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Nutrient Film Technique for Commercial

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Article in Agricultural Science Research Journal November 2016

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Agricultural Science Research Journal Vol. 6(11): 269 274, November 2016
Available online at http://resjournals.com/journals/agricultural-science-research-journal.html
ISSN: 2026 6073 2016 International Research Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Nutrient Film Technique for Commercial Production

*Stephanie B Mohammed1 and Rakesh Sookoo2
1
Department of Pre-clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Trinidad.
2
Iere Group International, Trinidad.

Email: Iereconcepts@gmail.com

*Corresponding Author's Email: Stephanie.Mohammed@sta.uwi.edu, Phone: 868-795-5950

Abstract

This article describes the highlights of two years of hydroponic (ice-berg lettuce and celery) research conducted
at Iere Village Branch Road Princes Town, Trinidad. The nutrient film technique was used for experimentation.
The variable factors were the nutrient content, pH, EC, oxygen exposure and algae growth. A model hydroponic
greenhouse was designed to stimulate hydroponic lettuce and celery production in a semi-controlled
environment with shade covering of luscious green trees to test the economic feasibility of such a highly
advanced growing operation for a small yet densely populated country. The findings suggest that through
experimentation and proper testing of pH and EC the nutrient content can be administered adequately in order to
produce maximum growth. A model system such as this can be expanded to address the global food security
issues faced.

Keywords: Hydroponics, NFT, lettuce, celery

Introduction nutrients and lower concentration of nutrients required as

Hydroponics is referred to as the science of growing
plants without the use of soil. This form of agriculture uses
an aerated water-enriched nutrient solution and a form of
mechanical support of inert medium. The medium can be
an inorganic substance such as gravel, perlite or rock
wool or it can be of an organic substance such as coconut
fiber, peat moss or pine bark (1).
This form of soilless culture has been shown to be
th
dated back since the 18 century and is believed to have
been in existence prior to that period (2). There are many
forms of hydroponics such as nutrient film technique
(NFT), drip system, aeroponics, Ebb Flow, water culture,
wick system and the list continues as different designs
emerge and are renamed.
The overall advantages of this culture includes: no
need for soil contaminated with diseases; labor for field
management is reduced or eliminated; economically
feasible system with high yields; water conservation;
elimination of soil borne plant diseases; better control of
there are no losses of nutrients from leaching.
However there are few disadvantages associated such
as the cost of systems for design and location, the need
for trained personnel and the rapid spread of a disease
once it enters the system (1, 3).
In this study we focus mainly on the NFT system. In
this system the plant roots are suspended in channels
called gullies where a thin film of nutrient solution passes
through thus keeping the roots moist but not logged. The
nutrients are mixed accordingly in a primary reservoir from
which it flows through the system continuously feeding the
plants at a rate of 1 litre per minute. The system can be
adjusted with automation for aeration (4).
The main principle of the NFT is the principle by which
nutrient solutions are recirculated for crop production. The
system is widely adjusted for a variety of crop production
(5) and is ideal for short term crops such as lettuce, leafy
crops and herbs. Larger NFT systems are adaptive for
long term crop production such as cucumbers and
tomatoes (4, 5). This makes hydroponics economically
269
attractive and with such outstanding advantages it is ideal
for protection of degradation of natural resources which
makes the culture efficient to countries.
In the mainland of China, hydroponics has been
introduced to maintain a good production environment (6).
It has also become increasingly popular in the United
States, Canada, Western Europe and Japan where the
people are highly conservative and protective of their
environment (7).
Additionally in Pakistan there has been a great
challenge to increase food production while maintaining
the ecosystem stability and rehabilitation of the
environment. Hydroponics was therefore implemented as
the most ideal solution for overcoming the problem (4).
Overall there has been growing awareness on the
environment and ecosystem in terms of the agriculture
industry. Hydroponics has been active in the country of
Trinidad where the climate is more of a temperate region.
In this study we investigate a conceptual design for an
inexpensive and simple system to test the productivity of
agriculture production.
Figure 1: Schematic diagram of pvc layout
The size of the system was 18 8 meters (m) and
consisted of 100 number of pvc guttering length 3 m with
depth of 0.1 m. Each gutter was covered with 0.2 m pvc
strips and 0.05 m diameter holes were drilled 0.25 m
apart. A reservoir with capacity to hold 500 gallons of
nutrient solution was constructed to feed the system via
0.03 m pvc pipes. The entire system was covered with
ultra violet clear greenhouse plastic.
Lettuce (iceberg) and celery seedlings were then
placed in the net pots as seen in Figure 2 with pro-mix
medium and inserted in the guttering spaces. They were
Materials/ Methods
A semi-closed NFT hydroponic system was designed by
the investigator and funded and constructed by the Iere
Group International located at Iere Village Branch Road
Princes Town, Trinidad. The climate was sunny from
January to June for both years and rainy for the later
parts. There were luscious green trees surrounding the
system and housing to the north and east of the system.
The opening of the greenhouse was from east to west.
The design of the system can be seen in Figure 1.
staged in four sections one week apart. A solution
containing the required macro and micro nutrients were
then mixed and placed in the reservoir as seen in Figure
3. A valve was then turned on in which an electric
submersible pump transferred the nutrient solution
throughout the system. The solution was fed through tiny
holes in the pvc pipes overhead the guttering and was
allowed to re-circulate continuously as seen in Figure 4
from the reservoir to the guttering and back to the
reservoir with only a small film of water in contact with the
roots.
270
 Figure 2: showing reservoir with nutrient solution

