Hydroponic Cultivation and Nursery Plant Viz. Lettuce, Romaine, Lettuce Butterhead, Lettuce Red, Lettuce Lollo Rosso, Kale, Parsley, Bok Choy, Swiss Chard, Rhubarb

HYDROPONIC CULTIVATION AND NURSERY PLANT VIZ. LETTUCE, ROMAINE, LETTUCE BUTTERHEAD, LETTUCE RED, LETTUCE LOLLO ROSSO, KALE, PARSLEY, BOK CHOY, SWISS CHARD, RHUBARB 

[EIRI/EDPR/4666] J.C.: 2883XL

Hydroponics meaning is to growing plants without soil, with the sources of nutrients either a nutrients solution or nutrient-enriched water, and that an inert mechanical root support may or may not be used. The word "Hydroponics" was coined by Dr. W.F. Gericke in 1936 to describe the cultivation of both edible and ornamental plants in a solution of water and dissolved nutrients. The simple meaning is derived from the Greek "Hydro"- meaning water, and "Ponos"- meaning labor. In this method of cultivation, plants are provided with the nutrients required for growth by a “nutrient” solution which is basically nutrient enriched mineral water. This nutrient solution can be circulated around the roots by either the passive force of gravity or the active force of an electromechanical pump. Some systems simply bath the roots in nutrient solution and use an air pump to oxygenate the solution from below to prevent stagnation and provide the roots with important oxygen.

Hydroponics is a method of growing crops without soil. Plants are grown in rows or on trellises, just like in a traditional garden, but they have their roots in water rather than in dirt. Most of us confuse soil with nutrients. In fact, soil provides structure, not the actual food itself, for plant roots. The food comes from other materials mixed in the soil, such as compost, broken-down plant waste or fertilizers. Plants grown hydroponically can actually grow faster and healthier than plants in soil because they don't have to fight soilborne diseases; in addition, all the food and water they need are given directly to their roots around the clock.

Plants grown in a hydroponic system are usually grown in trays that are slightly angled in order to allow the nutrient solution to flow back to the holding tank through gravity. The plants, which are grown without soil, are anchored in the trays with an inert material that is the clay, sand, rock wool, or coco coir. Hydroponic crops should be closely monitored and pruned specifically to produce high yields. Hydroponic crop yields can be up to 100 times higher than conventionally grown plants when things like vertical systems and controlled environment agriculture are taken into account. Hydroponic crops are those varieties that don’t need a lot of space and don’t take an overly long time to grow. Lettuce, tomatoes, and beans are excellent hydroponic crops, as are squash, melons, cucumbers, and leeks.

COST ESTIMATION

Plant Capacity            350 Kg/Day  

Land & Building (4000 sq.mt.)    Rs. 74.00 Lac    

Plant & Machinery                    Rs. 1.08 Cr 

Working Capital for 2 Months    Rs. 16.22 Lac 

Total Capital Investment          Rs. 2.07 Cr 

Rate of Return                          25%

Break Even Point                      62%

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

WHAT IS HYDROPONIC FARMING?

HYDROPONICS YIELD FACTORS

YEAR-ROUND GARDENING MEANS MORE CROPS PER YEAR

HIGHER PLANT DENSITY ALLOWS FOR MORE CROPS PER ACRE

MARKET STATUS IN INDIA

NFT - NUTRIENT FILM TECHNIQUE

IMPORTANT PARAMETERS FOR NFT HYDROPONIC FARM

MARKETING OF PLANTS FROM NURSERIES

TIME OF SALE OF NURSERY PLANTS

PUBLICITY AND ADVERTISEMENT FOR SALE OF NURSERY PLANTS

SPECIFIC IMPORTANCE OF PLANT NURSERY FOR FARMER/ CULTIVATOR

ROLE OF NURSERIES IN HORTICULTURE DEVELOPMENT

PRODUCTION OF GENETICALLY PURE NURSERY STOCK

EXPORT OF NURSERY STOCK

EMPLOYMENT GENERATION

ROLE OF NURSERIES IN DRY LAND HORTICULTURE

IMPORTANT PARAMETERS FOR CROP NURSERY

SALES PROSPECTS

VERMICOMPOST PRODUCTION

ADVANTAGES OF VERMICOMPOST OVER OTHER MANURES & BIN COMPOST

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS WHILE COMMERCIAL VERMICOMPOSTING

EARTHWORMS IN VERMICOMPOST PRODUCTION

SHEDS FOR VERMICOMPOSTING PRODUCTION:

VERMI-BEDS FOR VERMICOMPOSTING PRODUCTION:

