Hydroponics, Aeroponics, and Aquaponics Technologies in Modern Agricultural Cultivation

Hydroponics, Aeroponics, and Aquaponics Technologies in Modern Agricultural Cultivation

Praveen Kumar S., Boopathi Sampath, Sanjeev Kumar R., Bachina Harish Babu, Ahalya N.
Copyright: © 2023 |Pages: 19
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-6684-5887-7.ch012
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Abstract

In the modern agriculture cultivation field, hydroponics, aeroponics, and aquaponics technologies are currently playing an important role in growing vegetables, fruits, and crops without using soil. These have been used for high productivity, minimum usage of water resources, and compatibility of farming in every place. In this chapter, the authors cover the implementation procedures of hydroponics, aeroponics, and aquaponics technologies in the real world; various inert and artificial mediums, possible types of plants; cultivating methods; technological advancements and application of the internet of things (IOT); and pros and cons for implementations. The various cultivation methods are compared to conventional methods (soil-based cultivation) based on their technology advancements, environmental impacts, yields, and costs.
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Introduction

Agriculture has been a sacred occupation since the dawn of time. Agriculture has been used to feed the living. In agriculture, “producing with seed” (soil can be plowed, seed sown, nutrients can be applied to crops and harvested) is an art. Since the beginning of the world, agriculture has depended on the soil. Crops are easier to grow as the nutrients are high in the soil.

“Plow life will live”

That is what Tiruvallur has mentioned in Thirukkural. Those who ploughed and fed the living were considered equal to the deity.

Nowadays, the population of this world is increasing rapidly. As a result, the need for food is critical. The government has faced the challenge of producing food in large quantities with a lack of suitable land and sufficient water without stressing the environment. Traditional farming methods cannot produce large quantities in the same way that artificial fertilizers are used on the land. The land does not grow enough healthy food. So, a new farming technique is introduced, namely “soil-less farming.” With this technique, there is no need for soil. This is an eco-friendly method. The basic needs of growing plants are soil, air, water, and sunlight.

The farming methods are divided into two types, namely (Lakhiar et al. 2020):

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    Open system: In an open system, the supply of nutrient solutions cannot be recycled.

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    Closed system: In a closed system, the excess nutrient solution can be recycled again and again, providing nutrients to the plants.

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Important Parameters In Soilless Farming

Nutrient Solution

Soilless farming uses nutrient solutions and substrates. The solutions of an element are made up of elements like nitrogen, boron, zinc, copper, molybdenum, manganese, phosphorus, iron, calcium, and magnesium (Pickering et al. 2002). But the required quantities differed for each plant. The solution helps the plant's growth and development.

pH Level

The pH level of the nutrient solution is very essential for the growth of the plant. The range of the nutrient solution in soilless farming is between 5.8 and 6.5[5]. The monitoring and controlling of the pH are important. If it is not regulated, it creates an effect on the plants.

Electrical Conductivity

The electrical conductivity of the soilless culture is significant. The electrical conductivity (Ec) is measured in dS/m and represents the strength of the nutrient solution. In hydroponic systems, the range of electrical conductivity is between 1.5 and 2.5 dS/m(Rouphael and Colla 2005). The imbalance of the Ec creates a barrier to the plant's growth.

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