Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2018; SP1: 1886-1891

E-ISSN: 2278-4136
P-ISSN: 2349-8234 Hydroponic techniques: A soilless cultivation in
JPP 2018; SP1: 1886-1891
agriculture
Shalini Kumari
PhD degree (persuing),
Department of Soil Science & Shalini Kumari, Pratibha Pradhan, Ramjeet Yadav and Santosh Kumar
Agricultural Chemistry, Bihar
Agricultural University, Sabour,
Bhagalpur, Bihar, India Abstract
In order to expand the scope for development in agriculture in India there is a need for Hi-tech
Pratibha Pradhan production systems. To overcome constraints like water availability, small land holdings, disease and
M.SC degree, Department of Soil pest incidence, problematic soils etc. one of the most favoured system or technology which is highlighted
Science & Agricultural currently is “Hydroponics”. Hydroponic crop production has significantly increased in recent years
Chemistry, Orissa Uniersity of worldwide, as it allows a more efficient use of water and fertilizers, as well as a better control of climate
Agricultural Technology, and pest factors. Furthermore, hydroponic production increases crop quality and productivity, which
Bhubneswar, Odisha, India results in higher competitiveness and economic incomes. Among factors affecting hydroponic production
systems, the nutrient solution is considered to be one of the most important determining factors of crop
Ramjeet Yadav
PhD degree (persuing),
yield and quality. Hydroponics is always soilless culture but not all soilless culture is hydroponics.
Department of Soil Science & Hydroponics uses less than 1/10th - 1/5th of the water used in soil cultivation. Plants can be grown in plain
Agricultural Chemistry, Bihar nutrient solution or in sterile substrates, therefore microbe free. Basic Requirements of Hydroponics:
Agricultural University, Sabour, Growing media, Nutrient solution, Temperature, Air, Supporting materials, Water, Mineral nutrient and
Bhagalpur, Bihar, India Light. All essential nutrients are supplied to hydroponic plants in the form of nutrient solution, which
consists of fertilizer salts dissolved in water. The success or failure of a hydroponic garden therefore,
Santosh Kumar depends primarily on the strict nutrient management programme. Carefully manipulating the nutrient
PhD degree (persuing), solution pH level, temperature and electrical conductivity (EC) and replacing the solution whenever
Department of Soil Science & necessary, will lead to a successful hydroponic garden. Though hydroponic growers can formulate their
Agricultural Chemistry, Bihar own fertilizer mixtures to prepare nutrient solutions using completely water soluble nutrients salts, a
Agricultural University, Sabour, number of formulations are available in the market to choose. Therefore, select fertilizers that are
Bhagalpur, Bihar, India compatible with each other. Many research work on Hydroponics shows great profit, and microbes free
food. This method of growing our food is a more sustainable model than those currently practised. The
consumer is becoming increasingly concerned over health issues, environmental issues, even water
consumption cost and availability these all are drivers for the further development of hydroponic growing
techniques. Thus Soilless culture is not only a solution for problematic soils but it also helps to improve
the quality and quantity of agriculture produce.

Keywords: Hydroponics, Nutrient Solution, Growing media

Introduction
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. Hydroponic
named this is new production system. Hydroponics a word derived from Greek word ‘Hydros’
(water) and ‘Ponos’ (working). Gericke originally defined hydroponics as crop growth in
mineral solutions, with no solid medium for the roots. Soilless culture is a broader term than
hydroponics. Hydroponics is always soilless culture but not all soilless culture is hydroponics.
Hydroponics uses less than 1/10th - 1/5th of the water used in soil cultivation. Saves a lot of
water. Plants can be grown in plain nutrient solution or in sterile substrates, therefore microbe
free.
Hydroponics was practiced many centuries ago in Amazon, Babylon, Egypt, china and India.
The “hanging Garden of Babylon” and the Aztec’s floating farms were actually prototypes of
hydroponic systems. Later, when plant physiologists started to grow plants with specific
nutrients for experimental purposes, they gave the name “nutriculture.” In 1929, Dr. William
F. Gericke of the University of California succeeded in growing tomato vines of 7.5 m height
in nutrient solutions. During 1990s home hydroponics kits became popular. During 20s
Correspondence
hydroponics become the more organic food developer without any pollution and hazards
Shalini Kumari The available literature related to the present study has been reviewed under the following
PhD degree (persuing), heads.
Department of Soil Science & 1. Basic Requirements of Hydroponics.
Agricultural Chemistry, Bihar 2. Nutrient Solution for Hydroponics and its managements.
Agricultural University, Sabour,
Bhagalpur, Bihar, India
3. Preparation of Nutrient Solution.
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Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

4. Review of Research work. Ashraf, M. et al., (2009) [2] obsered the Growth Responses of
Wheat Cultivars to Rock Phosphate in Hydroponics, The
Basic Requirements of Hydroponics: These are Nutrient results showed that the growth behavior and P utilization
solution, Temperature, Air, Supporting materials, Water, efficiency of seven wheat cultivars grown in hydroponics.
Mineral nutrient, Light and most important Growing media using rock phosphate as P source for 30 days were
like Saw dust, Bark, Chips, Straw, Gravel, Rockwool, Perlite, significantly different in biomass accumulation, P uptake and
Sand and vermiculite etc. P utilization efficiency. The dry matter production of all the
cultivars was significantly correlated with P uptake, which in
Nutrient Solution for Hydroponics and its managements: turn correlated to the drop in the root medium pH. The
All essential macro and micro nutrients are supplied to ranking of wheat cultivars on the basis of dry matter yield, P
hydroponic plants in the form of nutrient solution, which uptake and P utilization efficiency was Zamindar 80 > Yecora
consists of fertilizer salts dissolved in water. The success or > C 271 > WL 711 > Barani 83 > PARI 73 > Rohtas. The
failure of a hydroponic tehniques depends primarily on the cultivar Zamindar 80 appeared to possess the best growth
strict nutrient management programme. Carefully potential in P-deficient soils.
manipulating the nutrient solution pH level, temperature and Rubio et al. (2010) [22] conducted experiment on Yield and
electrical conductivity (EC) and replacing the solution fruit quality of sweet pepper in response to fertilisation with
whenever necessary, will lead to a successful hydroponic. The Ca2+ (1.5, 4 and 8) and K + (2.5, 7 and 14) consisted of each
pH of a nutrient solution from recommended pH range, the three concentrations. The result found that Fruit quality were
greater the odds against the success. The ideal EC range for affected by the different treatment. Fruit shape index
hydroponics is between 1.5 and 2.5 dS/m. Higher EC will increased with the highest Ca2+ concentration in the root
prevent nutrient absorption due to osmotic pressure and lower medium (0.96b). In addition, the lowest Ca 2+ level decreased
EC severely affect plant health and yield. the TSS and increased the pH. Acidity increased gradually
with increasing K+ level through the studied range of 2.5 to 14
Preparation of Nutrient Solution: Though hydroponic mmol L-1 and a significant decrease in the maturity index with
growers can formulate their own fertilizer mixtures to prepare increased K+ level in the root medium were observed. He also
nutrient solutions using completely water soluble nutrients found that shoot and root dry matter were significantly lower
salts, a number of formulations are available in the market to at low Ca2+ and at high K+ level in comparison with the other
choose. Some fertilizer salts react with each other to produce treatments. The decrease in shoot and root dry matter (26%)
insoluble precipitations. For example, ammonium sulphate were similar for the low Ca2+ and high K+ treatments with
and potassium chloride form less soluble potassium sulphate respect to control. Therefore, higher Ca2+ and lower K+
in the tank. Phosphate fertilizers act problematic in the concentration can be recommended for pepper culture.
