Page 11
Q1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the hydroponics system?
Answer:
Advantages:
• Plants grow faster because they get the right nutrients directly from water.
• Less space is required, so it is suitable for cities (urban farming).
• Water is reused (recycled), so it saves water.
• No soil is needed, so problems like soil erosion or degradation are avoided.
• Better control over temperature, humidity, and nutrients.
Disadvantages:
• Initial cost is high for setting up the system.
• Needs electricity for pumps and aerators.
• Regular monitoring of water quality and pH is required.
• Technical knowledge is needed to manage the system.
Q2. Is there any difference in the method or tools used for harvesting, transport, and storage?
Answer:
• No major difference in harvesting tools; scissors and cutters are used in both normal and hydroponic farming.
• Transport and storage methods remain the same as traditional farming (baskets, boxes, cold storage).
• Only difference is that roots in hydroponics are cleaner (no soil), so less washing is needed before storage.
Page 15
Q1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of growing microgreens using hydroponics?
Answer:
Advantages
• Quick harvest in 10–15 days.
• Rich in vitamins and nutrients (A, C, E, K, carotenoids).
• Can be grown in small space, even indoors.
• Less water required than soil-based growing.
Disadvantages
• Limited shelf life (microgreens spoil quickly).
• Needs care in humidity and light to avoid fungal growth.
• Not all seeds are suitable for microgreens.
Q2. Have you used the microgreens? How did you use them (raw salad or as a garnish)?
Answer: Yes, I used microgreens. I ate them as a raw salad and also used them as a garnish on sandwiches and soups.
Q3. Can this method be applied to all crops? What are the probable limitations of microgreen production?
Answer: This method cannot be applied to all crops.
Limitations:
• Only small leafy vegetables (like mustard, spinach, coriander, fenugreek) are suitable.
• Large crops (like rice, wheat, or trees) cannot be grown as microgreens.
• Temperature and humidity control is necessary, otherwise fungus or pests may attack.
Page 18
Q1. Which seeds, seedlings or plant cuttings did you use for the system?
Answer: I used spinach seeds, mustard seeds, and coriander seeds for the wick hydroponics system.
Q2. Were you able to observe the soil getting wet in the upper pot?
Answer: Yes, the soil in the upper pot became wet because of capillary action of the wick.
Q3. List three key difficulties you experienced while building the system. What did you do to overcome them?
Answer:
i. Cutting PET bottles was difficult → I took help from the teacher and used scissors safely.
ii. Fixing the wick properly → I tied the wick tightly and tested with water.
iii. Maintaining water level → I checked the reservoir daily and refilled when needed.
Page 22
List three key challenges you faced during the construction and maintenance of the system. What will you do differently next time?
Answer:
1. Leakage of water from bottles → Next time, I will seal properly with glue.
2. Plants drying due to less water → I will monitor water daily.
3. Algae growth in water → Next time, I will cover the reservoir to stop sunlight entering.
Page 24
Q1. Why did you use an aerator in the DWC system but not in the NFT system?
Answer:
•In the DWC system, roots are in standing water, so aerator is needed to supply oxygen.
•In the NFT system, water flows continuously in a thin film, so it already contains dissolved oxygen → aerator is not required.
2. Make a comparative chart for DWC vs NFT systems—you can compare aspects such as ease of construction, plant growth, etc.
Answer: Comparative chart for DWC vs NFT systems:
| Feature | DWC (Deep Water Culture) | NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) |
| Ease of Construction | Simple, easy for beginners | Slightly difficult, needs pipes and pump |
| Water Requirement | More water needed | Less water needed |
| Oxygen Supply | Needs aerator | No aerator needed |
| Plant Growth | Good for leafy vegetables | Faster and better for many crops |
| Maintenance | Easy but water may grow algae | Needs slope adjustment and pump care |
Page 28
Q1. Have you come across any other advanced farming technology in your locality? If yes, describe the technology.
Answer: Yes, I saw polyhouse farming in my locality. It uses a covered structure with plastic sheets to control temperature, humidity, and light. Crops grow better even in bad weather.
Q2. Name any three things that you learnt while setting up the hydroponic system.
Answer:
i. Plants can grow without soil using water and nutrients.
ii. Capillary action helps in water movement in wick method.
iii. pH of water is important for proper nutrient absorption.
Think and Answer
1. What did you enjoy doing the most?
Answer: I enjoyed building the hydroponic system the most because it was creative and fun to recycle bottles and containers. I also liked observing plant growth every day.
2. What were the challenges you faced?
Answer: The main challenges were:
• Cutting and fixing PET bottles safely.
• Maintaining water levels in the reservoir.
• Controlling algae growth in water.
3. What will you do differently next time?
Answer: Next time, I will:
• Seal bottles properly to avoid leakage.
• Check pH of water regularly for better growth.
• Cover water containers to prevent algae growth.
4. Do you think it is economical and practically feasible to grow all crops using hydroponics? Give reasons for your response.
Answer: No, it is not feasible to grow all crops using hydroponics.
Reason 1: It is economical only for small leafy vegetables like spinach, lettuce, coriander, and herbs.
Reason 2: Large crops like rice, wheat, sugarcane, or trees need soil, more space, and large-scale resources.
Reason 3: Hydroponics requires electricity, equipment, and regular monitoring, which can be expensive for big crops.
5. Identify a few examples of jobs related to the work you just did.
Answer: Jobs related to hydroponics and plant science include:
• Gardener – grows and maintains plants.
• Farmer – cultivates crops using traditional or modern methods.
• Botanist – studies plants scientifically.
• Agricultural Scientist – develops new farming techniques like hydroponics.
• Greenhouse Technician / Hydroponic Farm Manager – manages hydroponic farms.