS grow lights lack Blue light (3%), which could slow plant growth during the early stages of development and result in
low yields. Additionally, HPS lights emit a lot of heat, contain mercury, and have a poor colour rendering index of 24, which makes the visual monitoring of
the plants challenging.

20. LED lighting
LEDs were first utilized for growing plants indoors by NASA and are rapidly becoming the first choice of lighting for many vertical farms across the globe. The Canadian vertical farm
“GoodLeaf” ditched its old lighting system in favor of an LED one. LED lamps produce light when an electric current passes through a semiconductor, which emits that light through the
process of electroluminescence . A wide range of crops is grown indoors with LED lights, including leafy greens, tomatoes, and herbs.
why are LED lights so popular in vertical farming?
LED lights generate less heat than HPS grow lights, which allow growers to place them closer to their crops, maximizing space.
They have a long life because they rarely fail, however, their brightness gradually diminishes over time.
A major advantage of LED lights is that they consume 85% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, thus reducing energy-related costs in vertical farming.
Air control:
CO2 enrichment
The ideal CO2 concentration for indoor farming is estimated to be around 1000 ppm, Carbon dioxide is a crucial element for the photosynthesis process, and even the slightest variations
in its concentration directly affect plant growth and productivity. CO2 enrichment promotes rapid plant growth and increases plant productivity.
CO2 gassing
This conventional technique produces CO2 by burning propane or natural gas using carbon dioxide burners. HVAC systems control the CO2 airflow, ensuring an even distribution of the gas
into the growing area.
Compressed CO2
This technique involves the transformation of compressed CO2 from its liquid state into its gas state and injecting the gas into the growing chamber over a time period. The gas pressure is
reduced using a pressure regulator.
Misting aqueous CO2 by CO2 Delivery Solutions
One of the most sophisticated and cost-effective CO2 enrichment methods, as it supplies CO2 directly into plant leaves. CO2 is injected into a CO2 infusion system, which dissolves the gas
and saturates the water. After the CO2 solution is saturated, it is misted directly as microdroplets onto the plant’s leaves via an overhead misting system. The method reduces the amount
of CO2 used and the additional costs incurred from CO2 enrichment
Airflow
For plants to grow properly, a vertical farm must have constant airflow. The airflow in vertical systems movies the air through the filtering systems, reduces humidity, removes heat, and
circulates CO2. The build-up of heat and humidity in the growing area makes it a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, fungi, and mold, thus increasing the risk of infection.
Air humidity
When cultivating plants indoors, humidity is a significant factor to consider, as it indicates the amount of water vapour in the air. Typically, most crops thrive when humidity levels are
between 40% and 50%, and they struggle when they fluctuate. Low levels of humidity stunt plant growth and reduce the quality of produce, while high levels result in bolting, reduced
yields and quality. A very high level of humidity can lead to fungi growth, which could result in complete crop loss if not treated immediately.
By recycling their own water and natural humidity, vertical farms can conserve about 10% more water than traditional farming.

21. The Internet of Things – IoT
IoT is already used in the agricultural sector to boost yield, monitor crops at any given time, and make farming more efficient. IoT enables vertical farming to control the
growth environment under which crops are cultivated, as the employed smart sensors measure every detail from humidity to pH levels and transmit them to the growers
in real-time.
Sensors
Sensors are the backbone of IoT as they measure physical input such as heat, illumination, humidity, etc., convert it into data, and send it to the central cloud, where either
machines or humans interpret it. An extensive network of IoT sensors is used in vertical farms, including CO2 sensors for monitoring and maintaining optimal CO2 levels,
especially in the growing chamber and temperature sensors that measure light intensity and outside temperature. Other popular sensors include humidity sensors, pH
sensors, EC sensors, magnetometer sensors, air quality sensors, etc.
Image processing for evaluating plants’ health and maturity
To monitor the health and growth of their crops, vertical farms also use image processing software and sensors. These programs are used to monitor pest damage,
measure the content of macroelements such as nitrogen, and detect developmental defects. For instance, with the help of hyperspectral imaging, “Agricola Moderna” an
Italian vertical farm has been able to extract critical information about the presence of macroelements in their crops such as nitrogen and phosphorous. In plants, these
macroelements are great indicators of plant health.
Vertical Layout of Farms
Unlike outdoor agriculture, horizontal indoor farming involves planting crops in rows. Typically found in greenhouses, this type of arrangement occupies a lot of space. By
contrast, in vertical systems, crops are planted in vertical tubes and are stacked on top of each other using vertical racks. Growing plants vertically gives farmers the ability
to grow more crops in a smaller area, enabling them to maximize the available space and increase yield per square foot of land. Moreover, various technology
companies are driving innovation in the field of vertical farming by building racks that use less space and maximize space.
Nurseries and Systems for Growing Seedlings
Traditional farming has always used plant nurseries to improve crop uniformity, shorten the growing season, and increase crop yields. Vertical farms often use plants
nurseries to start seeds as well. Typically, the seeds are planted in Rockwool plugs, watered, and then placed in nursery rooms, which are equipped with LED grow lights
and the climatic conditions are tailored according to the seeds’ needs. Seedlings are transplanted from the Rockwool plugs to the vertical racks once their roots reach the
bottom of the plugs.
Moreover, nurseries are in vertical systems allow growers to predict the harvest date of their crops more accurately and to dynamically maximize space as well. According
to recent research, growing leafy greens like butterhead lettuce in nurseries with LED lights increases plant weight by about 56 grams compared to growing them in the
sun. Nurseries also allow vertical farms to grow more than one type of crop at a time.
However, transplanting crops from plant nurseries into the main growing systems comes with a few disadvantages as well such as increased labor costs, and possible
transplant shock which can impede plant growth. Additionally, it is reported that plant roots often adhere to the growing medium which can damage the root system.

