Hydroponic Systems

Hydroponic systems are soil-free growing methods in which the nutrients plants need in order to grow are supplied through nutrient solutions, precisely and continuously. There are two main strands: hydroponic and semi-hydroponic.

This growing system can be applied to:

• Vegetable growing (the most common use);
• Flower growing;
• Herbs;
• Ornamentals;
• Some fruit crops (such as passion fruit).

Hydroponic Systems

• Grown exclusively in water: NFT/NGS; aeroponics; floating systems.
• Suited to leafy crops and herbs;
• Water flows have to be analysed and accounted for;
• Requires monitoring of electrical conductivity at the inlet and outlet of the channels (NFT/NGS)
• The nutrient solution can be recycled, making it a closed circuit in which the only losses come from evapotranspiration and the plants' own consumption.

Semi-hydroponic Systems

• Grown in a solid, inert substrate: organic substrates; inorganic substrates; mixtures.
• Can be used with larger plants, since they provide a degree of support;
• The substrates are inert, that is, their composition generally has no nutritional value for the plants, which depend on the nutrient films;
• They behave differently in terms of water retention, which makes water easier to manage in drought conditions;
• They also require electrical conductivity checks.
• In these cases the nutrient solution is applied by flooding the substrate or through drip irrigation systems (the more common approach).

Figure: raspberries grown semi-hydroponically

Figure: passion fruit grown semi-hydroponically

Did you know about these systems?

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