Aeroponic Farming
The following infromation is about Aeroponic Farming Cost and Business Plan.
Introduction: Aeroponic farming is considered to be an efficient way to grow the plants by not using any soil and with less water. In this method, plants are kept in such a way that it allows the crown of the plant to grow in the upward direction and the roots will grow in the downward direction without the help of any soil. Both the roots and tops of the plant will be hanging in the air. The farmers or the growers will have to feed them on a regular basis with water solution which is rich in nutrients.
Advantages of Aeroponic Farming:
- The Aeroponic systems which are enclosed, such as Whole Plants ’grow trays help in water conservation as they do not create any waste.
- In Aeroponic farming, the plantations can be vertical in the structure which helps the farmers to save a lot of space which in turn produces more food.
- There would be a great reduction in the disease and the infestation of pests.
- The Aeroponic farming can also be automated which reduces the cost of labour.
- This method of farming allows the direct supply of nutrients and oxygen to the roots of the plant which helps the plant in its healthy growth.
- As the environment can be completely controlled, a food with high quality can be produced.
- As there is no soil involved in Aeroponic farming, it would be very easy to harvest the crops.
- Aeroponic farming increases the yield of crop mainly in the situations where there would be multiple crop rotations.
- One can combine both Aeroponic and hydroponic farming as it would have more benefits in commercial farming in the areas where there would be no chance of growing the crops outdoors.
Disadvantages of Aeroponics:
- As the Aeroponic system involves high-pressure pumps and sprinklers, there is a high chance for the plants to get damaged if any of these stops working.
- To run an Aeroponic farm, the knowledge regarding the number of nutrients required by the plants is very important. This must be done with utmost care as this process does not involve soil to absorb the excess nutrient solution supplied to the plants.
- One must make sure that there is no contamination of root chambers. If proper care is not taken regarding this, there may be a chance of plants getting prone to diseases. Disinfecting the root chamber periodically is a must. Disinfectant which is most often used in Aeroponic systems is Hydrogen peroxide.
- Aeroponics system is costly as it involves technical equipment in it.
Read: Hydroponic Lettuce Farming In Greenhouse.
Working of Aeroponic Systems:
- The vegetative cuttings are taken and placed at the top of the growing chamber.
- The stems of the plant will be kept in the growing chamber.
- Now the seedling is started by keeping them on special mesh holders which are present in the growing chamber.
- A microcomputer controller will be used in Aeroponics systems which will release a spray containing the mixture of water, nutrients and hormones required for growth of the plants. This spray is enclosed in the air environment of the growing chamber.
- The microcomputer used for the Aeroponics will make sure that the spray is given in regular interval of time.
- While this process goes on, the plants eventually start developing root systems and grow in an environment which is moist and also air-rich.
- If you want to see if the seedlings are growing, then you must just lift the growing chamber to the top.
- The spray, which is being used for providing a nutrient-rich solution to the plants will provide the required amount of moisture to the plants.
Accessories for Seed germination in Aeroponic Systems:
- These are generally made up of nylon fibres which are coated with plastic so that they can be reused after cleaning.
- These are used for seeds or cuttings which are greater than 2.5 mm in diameter.
- These nets will ensure that the nutrient-rich solution is being passed freely through them by allowing air to surround the plant during its growth.
- Each unit of Aeronet can place multiple seeds or plant cuttings.
- These nets help the growers to maintain the moisture in micro levels which will allow the growers to decrease the regular spray intervals and improve the rate of oxidation.
- These are generally made up of nylon fibres which are coated with plastic and this material is again welded to a cellulose material which is a degradable one.
- These types of pads used in Aeroponics are very much suitable for the seeds which are the smaller ones and even for the micro cuttings.
- These will help the roots of the plant in the penetration and expansion by through the cellulose.
- Aero pads will keep large amounts of moisture which will further allow the seeds or micro cuttings to absorb much amount of moisture. This will reduce the number of times the spray has to be released into the air environment mainly during the phase of germination.
Maintaining environmental conditions for the Aeroponic systems:
- It would be better if you go with the plants or seeds which are resistant to pathogens.
- The sanitary conditions should be maintained at a high level.
- While spraying the nutrient solution, you need to make sure that the water which is mixed with it is pure. The water should be free from all the heavy amounts of calcium and sulphur.
- The micronutrients which are injected into the spray should be sterilized.
- The most important factor to be remembered while working on an Aeroponic system is the ratio of spray and air. This plays a major role in the success of propagation of plant and the germination of seeds in the Aeroponic system.
- When coming to the conditions of light, natural sunlight or artificial light which satisfies the natural conditions is enough.
- The minimum room temperature maintained in Aeroponics should be 18 degrees Celsius and the maximum is 32 degrees Celsius.
Read: Hydroponic Farming FAQ.
Providing sufficient light for plant growth:
- While providing artificial light to the plants which are being grown using the Aeroponics, you need to use bulbs. The sunlight, which will reach the plant on a normal day would be around 2000 microeinsteins whereas when the temperature is cool or cloudy, it gets only around 150 microeinsteins. So to balance this, artificial lighting is used.
- If the wattage of the bulb is high, then you need to ensure that the plant is at a sufficient distance from the light source. This is done in order to protect the plant from the stress of environmental heat, which will transpire the plant rapidly. If there is an excess loss of water vapour from the stomata of the plant, then dehydration occurs in the plant which will lead to poor growth of the plant. The grower should control the light energy resources and other variables of the environment in order to have good growing conditions in the Aeroponic system.
- Below is the establishment cost for having Aeroponics in 100 sq mt’s. Fixed charges like land rental, electricity, transport etc are not mentioned here. These values may change depending on the site. The most important recurring costs are detailed below for reference.
Establishment cost for implementation of 100 sq mts of Aeroponic system
Product
Unit value in $ (US dollars)
Greenhouse
4800
Watering system
320
Seed boxes
1700
Watering system in Aeroponics module
1000
Labor
650
Drainage system
375
E.C. meter
170
pH meter
170
Pump to sprinkle water
100
Thermometer
15
Measuring cylinders
25
Hose
18
Plastic applicator
10
7 Plastic recipients
10
Buckets
2
Scissors
7
T
otal
9,372
Aeroponic Farming Cost / Costs for one season of Aeroponic production in a 100 sq mt’s of greenhouse.
Product
Unit value in US $
Seedlings
180
Electrical energy
180
Nutrient solution
150
Miscellaneous
100
Chemicals for input
100
Water
40
Virus diagnosis
60
Water diagnosis
20
Technical supervision
250
Operator cost
250
Phytosanitary treatment
25
Cold storage
520
Disinfectants
17
Total
1,892
Note: The Aeroponic farming cost may vary from country to country and region to region.
Read: Growing Lettuce In Containers.