SEED STOCK FOR VERMICOMPOSTING PRODUCTION:

WATER SUPPLY FOR VERMICOMPOSTING PRODUCTION:

MACHINERY FOR VERMICOMPOSTING PRODUCTION:

PRECAUTIONS IN PREPARING VERMICOMPOST

PESTS AND DISEASES IN VERMICOMPOSTING

SCOPE OF BUSINESS/SALES PROSPECTS

GLOBAL MARKET

10 MOST GLOBALLY HYDROPONICS COMPANIES

BOWERY

CANOPY GROWTH

FREIGHT FARMS

SMART SHIPPING CONTAINERS TO GROW FOOD ANYWHERE

VILLAGE FARMS

APPHARVEST

PURE HARVEST SMART FARMS

IRON OX

PHARMA CIELO

URBAN KISAAN

TYPES OF HYDROPONICS SYSTEMS

FLAT BED NFT SYSTEM

A FRAME NFT SYSTEM

DUTCH BUCKET SYSTEM

GROW BAGS SYSTEM

DWC (DEEP WATER CULTURE) SYSTEM

VERTIGO TOWERS SYSTEM

HOW TO GROW PLANTS HYDROPONICALLY

STEP- 1 CHOOSE AND START YOUR SEEDS AND PLANTS

HERBS

LETTUCE

STEP-2 DECIDE ON THE HYDROPONIC SYSTEM

STEP-3 SELECT A LIGHT SOURCE

STEP-4 CHOOSE A GROWTH MEDIUM

HYDROTON CLAY PEBBLES

COCOPEAT

ROCKWOOL

PERLITE

STEP-5 PURCHASE SUPPLEMENTS AND HYDROPONICS NUTRIENTS

STEP-6 PURCHASE A PH UP/DOWN AND PH METER

STEP-7 MOVE INTO AN AUTOMATED IOT BASED HYDROPONICS SYSTEM

GROWING HYDROPONIC LEAFY GREENS

FIGURE 2. LETTUCE IN NUTRIENT FILM TECHNIQUE (NFT) CHANNELS

HEAD LETTUCE

FIGURE 3. LETTUCE SEEDLINGS

FIGURE 4. LETTUCE SEEDLING READY TO TRANSPLANT

BABY LEAF GREENS

FIGURE 5. SPEEDLING TRAYS USED TO GROW BABY LEAF GREENS

FIGURE 6. BABY LEAF SPINACH PRODUCTION IN SPEEDLING TRAYS ON A SMALL DEEP WATER CULTURE (DWC) POND

NFT CHANNELS

NFT CHANNEL LENGTH FOR ONE ACRE

FRAME SIZE FOR HORIZONTAL NFT LAYOUT

NFT CHANNEL LENGTH REQUIRED FOR 1 ACRE HYDROPONIC FARM

HOW TO GROW LETTUCE HYDROPONICALLY

INTRODUCTION

OUR TOP 5 TIPS

1. CHOOSE THE BEST TYPE

2. ENSURE THERE IS PROPER LIGHTING

3. CHOOSE THE IDEAL HYDROPONICS SYSTEM

4. CHOOSE THE SUITABLE SPACE

5. CHOOSE THE RIGHT TEMPERATURE

PRO TIPS:

LOLLO ROSSO

LITTLE GEM

ROMAIN (CLASSIC AND RED)

BUTTERHEAD LETTUCE

ARUGULA

LIGHT REQUIREMENTS

NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS

TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENTS

PH REQUIREMENTS

GROWTH MEDIUM REQUIREMENTS

TYPES OF HYDROPONICS SYSTEM FOR LETTUCE

EBB AND FLOW

DWC

NFT

RHUBARB CULTIVATION

CULTIVATION PROPAGATION

SEED:

VEGETATIVE:

CLIMATE

LIGHT

NATURAL:

ARTIFICIAL:

GROWING MEDIA

SOIL:

SOILLESS:

AEROPONICS:

CARE

WATER:

NUTRIENTS:

PRUNING:

MULCHING:

PEST(S):

DISEASE(S):

DEFICIENCY(S):

ROTATION:

COMPANIONS:

HARVEST:

STORAGE:

GROWING SWISS CHARD HYDROPONICALLY

PROCESS OF GROWING SWISS CHARD HYDROPONICALLY

PROCESS OF GROWING HYDROPONIC SWISS CHARD

WATER CONSERVATION IN HYDROPONIC

CROP HEALTH IN HYDROPONICS

HYDROPONIC SWISS CHARD GROWING CONDITIONS

HYDROPONIC SWISS CHARD GROWING CONDITIONS;

