The NFT system (also known as Nutrient Film Technique) is a hydroponic method characterized by a shallow nutrient solution level (1-2 cm), simple design and construction, and low investment costs. The NFT hydroponic system is composed of three parts: environmental control, nutrient and water control, and circulation piping. Although there are various design structures for the NFT system (flat structure, A-frame structure, spiral structure, S-shaped pipe structure, etc.), they all share the same feature of having a very shallow nutrient solution flowing through the cultivation pipes in a circulating manner. The plant roots come into contact with the nutrient solution, absorbing water and nutrients from it.
Seedlings are transplanted into planting cups and placed into small holes at the top of the cultivation pipes. The roots of the seedlings drop to the bottom of the cultivation pipes. The nutrient solution flows to the head of each cultivation pipe through a supply pipeline. Since the pipes have a certain slope, the nutrient solution forms a thin film at the bottom of the pipes, flowing slowly past each plant and moistening the roots. Finally, it flows back to the nutrient solution tank through a return pipeline, ready for the next irrigation cycle. Although the nutrient solution flowing through the pipes is very shallow, the entire root system of the plants remains moist at all times, allowing them to absorb the necessary nutrients. Additionally, the exposed roots have a large surface area in contact with the air, ensuring sufficient oxygen, which is beneficial for the plant's growth.
Economical
The NFT hydroponic system has a relatively simple structure with convenient design and construction, allowing for cost control and reduced expenses.
Avoids Soil-Borne Diseases
The NFT system does not require planting in soil, effectively avoiding infestations from pests and diseases such as soft rot, downy mildew, and aphid attacks.
Low Water Consumption
The nutrient solution in the NFT system can be recycled. Vegetables absorb the necessary water during irrigation, with the remainder returning to the nutrient solution tank for the next cycle. This prevents water wastage. The water consumption from seed to maturity for each vegetable is more than 90% less than conventional planting methods.
Excellent Root Oxygen Environment
Respiration is a crucial factor for plant growth. The shallow nutrient solution in the NFT hydroponic system ensures that a significant portion of the roots is exposed to the air, facilitating root respiration and increasing vegetable yield.
Easy Equipment Sterilization
The nutrient solution environment in the NFT system is conducive to algae proliferation. Adding a suitable amount of hydroponics-specific disinfectant to the nutrient solution can clean the entire system's pipes, equipment, and nutrient solution tank through the circulatory irrigation process.
Easy Monitoring of Vegetable Growth
The NFT hydroponic system allows staff to easily access individual vegetables for inspection, making it convenient to observe root health and nutrient sufficiency, and facilitating quick replacement if issues arise.
Environmentally Friendly
The nutrient solution in the NFT system can be recycled, avoiding soil pollution caused by fertilizer deposition in soil-based cultivation.
The NFT hydroponic system has become the choice of many large-scale production enterprises due to its low initial investment, which helps save costs during initial construction and allows for a quick transition to profitability. The NFT hydroponic system is also suitable for small enterprises, with low initial investment requirements and the capacity to produce high-quality vegetables. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the world population is expected to reach 9.1 billion by 2050, and the demand for vegetables continues to grow. However, arable land and water resources are becoming increasingly scarce, potentially leading to a serious imbalance in vegetable supply. The NFT hydroponic method eliminates the risk of disease caused by soil microorganisms, has a short growth cycle, high yield, low investment, high cost-effectiveness, and allows for the reuse of water resources. Moreover, production centers can be located near cities, close to the consumer market, saving transportation and refrigeration costs. The NFT hydroponic method is a viable solution to the problems of insufficient arable land and scarce water resources.
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