APPLICATION OF THE HYDROPONIC SYSTEM FOR SOILLESS CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLE PLANTS IN A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

Hydroponics is a promising innovative technology by which the natural environment is modified for soilless cultivation, possessing soilless irrigation and fertigation systems to achieve optimum plant growth in nutrient solutions, with or without an artificial medium. The demand for more production of food with the changing trend in urbanization necessitated the need for hydroponics. The basic aim of this work is to contribute to the enhancement of the limited knowledge and venture of hydroponics. Thus, the water culture  type of the hydroponic system was produced to hold five (5) tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) stands at four (4) horizontal rolls (total of 20 pods), using the four (4) inches PVC pipe. This system housed the crops upon nursing and transplantation from their nursery to the stands, while cultivation features were studied for required results. Parameters like tomato pH, solution pH, solution temperature, environmental temperature, water use efficiency, relative humidity, and electrical conductivity were measured and recorded. Resultantly, the crops were of good and fresh quality. They were no physical variations with the naturally produced crops. It was thus concluded that, hydroponic is a technology that serves a crucial function in soilless approach of cultivation. Also, that indeed hydroponics can be used for food production without soil, especially in limited space. Recommendably, the economic movers, climate control agencies, agricultural innovation promoters, science and technology institute, etc., should enhance the public knowledge and venture of hydroponics