NFT for Beginners: An Introduction to Nutrient-Film-Trickle Irrigation

‍

Image Source: FreeImages‍

Nutrient film technique (NFT) is a type of irrigation that uses a shallow water film to deliver nutrients to plants in a greenhouse. The NFT system involves supplying plants with a thin film of water and fertilizer, which is then trickled down troughs and channels so that it pools at the bottom of the containers. A combination of high humidity and limited access to oxygen helps create an environment where bacteria cannot grow on plant surfaces. As water evaporates from the pooling solution, minerals are left behind on the plant’s leaves. This makes NFT ideal for growing plants like lettuce, which have sensitive roots. These systems can also be used to grow crops that require less frequent watering such as tomatoes or potatoes—keep reading for more details on NFT crops!

What is the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)?

NFT is a hydroponic farming technique where a thin film of water is used to deliver nutrients to plants growing in a greenhouse. This water is then trickled down troughs and channels to create a pooling solution at the bottom of the containers. The main difference between NFT and other hydroponic techniques is that rather than flooding the plants' root systems in water, a very thin layer across the top of the growing media is used, which allows the roots to remain oxygenated. Various crops can be grown with NFT, including lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, and herbs.

How Does NFT Work?

With NFT, plants are grown in a shallow bed of growing media such as sand or gravel. Nutrients and water are supplied to the plants through channels underneath the growing media. When these channels are filled with water, a shallow film of water forms on top of the growing media. This water film trickles down the channels and collects at the bottom of the container. By harvesting the water from the bottom of the container, growers can control the amount of water and nutrients each plant receives. By adding more water to the system, you can increase the amount of water that trickles down the channels and into the growing media. This will result in more water collecting at the bottom of the container, and subsequently, more water and nutrients available for the plants.

Advantages of Using NFT

Here are some of the advantages of using NFT. - Plants don’t have to be kept completely dry - Since the water is kept at the bottom of the containers, the roots of the plants are kept mostly dry, which means you can harvest the plants at any time. If you’re growing lettuce or other leafy greens, you can harvest them over a long period of time, which can be helpful when growing in high-value crops. - High-value crops - Growing crops that require less frequent watering, such as tomatoes or potatoes, may be easier with NFT, as the plants are able to access only as much water as they need. - Excellent for high humidity environments - A common problem with hydroponic systems is maintaining high humidity levels. However, NFT works best when the air is humid and water is being removed from the growing media. - Plants are kept away from oxygen - Since there is a limited amount of water present in the containers, bacteria have a harder time developing on the plant’s roots. This means that you can keep the plant’s roots completely dry, which is beneficial in preventing diseases from spreading. - Wide variety of crops - A wide variety of crops can be grown using NFT, including leafy greens, tomatoes, peppers, and herbs.

Disadvantages of Using NFT

There are also a few disadvantages to using NFT, including: - The nutrient solution can become contaminated - If the nutrient solution becomes contaminated, the plants will not be able to grow and thrive. You may often have to change the water in the system to prevent bacteria and other contaminants from forming. This can be difficult if you are growing a wide variety of crops. - Nutrients aren’t applied directly to the plants - When using NFT, the water trickling down the channels will collect the nutrients in the solution at the bottom of the containers, but it won’t drip directly onto the plants. This means that the plants will have to be harvested before you can apply the nutrients to them. - Plants are less rooted - Since the plants are kept out of the water, their root systems are less developed than those grown using other hydroponic methods. - Expensive to start - All NFT systems require a large initial investment. They also require more effort than other hydroponic systems.

Key Takeaway

NFT is the ideal hydroponic technique for growing high-value crops that require less frequent watering. It can be used to grow leafy greens, tomatoes, peppers, and herbs. With NFT, plants are kept out of the water, and a shallow water film trickles down channels and collects at the bottom of the container. This makes NFT a sound system for high-humidity environments. Though it can be a challenging process to set up, NFT is a great way to grow a wide variety of crops. However, the plants will be less rooted, and you’ll have to change the water more frequently to prevent bacteria growth.