GROWING PARSLEY HYDROPONICALLY – NUTRIENTS

GUIDE TO GROWING PARSLEY HYDROPONICALLY (IMAGE CREDIT: PIXABAY)

POPULAR VARIETIES FOR GROWING PARSLEY HYDROPONICALLY

ADVANTAGES OF GROWING PARSLEY HYDROPONICALLY

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PARSLEY AND CILANTRO

IDEAL CONDITIONS FOR GROWING PARSLEY HYDROPONICALLY

IDEAL CONDITIONS FOR GROWING PARSLEY HYDROPONICALLY (PIC SOURCE: PIXABAY)

DIFFERENT HYDROPONIC SYSTEMS FOR HERBS

PROCESS OF PLANTING PARSLEY HYDROPONICALLY

PESTS AND DISEASES CONTROL IN GROWING PARSLEY HYDROPONICALLY

WHEN AND HOW TO HARVEST PARSLEY IN HYDROPONICS

GROWING KALE HYDROPONICALLY

HYDROPONIC SYSTEM FOR GROWING KALE:

GROWING KALE HYDROPONICALLY

GETTING STARTED SEED OR CUTTINGS

HOW TO GROW KALE FROM SEED IN HYDROPONICS:

SEED STARTING IN GROWING MEDIA

HYDROPONIC KALE FERTILIZER AND NUTRIENT SOLUTION:

HYDROPONICS EQUIPMENTS

HYDROPONICS TROUGH SYSTEM

FILM LENGTH:5-6 CENTIMETER (CM)

NFT SYSTEM

HYDROPONICS TROUGH SYSTEM

POT BASED SYSTEM

GROW BAG SYSTEM

PLANT & MACHINERIES SUPPLIERS ADDRESS

HYDROPHONIC EQUIPMENTS

RAW MATERIAL SUPPLIERS (NURSERY)

SUPPLEIRS OF WIRE FENCING

FIBRE GLASS PLASTIC SHEET FOR GREEN HOUSE

AIR CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT

DRIP IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

PACKAGING MACHINE

D.G. SET

LABORATORY TESTING EQUIPMENTS

PRINCIPLES OF PLANT LAYOUT

PLANT LOCATION FACTORS

PRIMARY FACTORS

1. RAW-MATERIAL SUPPLY:

2. MARKETS:

3. POWER AND FUEL SUPPLY:

4. WATER SUPPLY:

5. CLIMATE:

SPECIFIC FACTORS

6. TRANSPORTATION:

A. AVAILABILITY OF VARIOUS SERVICES AND PROJECTED RATES

7. WASTE DISPOSAL:

8. LABOR:

9. REGULATORY LAWS:

10. TAXES:

11. SITE CHARACTERISTICS:

12. COMMUNITY FACTORS:

13. VULNERABILITY TO WARTIME ATTACK:

14. FLOOD AND FIRE CONTROL:

EXPLANATION OF TERMS USED IN THE PROJECT REPORT

1. DEPRECIATION:

2. FIXED ASSETS:

3. WORKING CAPITAL:

4. BREAK-EVEN POINT:

5. OTHER FIXED EXPENSES:

6. MARGIN MONEY:

7. TERM LOANS:

8. TOTAL LOAD:

9. LAND AREA/MAN POWER RATIO:

UTILITIES

POWER

WORKING

UTILITIES

WATER

POWER

WASTE TREATMENT

PRIMARY TREATMENT

ANAEROBIC TREATMENT

ANAEROBIC TREATMENT HAS THE ADVANTAGES OF

SECONDARY TREATMENT

TERTIARY TREATMENT

SOLIDS CONCENTRATION

TYPICAL WASTE SOLIDS CHARACTERISTICS

MACHINERY PHOTOGRAPH

PLANT LAYOUT

TURNKEY CONSULTANT

IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

APPENDIX – A:

01. PLANT ECONOMICS

02. LAND & BUILDING

03. PLANT AND MACHINERY

04. OTHER FIXED ASSESTS

05. FIXED CAPITAL

06. RAW MATERIAL

07. SALARY AND WAGES

08. UTILITIES AND OVERHEADS

09. TOTAL WORKING CAPITAL

10. TOTAL CAPITAL INVESTMENT

11. COST OF PRODUCTION

12. TURN OVER/ANNUM

13. BREAK EVEN POINT

14. RESOURCES FOR FINANCE

15. INSTALMENT PAYABLE IN 5 YEARS

16. DEPRECIATION CHART FOR 5 YEARS

17. PROFIT ANALYSIS FOR 5 YEARS

18. PROJECTED BALANCE SHEET FOR (5 YEARS)