European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

CONSERVATION OF WATER THROUGH HYDROPONICAL TECHNIQUE

Dr. P. Shakila*, Dr. N. Saraswathi and Dr. B. Rajalakshmi

ABSTRACT

Attaining sustainable agriculture is a key goal in many parts of the world. Due to rapid urbanization and industrialization as well as an obvious impact of global warming, arable land under cultivation is further going to decrease. The increased environmental awareness and the ongoing attempts to execute agricultural practices that are economically feasible and environmentally safe, promote the use of hydroponic cultivation. Six different plants were selected for hydroponic techniques Wheat grass and Onion (Thinopyrum intermedium, Allium cepa) of Monoctyledons, Karpooravalli (Coleus aromaticus), Chrysanths (Chrysanthemum morifolium) Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum – graecum) and Arakkeerai (Amaranthes sp.) of Dicotyledons . Six growing tubes were fixed and each tube possesses five grow cups. Tubes are connected with overhead tank and rain water harvesting tube. The excess water from tubes are collected in a tank and then reused to hydroponic set up / irrigated to garden. Coco peat is used as seed holding material. Vermicompost milk is used as nutrient because it possesses all the micro and macro nutrients which is necessary for plant growth. The same plants were grown in soil for comparative analysis. Growth parameters such as germination percentage, seedling growth, length of root and shoot, fresh and dry weight of seedlings and bio – chemical analysis were carried out in both soil and water grew plants. There is a visible differences existed between this two medium grew plants. This is because of regular water supply, direct supply of nutrients, using of organic liquid fertilizers (vermicompost milk) and using of organic biopesticides and insecticides (2% neem oil and 2% of GGC extracts).

Keywords: Water conservation, Rain water harvesting, Hydroponic, Reuse of waste water, organic method of cultivation.