The
History of Hydroponics
The word 'Hydroponics' was coined by Dr. W.F. Gericke in 1936 to
describe the cultivation of edible and ornamental plants grown in a solution of
water and dissolved nutrients. It literally means working water; 'hydro'
meaning 'water' and 'ponos' meaning 'labour'. For example, the hanging gardens
of Babylon and the floating gardens of the Aztecs of Mexico and those of the
Chinese. The first commercial hydroponic unit in the USA is developed by
Gericke in 1930. American forces employed this system in the Pacific to produce
vegetables during World War II. In 1842 a list of nine elements believed to be
essential to plant growth had been made out, based on the discoveries of the
German botanists, Julius von Sachs and Wilhelm Knop. Solution culture is now
considered a type of hydroponics where there is no inert medium. Today, it is a
well know fact that in some parts of the world, plant life does not grow in the
available soil. One reason behind the drive to develop hydroponics was the need
for growing fresh produce in non-arable areas of the world. Consumption of herbal
medicines is widespread and increasing. Harvesting from the wild, the main
source of raw material, is causing loss of genetic diversity and habitat
destruction. Domestic cultivation is a viable alternative and offers the
opportunity to overcome the problems that are inherent in herbal extracts,
misidentification, genetic and phenotypic variability, extract variability and
instability, toxic components and contaminants. The use of controlled
environments can overcome cultivation difficulties and could be a means to
manipulate phenotypic variation in bioactive compounds. When it comes to being
environment friendly, hydroponics is beneficial over geoponics, mainly because
these methods do not promote the use of chemicals fertilizers or pesticides.
NASA have a list of 15 plants, grown using hydroponics that will save our life
(should the need ever arise).
The
great advantages of hydroponics gardening over classic geoponics gardening:
1.
Hydroponics gardening can be packed and kept
it alive and fresh for longer periods of time
2.
Hydroponics gardening does not even use any
kind of solid medium.
3.
Full control of the plant’s root system and in
eye contact always.
4.
No need to worry about over watering or under
watering.
5. It can be developed in areas where there´s no
quality soil present e.g in areas covered with snow or in a space station.
6. An excellent plant research and plant learning
tool and can be transferred anywhere without any hassle.
7.
In hydroponics gardening there is no soil at
all no weeds and no pesticides of course.
8.
The use of water to maintain and preserve the
plant can be dramatically reduced.
9.
A hydroponics garden may be set up with timer
systems to automatically fertilize the plants.
10.
Healthier because they receive a balanced and
controllable portion of nutrients.
The
extension of the growing season is not the only advantage contributing to the growing
popularity of hydroponics production with both growers and consumers. There are
several additional advantages as well including nutritious, healthy and clean
produce, improved and consistent vegetable quality and elimination of the use
of pesticides and herbicides. Pesticides and other chemicals used in
conventional agriculture have an adverse environmental impact; the runoff from
these chemicals, contaminates groundwater supplies. Commercial hydroponics
systems eliminate these toxic chemicals and contribute substantially to keeping
the groundwater free from contamination.
Plants
Grown Hydroponically
It is
practically possible to grow any types of fruit, vegetable, herb etc. using
this technique. Hiercium pilosella, Hypericum perporatum, Arnica
montana, Ocimum basilium (basil), Anethum gravel (dill), Chrysanthemum
partherium, Aloe vera, Mentha spp.(mint), Rumex
officinalis (French. sorrel), Rosemary officinalis
(rosemary),
St.john’s wort, cucumber, spinach, chili, lettuce, broccoli, pepper, petunias,
tomatoes, cabbage, green peas, echinacea, ginseng, thyme, tarragon, spearmint,
peppermint, sorrel, sage, oregano, marjoram, mache, leman baln, coriander,
chives, chervil, aurugula, potatoes, and many other are the popular choice of
vegetables that can be grown using hydroponics. Similarly, fruits such as
strawberries, watermelons and cantaloupes can also be grown using hydroponic
gardening at home. Flowers show a better bloom when grown hydroponically.
Growing plants hydroponically is not only easy but also effective in terms of
end product. The entire hydroponic system can be made automated, so that it can
be even controlled from another country. Mostly basic systems are preferred.
Hydroponics allows us to grow vegetables and fruits inside our apartment.
Source : Personal Documentation
Hydroponics Techniques and Their
Classification
One
of hydroponics techniques that are used in SMK Negeri 1 Bandung is Nutrient
Film Techniques. This system delivers a constant flow of nutrients to
the plants with a pump, so no timer is required. This system doesn’t require a
growing medium; the plants are simply suspended in a plastic tray with the
roots dangling in a nutrient solution.
Basic Requirements of Hydroponics
Growing Medium
The
growing medium for hydroponic gardening is an inert medium which does not
provide any nutrients to the plant. It only provides the basis for the roots to
grow in. Coco coir fiber, Rockwool, Perlite, Vermiculite, LECA, Expanded clay, Crushed
granite, Sand, Scoria, Gravel are the various types of growing mediums
available for growing plants hydroponically. A growing medium allows us to add
the correct amount of nutrients and also monitor the pH in a hydroponic system.
