Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). 2010 IICA encourages the fair use of this document.

Proper citation is requested. This publication is also available in electronic (PDF) format from IICAs Web site at http://www.iica.int.

Editorial coordination: Jermaine Joseph Mechanical editing: Aletha Isaacs, Maxine Parris-Aaron, Richard Blair Layout: Michael Sears Cover design: Michael Sears

Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture 2009 annual report: IICAs contribution to the development of agriculture and rural communities in Guyana / IICA Guyana: IICA, 2010.

1. IICA Hydroponics Manual

Guyana 2010

FOREWORD
If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people. Confucius

A core thematic area of the Cooperation Agenda of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) is that of promoting the introduction of technology and innovation for the modernization of agriculture and rural life. Following the flood of 2005, the late Dr. Hector Muoz (then IICA Emeritus Professional) introduced hydroponics technology at St. Stanislaus College Farm. He firmly believed this farming system would be replicated particularly in coastal communities in Guyana, as a postflood recovery measure, as a future flood risk minimization measure and in the context of food security. This method of production has been taken across the country to community groups, particularly womens groups and schools. The Ministry of Education, Ministry of Agriculture, NARI, St. Stanislaus Farm, the Partners of the Americas and Caribbean and African Self Reliance International (CASRI) have all partnered with IICA in this process. As an aid to the teaching programme, we are pleased to present this revised version of our Hydroponics Training Manual. We take the opportunity to recognize the special contributions of the Staff at the IICA Office in Guyana for the final product, particularly Jermaine Joseph, who has led the production and is fast gaining the reputation in the fields as the Hyroponics Guru for his persistence in promoting the technology. This production is but a fitting tribute to the memory of Dr. Hector Muoz for his pioneering contribution to promoting hydroponics in Guyana and also dedicated to the memory of Dr. Desrey Fox for her belief in the youth of Guyana and leading the promotion of hydroponics in the education system in Guyana. We trust that users will find this manual a practical and user friendly guide to growing crops in non-soil media.

Ignatius Jean IICA Representative in Guyana

CONTENTS
Title Page

Foreword Background Introduction Advantages of Hydroponics Disadvantages of Hydroponics Production System Locating a Hydroponic Garden Size of the Hydroponic Garden Appropriate Containers for the Hydroponic Garden Constructing a Container The Substrate Nutrients and Fertilizer Pest Control Conclusion References

i 1 2 3 4 5 6-7 8 9-10 11 12-13 14-15 16 17 18

BACKGROUND
Hydroponics is an ancient technique that dates back approximately 2600 yrs. The first application of hydroponics in recorded history was the hanging gardens of Babylon that was built by KING NEBUCHADNEZZAR Egypt and China also practice hydroponics on Chinampas It was Dr. W. F Gericke in 1936 of the University of California who came up with the term Hydroponics from the Greek hydro (water) and ponos (work), meaning working with water. Dr. Gericke was the first person to carry out large-scale commercial experiments in which he grew tomatoes, lettuce and other vegetables. Hydroponics was also applied during World War II between 1939 and 1945 so as to provide vegetables for the troops (in arid soils and in Greenland). NASA currently uses the hydroponics technique to provide food for space travelers.

INTRODUCTION
Hydroponics is often defined as the cultivation of plants in water. Hydroponics is however a technique for growing plants without using soil. Utilizing this technology, the roots absorb a balanced nutrient solution dissolved in water that meets all the plants developmental requirements. Research has determined that many different aggregates or media can support plant growth, therefore, the definition of hydroponics has been broadened to: the cultivation of plants without soil.

ADVANTAGES OF HYDROPONICS
As demonstrated by through research activities, including field trials, hydroponics is a far more economical and profitable technique than traditional agricultural cultivation. Some of the advantages noted: 1. The possibility of obtaining more products in less time than using traditional agriculture: 2. The possibility of growing plants more densely 3. Possibility of growing the same plant species repeatedly because there is no soil depletion 4. Plants have a balanced supply of air water and nutrients 5. More product/surface unit is obtained 6. Cleaner and fresher products can be reaped 7. Production can be timed more effectively to satisfy market demand 8. Healthier products can be produced 9. Products are more resistant to diseases 10. Natural or Biological control can be employed 11. Soil borne pests (fungi) and diseases can be eliminated 12. Troublesome weeds and stray seedlings which the result in the need for herbicides use and increase labour cost, can also be eliminated 13. Reduction of health risks associated with pest management and soil care 14. Reduced turnaround time between planting as no soil preparation is required 15. Stable and significantly increased yields and shorter crop maturation cycle 16. Can be utilized by families with small or no yard space 17. When water is used as the substrate: a. no soil is needed b. the water stays in the system and can be reused - thus, lower water costs c. It is possible to control the nutrition levels in their entirety - thus, lower nutrition costs d. No nutrition pollution is released into the environment because of the controlled system 18. Pests and disease are easier to get rid of because of container mobility

