HYDROPONICS FARMING TECHNOLOGY- A SKILLING PROGRAM TRAINING MANUAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Ministry of Agriculture and Forests Royal Government of Bhutan March 2021 Developed by: Sl.# Name Designation Agency 1 Mr.Wangda Dukpa Chief Agriculture Agriculture Research & Extension Officer Division, DoA, Thimphu 2 Dr. Tshering Penjor Specialist Agriculture Research & Development Center, Wengkhar, DoA. 3 Mr.Suraj Chettri Principal Soil Fertility National Soil Service Center, and Nutrition Officer Semtokha, DoA. 4 Mr.Tshering Deputy Chief Agriculture Research & Extension Tobgay Agriculture Officer Division, DoA,Thimphu. 5 Mr.Tashi Sr. Laboratory Officer National Soil Service Center, Wangchuk Semtokha, DoA. 6 Ms.Ugyen Wangmo Horticulture Officer National Centre for Organic Agriculture,Yusipang,DoA 7 Ms.Thinley Choden Horticulture Officer National Centre for Organic Agriculture,Yusipang,DoA 8 Mr.Kinlay Tshering Soil Fertility & Plant Agriculture Research & Development Nutrition Officer Center, Bajo, DoA. 9 Ms.Karma Horticulture Officer Agriculture Research & Development Yangzom Center, Wengkhar, DoA. 10 Ms.Pema Tshoki Plant Protection Officer National Plant Protection Center, Semtokha,DoA. 11 Ms.Dorji Wangmo Senior Agriculture Agriculture Research & Development Supervisor Center, Wengkhar, DoA. 12 Ms.Tshering Dema Senior Agriculture Agriculture Research & Development Supervisor Center, Bajo, DoA. Copyright © Department of Agriculture Published by: Agriculture Research & Extension Division Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Thimphu, Bhutan. i Table of Contents 1 PRINCIPLES AND CONCEPTS OF HYDROPONICS TECHNOLOGY ......................................... 1 1.1 Background ................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 What is hydroponics? .................................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Why go for hydroponics? .............................................................................................................. 2 1.4 Challenges of hydroponics ............................................................................................................ 2 1.5 Basic components of hydroponics systems ................................................................................... 2 1.6 Requirements for crop growth and development .......................................................................... 3 1.7 Types of hydroponics system ........................................................................................................ 4 1.7.1 Based on use of medium ....................................................................................................... 4 1.7.2 Based on growing techniques ............................................................................................... 7 1.7.3 Based on nutrient solution use ............................................................................................ 11 1.7.4 Based on nutrient solution distribution ............................................................................... 13 1.7.5 Based on space utilization ................................................................................................... 13 1.8 Suitable crops for hydroponics ................................................................................................... 14 1.9 Companion cropping ................................................................................................................... 14 1.10 Nursery ........................................................................................................................................ 15 1.11 Transplanting seedlings in hydroponics system .......................................................................... 15 1.12 Harvesting ................................................................................................................................... 16 2 PLANT NUTRIENT SOLUTIONS .................................................................................................... 17 2.1 What is Plant Nutrition? .............................................................................................................. 17 2.2 Functions of macronutrients........................................................................................................ 18 2.3 Functions of beneficial nutrients ................................................................................................. 18 2.4 Types of nutrient solutions .......................................................................................................... 19 2.4.1 Inorganic based ................................................................................................................... 19 2.4.2 Organic based ...................................................................................................................... 21 2.5 Water quality, pH & EC/TDS required for crops and its importance ......................................... 22 2.6 Preparation of nutrient stock solutions ........................................................................................ 24 2.6.1 Commercial products (premix) ........................................................................................... 24 2.6.2 Formulated nutrients ........................................................................................................... 24 2.6.3 Inorganic formulation ......................................................................................................... 25 2.6.4 Organic solutions ................................................................................................................ 25 3 PEST, DISEASE AND WEED MANAGEMENT ............................................................................. 27 3.1 Pest, disease and weed management in hydroponics system ...................................................... 27 3.2 Common insect pests in hydroponics .......................................................................................... 27 3.3 Common insect pest management practices ............................................................................... 29 3.4 Use of organic and inorganic pesticides...................................................................................... 30 3.5 Common diseases in hydroponics ............................................................................................... 30 3.6 Common disease management practices ..................................................................................... 32 3.7 Common weeds in hydroponics system ...................................................................................... 33 3.8 Common weed management practices ........................................................................................ 33 4 PROTECTED HYDROPONICS STRUCTURES .............................................................................. 34 4.1 Protected structures for hydroponics cultivation technology ...................................................... 34 4.2 Greenhouse ................................................................................................................................. 34 4.2.1 Prefabricated Greenhouse for hydroponics ......................................................................... 35 4.2.2 Fabricated greenhouse for hydroponics .............................................................................. 36 4.3 Construction of different hydroponic techniques ........................................................................ 37 4.3.1 Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) .......................................................................................... 37 4.3.2 Deep Water Culture (DWC) ............................................................................................... 38 4.3.3 Drip System ........................................................................................................................ 40 4.3.4 Sprinkler based vertical tower system................................................................................. 43 4.3.5 Ebb and flow (flood and drain) ........................................................................................... 44 4.4 General tools/equipment required ............................................................................................... 46 4.5 Maintenance of hydroponics structure ........................................................................................ 46 5 AUTOMATION OF PROTECTED CULTIVATION TECHNOLOGY ........................................... 47 5.1 Why we need automation in the hydroponics? ........................................................................... 47 5.2 Devices and equipment used in hydroponics automation ........................................................... 47 5.2.1 Sensor .................................................................................................................................. 47 5.2.2 Actuators ............................................................................................................................. 53 5.2.3 Hydroponics controlling Device ......................................................................................... 59 5.2.4 Configuration of Locally developed hydroponics controlling device: ................................ 59 SESSION-1(3 Days Programs) (Trainers: Ms.Tshering Dema & Mr.Kinley