What Is Hydroponics Farming System?

Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil. Instead, it uses a water-based solution containing essential nutrients to deliver minerals and nutrients directly to the plant roots. The plants are typically grown in containers or on platforms with their roots submerged or suspended in the nutrient-rich solution.

In a hydroponic system, there are several key components:

1. Water and Nutrient Solution: This is a mixture of water and nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and other trace minerals that the plants need to grow.

2. Growing Medium: While there’s no soil, plants still need a medium to support their roots. Common media include perlite, coconut coir, vermiculite, or hydroponic clay pellets.

3. Water Circulation System: This circulates the nutrient solution to the plant roots, ensuring they get a consistent supply of nutrients. The systems can be active (pumping water continuously) or passive (letting the water wick up into the plant roots).

4. Light Source: Since plants usually rely on sunlight for photosynthesis, hydroponic systems often use artificial lights like LED or fluorescent lights, especially if the system is indoors.

5. pH and Electrical Conductivity (EC) Monitoring: Regular monitoring of pH (acidity or alkalinity of the water) and EC (a measure of the nutrient concentration in the water) is essential for plant health.