Hydrophonics

The other sector which is in blooming phase is Hydroponics which is actually is a subset of hydroculture, the method of growing plants without soil, using mineral nutrient solution in a water solvent. There are two main variations for each medium, sub-irrigation and top irrigation. Nowadays, most hydroponic reservoirs are built of plastic, but other materials have also been used including concrete, glass, metal, vegetable solids, and wood.

Static solution culture, plants are grown in containers of nutrient solution, such as plastic buckets, tubs, or tanks. The solution is usually gently aerated. If un-aerated, the solution level is kept low enough that enough roots are above the solution so they get adequate oxygen. A hole is cut in the lid of the reservoir for each plant. The nutrient solution is changed either on a schedule, such as once per week, or when the concentration drops is determined with an electrical conductivity meter. Whenever the solution is depleted it is furnished with either water or fresh nutrient solution.

 Continuous-flow solution culture – Nutrient Film Technique

In continuous-flow solution culture, the nutrient solution constantly flows past the roots. It is much easier to operate than the static solution culture because sampling and adjustments to the temperature and nutrient concentrations can be made in a large storage tank that has potential to serve thousands of plants. A popular variation is the nutrient film technique, whereby a very shallow stream of water containing all the dissolved nutrients required for plant growth is recirculated past the bare roots of plants in a watertight thick root mat, which develops in the bottom of the channel and has an upper surface that, although moist, is in the air. Subsequent aeration is provided to the roots of the plants.

Sai Institute of Paramedical and Allied Science under the illuminating guidance of “Mrs. Rani Arora” honourable Vice-Chairman of Sai institute laid the foundation of new laboratory Sai Biotech Lab under which they have applied hydroponics technique and successfully produced strawberries and exotic bell papers.

Advantages 
In hydroponics there is no soil setup and proved that vitamin content is 50% more in plants grown with this technique. The best part of this technique is that crops can be grown all the year round. Such techniques must be promoted on large scale.