2019

HYDROPONIC FARMING
SYSTEM

Turn Potential Into Profit

Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA)

Ministry of Industries and Production (MoI&P)
Government of Pakistan

4th Floor Building No. 3, Aiwan-e-Iqbal Complex, Egerton Road Lahore

www.smeda.org.pk
Phone: (+92 42) 111 111 456
 Hydroponic Farming System 1

Introduction to Hydroponic paving the way for sustainable agricultural

practices. This is of key importance in
Farming regions ranked as having extreme scarcity
of water.

Likewise, the absence of the soil medium

reduces the likelihood of disease which is
another plus factor. Traditional farming
involves the tilling and cultivation of the
soil. Both of these activities are time
consuming and labor-intensive prior to the
Hydroponic farming is a method of actually growing season whereas in
growing plants using mineral nutrient hydroponic farming, neither tilling is
solutions, in water, without soil. In this carried out nor soil is required which
technique, the composition of nutrients in makes it quite less labor intensive and less
time consuming.
the liquid solution used to water the plants
is regulated. Also the rate of supplying the Other advantages of hydroponics are the
nutrients to the plants is adjusted / management of the density of plants and
controlled. the humidity of the growing environment.

It uses the irrigation system whereby crop Types of Hydroponic System:

roots receive a balanced nutrient solution
There are different types of hydroponic
dissolved in water with all the chemical
systems, classified as follows:
elements needed for plant growth, which
can grow directly on the mineral solution, 1. Hydroponic System in Liquid Medium:
otherwise in an inert medium or substrate.
These systems do not have substrates for
Primarily, the hydroponic farmer controls crop development, which are produced
the growing environment of the plants. directly on the water-bearing systems by
Although this system is highly automated various plants as:
but appropriate management is required
 Deep Flow Hydroponics: New
to get optimal production.
Growing System (NGS)
The benefits of Hydroponic Farming:  Floating systems: Floating shelves
 Systems for water depth: Nutrient
A well designed hydroponic system is
Film Technique (NFT)
characterized by less wastage of water and
nutrients than soil-based farms. Both
water and nutrients are fed directly to the
root structure of the plants and recycled
through the hydroponic system. This also
eliminates the typical land and water
pollution possibilities due to overland flow
and runoff, respectively.

Both of the stated aspects provide great

economic benefits by reducing the cost of
cultivation, generating more profits and

Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA)

 Hydroponic Farming System 2

2. Hydroponic Substrate System: The use of hydroponic systems is justified

in cash crops that require high control of
In this system, the produce is grown using
the production process, such as
inert substrates irrigated by drip irrigation,
greenhouse cultivation of Cucurbits,
sub irrigation, or exudation. The most
Tomatoes, Pepper and Strawberry etc.
common substrates are Perlite, Rockwool,
Coconut Fiber and Peat. What to Grow in Hydroponic Farming?
These substrates can be used in different Most vegetables and a number of fruits can
ways and with use of following materials be grown in this system.
depending upon the availability of space
Leafy Vegetables
and design of the farm:
Lettuce grows well in hydroponic
 Crops benches or grooves.
greenhouses, as do many other leafy
 Growing up in a bag.
greens such as chard, spinach and
 Growing in individual containers or cabbage. In fact, any leafy vegetable can be
channels.
grown in hydroponic system. Hydroponic
 Growing surface (sanded). substrate system is used for growing these
vegetables.
Vining Plants
Vining plants such as tomatoes, cucumbers
and peas grow well in hydroponic
conditions, as long as they have ample
support. To provide support, they are
wrapped around a vertically-tied string as
they grow. Peppers will also grow well in a
3. Aeroponic System: hydroponic farm. Aeroponic and
Hydroponic Substrate System is widely
This type of system involves growing of
used for production of these plants.
fruits and vegetables where the roots stay
outdoors, in a container that is kept in the Root Crops
dark, where the nutrient solution is applied
Root crops can grow well in a hydroponic
as an aerosol mist.
greenhouse, and they tend to grow best in
a large container crossed by deep channels
that allow the roots room to grow. For
larger crops such as potatoes, channels
must be 8 inches deep, while for smaller
carrots, 3 inches depth is sufficient.
Aeroponic system is widely used for
production of these crops.

Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA)

 Hydroponic Farming System 3

Fruits Crop N P

Smaller, lighter weight fruiting plants often Leafy Vegetables 190 40

do well in a hydroponic system. A tree can
be started hydroponically, then Vining Plants 200 40
transplanted to the soil once it outgrows Root Plants 190 45
its container. A particularly small fruit tree,
such as a small papaya, may do well in a Fruits 50 25
hydroponic greenhouse. Strawberries and Herbs 170 45
raspberries make excellent hydroponic
plants. Growing strawberries in an A-frame
container, which essentially takes the
shape of the letter "A," maximizes
available space. Aeroponic system is Crop K Ca Mg
widely used for production of fruits. Leafy
310 150 45
Vegetables
Herbs Vining Plants 280 140 140
Root Plants 285 130 40
Basil grows exceptionally well Fruits 150 65 20
hydroponically, and this system may Herbs 285 120 40
dramatically increase its flavor. Chives also
grow especially well hydroponically and
can be planted quite densely. Useful Links:

Mint will grow well in a hydroponic www.smeda.org.pk

greenhouse as well. Numerous other herbs www.pfa.gop.pk
can also be grown hydroponically, www.punjab.gov.pk
including Oregano, Rosemary, Watercress,
www.icid.punjab.gov.pk
Dill, Parsley and Sweet Marjoram.
Hydroponic system based on liquid is https://agrinfobank.com.pk/hydroponic-
mostly used for the growth of these herbs. farming-pakistan-future/
Nutrient Requirements for Optimum www.parc.gov.pk
Growth: www.companylist.org
These are nutrients that plants need to www.pakistanhydroponics.com
absorb in large quantities. They are the
most vital nutrient minerals you must take
Disclaimer:
care of first. Following tables state the
Information provided in this document is
requirements of Nutrients, required for
for general purpose and collected through
optimum growth of fruits, vegetables and secondary data sources. The reader is
herbs. The concentration level of Nitrogen advised to further deliberate on given
(N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), information according to the
Calcium (Ca) and Magnesium (Mg) in mg/l circumstances. SMEDA does not hold any
or in (ppm) is prescribed. liability regarding outcome of the venture
after use of this document.

Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA)