Nutrient Film Technique Hydroponic System Research Articles

AB mix-NPK fertilizer combination effect on corn plants growth using Nutrient Film Technique

Corn (Zea mays) is one of the important food crops in Indonesia. Efforts to increase corn production continue to be made, one of which is by using appropriate fertilizer. The aim of this research is to determine the effect of the combination of AB Mix and NPK fertilizers on the growth of corn (Zea mays) plants using the NFT hydroponic system. This study used qualitative research methods. The data collection technique in this research is literature study, while data analysis is carried out in three stages, namely data reduction, data presentation and drawing conclusions. The findings from the research show that the use of a combination of AB mix and NPK fertilizers in the growth of corn (Zea mays) using the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) technique has a significant impact. Using these two types of fertilizer together increases the growth of corn plants by increasing plant height, number of leaves, and development of the root system. In addition, with optimal nutrient availability from the fertilizer combination through the NFT technique, corn production is increased efficiently. The findings show the potential for using a combination of AB mix and NPK fertilizers in increasing agricultural yields.

The influence of chitosan on plant growth and -sitosterol content in adventitious roots of Talinum paniculatum in NFT hydroponic cultivation system

Beta-sitosterol is the most abundant type of phytosterol found in nature and it offers numerous health benefits for humans including anticancer, antidiabetic, and blood cholesterol-lowering properties. One biomass with a significant beta-sitosterol content is the Javanese ginseng root (Talinum paniculatum). However, Javanese ginseng has not been fully exploited and is often perceived as a mere wild plant. This research was conducted by cultivating Javanese ginseng using the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) hydroponic method along with the addition of chitosan elicitors at various concentrations: 0, 12.5, 25, and 50 ppm. The purpose of this research was to determine the optimal chitosan concentration for the growth of Javanese ginseng, the beta-sitosterol content, and the productivity of -sitosterol in Javanese ginseng roots. The research revealed that a 12.5 ppm chitosan concentration could increase the root weight by 8.785 g and the shoot weight by 88 g. The growth rate increased to 3.457 g/day and the productivity of -sitosterol in the roots reached 25.084 mg/m2/month. On the other hand, the addition of chitosan led to a decrease in the root-to-shoot ratio, indicating an improved cultivation environment compared to cultivation without chitosan. Furthermore, the results of the research also indicated that the addition of chitosan did not affect the β-sitosterol content in the Javanese ginseng adventitious roots. Therefore, it can be concluded that the optimal chitosan concentration that positively impacts Javanese ginseng cultivated using the NFT hydroponic method is 12.5 ppm because chitosan generates Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) which causing plant damage and cell death when threshold exceeded.

Growth performance and metabolic changes in lettuce inoculated with plant growth promoting bacteria in a hydroponic system

Crop cultivation in hydroponic systems is often exposed to both abiotic and biotic stresses, which impact growth. One possible approach to alleviating these stresses and improving plant growth is by utilizing plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB). Our previous study has shown the efficacy of two PGPB strains, Pseudomonas lundensis UB 53 and Pseudomonas migulae UB 54, in promoting growth and stimulating the generation of plant defense enzymes to mitigate biotic and abiotic stress in lettuce grown in a nutrient film technique (NFT) hydroponic system. Therefore, this study purposed to assess metabolic changes in lettuce in response to P. lundensis UB 53 and P. migulae UB 54 inoculation in a NFT hydroponic system. The results exhibited that these bacteria enhanced IAA accumulation and lettuce growth in a NFT hydroponic system. A total of 58 metabolites were detected in the root samples, including primary and secondary metabolites. It also influenced 12 metabolic pathways, with emphasis on five pathways, including the metabolism of alpha-linolenic acid, inositol phosphate, pyruvate, sulfur, and the phosphatidylinositol signaling system. These results highlight the significant roles of myo-inositol and acetic acid in metabolic pathways during the interaction between lettuce and PGPB.

Nutrition control in nutrient film technique hydroponic system using fuzzy method

Hydroponics is a method of growing crops without using soil media, instead, it utilizes water or other porous materials. The automation system is applied to control the nutrient quality of the water. Some sensors were used for measuring nutrient concentration, water level, water supply, and water volume. Temperature, TDS, and ultrasonic sensors are installed on the microcontroller for data measurement. The results of the data are processed using the Mamdani fuzzy logic method. The fuzzy logic results are used in controlling nutrition and water volume. The system can be monitored remotely with the aid of the Blynk app. The results of the automation system concluded that the desired condition reaches an average time of 13 minutes 49 seconds. Finally, the results of the fuzzy logic processing of the system have an accuracy value of 94.24% after being compared with the software simulation.

