Effect of Fluid Mechanics System in Growth of Vegetable Crops using Hydroponics Technique Compared to Conventional System

Abstract

Hydroponic techniques have major advancements in the recent years compared to Conventional Systems. The flow pattern of fluid used in hydroponic system in a cultivation container affects the growth of plants. Vegetables such as Strawberry, Basil, Cauliflower, Tomato, Spinach and Radish saplings were grown in soil and soilless methods to compare the growth, yield and nutritional value. As for the conventional system, the plants were grown in soil and for hydroponic system Nutrient Film Technique, Deep Water Culture and Wick Systems were used to cultivate plants. On the completion of the growth of the plants, the samples were analysed in laboratory for biochemical analyses. The total yield of Strawberry was 46.5% and tomato with 42.05% in Hydroponics system compared to soil system, whereas in Biochemical analysis Cauliflower gave 10.02% higher results. Chlorophyll content in Basil was observed to be 0.15mg/g and Spinach with 0.04 mg/g which was different from other corresponding results. The commercially harvested root of radish showed a total growth of 22.4 cm in the hydroponic system. The root and shoot lengths had significantly better results in Hydroponic system. Nutritionally, there were not many differences in few aspects whereas the hydroponically grown plants had better qualitative results. It was evident by the obtained results that, the hydroponically grown plants had better results when compared to the plants that were grown conventionally and the fluid flow patterns could also affect the productivity in the hydroponics system.