1.1 Introduction
Hydroponics is a method of growing certain plants and vegetables without soil instead of plants are grown in solution composed of nutrients in water solvents. Hydroponic farming is farming done without the use of soil. Our system makes use of smart water supply and draining system coupled with air flow and artificial sunlight for a perfect grow environment. Our system would allow for all weather indoor farming as and when needed for organic food grown indoors. The production of agriculture and livestock sector is very seasonal and the climate is the main cause. In order to make the production as continuous as possible the application of new production techniques is required (Bugbee, 1995).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Growing plants in soil-less condition is not a new concept. Hydroponics can be traced back to the ancient city of Babylon, which is now located in modern-day Iraq. The Hanging Garden of Babylon, one of the Ancient World’s Seven Wonders, is the first known example of a plant grown without soil in 600 BC. Around 1100 BC, the Aztec Indians became more inventive with their gardening techniques, creating gardens that appeared to float (Folds, 2018). These “floating gardens” were known as “chinampas” and they were made up of a strong combination of roots and lashes that were laden with sediment from lakebeds, providing nutrients to the crops and plantations.
Hydroponics can be defined as the science of growing plants without the use of soil, but by use of an inert medium, such as gravel, sand, peat, vermiculite, pumice, or sawdust, to which is added a nutrient solution containing all the essential elements needed by the plant for its normal growth and development (Resh, 1998). Plants grown hydroponically have no solid material beneath them at all, instead having a rich mix of nutrients dissolved in water. The main benefit of hydroponics is the cost savings from reduced labour costs, as it is usually done in enclosed areas with mechanical irrigation and fertilization. This farming model can result in 7 to 14 times more growth cycles than traditional practices. Almost any plant can be grown with hydroponics such as green beans, cauliflower, broccoli, mint, lettuce, carrot, beetroot, tomato, cantaloupe melon, strawberry, grape, lemon, pepper, cabbage, cucumber etc.
One of the earliest successes of hydroponics occurred on Wake Island, a rocky atoll in the Pacific Ocean used as refueling stop for Pan American Airlines. Hydroponics used there was in 1930s to grow vegetables for the passengers. Hydroponics required in a Wake Island because there was no soil and it was prohibitively expensive to airlift in fresh vegetables. Although technically not a portion of hydroponic, growers typically try to provide ideal environmental factors also. Plant performance may be further optimized by controlling the climate and lighting. Employing a greenhouse provides natural lighting can also guarantee the optimal season for optimum plant performance. Advances in technology in lighting, nutrient delivery and environmental control, will further improve plant productivity and performance.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Indoor Farming Hydroponic Plant Grow Chamber.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Today, 55% of the world’s population lives in urban areas, a proportion that is expected to increase to 68% by 2050 and 593 mha of land will need to be turned into agricultural land to fulfil the estimated calorie demands of the worldwide population. Climate change, global scenarios, hydroponics, vertical farming over-mining of soil nutrients, decline in factor productivity, lowering of groundwater tables and pest build-up, such as weeds, diseases and insects poses serious problems.
In soil farming, the majority of the water provided to the plants is leached down to the soil and unavailable to the plant’s roots, whereas in hydroponics, plant roots are either submerged in water or a film of nutrients mixed in water surrounds the root zone at all times, keeping it hydrated and nourished. Waste nutrient solution can be used as an alternate water resource for crop cultivation under hydroponic system (Choi and Lee, 2012). Under controlled hydroponic conditions, it is feasible to grow high-value, high-quality crops while consuming 70-90% less water than typical soil-based agriculture.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to design an Indoor Farming Hydroponic Plant Grow Chamber. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To construct a system that will automate indoor farming hydroponic plant growth operation;
- To design an Indoor Farming Hydroponic Plant Grow Chamber that will be easy to use;
- To supply the ideal environment for optimum plant performance;
- To expand and improve the utilization of hydroponics as well as to create an environmentally independent system for indoor plant growth.
1.5 Significance of Study
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.6 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the design and construction of an Indoor Farming Hydroponic Plant Grow Chamber.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
1.8 Definition of Terms
Hydroponics: Hydroponics is a method of growing certain plants and vegetables without soil instead of plants are grown in solution composed of nutrients in water solvents.
Hydroponic farming: This farming is done without the use of soil. Our system makes use of smart water supply and draining system coupled with air flow and artificial sunlight for a perfect grow environment. Our system would allow for all weather indoor farming as and when needed for organic food grown indoors.
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