Major types of hydroponics systems are Aggregate Systems, Deep Water Culture (DWC) Systems, Aeroponics and Drip System of Hydroponics.

Aggregate Systems

Aggregate system of hydroponics makes use of aggregates or solid growing media to provide support to the root systems of growing plants. Growing media that are generally used are rockwool, perlite or expanded clay pebbles.

In a simple aggregate system, a tray filled with a growing medium is used for planting seedlings and/or clones. This plant tray is connected to a reservoir tank filled with nutrient solution. A water pump is attached to the reservoir tank to inject the nutrient solution from the tank to the plant tray. Plant tray and reservoir tank are connected in such a way that nutrient solution is directly pumped to the root zone of the growing seedlings. Nutrient solution is pumped until the aggregate growing medium that holds the plant roots is saturated with nutrient solution. At this saturation point, the growing medium is no more flooded with the nutrient solution but left undisturbed for a few hours until the excess solution is drained out. Proper drainage is necessary for the roots to have proper aeration. After the draining process, the growing medium is again flooded with nutrient solution. This flood and drain process is repeated at regular intervals.

Ebb and Flow Hydroponics

A popular aggregate hydroponics system is Ebb and Flow (Flood and Drain) System. Most of the Ebb and Flow systems are recirculation hydroponics systems as the nutrient solution drained from the growing media is recycled or recirculated through the growing system again and again. One of the disadvantages of recirculation hydroponics is that pH levels of the nutrient solution tend to be unstable due to the recirculation process and hence constant pH monitoring is required.

Deep Water Culture (DWC) Systems

DWC systems use only water culture or nutrient solution to grow the plants. These systems do not use any aggregate growing media as plant root support system. The plant roots are totally suspended in the nutrient solution. A tray made of plastic or Styrofoam boards or similar materials that float on the surface of the solution is used to support the plant above the solution. Holes are provided on the tray so that the roots are inserted into the solution while the shoots stand on the tray growing upwards. In DWC systems, the nutrient solution needs to be aerated or bubbled continuously by using an air pump and air stone. Nutrient solution should be changed regularly and kept at constant level in the reservoir tank. Best examples of popular DWC systems are Nutrient Film Technology (NFT) and BubblePonics.

NFT Hydroponics

NFT is one of the most popular water culture hydroponics systems used for growing herbaceous plants and leafy vegetables such as lettuce.

BubblePonics

BubblePonics or bubble hydroponics is water culture hydroponics where constant oxygenation or aeration of the plant root zones is required for the healthy growth of the plants.

Aeroponics

Aeroponics is a DWC system where plant roots are suspended in a nutrient mist supplied directly to the plant roots by vaporizers.

Drip System

Drip system of hydroponics is similar to an ebb and flow system in operation but the major difference is that the nutrient solution is not flooded to the plant root zone instead provided to the plants by using a controlled dripping mechanism.

We regularly publish informative videos on various “Food, Agriculture, Gardening and Horticulture” topics. You may view these videos here…

You may also check out our Digital Publishing Services for Food, Agriculture, Gardening and Horticulture Sector by visiting this link