In addition, using a growing medium other than soil has several advantages that
include:
1. Prevention of root infestations,
2. Retention of adequate oxygen and water and
Mineral Nutrients
1.
Macro-nutrients
1. Carbon -Formation of organic
compounds, 2. Oxygen- Release of energy from sugar, 3. Hydrogen- Water
formation, 4. Nitrogen- Chlorophyll,
Amino Acids and Proteins synthesis, 5. Phosphorus- Vital for photosynthesis and
growth, 6. Potassium- Enzyme activity, 7. Calcium- Cell growth, cell division
and the components of cell wall, 8. Magnesium-Component of chlorophyll, enzyme
activation, 9. Sulfur- Formation of Amino Acids and Proteins.
2.
Micro-nutrients
10. Iron- Used in Photosynthesis, 11.
Boron – Vital for reproduction, 12. Chlorine Helps root growth, 13. Copper-
Enzyme activation, 14. Manganese- Component of chlorophyll, Enzyme activation,
15. Zinc- Component of enzymes and auxins, 16. Molybdenum- Nitrogen fixation, 17. Cobalt- Nitrogen fixation.
The E.C.
(electrical conductivity) of this formula should be approximately 2.5 and the
pH adjusted to 5.5 - 6.5. If the day length is below 11 hours, the E.C. should
be increased to 3.0-3.6, but the concentration of nitrogen kept at 210 ppm.
Under these conditions, a smaller root system develops and more energy is
available for shoot (vegetative) growth. The higher E.C. ensures adequate
nutrition even with a smaller root system.
Temperature
Temperature
affects plant in two ways. High temperatures tend to accelerate the growth of
the plant which increases the plant need for water. High temperatures also
increase the plants consumption of water for cooling itself through
evaporation.
Air
Wind or
air movement has a dramatic influence on the plants consumption of water particularly
when
combined with high temperature in much the same way as clothes dry much
faster on our clothes line on a windy day. In some plants it helps in
pollination.
Water
As a
general rule, all water suitable to drink or used to irrigate greenhouses is
ideal for hydroponics. To be more precise, water suitable for hydroponics
should have conductivity less than 500 uS/cm, or a total salt concentration
less than 350 ppm. Harmful amounts of sodium and boron can cause problems in some
areas. Very soft water should be used with calcium-containing nutrients.
Light
Areas that
already get sunlight will need fewer hydroponic lights than a hydroponic garden
grown in a fully enclosed room. Remember that sunlight is less predictable than
artificial lighting. If greenhouse is used to grow hydroponic garden, it won’t
need much artificial light during the spring and summer. Expect to supplement
the sun with hydroponic lights once the amount of available light begins to wane.
Indoor growers often rely almost completely on artificial light, since limited
amounts of sunlight gets to their plants.
Growth Enhancer, Booster, and Fortifiers
Certain
commercial products have been developed that can stimulate faster nutrient uptake
and speed up stem and leaf growth. Many of these products are best left to the advanced
and experienced growers. Novice hydroponics enthusiasts approach such products
like growth boosters with caution. There are several products available in the
market that claim to work as bloom fortifiers. These formulations act to
stimulate flowering and increase essential oils in plants. A bloom fortifier
can be selected with an NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) ratio of 0-50-30.
Such fortifiers have no Nitrogen and are rich in Phosphorus and Potassium.
These essential minerals stimulate the formation of super blooms.
Hydroponics
farming in SMK Negeri 1 Bandung
The land that we have here on earth is a
valuable but rapidly depleting resource. There is no way to recover more once
we use all of it up. The only answer to this is to learn alternate methods to
do things that take up the majority of our usable land. Farming is that thing
and hydroponics is a way to cure the problem. Hydroponics is popular not just
as a way to produce larger, healthier, and more flavorful foods on a large
scale, but also as a household hobby. Simple hydroponic systems can help people
grow herbs, flowers, or vegetables in their basement, in a large closet or even
on their kitchen counter.
In SMK Negeri 1 Bandung, we have 4
hydroponics installation systems. The first installation system covers 24 meter2,
the second installation system covers 9 meter2, and two
spiral-shaped installation systems. In a time of harvest, from the four
installation system can be produced about 25 kg of vegetables. Each 1 kg of
vegetables can be sold for Rp. 30.000,00 until Rp. 40.0000,00 depends on the
quality of vegetables. So that in one of the harvest time, can yield
about Rp. 750,000.00 to Rp. 1,000,000.00.
Many
people look to hydroponics as the way the most food may be grown in the future.
As the amount of arable land diminishes each year, hydroponics may be the
answer to sustaining the world's food supply because of its ability to produce
larger yields using a smaller amount of space.
Documentation
Reference
1. George pattenson, A Brief History of Hydroponics,
http://ezinearticles.com. (Last cited on 2010 Dec 28).
2.
Keith Roberto, How to Hydrophonics, 4th
edition, The Future garden press, 59,(2003).
3.
Myron L company, Application bulletin Hydrophonics,1-2,
(2008).
4.
Wade.L.Berry and Sharon Knight, Plant culture in
Hydrophonics, 119-13