Optimising fertigation of hydroponically grown sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus L.): The impact of the nitrogen source and supply concentration

The efficient use of water and nutrients in leafy vegetable crops can be improved by effective water management, whereas the form of the supplied nitrogen may affect their quality and productivity. Sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus L.), a widespread weed collected and consumed as a wild vegetable in the past, currently attracts a high interest for commercial cultivation due to its high nutritional value. The present study evaluated the effects of different nitrogen concentrations: N50: 50 mg L−1; (N 3.6 mmol L−1), N100: 100 mg L−1; (N 7.1 mmol L−1), N200: 200 mg L−1; (N 14.3 mmol L−1), and N300: 300 mg L−1; (N 21.4 mmol L−1) and different ammonium/total-N ratios (Nr: 0.01, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15) on growth, physiological parameters, antioxidant capacity and nutrient accumulation in the different plant parts of sowthistle, grown in Nutrient Film Technique hydroponic system. Total N was ammonium N plus nitrate N. Plant growth, total phenols, and antioxidant capacity were higher at the two intermediate N concentrations, whereas flavonoid and nitrogen content, as well as irrigation water productivity increased only with 200 mg N L−1 (N 14.3 mmol L−1), compared to the other three N concentrations. The accumulation of nitrogen in leaves and roots was lower, while leaf stomatal conductance was enhanced by increased N concentrations in the nutrient solution. Higher Nr ratios than ≥ 0.05 decreased plant dry matter, total phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity in leaf extracts, and negatively affected nitrogen translocation from roots to leaves. Sowthistle plants treated with a Nr of 0.05 exhibited a less intense oxidative stress, with decreased lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide production, and increased superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, compared to those treated with higher Nr ratios. Increased Nr resulted in the accumulation of phosphorus and magnesium in leaves while the highest irrigation water productivity was obtained in plants grown with a Nr of 0.05. In conclusion, to increase yield, nutritional value and efficiency of water and nitrogen use in sowthistle grown in closed hydroponic systems, a N concentration of 200 mg L−1 of N (N 14.3 mmol L−1) and a Nr of 0.05 are suggested.

Hydroponic Cultivation of Laranja Cherry Tomatoes under Salt Stress and Foliar Application of Hydrogen Peroxide

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the foliar application of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in mitigating the effects of salt stress on cherry tomato cultivation in a hydroponic system. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, using a Nutrient Film Technique hydroponic system. The experimental design used was completely randomized in a split-plot scheme, with four levels of electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution—ECns (2.1, 2.8, 3.5, and 4.2 dS m−1), considered as plots, and five H2O2 concentrations (0, 12, 24, 36, and 48 µM), regarded as subplots, with four replicates and two plants per plot. An increase in the electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution negatively affected the production components of cherry tomatoes. However, it did not affect the post-harvest quality of the fruits. Despite the reductions observed in the production components due to the increase in the electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution, foliar application of H2O2 at concentrations esteemed between 22 and 25 µM attenuated the deleterious effects of salt stress on the number of fruits and ascorbic acid content and increased the total fruit production per plant of cherry tomatoes.

Reuse of Pretreated Agro-Industrial Wastewaters for Hydroponic Production of Lettuce

The utilization of agro-industrial wastewaters (AIWWs), pretreated by immediate one-step lime precipitation + natural carbonation, as a nutritive solution for the hydroponic production of lettuce was evaluated. The AIWWs studied were olive mill wastewater (OMW), winery wastewater (WW), and cheese whey wastewater (CWW). Lettuces (Lactuca sativa L. var. crispa) were grown in a closed nutrient film technique hydroponic system, using the pretreated AIWWs (OMW-T, WW-T, and CWW-T) and a control nutrient solution (CNS). The growth and sensory analysis of lettuces and the environmental parameters of effluents after hydroponics were evaluated. The average number of lettuce leaves obtained with nutrient solutions prepared with AIWW-T was lower than that from CNS, but the highest lettuce chlorophyll content was attained with CWW-T, which also presented the best grow results. In general, sensory analysis did not show significant differences from the lettuces grown in the different pretreated AIWWs and CNS. As for the environmental parameters of the effluents from hydroponics, according to the Portuguese legislation, only the chemical oxygen demand of the OMW-T and WW-T presented slightly higher values than that of the environmental limit values for discharge in surface waters, showing the feasibility of using pretreated agro-industrial effluents in hydroponic lettuce cultivation, while obtaining a treated effluent, in a circular economy perspective.