Figure 3: Showing the recirculation of nutrient in the pvc

Figure 4: Showing the size of net pot submerged in the gutter

The system was locked off for 2 hour daily on mornings
and afternoons from the period of 6am to 7am and 6pm to
7pm for proper aeration of the roots. The pH and EC were
recorded daily to ensure the salinity and concentrations of
ions were adequate.
Results
The production of ice-berg lettuce and celery as seen in
Figure 5.0 was abundant within a three weeks period with
the formula of 1.36 kg hydropal, 1.13 kg Calcium Nitrate
(Ca(NO).4HO), 0.68 kg Magnesium Sulphate
(MgSO.7HO), 0.25 kg Iron Chelate (Fe-EDTA) and 1
bottle of kasanic in 100, 000 cm of water. However the
nutrient hydropal and Calcium Nitrate was added every
other day to help with adjusting the pH. Additionally
Magnesium Sulphate was added every 3 days. Each
nutrient was dissolved thoroughly before adding to the
reservoir so as to reduce reactions among chemicals.
271
 Figure 5: Showing the production of lettuce in the greenhouse

The average pH used for proper growth was 5.5 - 6.5 and
EC of 2.2 for the entire leafy crop. One hundred lettuce
heads were harvested weekly, washed and packaged
properly in containers with proper bar code and label
before being sent to the supermarkets in Trinidad. Each
lettuce had height of 0.23 m and width of 0.25 as seen in
Figure 6. Some of the lettuce even grew upwards. The
shelf life of the lettuce was equivalent to a month in a
refrigerator 4 C. The price of each was sold for $12 TT
because of the packaging.

Figure 6: Showing the size of lettuce if left to grow upwards

The celery grew till 0.38 as seen in Figure 7 but was kept for homemade use in the kitchen.

272
 Figure 7: Showing the size celery grows in the NFT system

The main factors that were considered in the commercial transportation. However, the cost of operations for a 18
production were purchasing of seedlings, chemicals, 8 m commercial NFT hydroponic system was found to
containers and proper labeled codes. Other factors have increased due to expenses for packaging and
included workmen, insurances and vehicular vehicular transportation as seen in Figure 8.

