NFT system or the nutrient film technique is one of the most versatile and popular hydroponics systems. You will find it to be similar to the Ebb and Flow system, which is another hydroponics system. Both the systems work on a similar principle. You may be wondering, what? Well, that is what we are about to let you know.  Thus, moving ahead, both systems use a pump for delivering aerated and fertilized water to a growth tray. There is also a drain pipe for recycling unused solutions rich in nutrients.

The only difference: In NFT, the nutrient-laden solution flows continuously over the plant’s roots. You accomplish this step with the help of gravity.

NFT System : The Set-Up and Design

By now, you know that NFT comprises a system in which you place the plants in respective containers in a growth tray. This tray is separated from the tank reservoir. For this system, you fix the grow tray in a slanted position. It is slightly slanted, but the mild slant facilitates the constant flow of nutrients across the tray’s bottom. You will find a thin nutrient solution film that gets created and flows over the roots of the plants.

Thing to know: The nutrient solution drains back into the reservoir tank, where an air stone oxygenates the reservoir water.

Thing to do: Oxygenating the reservoir solution is a must because the NFT system requires lesser maintenance and oversight than other techniques.

NFT System : How To Build One?

There are more ways than one to design an NFT system. Every design depends on the space you possess and the plants you desire to grow, besides other concerns. However, every system must have the following:

Hydroponics Nutrients

You need a nutrient solution that includes manganese, iron, sulfur, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen. The others include zinc, nickel, chlorine, boron, and zinc.

NFT Channels

The NFT system uses NFT channels or tubes rather than trays. These channels help in housing the growing media and plants. You can opt for the UPVC pipes mainly because you can buy them easily. With net pots and a hole saw, you are good to go.

Pro tip: When buying or building an NFT system, it is essential to consider the channels’ length. Extremely long channels can be detrimental because plants lying closest to the water source will get a lot of nutrients. And, the plants at the end will get the least.

Water Pump

Make sure that the water pump is a simple one for your small system. Regardless of whether you are going to have a large-scale production or a commercial one, you need a heavy-duty pump.

Airline Tubing

For the tubing, you must get a dark or a black one. Remember to NOT get a clear one as clear tubing incites algae growth. It will be no fun to deal with such growth within your tube.

Thing to know: Opt for airline tubing, which will not give you any headache. Keep in mind that there is no such difference in quality or price.

Air Stone

You need an air stone to create tiny oxygen bubbles in the hydroponics tank. These bubbles will disperse the dissolved oxygen more widely all through the system. Later, the air pump will push the oxygen bubbles through the system.

Air Pump

You need an air pump for oxygenating the reservoir’s water. NFT lets in lots of air in the tubes and channels, and thus, it is crucial.

Reservoir

You need a high-quality reservoir to have a rock-solid nutrient film system. If you are choosing a plastic reservoir, then use plastic that is gardening-safe.

Growing Medium

 Growing medium is a material, other than soil on the spot, in which plants are grown such as net pot.

How Does The NFT System grow plants?

NFT or the nutrient film technique, is a hydroponics system that farmers use to grow all kinds of crops. This method is quite popular amidst home hydroponics and commercial farmers for multiple reasons. For one thing, it works astonishingly well! That is because the nutrient water is not recaptured or released in intervals; rather it flows constantly through channels.

In this system, crops sit on an enclosed channel’s small openings, also called trays. Pumps help to push the nutrient water from the reservoir into the channels. Since the channels are placed at an angle, gravity attracts the water down through the drain. The water goes back into the reservoir from the same drain so that it can be used again.

Thing to know: Very little water gets released through trays, otherwise, the roots may end up drowning or rotting.

Parting thoughts Of NFT System

NFT is perfect for lightweight plants that require less support. Thus, you can grow as many leafy greens as you want. You can also grow perennial plants like strawberries, kale, lettuce, etc. This system is an active one, meaning it uses moving parts to function, for example, pumps. The best thing is that the thin film of nutrient water permits the plants to be well-watered and not soaked. The thinness keeps the roots dry and yet allows access to O2 in the air. If you are thinking of NFT, then we say go for it because it allows for low nutrient and water consumption, besides minimizing the risks of localized groundwater contamination.

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This system will control variables like light, nutrient concentration, carbon dioxide, humidity, and temperature. The best part about CEA is that it uses simple low-tech and hi-tech systems. Now, let us all find out what the different CEA types and the 9 benefits of protective cultivation to know CEA even better.

Various CEA forms are listed down below:

Aquaponics

This one is a combination of aquaculture and hydroponics. Water is re-circulated and water from the aquatic organisms is utilized for the growth of plants.

Vertical Farming

A crop production technique that makes use of vertical space is called vertical farming. You can stack the plants in tall towers or horizontally. This farming style is excellent for small spaces like high-density spaces and shipping containers as you require less land for cultivation.