Effective Training Methods for Cucumber Production in Newly Developed Nutrient Film Technique Hydroponic System

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L., cv. “Nina Z”) plants grafted onto squash (Cucurbita maxima, cv. “Yu Yu Ikki”) were grown in a greenhouse using the newly developed nutrient film technique (NFT) hydroponic system “Kappa land” (Mitsubishi aqua solutions Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan ), from February to June 2022. The growth and development of cucumbers were examined under two different training methods: Lowering training (LT) and Pinching training (PT). Data collected were related to water and nutrient consumption, plant growth and development parameters, and the workload of the main activities. The results showed that plants grown under the LT recorded significantly higher total stem length (10.9 m) and number of nodes (133). In addition, from 21 April to 19 May, the leaf area index was significantly higher in the LT treatment. The highest total yield (15.4 kg m−2) and marketable yield per unit area (13.8 kg m−2) were recorded in the LT treatment. Regarding fruit growth, the fruits took 14 and 19 days to reach the standard harvest weight in the PT and LT treatments, respectively. In addition, the fruits were more straight in the PT treatment. The water use efficiency was not significantly different between the two treatments. However, the nutrient use efficiency was significantly higher in the PT treatment because plants produced more vegetative organs in the LT treatment instead of fruits. The work for removing old leaves and harvesting fruits was simplified in the LT treatment. The LT method can be effective for the automation of old leaf removal and fruit picking by the robot in the future.

Salicylic acid alleviates the effects of salt stress on the physiology, growth, and production of hydroponic okra

Application of salicylic acid can enable the use of brackish water in the hydroponic cultivation of okra in arid and semi-arid regions. In this context, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of foliar application of salicylic acid in mitigating the impacts of salt stress on the physiology, growth, and production of “Canindé” okra cultivated in a hydroponic system. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, using an NFT—Nutrient Film Technique hydroponic system. A completely randomized design was adopted in a split-plot scheme, with four levels of electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution—ECns (2.1, 3.6, 5.1, and 6.6 dS m−1) considered as plots and four concentrations of salicylic acid—SA (0, 1.2, 2.4, and 3.6 mM), considered as subplots, with four replications, each of which consisting of two plants. Foliar application of salicylic acid at a concentration of 1.2 mM attenuated the harmful effects of salt stress on the physiology, growth, and production components of “Canindé” okra cultivated in a hydroponic system with ECns of up to 6.6 dS m−1. Plants cultivated with ECns of 6.6 dS m−1 and salicylic acid at a concentration of 1.2 mM obtained an increase of 11.13% (36.4 g per plant) in total production per plant compared to plants cultivated with the same ECns level and without application of salicylic acid. These results demonstrate that salicylic acid, when supplied by foliar application at adequate concentrations, can act as a signaling molecule and reduce the effects of salt stress on hydroponic okra.

Efficacy of auxin foliar application on the growth and yield of green Romaine (Lactuca sativa L. var. Jericho) grown under nutrient film technique (NFT) hydroponic system

Green Romaine (Lactuca sativa L. var. Jericho) is one of Malaysia’s trendiest salad greens. It provides many nutrients which vital for human health and body maintenance. This phenomenon has led to an increased in green Romaine production in Malaysia. However, there are several limitations to cultivate this vegetable since conventional planting techniques are still practiced in Malaysia. The present study was undertaken to investigate the efficacy of auxin foliar application on the growth performance and yield of green Romaine grown under the nutrient film technique hydroponic system. The green Romaine was treated with three different application rates of auxin (Indole-3-Acetic Acid); T0, control (0.0 ppm), T1 (50.0 ppm), T2 (100.0 ppm) and T3 (150.0 ppm). The mean value of growth and yield of green Romaine were significantly increased at a lower concentration of auxin application (T1). At this lower application rate, the leaves number of green Romaine significantly increased (P≤0.05) with mean value ranging from 17.0 to 22.0 leaves per plant as compared to the T0, T2 and T3. However, all treated plants do not show any significant increase in term of chlorophyll content. The yields of green Romaine (fresh weight and dry weight) exhibit similar pattern where the auxin foliar application at T1 significantly increased the mean value of the yield parameters with 113.0 – 130.0 g of plant fresh weight while 7.0-10.0 g of plant dry weight as compared to the highest concentration of T3, respectively. This result suggested that a low concentration of auxin helps to increase the growth performance and yield of green Romaine, thus highlights its potential as an effective plant growth promoter for plant grown under hydroponic system.

