Self Regulating Wick Type Zero Energy Hydroponics System for Greenhouse Tomatoes

Abstract

Hydroponics, using an alternate porous media than soil, is a technique to grow vegetables and ornamental plants to achieve high crop yields in less time and space using optimal quantity of water and nutrients. A wick type selfregulating system (zero energy requirement) was developed for hydroponically grown tomatoes to supply water and nutrients to the potted plants placed above the water containers, empty soft drink bottles of 2 l capacity. The capillary action through the double cotton wick wetted the porous media inside the pot providing optimum water and nutrients to the plants without consuming any energy. Tomato seedlings were transplanted in 10 pots of 200 mm diameter on 26th September, 2011. These pots were shifted inside the greenhouse during the first week of December to provide optimum micro-climatic conditions. It was observed that the plants attained a height of 650 mm within 35 days of transplanting. Flowering was witnessed within 50 days of transplanting. The water use capacity by hydroponically grown tomatoes was high as very little water was used as compared to conventionally grown plants. The average total yield from hydroponically grown plants was about 1.15 kg per plant. A small hydroponic system with greenhouse at the roof top in urban areas can help to raise fresh vegetables and flowers at home without using soil.