Figure 8: Showing the expenditure of the proposed system

The production rate was affected by a few complications.
A major downfall that affected the growth of lettuce was
the growth of algae in the guttering which was solved by
the use of chlorination or 10% hydrogen peroxide.
Ceroscopora which is brown spots was also observed to
occur at times in which a copper based fungicide was
sprayed to reduce and eliminate the spots. Additionally
bachac (leaf cutting ants) occasionally fed on the leaves
thus leaving it jagged and edged.
Discussion
Ice-berg lettuce and celery can be successfully grown
within a period of three weeks in a semi-controlled
environment in 2 net pots containing pro-mix or even a
273
non-supporting medium as can be seen from this system. however much simpler than that. A hydroponic system can
Generally pro-mix is readily available and affordable which be set up with zero dollars to the use of millions of dollars.
is best suited for plant development from the seedling It all depends on you as the individual and your design.
stage for commercial production. I wish to recommend a system such as this as it
The feasibility of a small system much less a bigger reduces the price margins at the local markets and
growing operation for a small yet densely populated supermarkets, enhancing a sustainable future for feeding
country can be very successful and promising for feeding a nation where the import is higher than the export.
a nation. One of the main goals of this research was to
develop the true potential growth of leafy vegetables, of Conclusion
longer shelf life and reduced cost. Continuous and rapid
production was made possible year round with the control The practice of the nutrient film technique can be very
of roots exposure to nutrient content, oxygen availability, promising for a country where there are limited land
use of insecticide and algae growth. resources.
One of the major challenges expected was weather
disturbances but from experimentation it showed that the References
control of roots exposure to the requirements needed such
as nutrient content and oxygen availability especially in Benton J and Jones Jr (2005). Hydroponics: A Practical guide for
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the rainy season must be controlled for maximum and soilless grower. CRC Press 2 Edition. 1-28.
continuous production. Benton J and Jones Jr (1982). Hydroponics: History and use in
The disadvantage of the NFT system is that it requires plant nutrition studies. Journal of plant nutrition. 5(8).
CM Olympios (1999). Overview of soilless culture: Advantages,
complete coverage of all piping systems where the constraints and perspectives for it use in Mediterranean
nutrient solution flows. Algae growth is dominant with even Countries. Cashiers Options Mediterraneans. 31. 307-324.
little exposure to a semi-open environment. Sheikh BA. (2006). Hydroponics: key to sustain agriculture in
Hydroponics is not as difficult and costly as advertised. water stressed and urban environment. Pakistan Journal of
However in order for it to be profitable cost such as Agriculture, Agriculture Engineering and Veterinary Sciences.
packaging and transportation needs to be cut down. 22:53-57.
It is essentially a very simple process which requires all Burrage SW (2006). Nutrient Film Technique in protected
fields of expertise. Agriculturalist, farmers, scientist and cultivation. Acta Hort. 1992:323; 23-38.
engineers are the main persons required to help run an W. J. Jiang, HJ Yu (2006). Twenty years development of soilless
culture in mainland China. In XXVII International Horticultural
efficient system. Hydroponics is the most efficient way of Congress-IHC 2006: Global Horticulture: Diversity and
production for a sustainable market in the near future as it Harmony, an Introduction to IHC.759; 1811-186.
can address numerous of the countless challenges we Jensen MH (1997). Hydroponics Worldwide. Acta Hortic.481;
face on a daily basis in food production. It is suitable for all 719-730.
varieties and classes of fruits and vegetables as
hydroponics is categorized in many different aspects. It is
the most adaptable system for a fast pace, every growing
world.
People who venture into hydroponics have realized its
benefits and potential for both small and large scale
practices. Hydroponics presents as a new era in food
production as tress no longer need to be cut down, men
no longer need to spend countless of hours in the sun
plowing the land, soil borne diseases were eliminated, the
use of pesticides are no longer a major priority and
weather disturbances posed no more treat. This is the
best environment for a better tomorrow. A model such as
this will help to address some of the major food security
issues faced as it is safe, environmentally friendly and
provides sufficient crops with an great quality.
There can be many ups and downs, many crop losses
at first, and many unanswered questions. However, I had
no knowledge of this practice so everything for me was a
test run. But once I eliminated a problem, then I was
happy because now I was becoming closer to the perfect
production system.
My advice to all interested in this practice is to conduct
proper research and after start off with a small and simple
system that is manageable by only one person. It is good
to get advice but be careful as many people are just trying
to market the materials and equipments required. It is
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