Exploring the Potential of Soil-less Farming through Hydroponics in India: A Review

Abstract

Hydroponics is one of the modern and most demanded agricultural production technologies that ought to provide sustainability in agricultural production. It is identified as one of the most effective methods to combat the existing challenges like climate change, depletion in land and fresh water resources, and the unavailability of fresh and safe food. Furthermore, traditional agriculture encounters significant hurdles from biotic and abiotic stresses that impede crop production, resulting in economic losses. Consequently, it became imperative to develop innovative technology alongside sophisticated production methods to address the current situation and ensure future stability. Hydroponics is highly effective in eliminating many of the limitations associated with traditional soil farming and offers significant advantages, including higher crop yields, efficient water and nutrient use, and reduced environmental footprint. In this system, plants necessitate only water that is abundant in all essential macro- and micronutrients for their development, and the role of soil is nil. Plants can save enormous energy by providing nutrients directly to their roots, which would otherwise be squandered in the pursuit of these vital inputs. This review examines the potential of hydroponic technology and its contribution to boosting the productivity and quality of agricultural crops. Additionally, it covers various hydroponic systems used, their advantages and limitations, the role of different components, the market potential of hydroponics in India, and existing successful hydroponic firms. Relevant studies were analyzed to assess the performance of different hydroponic systems in growing different crops, in terms of crop growth, productivity, and resource efficiency. In conclusion, the hydroponics system can now serve as a potential method of sustainable agriculture, promising to cultivate resilience and ensure food availability for future generations amidst the challenges of land and water degradation and climate change.