Hydroponic systems are possibly the future way to go, as water shortages occur in Pakistan, due to severe climate change. Hydroponics uses 90% less water than traditional farming methods, and production is significantly higher if you understand the right nutrients needed and temperatures for your hydroponic system.
There are many types of hydroponic systems that are suitable for use in Pakistan, the next part of the article will explain these.
Cost Per Acre for Hydroponics in Pakistan
The cost per acre in hydroponics in Pakistan are as follows:
- Nutrients cost vary – about $10-$30 per acre per month
- Pipe Material Cost (one time setup) – $1,000 per Acre, but can be lowered if you can get better deal on PVC pipes.
- Water – cost of water per month will vary, but roughly would be $100 per month, but can be free if you use a water boring system.
Types of Hydroponic Systems
The different types of hydroponic systems include: Aeroponics, Soil-free hydroponics, Wicks systems, and Drip systems. Soil-free hydroponics utilizes organic or non-organic nutrients and coconut fiber. Wicks systems work by capillary action to deliver nutrients to plants. Drip systems use coconut fiber and coconut water as fertilizers. Soil-free hydroponic systems do not need a pump.
Aeroponics is a soil-free hydroponic system
An aeroponics system uses microdroplets of water to provide nutrients to the roots of plants. This system can use less water than hydroponic systems and 95% less water than outdoor farming. Aeroponic systems also do not require the use of rockwool, a fibrous material that is difficult to handle and cannot be recycled. It also reduces the risk of disease outbreaks.
Traditional hydroponic systems have roots submerged in water, and therefore need air pumps to provide sufficient oxygen to the roots. In aeroponic systems, the roots are exposed to the air and are spray misted with nutrient-rich water. Because the roots are suspended in the air, they get all of the oxygen and nutrients they need without any need for soil. Aeroponic systems are highly efficient in increasing yield and reducing cost.
Wicks systems work by capillary action
A wicks system has three main components: a reservoir, grow tray, and aeration system. The grow tray doesn’t use net pots, so the growing medium fills up the entire space. Seedlings are often planted directly into the growing medium. The wick system makes it easy to set up and maintain. Unlike traditional hydroponic systems, wick systems use no pots at all.
Water is taken up by the wick by capillary action. The nutrient solution is then sucked up by the growing media. This process is known as transpiration and results in the plant absorbing the nutrients and water evenly. However, there are a few limitations with this hydroponic system. You must regularly monitor the reservoir level and top up the growing medium as needed. Ideally, you should refilled the reservoir every week, as the nutrients in the growing medium decrease as the plants absorb them.
Soil-free hydroponics use organic or non-organic nutrients
Organic grow media such as coco or clay pebbles is another option. Net pots can hold the root system and nutrients, and a nutrient solution can be used to feed the roots of the plants. Bacteria colonies will form on the grow medium, converting the nutrient solution to a form that the plants can use. The plants will then grow in their net pots, producing a thriving hydroponic crop. You may have to experiment with the amount of nutrients and pH levels to get the perfect mix for your crops.
When choosing between organic and conventional fertilizers, remember that organic nutrients contain higher levels of important trace elements. Organic nutrients are usually better for soil health, and they feed the soil microbiology and boost the presence of Trichoderma. Conventional nutrients, on the other hand, do not contribute to the healthy development of soil. They also require constant applications of fertilizer, and they do not support the growth of beneficial soil microorganisms.
Drip systems use coconut fiber
Drip systems use coconut fiber to grow plants. Coconut coir is a 100% organic media made from coconut husk. It has a great Air to Water ratio. It also contains a combination of fine, medium, and coarse fibers, making it more free-draining and improving water holding capacity. Coco coir is screened, treated, graded, and compressed. When it comes into contact with water, it expands up to four times its original size. It’s lightweight and convenient to use, too.
Drip systems have two basic advantages. They allow excess water to drain back to the reservoir, and they are often used in smaller home-based drip hydroponic systems. However, the wastewater from these systems can cause problems with the pH level of the reservoir water. And they require periodic maintenance. Despite the advantages, they are not suitable for everyone. The most popular type of drip system is the one made from coconut fiber.
Soil-free hydroponics requires a timer
Soil-free hydroponics can be used to grow nearly any type of plant. However, the main components of this system are pumps, nutrient solution, and timer. You will need a timer to maintain the proper balance between the plants and nutrient solution. These components are crucial for hydroponics to work efficiently. Once you have them, the next step is to set the timer and monitor your plants.
When using soil-free hydroponics, you must have a timer so that you can monitor your plants’ growth. If you do not have a timer, you’ll have to manually monitor your plants. This will prevent them from growing too quickly or losing their nutrients. To control the time of day that your plants need to grow, you should set it on a timer.
