
Nutrient film technique
This soil-isolated system supplies nutrient solutions through water, with the possibility of reusing the resource several times through feedback.
The nutrient film technique, known as NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) for its acronym in English, is widely used in the world, mainly for the cultivation of leafy vegetables, although fruits such as sweet pepper, tomato, cucumber, among others, are also produced. This technique is a system isolated from the soil that is adapted to the cultivation of many plants, its growth is possible thanks to the supply of nutrient solutions through water, the water resource can be reused several times through a feedback system. This system could also be called bare root plant cultivation, which is based on the continuous circulation of nutrient solution mixed with water, which passes through PVC channels or tubes, called cultivation channels. The nutrient solution is stored in a container or tank, and a pump is also responsible for circulating the nutrient liquid through the cultivation channel, generating proper oxygenation and an appropriate supply of nutrients and minerals for the development of the plants, which translates into less energy expenditure in their metabolic processes.
Water use efficiency
Main theme:
Central
Region:
2,500 - 2,700
Precipitation (mm):
Low
Application difficulty:
1, 2, 12 and 13
SDGs impacted:
Electric
Energy used:
70 - 90
Efficiency (%):
Urban
Sector:
Reduces and optimizes water consumption by recirculating it.
Expected environmental impact:
$100 - $800
Estimated value:
1- https://www.kerwa.ucr.ac.cr/bitstream/handle/10669/86385/Sistemas%20de%20cultivo%20en%20agua%20en%20hidropon%C3%ADa.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y 2 - https://www.kerwa.ucr.ac.cr/bitstream/handle/10669/86391/T%C3%A9cnica%20lamina%20de%20nutrientes%20NFT.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y 3- https://www.scielo.sa.cr/pdf/tem/v31n2/0379-3982-tem-31-02-147.pdf 4- https://repositoriotec.tec.ac.cr/bitstream/handle/2238/6581/manual-hidoponia-NFT.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
Links of interest: