Design and Comparison of Vertical and Horizontal Hydroponic Systems for Coriander and Spinach Growth
Surendra Kumar Chandniha
Soil Water Engineering, BRSM College of Agricultural Engineering and Research Station, IGKV, Mungeli, India.
Ankush Jaiswal
Agricultural Engineering, BRSM College of Agricultural Engineering and Research Station, IGKV, Mungeli, India.
Niyati Udyam
Agricultural Engineering, BRSM College of Agricultural Engineering and Research Station, IGKV, Mungeli, India.
Ritik Minj
Agricultural Engineering, BRSM College of Agricultural Engineering and Research Station, IGKV, Mungeli, India.
Harithalekshmi V. *
Department of Agrometeorology, College of Agriculture, IGKV, Raipur, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Understanding the differences in growth performance between these two systems will provide valuable insights for optimizing hydroponic farming practices, particularly in regions with harsh climates and limited water access, where sustainable and efficient food production is crucial for addressing future food security challenges. As the global population continues to grow and climate stress intensifies, indoor/vertical farming is to complement traditional agricultural practices by enhancing sustainable food production and ensuring high-quality produce. The study demonstrated that the horizontal hydroponic system was significantly more effective for growing coriander than the vertical system. In summary, the horizontal hydroponic system consistently outperformed the vertical system for both spinach and coriander, with particularly pronounced results for coriander. Since the shoot is the main economic part of both spinach and coriander, the vertical hydroponic system outperforms the horizontal system, offering significant advantages for economic production. These findings highlight the importance of using vertical hydroponic systems to achieve higher and more profitable yields of these crops.
Keywords: Sustainable food production, hydroponics, vertical farms, fish farming