Increasing Water Productivity using Increasing Water Productivity using soilless production systems soilless production systems

(Hydroponics)(Hydroponics)

Ahmed MoustafaCEO

Consultant, PA & Hydroponics

Asia (exclude ME) 3,947.6

Middle East Middle East & North & North

Africa 1,397Africa 1,397

Europe 10,685.7

North America 16,557.8

Central America and Carrabin 6,653.4

Sub-Sahara Africa 6,956.6 Oceanic 52,673.8

South America 44,816.4

Renewable water resources per capita (m3/person/year)

تربة بدون Soilless Culture الزراعة

Techniques for growing plants in different media but not soil using nutrient solutions

to supply plant with required water and nutrients.

• Plant directly in nutrient solution • Plant in inert median (sand, gravel, perlite, rock wool etc..) or organic

media (peat moss, coco peat, etc…)

Types of Hydroponics

1. Open system2. Closed system

Nutrient SolutionNutrient Solution

Open System

Closed System

Nutrient SolutionNutrient SolutionGrowing mediaGrowing media

Increased yield per unit of water, space and energy

Increased yield per unit of water, space and energy

BeforeBefore

AfterAfter

After

Before

After

Cucumber & Pepper Water Productivity (kg/m3) under Soil & Cucumber & Pepper Water Productivity (kg/m3) under Soil & Soilless Production SystemsSoilless Production Systems

Hamranieh ARS - Dec 2009Hamranieh ARS - Dec 2009

Average cucumber yield & water productivity in soil and Average cucumber yield & water productivity in soil and soilless production system in pilot growers farmssoilless production system in pilot growers farms

19 Greenhouse in UAE during 2009-2010

MEW Dec 2010

0

50

100

150

200

29-Jun 6-Jul 13-Jul 20-Jul 27-Jul 3-Aug 10-Aug 17-Aug 24-Aug 31-Aug 7-Sep 14-Sep

Soil

S.Bags

Hydo

Harvesting Dates

Kg

Weekly production Of CucumberIn Soil, Sand Bags, and Hydroponics (close system)

Weekly production Of CucumberIn Soil, Sand Bags, and Hydroponics (close system)

• Provide a high water use efficiency;Provide a high water use efficiency;• Shorter cropping cycle allows for more crops within the Shorter cropping cycle allows for more crops within the

season;season;• Top quality crops grown out of the depleted or Top quality crops grown out of the depleted or

contaminated soil; contaminated soil; • Increased production per unit area, water and energy.Increased production per unit area, water and energy.• Reduction in labor requirement by more than 50%;Reduction in labor requirement by more than 50%;• Increased job satisfaction among workers;Increased job satisfaction among workers;• Better control of water and nutrients;Better control of water and nutrients;• Elimination of the costly operations such as sterilization, Elimination of the costly operations such as sterilization,

soil cultivation, base fertilizers and weed control.soil cultivation, base fertilizers and weed control.

Advantages of soilless culture (Hydroponics)

Hydroponics in Open Field for lettuce productionCentral Control Room for Hydroponics Systems

Study new materials to enhance the Study new materials to enhance the production system at SAICproduction system at SAIC

On the Jon Training at SAIC

Disadvantages of Soilless Culture

1.1. High capital investment High capital investment

2.2. Requires good trained ManagementRequires good trained Management

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