Cultivation of Water Spinach (Ipomoea Reptans Poir) Production By Using Dft and Nft

Water spinach (Ipomoea reptans Poir) is one of the horticultural crops known for its very easy cultivation and fast harvest cycle and high nutritional value. This plant can be produced or cultivated hydroponically using NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) and DFT (Deep Flow Technique) systems. Cultivation of plants in the NFT system uses a sloping circuit with shallow nutritious water that circulates for 24 hours at a fast flow. The DFT system uses a closed-circuit insulated with stagnant water that circulates for 24 hours at a slow flow. Thus, this research was conducted to determine the differences in the production of water spinach in two hydroponic systems, namely NFT and DFT. The research was conducted using a Randomized Block Design (RAK) and observation method by observing plant height, number of leaves, wet weight, and root length. Data were analyzed using independent samples T-test with a prerequisite test in the form of the Shapiro-Wilk normality test. The results of this research showed that the cultivation of water spinach using NFT and DFT hydroponic systems had significant differences in plant height, number of leaves, root length, and wet weight. Water spinach production can be increased by using DFT compared to NFT.

Effects of Elevated Water Temperature on Growth of Basil Using Nutrient Film Technique

Hydroponic systems have become increasingly popular for growers in recent years for year-round local production. Whereas optimal air temperature for plant growth has been considered, optimal root zone temperatures have not been examined as thoroughly. The objective of this research was to determine the optimal water temperature for growing different types of basil hydroponically. Research was conducted at the greenhouses in Stillwater, OK. Seventeen cultivars were selected from six main types of basil and transplanted into Nutrient Film Technique hydroponic systems, and three water temperature treatments were applied: 23, 27.5, and 31 °C. Height, width, average leaf area, leaf number, chlorophyll concentration (chlorophyll readings obtained with the Minolta-502 SPAD meter), shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, and root dry weight were evaluated. In general, the 27.5 and 31 °C treatments were not greater than each other in terms of leaf number and root dry weight but were greater than the 23 °C treatment. The 31 °C treatment had the greatest height, whereas width, average leaf area, shoot fresh weight, and shoot dry weight were not different from the 27.5 °C treatment. The 23 °C treatment had the greatest chlorophyll concentration (SPAD) value. Cultivar differences were significant in average leaf area and SPAD, with ‘Spicy Bush’ having the smallest leaf area and purple basil having the greatest SPAD value. For all cultivars except purple basil and ‘Large Leaf Italian’, a 27.5 °C water temperature would be recommended for greater plant growth.

Hydroponic Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) System Based on Automation in Ciparay Village

Hydroponics is a farming technique that has many advantages. This system has many types, for example the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT). In this activity, an NFT hydroponic system based on automation is created for parameter settings that affect plant growth. Several parameters are controlled, such as pH and TDS on plant nutrition, as well as humidity and air temperature in the environment. This system was placed in Ciparay village to help the community learn hydroponic farming. As a result of this activity, the entire system can work well, but there are still some leaks. After this system worked, socialization activities were carried out to the Ciparay community to explain how to use the system for hydroponic cultivation.

Mitigation of Human Pathogen Contamination in Lettuce and Basil Produced in NFT Hydroponic System

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of sanitizers to eliminate pathogens from the nutrient solution, productions surfaces, and their effect on quality (yield, color) of lettuce and basil grown in hydroponic Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) systems.MethodsSanitizers' efficacy to eliminate Salmonella typhimurium from the nutrient solution and hydroponic surfaces was evaluated. Pathogen enumeration and surface swabs were collected for 13 treatments post-inoculation (∼104 CFU/ml). A split-plot within a randomized complete block study design compared the treatments (SaniDate12.0; 200ppm, and sodium hypochlorite;100ppm, 200ppm) on the health of lettuce and basil.ResultsOf all identified sanitizers approved for use in food production, SaniDate 12.0 and Sodium-hypochlorite 100 ppm and 200 ppm effectively eliminated Salmonella typhimurium from nutrient solution and surfaces and were tested in commercial units with lettuce and basil. The average plant weight at harvest (5weeks post-transplant) for untreated controls was 181.65 ± 10.89 g/lettuce and 78.88 ± 21.4 g/basil. All sanitizer treatments negatively impacted lettuce quality, with 200 ppm- sodium-hypochlorite treated crops severely affected (92.05% reduction/lettuce and 83% reduction/basil). Crops treated with SaniDate 12.0 recovered fully (117.4% lettuce and 104.3% basil) by harvest (29 days post-treatment) compared to hypochlorite treatments. ConclusionsSaniDate 12.0 was the only suitable commercial sanitizer for developing water sanitation protocols in hydroponics. The validation of its effectiveness against the human pathogens in the system with crops, as well as nutrient content analysis in ongoing.Funding SourcesOhio Department of Agriculture grant.

