Why Hydroponics/ Soil-less Culture? Hydroponics or soil-less culture is a system of growing plants which helps reduce some of the above mentioned problems experienced in conventional crop cultivation

Hydroponics StructuresGroup no:08

Hydroponics

Growing crops in a liquid based growth mediumSometime artificial media for ancharageIn a complete nutrient solution with or without solid phase

Nursery management

1.Nersury Pot Technique

Coir dust was use as nursery mediumThe medium was sterilized before use.Used a pots that provides the suitable condition for seed germinationPots were filled with coir dust and use polythene trips for bottom levelplace the pots in shallow containers that is filled with water

2.Sponge Nursery Technique2.5 cm cube sponge blocks were used for this method Seeds were places at the center in a cut made on the topside of the sponge block.The sponge blocks were placed in shallow containers that is filled with water

Hydroponics Structures

Planting materials use for hydroponics structures

Mukunuwenna- 10 12 cm long semi hardwood or hardwood stem cuttings.Kang Kong- 20 cm long semi-hardwood cuttings with 3-4 nodes.Lettuce and cabbage seedlings

Root Dipping Technique method

Procedure:1.Styrofoam boxes were selected as container2. A black plastic sheet of at least 0.15 mmthickness was place as lining inside the boxes to leakage and to reduce the light3.plants are grown in small pots filled with coir dust4.Container was filled with albert solution and make a hole in board for areation and refill the solution 5. The planting pots were also fixed to this board

1.Styrofoam box method

Boards with holes to cover the box and to which pots are fixedContainer with black polythene lining

2.Capillary Action Technique1.Planting pots with holes at the bottom were used. 2.these pots were with coir dust medium 3.These pots were placed in shallow containers filled with the nutrient solution.4. Nutrient solution reaches inert medium by capillary action Aeration is very important in this technique. Therefore, old coir dust mixed with sand or gravel can be used. Procedure:

3.Using mega bottles

1.Bottle was cut into 2 halves.2.Albert solution was filled to the bottom part of the bottle.3.Upper part was placed downward inside the bottom part.4.Kankun was grown inside the bottle.Procedure :

4.Using PVC tube

Some holes were made in PVC tube.

An end cap in one side and other side there is polythene cover.

Albert solution was filled into the tube.

Yoghurt cups with plants were placed in those holes.

Advantages of Hydroponics

Land is not necessary. It can be practiced even upstairs, open spaces Clean working environment. The grower will not have any direct contact with soil. No need of making beds, weeding, watering, etc. Continuous cultivation is possible. No soil borne diseases or nematode damage. Off-season production is possible. Vegetable cultivation can be done with leisure sense. Higher yields possible with correct management practices.

Limitations of Hydroponics /Soil-less Culture Higher initial capital expenditure.Considering the significantly high cost The soil-less culture is limited to high value crops of the area of cultivation. A large-scale cultivator may have to purchase instruments to measure pH and Ec of the nutrient solution.Energy inputs are necessary to run the system.

Group Members:

M.M.B.S SILVA UWU/EAG/13/0035P.I SASANKA UWU/EAG/13/0035

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