presence of high calcium and magnesium concentrations, Sindhu et al. (2010) [29] studied the effect of different
causing precipitation of low soluble phosphates. Therefore, amendments on flowering parameters of gerbera. The result
select fertilizers that are compatible with each other. observed that treatment T5 (CVP+ Samridhi ) found highest
flower head diameter (10.82 cm), length of flower stalk (59.2
Review of Research work cm), flower yield (9.27 no/plant) and vase life (13.0) followed
Fakhri et al., (1995) [9] experimental design reported that the by treatment T7 in comparison to all other treatments.
largest flower diameter obtained from mixes of peat and Gorbe and Calatayud, (2010) [11] observed that the uptake
perlite. They have been noted that media physicochemical concentrations of Mn and Zn that were estimated by recording
characteristics improving because of the organic matter their removal from the recirculating NS as well as the water
existence was the main reason of differences. Results showed uptake. Both estimation methods showed that the Mn and Zn
significant difference (P≤5%) in the stem and stem neck uptake concentrations by cucumber were highly affected by
diameter. Significantly greatest mean stem and stem neck the levels of these micronutrients in the supplied NS, in
diameter were produced in medium 7 with 0.79 and 0.58 cm agreement with previous results reported by (Sonneveld and
respectively. de Bes 1984) [31]. The higher apparent Mn uptake
Nowak and Strojny (2004) [15] reported that the total porosity, concentrations than those estimated on the basis of Mn
bulk density, shrinkage water capacity and air capacity of the recovered from the total plant biomass may have been caused
growing substrates had significant effects on the number and by partial immobilization of soluble Mn by oxidizing bacteria,
weight of fresh flowers in gerbera. Data showed that flower which is a common phenomenon in aerated nutrient solutions
disc diameter influenced significantly (P≤1%) by the different (Bromfield, 1978) [5]. The bacteria develop rapidly as pH
media and the largest flower diameter, 11.6 cm in 7th increases to higher levels than _5 and can oxidize an
treatment and the lowest flower diameter 10.9 cm from 1st appreciable part of the applied bivalent Mn, which
(sand alone) is derived. precipitates as manganese oxide (Sonneveld and Voogt, 1980)
Castro et al. (2006) [6] observed Cluster number per plant in [30]
. Thus, when the uptake concentrations of Mn were
aquaponics was lower than in hydroponics treatments, but it estimated by recording Mn removal from the recirculating
increased with foliar application of elements. The highest NS, the immobilized Mn could not be distinguished from that
cluster was observed in aquaponics with foliar K and Fe absorbed by the plants, and thus higher values were obtained
applications. Copper decreased cluster number in hydroponics in comparison with those based on the Mn recovered from
but it had no significant effect on aquaponic grown plants. In plant tissues. A decrease of soluble Mn resulting from
the hydroponics, foliar application of K, Mg and Zn increased microbial oxidation of Mn in the recirculating NS is
fruit number and yield of plants, but B and Cu decreased them beneficial when Mn is supplied at excessively high rates but
compared to control treatments. Thus it indicates that foliar potentially harmful if Mn is supplied at rates close to the
application of some elements can effectively alleviated standard uptake requirements of cucumber plants.
nutrient deficiencies in tomato grown on aquaponic systems. Roosta and Hamidpour (2011) [21] studied the Effects of foliar
application of some macro and micro nutrients on tomato

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Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

plants in aquaponic and hydroponic systems. The result sampled for chemical analyses, protein fractions, in vitro
showed that biomass gains of tomato were highest in digestion and metabolisable energy (ME) determination.
