Are trees able to survive without soil? Typically, the response will be “no”. Plant germination, growth, flowering, and fruiting are all influenced by the soil. Plants draw water, minerals, and other necessary nutrients from the soil. It turns out that plants are unable to perform their essential tasks without soil. But there is a method from the ancient Babylonian civilization, where it is possible to save trees in water. This method is called hydroponic farming.
Hydroponics Farming
Hydroponic Farming is the process of growing crops by adding nutrients to the water. In this process, all the nutrients of the crop are mixed in the solution and the trees are planted there. In some cases, crops are grown hydroponically by planting seedlings in a medium other than soil and spraying them with nutrients. Europe, America, Japan, Taiwan, China, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Middle East countries have been growing vegetables and fruits commercially through hydroponic methods for a long time. Bangladesh is also progressing rapidly in terms of crop production using this method.
Hydroponic Farming Methods
Hydroponic farming requires no production media except during seedling production. In this method, tubs or poly bags are filled with stones, gravel or sponges to produce only seedlings. Later these seedlings are planted in nutrient solution and the crop is cultivated. Second, in media hydroponic farming, plant seedlings are planted in a medium other than soil and applied with a nutrient solution instead of in a solution. Both inorganic and organic media can be used. Sand particles, gravel, or artificial mud are considered inorganic media. In this case sand particles of less than three millimeter radius are used. Nutrients are supplied periodically in gravel culture. Artificial mud is usually planted with ornamental plants. Among the organic materials used are wood powder and rice husk or its ash. Nutrients should also be supplied by dripping method. Thirdly, aeroponics requires continuous or periodic spraying of nutrients at the roots of crops. It is also considered a hydroponic culture as no production media is used here. Some of these amazing methods are implemented in hydroponic farming.
History of Hydroponic Farming in Bangladesh
Vegetables grown on floating beds in the southern part of Bangladesh can be said to be a common form of hydroponic system. The practice of keeping creeping plants in bottles in water on balconies or windows for a long time in our urban areas is also a reflection of hydroponic management. Today, this old concept has been joined by the management of commercial crop production by mixing plant nutrients with water and controlling other environmental influences. Bangladesh started researching hydroponic systems only a few years ago. Scientists of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) first started preliminary research on this method in 1998. It took until 2005 to gain a proper understanding, overall review and experience of the subject. Then in 2006, real research on hydroponic culture began. In the year 2007, the research of a hydroponic system compatible with the climate of Bangladesh started with tomato, capsicum, lettuce and strawberry. Another year later in 2008, it was joined by lemongrass, cucumber, marigold and brinjal. Thus in 2009 dwarf beans, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli and chrysanthemum were also included in the research list. Then in the financial year 2011-12, this institution was able to produce twelve economic crops through hydroponic culture, which has increased to sixteen at present. Research on hydroponic culture is also progressing in various regional centers of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute. Various universities have started research. In addition to research, various government and private organizations have been associated with hydroponic crop cultivation extension activities. Farmers are also interested in this method of farming.
Hydroponic farming is a viable method in the context of Bangladesh. It is possible to make the farmers self-reliant by implementing it, especially in the southern region.
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Writer
Khairul Islam Shovo
Intern,
Content Writing Department
YSSE