Crops & Fertilizer
Crops in the SVFM Department of Agriculture for Crop Information
| Crops in Solid Medium | Crops in Hydroponic Medium |
|---|---|
| Kan-kung | Tomato |
| Gotukola | Kan-kung |
| Mukunuwenna | Gotukola |
| Lettuce | Mukunuwenna |
| Mint | Lettuce |
| Sarana | Mint |
| Chili | Sarana |
| Spinach | Chili |
| Cauliflower | Spinach |
| Leeks | |
| Beetroot | |
| Kochchi | |
| Kan-kung | |
| Gotukola | |
| Cabbage leaves | |
| Lettuce | |
| Mukunuwenna | |
| Mint | |
| Thampala | |
| Celery (Saldiri) | |
| Okra | |
| Egg plant | |
| Asamodagam |
Fertilizer
Albert’s Solution was selected as the fertilizer/nutrient source which is a 100% water soluble fertilizer. It contains most of the macro and micro nutrients which is required for better plant growth and it can be applied in any stage of the plant growth. Application of Albert’s Solution is summarized in the Table
| Table | Application of Albert Solution |
|---|---|
| Medium | Methodology |
| Hydroponic | Change 0.2 % concentrated Albert Solution in every 3 weeks |
| Solid Plant Medium | First weeks: 0.1% concentration |
| After 2 weeks: 0.2 % concentration |
Average plant nutrient composition of the Albert’s solution:
The role of a growing media includes the capacity to hold water and nutrients for root uptake, providing adequate root aeration, and ensuring structural support to the plant. A typical solid growing medium is a composite of two or three ingredients selected to provide certain physical, chemical, or biological properties. Mixtures of organic and inorganic ingredients are popular nowadays. Sand is one of the most readily available materials and is relatively inexpensive. It is a common practice to use a mixture of cocopeat, compost, sand and partially burnt paddy husk in 2:2:1:1 proportion for vegetables. Coir dust, half-burn paddy husk and compost in 1:1:1 proportion are also being used. This or similar mixture can be used in raised beds, pots and grow bags. The salinity (salt level) of the growing medium is a key parameter affecting the development and health of plant roots. Excessively high salt levels can damage or even kill moist young plants. Electrical Conductivity (EC) level of a good plant medium is between 1200 -2500 µS/cm (microSiemens per centimeter).
Hydroponics Systems
Hydroponics is a new branch of gardening, where plants are grown exclusively in water containing all the nutrients which the plants might need. Many alternative porous materials are used as growing medium in hydroponics, including organic medium like coconut coir, cocopeat and inorganic mediums such as mineral wool, growstone, perlite and sand.
Depending the movement and supply of nutrient solution or water to the plant roots; hydroponic systems can be classified as active and passive or recovery and non-recovery. Different hydroponic systems are given below.
Wick System
A passive type basic system. Nutrient solution moves from the reservoir to the plant roots via capillary movement of the wick. Recommended for smaller plants such as lettuce, gotukola, saldiri (celery), coriander leaves, etc.
Deep Water Culture (DWC) System
An active recovery system. Plants will be grown in net pots with or without growing media. Plant roots are suspended and over extended into the nutrient-rich oxygenated solution. Roots grow out the net pot and reach the nutrient solution held in the reservoir below. An air pump is used to supply required oxygen to roots. Not suitable for plants with a long growing period.
Flood and Drain System
An active and recovery type system. Nutrient solution is pumped onto the plant root system and then drain periodically. Plants are grown in net pots with a growing medium. After the net pot or container is filled or saturated and soaks the plant roots at set intervals and water level, gravity automatically drains the solution back down into the reservoir. Good for water thirst plants, like lettuce, spinach. Depends on automatic settings and the power source.
Nutrient Film Technique (N.F.T)
An active and recovery system and widely used hydroponic system. Uses the submersible pump and reusable nutrient solutions. Nutrient solution is pumped constantly and delivered to the root systems of the plants. Once the flow reaches the Pipe’s end, it drains back to the reservoir through the slight downward tube.
Drip System
An active system. Nutrient solution is being pumped (automatically) through a drip tape and drops onto plant roots.
Aeroponics
An active system. Plant roots are suspended in the air and are misted with the nutrient solution continuously. Advanced techniques are used. No growing medium is used.
Irrespective of whether Vertical Farming System including SVFM is either a solid culture based or hydroponic and even combination of both, the system is required of a water source. Supply of clean and good quality irrigation water is essential in maintaining a balanced growing environment for healthy plants in the system. The quality of the water source can affect plant growth in a several ways such as causing stunted growth, deformation and mineral toxicity. Hence, wealthy vertical farmers opt even for using distilled water irrigation, which is void of solid particles and elements.
Potential Pest & Diseases Management in SVFM
As a new and emerging area of agriculture that utilizes novel production systems, vertical farming including SVFM raises new questions to age-old issues of crop production such as effective management of pest and diseases, which cause damage through plant pathogens and herbivorous insects. Even though some of these constrains and issues are familiar for household members from conventional home hardening and protected agricultural practices, if any (i.e., rain-shelters), but, innovative approaches of SVFM requires smart solutions for aforesaid problems to produce healthy vegetable and leafy vegetable and therefore high-quality and safe produce for household consumption.
The following Tables shown below summarize the common and important diseases and pests, respectively, of seven vegetable and leafy vegetable crops that have been planned to grow on SVFMS and main symptoms of those pest and disease damages along with appropriate green and smart control measures for them to minimize the loss & damage to the investment made.
Common diseases, symptoms and their management on SVFMs
Common pests and their management on SVFMs
