Sustainable Nutrient Management in Hydroponics System: A Review of Organic and Synthetic Nutrient Solution

Abstract

Hydroponics, a soilless method of crop cultivation, has emerged as an innovative solution to address challenges of land scarcity, water limitations, and the need for year-round food production. Central to its success is sustainable nutrient management, which governs plant growth, yield, and environmental performance. This review critically examines strategies for nutrient supply in hydroponic systems, focusing on the comparison between organic and synthetic nutrient solutions. Organic sources, including compost teas, seaweed extracts, fish hydrolysates, and vermicompost leachates, promote resource recycling, microbial diversity, and stress resilience but often suffer from inconsistent composition, slower nutrient release, and microbial contamination risks. Synthetic solutions, composed of precisely formulated inorganic salts, ensure rapid uptake, uniformity, and high productivity but raise concerns regarding energy-intensive manufacture, runoff, and ecological impacts. Sustainable practices—such as nutrient recycling, integrated nutrient management, bio-stimulants, and precision dosing technologies—are discussed as pathways to improve efficiency and reduce environmental footprints. Future research directions emphasize sensor-based precision nutrient delivery, advanced organic formulations, life cycle assessments, and policy support to encourage adoption. By balancing productivity with ecological responsibility, hydroponic nutrient management can underpin resilient, climate-smart agriculture and contribute to global food security.