Hydroponics: The increasing population and decreasing cultivable land inspired scientists to come up with a technique in which farming can be done without fields and soil. This new technique of farming without fields and soil is called hydroponic, in which the roots of the plants just remain immersed in water and keep growing. The specialty of this technique is that it does not even require weed management and it can be easily adopted even in metros. So how is hydroponic technology done and which vegetables can you grow in it, Kisan of India correspondent Sarvesh Bundeli discussed in detail with Dr. Dheeraj Kumar, Assistant Professor, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar.
Hydroponic is the need of the hour
The population is increasing at a fast pace in our country, the cultivable land is decreasing at the same pace. In such a situation, it is not possible to meet the demand of the increasing population only with traditional farming, so scientists are constantly engaged in the search for new technology. One such modern technology is hydroponic in which crops can be grown without soil. About this technology, Dr. Dheeraj Kumar says that this technique is very good for growing small plants like green chillies, capsicum, strawberries etc. Hydroponic technology is very effective in meeting the demand of the increasing population of the country. He says that hydroponic technology can be applied on the roof of the house, balcony or any corner of the house.
How does this technique work
Dr. Dheeraj Kumar says that in this technique, plants are grown in soilless media. A plant is planted in a small pot called a net pot with cocopeat added to it, which supports the plant. Other media can also be used apart from cocopeat. In hydroponic technique, a channel is made in which the netpot is placed in the hole made and water keeps flowing down in this channel. Water is made to flow in the channel through a pipe. Essential nutrients are added to the water itself.
When this water passes through the channel, the plants in the netpot keep getting water and nutrients through the roots, which helps them grow well. The water flows and drains from the channel and then goes back to the storage tank. In this way, this cycle continues, there is no loss of water. He says that compared to traditional irrigation, sprinkle technique or drip irrigation, there is very little loss of water in this technique. Also, it does not require soil at all, whereas if you want to install drip on the roof, then you have to install a bed of soil.
Urban people can grow vegetables of their need
Many people living in metro cities are not able to fulfill their hobby of gardening and farming due to lack of space, for such people hydroponic technology is no less than a boon. Dr. Dheeraj says that people who want to eat vegetables grown by themselves can install this technology. It does not cost much to install it. 40/50 thousand rupees are spent on 100 meters and this investment is one-time only, while you can grow vegetables for a lifetime.
With this technology, urban people can grow some vegetables of their daily need like capsicum, green chillies, tomatoes etc. and avoid eating chemical vegetables available in the market. Dr. Dheeraj advises all urban people to grow vegetables at home using this technology. Because with this you can grow chemical free good quality vegetables.
Difference between field crop and hydroponic crop
Dr. Dheeraj tells that this entire system runs in a controlled manner, so there is no fear of disease in the crop. When capsicum is planted in the field, there is a high possibility of disease and if disease occurs, the growth of the plants is affected, due to which the production of the crop is less. But in hydroponic, disease free crop is obtained, that is, the production is also more. Just by knowing this technique, better and more production is obtained than in the open field.
Which crop can be grown?
Dr. Dheeraj says that vegetable crops can be easily grown in it, because its plants are small, but crops like wheat cannot be grown. Tomato, capsicum, coriander, green chilli, lettuce etc. can be grown in it. He advises farmers to grow such crops which are expensive in the market, only then there will be more profit. Like coriander becomes expensive in the rainy season, so if you grow it at that time, there will be more profit. Suppose a variety of tomato is available in the market for 20 rupees per kg, then there is no benefit in growing it, if the farmer grows tomato which is sold for 200 rupees per kg, then he will get benefit.
What things need to be taken care of
Dr. Dheeraj says that there is no need to take care of much in this technique, just keep in mind that the flow of water should remain continuous in the channel, and once the water flows back to the storage tank, then all the nutrients should be added to the water again like NPK and micronutrients etc. Although there is no need to change the water in this, but If someone has installed it on the roof, then there is a possibility of dirt getting into it, in such a case, if it seems that the water has become dirty, then the water should be changed.
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