22. PRECAUTIONS
Factors to Consider Before Buying Hydroponics
1. The plant you want to grow
The best plants to grow in hydroponics are lettuce, microgreens, and other leafy greens and herbs such as basil, spinach, and bell peppers.
The plants one can choose must be the complement of the hydroponic system. For example, the NFT system is not suitable for tomato plants.
So, one should know what system works best for your plants before purchasing.
2. Your budget
The hydroponic system’s cost may vary, but you don’t have to break the bank if you’re just learning hydroponics or a small area in your garden. There are cheap hydroponic systems under
$150, and you can also upscale it to systems that cost over $400.
3. Space for your garden
How much space do you need for hydroponics?
According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, hydroponics systems can be as small as one square meter.
However, most homeowners’ basic hydroponic gardens are 10 to 20 square meters in size.
Hydroponic gardens of 200 square meters are large enough and profitable enough to sell a surplus product.
There’s a wide range of hydroponic systems, so it shouldn’t be hard to find one that meets your space requirements.
But consider water changes and maintenance too to have enough space while doing all these.
4. Garden time you have
Some systems are complicated and need more maintenance than others. So we recommend sticking to the basic types if you’re a beginner and upscale when you’re familiar and
experienced with running hydroponic systems.
Nutrient strength will diminish as your crops absorb it. In fact, hydroponic nutrients usually last 7 to 10 days if you drain, clean, and remix nutrients and add plain water daily. Feeding your
crops once a week to keep them in optimum health should be fine.
5. Favour to the people
• Isolation from the soil and cultivation at a convenient level.
• Water along with low-cost substrates such as sand , rice husk and pumice etc are used.
• Balconies kitchen gardens rooftops are the places that can be used for simplified hydroponics.
• Recycling of water is done so that the environment doesn’t get polluted.
• Any disease or pest is controlled by natural herbal treatments. No chemicals used.
• Higher yield in less time and multiple harvests results in greater output.
• Easy to understand methods and less technological involvements.
• Use of recycled materials.
• Source of income to the family.
• Safe food for consumption with high biological and dietary values.
• Household food needs are achieved by fresh and nutritious food.
• Shade net shade to sun ration and polythene sheet can be used to protect the plants from sun and rain respectively.
• The use of neem or garlic sprays, greese anointed plywood insect traps, keeps the pests, weeds, and other pathogens away.
• It is estimated that 20 square meters of lans can produce 2kg of vegetables which can cost around 110-120USD.