Hydroponics

This method is one of the best ways to grow plants using water rich in nutrients and without soil. You basically submerge the roots in the water directly in a growth medium.

Protected Cultivation / Cropping

Protected cropping is a type of CEA. In this method, you can grow crops outdoors with protection against elements like canopies, tunnel houses, and beneath hoop houses.

Here are the benefits of protected cultivation :

1.Production of genetically better and disease-free transplants

Protected farming is associated with uniform, healthy and disease-free plant material. This planting material presents better hardening and enhanced germination percentages. That is because disease-free, clean and inert substrate is used all through the world to produce greenhouse cucumbers and tomatoes. You can be completely assured of genetically better transplants that are free of diseases.

Fact to know: the frame of the structure used in protected cultivation safeguards the different crops from several damaging factors. These include chemical and physical deterioration, climate moisture, soil, snow, rain and wind.

2. Produce fruit crops, vegetables and flowers all year round

There is nothing called off season in protected cultivation. Thus, that means that this farming method is a lot more rewarding economically. You can grow veggies and fruits even in the off season. Net-houses, walk-in tunnels and shade have made possible year-round production of veggies.

Fact to know: Are you worried that about not getting tomatoes, summer squash or cucumbers in the winters? It is time to stop worrying and start filling your big shoppers. That is because, everything from tomatoes to okras are now available with protected cultivation.

3. Higher crop yield and enhanced productivity

Techniques of protected cultivation increase the crop yield. Do you know how? Higher density of plants by close planting increases yields of veggies and fruits tremendously

you are controlling the micro climate surrounding the body of the plant fully or partially as per the requirement of plant species. Like for instance, if you use low plastic tunnels early nurseries of flowering annuals and veggies can be increased.

4. Promotes quality and high value horticultural produce

With protected cultivation you can always expect high value horticultural produce of cherries, capsicum and muskmelons. If you are wondering how then the credit goes to the net houses. These houses make help in reducing the adverse effects of rains, and scorching sun in herbs, ornamentals and veggies.

Fact to know: If you are a fan of colored capsicums then there is nothing like protective cultivation for growing the cool season crop. In just 4-5 months you can get 20-40 tons of colored bell peppers. The insect-free net houses ensure virus-free cultivation.

5. Minimizes the use of pesticides

Protected cultivation encompasses a sustainable approach. The poly house helps in changing the micro climate hence certain insects cannot enter.

Fact to know: Insects that get attracted because of UV light cannot enter because of the opaque UV covering. Consequently, there is minimum use of pesticides and insecticides.

6. Enhances productivity per unit area

With perfect plant environment control and appropriate structures like glasshouse, you can expect year-round cultivation.

Fact to know: with protected cultivation you can have 25-100 percent productivity. And, in some cases, even more.

7. Minimum infestation by weeds and efficient use of water

Protected cultivation prevents the growth of weeds as you control the temperature conditions by using several structures. These can be low tunnels, shade net house, polyhouse and a greenhouse. With no weed growth there is higher uptake of micro-nutrients by the active zone of the roots. This process conserves soil moisture and thereby reduces the requirement of irrigation water.

Fact to know: protected cultivation acts a smart barrier to soil pathogens thus you can never find any weed growth in your crops.

8. No abiotic or biotic stress to plants

As you may know, plants are sessile. They cannot escape any kind of biotic or abiotic stresses. Biotic stresses are caused by living organisms like fungi, weed and abiotic stress is linked with the environment’s physiographic, edaphic and climatic conditions. However, protected cultivation is one such cropping technique that preserves plants from all kinds of stresses.

Fact to know: A controlled environment saves the crops from insects that love UV or harsh climatic conditions. Hence, you can enjoy an year-round cultivation besides off-season crop production as well.

9. Grow medicinal and rare plants

Protected cultivation lets you modify the natural environment thus you can achieve optimum growth of plants. You can make modifications both in the root and aerial environment hence the crop yields increase. This means a greenhouse technique like protected cultivation will let you cultivate a wide variety of herbs/orchids and other medicinal plants.

Protected cultivation : The best open field production?

Protected cultivation is enabling cultivators to produce several folds of great quality veggies and fruits. You can forget about climatic and biological constraints. It is all about skillfully adopting the needful practices with exactness and you can grow your own crop, come what may!

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Hydroponics can be defined as ‘Growing plants in water smart solutions in place of soil, meaning: soil-less cultivation of plants’. Here, soil does not serve as an anchor to the plants; the roots are brought in direct contact with the nutrient medium. The plants are provided with enormous oxygen in order to fasten the growth of the plants. And this characteristic of hydroponics, that is, quick growth of plants serves as the most remarkable benefit for adoption. This cultivation offers various other advantages over the traditional method which are as follows.

• Uses scientific and calculated methods for growing crops.
• Considers the specific requirements of single plant.
• Controls the nutrition profile of the plant.
• Eliminates use of pesticides.
• Hydroponic farms are located near large cities, providing the consumers with fresh produce.
• Eliminates all soil-borne pests due to its characteristic of soil-less nature
• Use of high quality, pre-treated purified water, the produce is safe for consumption in every single way.
• Offers completely residue-free produce to the consumers.