hydroponics as compared to aquaponics and there were Productivity measured on the basis of the input-output
significant difference between cluster number but no balance of barley grain and GF yield. Results showed that CP,
significant difference in yield of tomato. Ash, EE, NDF, ADF and water soluble carbohydrate (WSC)
Shinohara et al. (2011) [27] studied Microbial mineralization of were increased whereas OM and non fiber carbohydrate
organic nitrogen into nitrate to allow the use of organic (NFC) decreased (p<0.05) in the GF when compared with the
fertilizer in hydroponics. They observed the growth of original grain. As the growing period extended from day 6 to
butterhead lettuce in a hydroponic nutrient solution in which day 8, the CP, Ash, EE, NDF and ADF were increased but
the organic nitrogen contained in fish-based soluble fertilizer NFC and WSC reduced (p<0.05). The non protein nitrogen
was optimally mineralized into nitrate. Thus the result showed was increased but true protein decreased (p<0.05) in GF in
that the organic system produced significantly greater (P < comparison to barley grain, however no differences was
0.05) fresh head weight and root dry weight than in the shown among the growing periods for protein fractions. The
conventional system. The leaf nitrate ion content was 35.5% potential (b) and rate (c) of in vitro gas production shown a
lower in the organic system, and the difference was decreasing trend (p<0.05) by sprouting the barley grain up to
significant (P < 0.05). The hydroponic solutions, the next day 8 days. The amount of OM and ME of GF, obtained per kg of
of the start, of organic system and conventional system cultivated barley grain, were lower than those of the original
contained 28.82 and 35.44 mg/L K, 66.7 and 7.24 mg/L Na, grain.
66.32 and 37.22 mg/L Ca, 0.4988 and 0.285 mg/L Fe, 10.1 Tzerakis et al., (2013) [34] studied the Uptake of Mn and Zn by
and 12.6 mg/L Mg, 0.086 and 0.4048 mg/L Mn, and 0.0598 Cucumber Grown in Closed Hydroponic Systems as
and 0.1674 mg/L B, respectively. Neither nitrate nor Influenced by the Mn and Zn Concentrations in the Supplied
ammonium was detected in the hydroponic solution of either Nutrient Solution. The result showed that the root, stem, leaf,
system at the end of cultivation. The ascorbic acid content of and fruit biomass is shown in Figure 2. The total plant
the leaves did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) between the biomass was reduced when the Mn or Zn concentration in the
two systems. It is assumed that it is attributed to larger growth replenishment NS that was supplied to cucumber grown in a
of lettuce in the organic system. These results suggest that the closed-cycle hydroponic system was 40 mM or higher.
yield and quality of butterhead lettuce in the microorganism Similar type of result observed by Shi and Zhu (2008) [26] and
culture system were at least as good as those in the Tzerakis et al. (2012) [33]. Nevertheless, the reduction in plant
conventional inorganic chemical system (Blom-Zandstra biomass was lower than 25% even at the highest Mn and Zn
2008) [4]. levels in the replenishment NS, which raised the
Khalaj et al. (2011) [13] studied on the Effect of Different concentrations of Mn and Zn in the recirculating NS
Growing Media on the Growth and Yield of Gerbera to_270mM and 170 mM, respectively.
(Gerbera jamesonii L.). The result found that as among the Asaduzzaman et al., (2013) [1] Studied Growing carrots
physical characteristics, aeration and water holding capacity hydroponically using perlite substrates, it is found that the
are probably the most important factors while, among the growth, yield and quality of carrot were influenced greatly by
chemical characteristics, nutritional status, and salinity level the size of the perlite particle. Thus it observed that the
have a crucial role on plant development (Dewayne et al., suitable particle size of perlite is 0.6mm and the concentration
2003) [8]. of ‘Enshi’ nutrient solution is 100% (for first culture) or 75%
Wahome et al. (2011) [35] studied the Effects of Different (for second culture) for growing carrot hydroponically. Reuse
Hydroponics Systems and Growing Media on the Vegetative of perlite for growing carrot may cause the media compaction,
Growth, Yield and Cut Flower Quality of Gypsophila salt buildup, and other associated risks; therefore the results
(Gypsophila paniculata L.). The result showed that there was also suggest that properly cleaned and disinfected perlite can
a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in number of shoots/plant, be reused in the succeeding crops.
Cut flower stem length and Number of branches/flower in the Seyedi et al. (2013) [25] studied the Effects of Calcium
gypsophila grown in sand in all three hydroponics system Concentration under Hydroponic Conditions on Quantitative
when compared to sawdust and vermiculite. However, there and Qualitative Growth of Lilium ‘Tresor’. The result showed
was no significant (P < 0.05) difference in number of that calcium concentration (6 mM) gave the highest Height of
shoots/plant, Cut flower stem length and Number of plant (cm), (75.4a), Diameter of stem (mm), (9.14a), No. of
branches/flower between the plants grown in sawdust and buds (8.6), Diameter of Flower’s (mm) (10.06a), Time taken
vermiculite in all hydroponics systems. There was a more to blossom (Days) (60.7a) and vase life (Days) (10.27a) as
than 20 % reduction in number of shoots/plant, 30 % in cut compared to other concentration. The results gathered from
flower stem length and 62 % in number of branches when the experiments carried out, showed that the increase of
gypsophila grown in sand. The difference in number of calcium concentration in the nutrition soluble solution had a
shoot/plant grown in sawdust and vermiculite in elevated tray direct effect on the increase in height, both in blooming stem
and bag culture is 0.1 cm and in cut flower stem length is 5.8 and general height of the plant. It became clear that by
cm and in number of branches/flower is 7.7 cm. Thus higher increasing calcium concentration in nutrition nourishment, the
number of shoots/plant (14.3a), highest cut flower stem length diameter of the flowers and stem thickness increases
(67.0a)and highest number of branches/flower (36.1a) is significantly. Apparently by increasing the calcium
observed in gypsophila grown using sawdust and vermiculite concentration in nutrition soluble solution, the calcium
in this investigation could probably be attribute to higher concentration within the aerial organs also increases
vegetative growth as a result of high water holding capacity (Robicheux, 2008) [20]. Thus in hydroponics maximum
and nutrient holding capacities of the medium as compared to concentration of calcium increases the growth parameters as
sand. compared traditional cultivation and enhances the quantitative
Fazaeli et al (2012) [10]. Barley grain was sprouted in a still and qualititative character of Lilium ‘Tresor’.
hydroponic growing chamber for 6, 7 and 8 day periods and Marinou et al. (2013) [14] studied the Use of sawdust, coco soil

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Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

and pumice in hydroponically grown strawberry. The result survival rates for both growing conditions are shown in
revealed that organic matter (and as a consequence the Hydroponic plants had a higher survival rate at 80%
organic carbon content) was increased in Saw-100compared compared to the soil-grown strawberries, which survived less
with Coc-100. The most substrates particle size was under 2 than 50%. Although both growing systems received identical
mm. Adding pumice into the sawdust substrate altered the integrated pest management treatments, the soil plants
negative properties of aeration and balance water content of suffered more and the pests thrived in the soil-grown
the latter. An increased EC (averaged 3.08 mS/cm) was strawberries, especially the aphids and spider mites. This can
observed in Coc-100 and affected substrate EC was reported be attributed to increased beneficial bacteria and microbes
in different mixtures. Saw-100 affected medium acidity that pests thrive on in soil conditions (Resh & Howard, 2012)
(revealed – 4.71 pH) and contributed to the increased amount [18]
. The results found in this study suggest that using
of N, K and P while no changes were revealed for Na content. hydroponic systems on a large scale has the potential to
Additionally, Coc-100 added nutrient amount of K and P, but reduce pesticide usage. Accomplishing this would provide the
also Na. Cultivation of bell peppers (cv. Sardana) performed farmer with higher economic benefits.
better on perlite, a ‘dry’ substrate, than on coir which seems Barbosa et al., (2015) [3] studied the Comparison of Land,
to have a higher demand for oxygen supply in the root zone, Water, and Energy Requirements of Lettuce Grown Using
when grown at two levels of CO2 (Savidov 2005) [24]. Thus Hydroponic vs. Conventional Agricultural Methods. The
result show the putative use of organic medium i.e. Sawdust result found that while the hydroponic production of lettuce
on top of the widely used coco soil as substrate medium in results in higher yields and more efficient water use, the
strawberry culture. The performance of plants grown on Pum- controlled environment from which the hydroponic system
Saw (50-50), followed by the Coc-Saw (50-50) and then by produces its higher yields exhibits a higher energy demand.