DISADVANTAGES OF HYDROPONICS
1. Commercial Scale requires technical knowledge as well as a good grasp of the principles 2. On a commercial scale the initial investment is relatively high 3. Great care and attention to detail is required, particularly in the preparation of formulas and plant health control 4. A constant supply of water is required

COMPARISON BETWEEN TWO GROWING METHODS

Crop (No. of harvests a year using hydroponics) Lettuce (10) Tomato (2) Cucumber (3) Carrot Potato Peppers(3) Cabbage(3) Yield using soil (tons per hectare at harvest time) Yield using hydroponics (tons per hectare at harvest time)

52 80-100 10-30 15-20 20-40 20-30 20-40

300-330 350-400 700-800 55-75 120 85-105 180-190

PRODUCTION SYSTEM
Hydroponics can be classified as: Open system; or Closed system

OPEN SYSTEM:
In the open system of hydroponics, the nutrient solution is mixed and applied to the plant as required, instead of being re-cycled. Examples of some open system are: growing beds columns made out of tubular plastics or vertical and horizontal PVC pipes individual containers e.g. pots, plastic sacks and old tires

CLOSED SYSTEM:
In this system the nutrient solution is circulated continuously, providing the nutrients that the plant requires. Examples of closed systems include: Floating roots Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) PVC or bamboo channels Plastic or polystyrene pots set up in columns

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS THAT A HYDROPONICS SYSTEM MUST SATISFY

Provide roots with a fresh, balanced supply of water and nutrients Maintain a high level of gas exchange between nutrient solution and roots Protect against root dehydration and immediate crop failure in the event of a pump failure or power outage

LOCATING A HYDROPONIC GARDEN

LOCATING A HYDROPONIC GARDEN (CONTD)

Avoid heavily shaded, wi A y indy and ext tremely sunn places ny Keep the gard protected from dome K den d estic animals and pets The T planting space must r receive a mi inimum of si hours sunlight ix Must M be close to a source of water an the place w e e nd where the nu utrients are k kept It must be kep far from c t pt contaminated water d It must be kep far from trees and oth plants tha are affecte by pests a diseases t pt her at ed and

SIZE OF THE HYDRONICS GARDEN

Space is not an important factor i hydropon gardening in nic g. n t ces l Most of hydroponic gard dens are any size y A garden can be set up in spac as small as 1m. M between 10 to 20m, but some fa amilies are ab to keep g ble gardens as bi as 200m. ig . ough vegeta ables that wi be nouris ill shing and fr of ree Within a small space, one may produce eno pollutant ts.

APPROPRIATE CONTAINERS FOR THE IA HYDROPONICS GARDEN

There are many type of contain e es ners that can be used or built depen n r nding on the space avai e ilable around th house, th technical and econom possibilit and the needs of the specific fa he he mic ties e amily, e.g. smal wooden boxes/crates, old tires, pl ll lastic washin tubs, one gallon plas containe or ng e stic ers any other container (not metal) w a minim r with mum depth of 10 cm. f

CHARAC C CTERIST TICS OF A APPROP PRIATE C CONTAI INERS

Containe must be: ers dark and opaque s a since algae d develop bette in clear co er ontainers waterp proof to prev loss of t nutrient rich water vent the made from chemically inert m material must have holes to drain exce water and allow for a h o ess d aeration

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CONSTRUCTING A CONTAINER
If there is a need to build a container, you may consider building a bed or box with the following size: Length : 1.25m Width : 0.95m Depth : 0.10 m

The materials needed to build the box or bed are: Wood : 15 feet of 1 x 4 inch wood shingle or plank 166 feet of x 3 inch wood shingle or plank Black plastic : 5.6 feet x 4.3 feet Nails : 1 pound 2 inch

The tools and materials needed to build a bed are: hammer, saw, meter rule, stapler, staples, drill, drill bits, level, saran netting, water hose and water.

