Hydroponic System: Nutrient Film Technique (N.F.T)

In N.F.T hydroponic system, plants are grown in a tray separate from the nutrient reservoir. The growing tray is set up in such a way that one end is lower than the other end to aid the flow of water and nutrient.

Plants grown with N.F.T hydroponic system are supplied with constant flow of nutrient solution to the higher end of the growing tray. Therefore timer is not required to schedule for the supply of nutrient solution. The nutrient solution at the higher end of the tray will flow through the root zone of the plants and the excess of hydroponic nutrients will then be drained back to the reservoir.

Most of the times, growing medium is not required in Nutrient Film Technique systems. Plants are placed in growing baskets or nursery nets with the roots hanging down into the nutrient solution. Thus, the plants must have a root system that is large enough to dangle down into the flowing solution. Usually the bottom of the growing tray is laid with a layer of absorbent material to assist for the even flow of nutrients and water.

N.F.T systems are very vulnerable to pump failures and power outages. The roots will get dry out very quickly if there is any interruption to the flow of nutrient solution.

Related Entries

• The Drip Hydroponic Growing System
• The Wick Hydroponic System
• Building Ebb and Flow Hydroponic Systems

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