Coc-Pum (50-50) is markedly influenced by the media and Higher yields of hydroponics result from the controlled
the alteration of physicochemical properties (such as porosity, environmental conditions maintained within the hydroponic
water content and air capacity) of raw material and hence the greenhouse, which allow for continuous production year
air and water balance in the root environment. round. These conditions also promote a reduction in the
Dayananda & Wahundeniya (2014) [7] studied the Effect of number of days required for each harvest cycle, allowing for
different hydroponic systems and media on growth of lettuce multiple crops per year. This benefit of hydroponic
(Lactuca sativa) under protected culture. The result found that production is not unique to lettuce alone, but will vary
the root length, leaf area, fresh plant weight, dry weight and depending on the operational parameters under which the crop
yield obtained from plants grown under 3 different is grown. Similarly, most hydroponic systems will utilize
hydroponic systems. It is clear that the aggregate system has water more efficiently than conventional farming. Lettuce has
shown the most promising results. Thus the result were shallow roots, but is primarily irrigated through flood furrow
significantly higher than the other two systems. Longer root irrigation in south western Arizona. Water not quickly
(17.5 cm) and heavier root mass would have absorbed more absorbed by the roots is lost to percolation. Increases in the
nutrients resulting larger area (752.3 cm2) and higher plant use of low-flow and more-targeted irrigation techniques could
weight (46.8 g). The highest yield was also recorded in the lower the overall water use of conventional farming. (Sanchez
aggregate system (2340 g/m2). This system had a good et al. 2014) [23].
aeration than the other two and it had wider spacing provided Putra and Yuliando (2015) [16] observed that Soilless
dark condition for root development. The result indicates that cultivation is intensively used in protected agriculture to
growing media have shown significantly variable results for improve control over the growing environment and to avoid
growth parameters. The coir dust (T1) showed the most uncertainties in the water and nutrient status of the soil.
effective results giving higher values for root length (16.9 cm) Recently the type of soilless culture transformed from open to
and total leaf area (727.05 cm2) while it was placed second in close-loop system. This system is known for better result in
fresh weight (40.2 g) and dry weight (1 g) which were not water use efficiency, while maintaining the quality of the
significantly different from the treatments which showed the yield and the specific purpose of soilless culture specifically
highest values. While all other treatments which which were in close-loop system and how substrate nutrition produces the
blended with coir dust and partially burnt paddy husk and better quality of the yields.
partially burnt paddy husk alone showed higher values. Rai. et al., (2016) [17] studies comparative on growth and yield
However the treatments with tea refuse (T4) and its mixture parameters of transplanted wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with
gave the lowest values. Thus it shows that the refuse is not seedling produced in hydroponics system vis-a-vis
suitable as a growing media, while coir dust alone or mixed conventional cultivation. The result showed that there were
with partially burnt paddy husk or burnt paddy husk alone significant differences between two systems for plant height
make good growing media for lettuce cultivation under (cm), number of days of panicle emergence and yield/acre
control environments. (kg).Maximum plant height (30.1cm) and yield/acre (1828.6
Treftz et al. (2015) [32] studied the Comparison between kg) was recorded in 7 days hydroponics system followed by
hydroponic and soil systems for growing strawberries in a 29.9 cm of plant height in 10 day hydroponics. Thus
greenhouse. The result showed that the total yield of the soil- hydroponics system proved more convenient than the
grown strawberries was 70 strawberries. The hydroponic traditional propagation system using peat sand mixture and
strawberries had a 17% higher yield compared to the soil mineral fertilizers (Ritter et al 2001) [19].
grown strawberries. In the totality of strawberries grown both
conventionally and hydroponically, the standard deviation References
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Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

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