VEGETABLES GROWN IN HYDROPONICS

December 19, 2023

Among the vegetables grown in hydroponics, leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, lettuce, and broccoli, as well as fruits such as tomatoes, bell papers, and cucumbers are the best options. This is because they are shallow-rooted crops which makes them adapted to water-based growth environments. Vegetables grown in hydroponics offer a sustainable approach way of farming to farmers with several benefits, for example, all-year-round production as well as a reduction in water usage. Furthermore, more hydroponics minimizes the common problems associated with soil, such as nutrient deficiencies as well as pH imbalances. For this reason, hydroponics farming has gained popularity recently in the agricultural field among farmers as well as scientists and researchers.

1. Lettuce as vegetable grown in hydroponics

Most common salad crop grown worldwide is lettuce. It is a leafy vegetable that is edible raw. In addition, it is used in foodstuffs such as sandwiches as well as wraps. It is the most widely vegetable grown in hydroponics by many farmers, as they grow rapidly, and furthermore, they can be harvested more than once. Hydroponic lettuce has higher yields as compared to soil-based crops, however, soil-based lettuce has higher quality than hydroponic lettuce, et al. Rouphael 2012. Soil-based lettuce can be harvested within 60 to 90 days depending on the variety, with an average yield of 20 to 40 tons per hectare. While as hydroponically grown lettuce can be harvested in 55-75 days based on variety, and has an average yield of 300-400 tons per acre. Lettuce grows well in deep water systems and nutrient film techniques.

2. Tomatoes as vegetable grown in hydroponics

These are the edible fruits of the Solanum lycopersicum plants. They are juicy and sweet, and rich in antioxidants. Moreover tomatoes can help control several diseases. Tomatoes thrive best in moderate fertile soils. Avoid growing tomatoes in enviroments with excessive nitrogen, as this promotes vegetative growth rather than fruit growth. They also require potassium and phosphorus. It thrives well within the pH range of 6 to 8. It takes about 45 to 75 days for tomatoes to mature under hydroponics condations depending on the variety, with an average yield of 300 to 400 tons per hectare. While as in soil-based farming, tomatoes take 60 to 100 days to mature with an average yield between 50 and 75 tons per hectare, and further more in high-tech greenhouses 200 to 250 tons per hectare depending on the variety. Tomatoes grow well in the drip system.

3. Spinach as vegetable grown in hydroponics

It is a green veggie with nutritious leaves that has benefits for the skin, hair, and bones. Under hydroponic culture, spinach needs Ca and Mg as the major nutrients in the nutrient solution. Added nitrogen in small amounts, this is due to the fact that, high amount nitrogen burns the leaves tip. Reduce temperature, and nitrogen levels prior to harvesting hydroponics spinach. This prevents bitterness in spinach. Depending on the varieties, spinach takes about 35 days to mature and has an average yield of 10 to 30 tons per acre in the hydroponic system. In soil-based crops, spinach takes 40 to 50 days to mature and has an average yield of 100 to 120 grams per plant. Common hydroponics systems used for spinach production are Raft and nutrient film

4. Bell peppers.

It is a fruit that belongs to the nightshade family. They are a major source of vitamin C and other antioxidants and are normally added to supplement diet. Peppers take 60 to 90 days to ripen, with average yields ranging from 25 to 50 per hectare depending on the variety. In greenhouses, the average yield is 100 tons per hectare. It requires pH values between 5.5 and 7. Peppers take 50 to 80 days to mature in hydroponics, with average yields ranging from 120 to 150 per acre depending on the variety. Deep water culture and ebb and flow system are mostly used in Spanish in farming spinach hydroponically.

5. Kale.

They are nutritious plants that grow well hydroponically because of their adaptability. Kale has a versatile electrical range, so it’s much easier to grow in hydroponics compared to other plants. This enables it to flourish in a variety of hydroponics systems. The preferred pH for kale in hydroponic systems is between 5.5 and 6.5. They are ready for harvesting in 3 to 4 weeks when grown in hydroponic system as transplants, depending on the variety, with an average yield between 115 and 470 grams per plant. However, Soil-based farming kale takes 2–3 months to mature with an average yield of 15 tons (15,000 kg) per acre depending on the variety. Kale grows well in the nutrient film and deep water culture system.

6. Cucumber.

Since cucumbers have a fast growth rate and relish moisture and warmth, a hydroponic system provides the ideal conditions for them to thrive. Maturation takes 50 to 70 days. A single plant produces 20-25 fruits. Grows well in drip and Ebb and flow hydroponics systems. Maintaining optimal nutrient is crucials for healthy cucumber growth in hydroponics. Regularly check on the nutrient pH level, eletrical conductivity as well as nutrient composition to ensure balanced and suitable environment for plant.

7. Strawberries.

Growing hydroponic strawberries can be an efficient, clean, and fun new way to grow them. In order to grow strawberries successfully in hydroponics it requires a pH range of 5.8 to 6.2. It takes 90 to 120 days for strawberries to produce fruit in hydroponics, with an average yields of yield of 450 tons per hectare. Compared to soil-based farming, strawberries take 4 to 6 weeks to mature with an average yield between 10 and 20 tons per hectare.

8. Basil.

They grow well in a slightly acidic nutrient solution, having a pH of 5.6 to 6.5, and grow well in nutrient-film hydroponic or deep water systems. Basil takes 50 to 60 to mature, with an average yield of 960 kg per acre in hydroponics, while as in soil-based farming it yields 1700 pounds (771 kg) per acre. Deep Water Culture (DWC) and Nutrient Film Technique (NFT).

9. Broccoli as vegetable grown in hydroponics

Broccoli vegetables can successfully grow in hydroponics . It’s well suited for media bed cultivation and grows well in deep water systems (DWS). They take 75 to 80 days to mature, with average yields of 4.8 to 11.8 per hectare. Compared to soil base farming broccoli takes 60 to 85 days to mature with an average yield of 3 to 4 tons per acre.

In conclusion, vegetables grown in hydroponics depend on the farmer’s desire. Choosing a particular vegetable to grow in hydroponics is the first step. Secondly, farmers are required to have a lot of knowledge of the management of that plant in the hydroponics system in terms of nutrient requirements. In addition, some vegetables are difficult to grow hydroponically, for example, root crops like beets and carrots, and may require an elaborate system. As a result, farmers need to have a lot of experience in different types of hydroponics. Come try vegetables grown in hydroponics, it is a fun and very profitable activity. Good luck growing your veggie crop.