23. ADVANTAGES OF THE SOILESSFARMING
• Hydroponic farming involves growing crops without soil, it is an ideal option for anyone who has limited access to land. That’s why this form of farming was used in the mid-nineties
for supplying fresh crops to the troops in the Wake Islands, a distant arable area located in the Pacific Ocean. Recently, astronauts in NASA have expressed the idea of using the
method to grow crops in space, deeming it as the farming method of the future.
• Since every requirement of the plant is provided for and duly maintained in a structured system, Hydroponic farming can be performed anywhere. With Hydroponic farming, the
roots of the plants remain submerged in a tank of oxygenated solution with direct contact with the vital minerals. That means you can grow multiple plants in proximity without
having to worry about space, i.e. Optimal Use of Location
• Hydroponic growers have absolute control over the climate. They can adjust the temperature, the intensity of light, and the humidity levels as per their requirements.
• Unlike the traditional way of farming, Hydroponic is a closed system. Water remains within the system since there’s no soil for the water to seep into, as with regular farming. Plants
take in their required water while the excess is captured and trapped back into the system. Plants grown in Hydroponic systems use up to 90% less water than conventionally field-
grown plants.
• When it comes to Hydroponics systems, one can have absolute control over the nutrients required by the plants.
• Since every mineral is directly in touch with water, one can always manually adjust and tweak the pH level controlled when required. This will ensure that the plants receive optimal
nutrient intake.
• Major benefit of the Hydroponic system is that it ensures a faster growth rate. One can control over every parameter, like the temperature, the surrounding light, moisture, and,
most importantly, the nutrients. The plants will be placed in an ideal condition, and nutrients will be sufficiently provided so that they can directly contact the root system
• Weed is entirely associated with soil, so going soil-less brings the chances of getting weeds in Hydroponic system is zero.
• As with weeds, removing soil ensures that plants are not as susceptible to soil-borne pests like gophers, groundhogs, or a bunch of birds. One can also protect them from ailments
like Fusarium and Rhizoctonia.
• Since Hydroponic farming doesn’t attract weeds and pests like regular farming, don’t need any pesticides or herbicides for the plants.
• Since no time is needed to till, cultivate, weed, or spray your plants, Hydroponic systems are real-time-savers. This makes them an ideal form of farming for passionate gardeners
who don’t have enough time for the conventional way of farming.
• As with any other form of farming, Hydroponic farming is one of the most stress-relieving hobbies. It gives you that one rare chance to reconnect with nature.

24. DISADVANTAGE OF THE SOILLESS FARMING
• One must have to play the role of ensuring that the plants have access to nutrients, light, water, and all other elements it needs for
growth. All this needs time, that’s why Hydroponic farming can be time-consuming.
• The process of Hydroponic farming depends on a range of equipment that requires proper expertise and finesse. Even the minutest
mistake can affect plant growth, sometimes entirely destroying your Hydroponic system. That’s why it is extremely important to
familiarize with the equipment and techniques involved in this process of farming.
• Two major factors in Hydroponic farming are electricity and water. So, unless you have adequate water or stable electricity, the
Hydroponic system won’t thrive well.
• If one has issues with power around your area, or there is a threat of power failure, it would be best to work with an off grid
hydroponic system. This type doesn’t require electricity and is as convenient as the power-driven systems as one can have it either
indoors or outdoors.
• Many farmers have questioned whether plants grown through Hydroponic farming can be certified as organic as they do not receive
the micro-biomes available in the soil.
• Unlike conventional soil-based farming, Hydroponic farming involves expensive equipment (especially in the initial setup). Regardless of
the kind of system one must plan to build, one will require containers, high-quality lighting, an accurate timer, and quality nutrients.
Once the initial setup is done, that’s not the end of it. One must have to incur recurring costs on the nutrients and electricity.
• It is important that Hydroponics is an excellent advancement in the agricultural sector. This farming on a large, commercial scale, the
return on investment won’t be as high. That is primarily because of heavy initial expenses and unsteady profits. As of now, it is not very
convenient to come up with a proper, profitable plan to urge farmers to try Hydroponic farming commercially

25. CONCLUSION
Hydroponic farming is a form of soil-less gardening. The process involves growing a bunch of healthy plants without
using soil.
In this form of farming, the soil is substituted by water. So, all your plant needs is proper water and sunlight to thrive.
The process is quite simple, and since soil isn’t involved, the method is generally low-maintenance and hassle-free.
Progress has been rapid and results obtained in various countries have proved that this technology is thoroughly
practical and has very definite advantages over conventional methods of crop production.
The main advantages of soil-less cultivation is the much higher crop yield.
People living in crowded city streets, without gardens, can grow fresh vegetables and barren and sterile areas can be
made productive at relatively low cost.

26. BIBLIOGRAPHY
 https://www.thehappychickencoop.com/what-do-you-need-for-hydroponics/
 https://www.webgardner.com/gardening/disadvantages-of-soilless-farming/
 https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/advantages-disadvantages-hydroponics.php