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THE SUBSTRATE

A substra is an iner material in which the r ate rt n roots of the p plant will gr row. It may be either liqui or solid. T most com e id The mmon substr rates used in the tropical regions are: n l Sand Rice hulls or shell h ls Clay bricks, groun b nd Cocon Fibre nut Charc coal Saw dust d Volca stones, g anic ground Water r

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The characteristics of a good substrate:

It must be made of particles no larger than 7mm and no smaller than 2mm It must be capable of maintaining moisture and draining excess liquid It must not degrade or decompose easily It must not hold microorganisms hazardous to human or plant health It must not be contaminated with industrial residual waste It must be readily available It must be potable

Recommended Substrate Mixtures

Some recommended substrate mixtures are:
50% rice hull : 50% ground volcanic stones 60% rice hull : 40% sand 60% rice hull : 40% ground clay bricks 80% rice hull : 20% saw dust

Another substrate which could be used is: Clean rain water

Rice hulls
These must be washed and kept very moist for ten (10) days in order that all seeds in the rice hulls will germinate. The germinated seedlings must be removed.

Saw dust
Saw dust may be used in small quantities, 15-20% of the substrate since large quantities are harmful to some plants.

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NUTRIENTS AND FERTILIZERS

The hydroponic solution contains a balanced amount of nutrients to produce healthy and productive plants. In addition to the elements (carbon, hydrogen, oxygen) that vegetables extract from the air and water, plants need some elements that may be classified by quantities and need.
Large Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium Intermediate Sulphur Calcium Magnesium Small Iron Manganese Zinc Boron Molybdenum

ECAG HYDROPONIC FERTILIZER SOLUTION For four (4) liters of water: A. CONCENTRATED SOLUTION OF MAJOR NUTRIENTS GRAMS 190.0 Mono-potassic Phosphate 400.0 Magnesium Sulfate 440.0 Potassium Nitrate B. CONCENTRATED SOLUTION OF MINOR NUTRIENTS GRAMS 20.0 Fertilon combo 4.6 Boric acid C. CONCENTRATED SOLUTION OF N C GRAMS 590 Calcium Nitrate DOSAGE Solution cc. per 1 liter of water 5.0 A 2.5 B 5.0 C

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HOW TO AP W PPLY TO PLANT O TS

The selec nutrient can be add in the following man cted ts ded nner: 6 days a week in the mornin apply 10 s n ngs 00ml solution diluted in water for every n e plant and with jus water appl in the af st lied fternoon th On the 7 day app only wat to plants e ply ter

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PEST CONTROL
For the control of pests, we may use natural products such as pepper, garlic and tomato. These have the following advantages: - They are non-pollutant - Pests do not develop a resistance to them - No special equipment is necessary to fumigate - They are easily made - They are economical Note: These products are best used as a preventative method.

Preparation of material
Pepper
Grind 3 ounces of pepper and add water Let stand overnight, strain and mix with 5L of soapy water Apply daily Controls: ants, worms, fleas, flies, chewers

Garlic
Mix 3 ounces garlic with oil and let stand for 24 hrs Dissolve 10g of soap in 1L of water. Mix and strain and add 20L of water It may be used as repellant, pesticide, bactericide, fungicide and nematicide.

Tomato
Grind leaves and stems Boil in 4 bottles of water for 10 mins Let it cool and apply Controls: Fleas, lice and hairy worms Do not apply on plants of the same family, such as pepper and eggplant

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CONCLUSION
Today, hydroponics is an established branch of agronomy. Progress has been rapid and results obtained in various countries have proved that this technology is thoroughly practical and has very definite advantages over conventional methods of crop production. The two main advantages of the virtually soil-less cultivation of plants are, the much higher crop yields and hydroponics can be used in places where in-ground agriculture or gardening is not possible. Thus not only is it a profitable undertaking, but one which has proved of great benefit to humanity. People living in crowded city streets, without gardens, can grow fresh vegetables and fruits in window-boxes or in small discarded containers. By means of hydroponics, a regular and abundant supply of fresh greens can be produced and barren and sterile areas can be made productive at relatively low cost.

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REFERENCES
1. MUNZ, Hctor. 2005. Hydroponics Home-based Vegetable Production System Manual. IICA, Georgetown, Guyana 2. ECHEVERRIA, Laura Perez. 2008. Hydroponics for the Home. IICA, San Jose, Costa Rica 3. ROBERTO, Keith. Fourth edition. How-To-Hydroponics.

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