There are various types of hydroponics systems available based on ease of setting-up, of which seven are commonly used commercially. These systems are:

1. Wick System

Wick system remains the simplest system of hydroponic production technology that can be used to grow plants; it can be practically used by anyone. The wick system eliminates the use of aerators, pumps, or electricity. It can be said that it is the only hydroponic system that doesn’t require the use of electricity. The plants are placed directly in an absorbent substance such as perlite, vermiculite etc. Nylon wicks are used to cover the plant before being sent into the nutrient solution. This system is best for small garden plants and herbs. Plants requiring comparatively less water requirement is grown using this system.

2. Deep Water Culture

Deep water culture system is a simple hydroponic system that places the plant directly in the nutrient solution. This system makes use of diffuser or air stone to pump oxygen into the nutrient medium.

The best part of this system is that the plant roots are directly in touch with the nutrient medium making easy absorption of nutrients by the plants resulting in quick growth. The system is suitable for any kind of plant irrespective of their size.

3. Recirculating Deep Water System

Recirculating deep water system covers the shortcomings of the traditional or normal system. This system doesn’t drain out the nutrient solution, meaning , the solution keeps on circulating throughout the structure. Buckets or containers used are linked to a large central reservoir and the nutrient media is circulated from one bucket to another. The system requires simple addition of water, oxygen followed by calibration of the reservoir.

4. N.F.T. (Nutrient Film Technology)

NFT is the widely used measurable method of hydroponics system and it consist of tubes of channels arranged side by side in rows.It includes a large central reservoir containing nutrient solution from where the contents are pumped into slightly slanted channels. This helps in the flow back of excess solution into the reservoir. The nutrient solution flows over the roots of each plant, thereby providing required amount of nutrients.

The system is usually used in the cultivation of lettuce and it gives best results for light-weight, fast growing crops.

• Flat Bed NFT System

In this type of NFT, the channel is placed parallel to each other with same elevation from the ground.

• A Frame System

In this type, the channels are arranged in a structure resembling ‘A’ where plants are placed in channels one upon the other. This system accommodates more plants than flat bed type at same space.

5. Ebb and Flow (Flood and Drain)

The Ebb and Flow system is mostly used for home gardens. Here, the plants are kept in large grow beds made of growth medium like rockwool or perlite. After planting, the grow bed is flooded with nutrient-rich solution till the solution reaches a few inches below the top layer of bed preventing the overflow of the solution.

The water pump is fitted with a timer which ensures switching on and off of the pump at regular intervals. After flooding the bed with nutrient solution, the water is

drained out from the bed reverting it back into the pump. This system is applicable to almost all types of crops including root crops.

6. Drip Systems

Drip systems are highly effective and easy-to-use hydroponic systems that are capable of making alterations suiting different types of plants. Here, the nutrient media is circulated to a drip system and is pumped into a tube which directs the solution to the plant base. A drip emitter placed at the end of each tube which controls the amount of solution supplied to the plant. The flow of the solution can be adjusted according to individual plant requirements.

Drip systems can be of circulating or re-circulating type. Circulating systems drip almost constantly and extra solution will be sent back into the reservoir. Due to possibility of alteration, these systems are used to grow any plant.

7. Dutch Bucket System

In Dutch Bucket system, plants are lined in a row placed in buckets with 1-2plants in one bucket. Drip hoses connected to the water line which runs throughout the length of the system from the water pump are placed at each plant using drip emitters, creating a constant drip.

The system is especially useful for the cultivation of vine plants as well as large plants.

8. Vertical Hydroponic System

Here, the plants are grown in stacks or towers. A single tower can easily hold dozens of plants, stacked one on top of the other, and all being fed nutrients through the same system. In this method farms take up 99% less land, making them easier fit in greenhouses.

In vertical hydroponic systems up to 90 percent water is saved effectively. The closed system prevents draining and indoor cultivation in greenhouses can reduce pests, diseases, and issues related to fickle weather. The system could use natural light or LED lights in a greenhouse.

Conclusion

The technology of Hydroponics put forward a bright The future for crop cultivation which at present, is facing various challenges including pest resurgence, pesticide resistance, poor soil fertility, desertification, unavailability of water for irrigation and degraded arable land. The most notable problem faced by the farming community is the ever changing and unpredictable weather. Taking all these concerns into account, the all in one solution remains the adoption of hydroponics since the crops in here are grown in controlled, soil- less environment eliminating the chances of climatic challenges, pest attack (soil-borne) and unavailability of land. The technology could also reduce the incidences of soil and water pollution to a large extend. This system also is proven to be highly efficient in saving water, thus giving new dimensions to farming, revolutionizing the conventional ideology of agriculture.  

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