Effect of different soilless agriculture methods on irrigation water saving and growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa)

Environmental stresses such as low soil moisture and soil nutrient deficiency are among the main causes of low crop productivity in arid and semi-arid regions. Soilless cultivation is intensively used in protected agriculture to improve control over the growing environment and avoid uncertainties in the soil's water and nutrient status, leading to better result in water use efficiency, while maintaining the quality of the yield. Therefore, this study was conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture, An Najah University, Palestine, during 2016–17 growing season to investigate the effects of three soilless culture systems compared to agricultural soil growing media on yield and water use efficiency of lettuce crop under greenhouse cultivation. Four different growing media were investigated; pure soil serves as a control, pure volcanic tuff (VT), peat moss perlite mixture (2:1 v/v) and the nutrient film technique (NFT) (hydroponic) and their effect on the growth and productivity of lettuce were monitored. Results showed no significant differences in lettuce crop fresh weight and total fresh weight produced per unit area (m2) within the different growing media tested. In contrast, the different growing media significantly influenced the water use efficiency (WUE) values. Peat moss-perlite mixture and the nutrient film technique (NFT) media resulted in the highest WUE and can save water remarkably, with an irrigated water saved ranging from 94 to 123%, respectively. Overall, results suggest that the NFT hydroponic system is the most efficient system for water-saving and water use efficiency.

Hydrogen peroxide and saline nutrient solution in hydroponic zucchini culture

Saline water has been used in irrigation due to the limited availability of fresh water, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. However, the use of this type of water can affect crop growth and development. Studies have tested the use of chemical conditioners to minimize the negative effects of salinity on plants. In this scenario, the present study examined the role of hydrogen peroxide in mitigating the negative effects of salt stress on zucchini plants grown in a hydroponic system. The study was carried out in a greenhouse in Pombal - PB, Brazil. The NFT (nutrient film technique) hydroponic system was employed. A randomized complete experimental design was set up with a 4 × 4 factorial arrangement consisting of four levels of electrical conductivity in the nutrient solution (ECns: 2.1 [control], 3.6, 5.1, and 6.6 dS m-1) and four concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2: 0, 20, 40, and 60 μM), in three replicates. Foliar spraying with H2O2 at 60 and 40 μM associated with the nutrient solution of 2.1 dS m-1 increased stem diameter and root length, respectively, at 47 days after transplanting. However, at ECns higher than 2.1 dS m-1, the application of H2O2 at the concentrations of 60 and 40 μM intensified salt stress, reducing stem diameter and root length. Nutrient solution salinity levels above 2.1 dS m-1 reduce photosynthetic pigments; the number of leaves; leaf area; the length of the main branch; and the dry biomass of stems, leaves, and roots of zucchini plants. Chlorophyll b and carotenoid contents are the variables most sensitive to changes in salinity levels.

Effects of organic fertilizer with or without a microbial inoculant on the growth and quality of lettuce in an NFT hydroponic system

Organic food continues to increase in popularity worldwide. Similarly, hydroponic production of leafy greens is expanding globally and is an important component of the world's food supply. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the growth and quality of lettuce using six nutrient film technique (NFT) hydroponic systems. There were three treatments: organic fertilizer with or without a microbial inoculant and a conventional inorganic fertilizer as a control. The experiment was repeated over time. Results showed that the plants grown with organic fertilizer with additional microbial inoculant achieved similar shoot fresh and dry weight to those of the control, and dry weight was 17% higher than the organic fertilizer without inoculant. Nitrogen content in the shoot tissue of plants treated with organic fertilizer with inoculant was 10% and 24% greater than the control and the organic fertilizer without inoculant, respectively. However, when the organic fertilizer with inoculant was reused in a second experiment, shoot fresh and dry weight of plants in organic fertilizer with inoculant was lower than those in the control but were still higher compared to the organic fertilizer without inoculant. Additionally, electrical conductivity (EC) and pH of the organic fertilizer solutions fluctuated widely. Interestingly, relative chlorophyll content measured as SPAD and anthocyanin content in the leaf tissue increased in plants treated with organic fertilizer, regardless of inoculant, by 19% and 9%, respectively.

Intermittent Root Flushing with Ozonated Water Promotes Growth of Japanese Mustard Spinach (Brassica rapa var. perviridis) grown in a Nutrient Film Technique Hydroponic Culture—Preliminary Results

ABSTRACT Japanese mustard spinach with 4–5 unfolded leaves were transplanted in a nutrient film technique hydroponic system to investigate the effects of washing roots intermittently with ozonated water (OW) on plant growth. The high concentration of OW generated electrolytically was mixed in the nutrient solution tank, showed 5.8 mg.L−1, and circulated through the culture beds for 1 h every week. After washing the roots with OW or tap water (TW) as a control for 1 h, Otsuka house A solution (NO3-N: 16.8 me.L−1, NH4-N: 1.8 me.L−1, P: 5.1 me.L−1, K: 8.6 me.L−1, Ca: 8.2 me.L−1, Mg: 3.0 me.L−1) at 1.2 dS.m–1 was provided for plant cultivation in hydroponic culture systems. The OW or TW was replaced every week. The fresh and dry weights of the leaves, number of leaves, leaf length, and leaf width of plants treated with OW were significantly higher than those of the plants treated with TW at 1, 2, and 3 weeks after transplanting (WAT). The ratio of the shoot and root dry weights at 1, 2, and 3 WAT was significantly higher in plants grown in the OW flushing treatment compared with the control treatment. However, the roots dry weights were not significantly different between the OW- and TW-treated plants. Moreover, the number of coliform bacteria and aerobic plate count (APC) in the solution and plants were not significantly different between the two treatments. These results indicate that washing roots intermittently with 5.8 mg.L−1 dissolved ozone concentration of OW for 1 h per week promotes aerial plant growth without physiological disorder and is not accompanied by a decrease in the number of coliform bacteria and APC in the solution and plants.

GLOBAL OVERVIEW OF HYDROPONICS: NUTRIENT FILM TECHNIQUE

Hydroponics is a cultivation technique without soil. There are several modalities for the system and among them is the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT), which consists of using channels to circulate a nutrient solution intermittently. Due to the existence of risks of soil and water contamination in metropolitan areas, hydroponics is a potential alternative to conventional production. Therefore, the present work sought to verify the current study of knowledge of the NFT hydroponic system in the international literature and the performance of the countries on it. For this, a bibliographic survey was carried out from 2010 to 2019 on the international research bases Science Direct, Portal de Periódicos da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) and Scielo using the search terms “Hydroponics” and “Nutrient Film Technique Hydroponics”. An increase in the number of studies was observed in the last four years of the analyzed period, that is, from 2016 to 2019, thus representing an increase in interest in hydroponics, especially the NFT type. This increase may be related to the efficiency and ease of handling this model, gains in productivity and the potential that this technique has for reducing the carbon footprint. Thus, Nutrient Film Technique is of great value in urban agriculture, especially in Brazil – its greatest representative –, with the potential to grow a lot in the future, due to its numerous benefits.

An Efficient Technique for Automation of The NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) Hydroponic System Using Arduino


 
 
 
 
 Hydroponic Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) is most widely applied on a home and industrial scale. One of the drawbacks of the NFT hydroponic system is that it is very dependent on electricity for 24 hours to power the water pump. The basic principle of the NFT hydroponic system is to flow nutrients to plant roots with a shallow and circulating nutrient layer so that plants get enough water, nutrients, and oxygen. Therefore, the role of the water pump in the hydroponic NFT system is crucial. This research makes the automation of the NFT hydroponic system more efficient using Arduino. There are two main parts to this automation system: the control of pH levels and nutrient distribution. The pH sensor is used to control the pH level of nutrients, and the ultrasonic sensor is used for nutrient distribution. Efficiency is emphasized more on the distribution of nutrients because it absorbs more electrical energy. The method used is to flow the nutrients in the reservoir to a storage tank that is located higher than the plant using a water pump with a large discharge. Nutrients are transported to each plant using the force of gravity. The nutrient volume is controlled automatically using an ultrasonic sensor in the storage tank. The water pump is only activated by the ultrasonic sensor readings on the storage tank. So that the need for electricity to turn on the water pump is reduced, based on tests carried out on the use of a 220-volt AC / 50 Hz / 125-watt water pump and the use of a 250-liter nutrient storage tank, it can be concluded that the system that has been created can save 70% of electricity consumption.