CHALLENGES AND POSSIBILITIES IN HYDROPONICS: AN INDIAN PERSPECTIVE.

Abstract

……………………………………………………………… Hydroponics (Greek words „hydro‟ water and „ponos‟ labour) is a technique of plant growing without soil using with mineral nutrient solutions. It is also called “Controlled environmental Agriculture” (CEA). Hydroponics, a water culture, now used in both research and commercial field. Some countries successfully implemented this technique for fast growing horticulture crops such as strawberries, lettuce, tomatoes and carnation. In this technique water culture scientists discovered that as compared to soil based growth ,hydrophonic plant system needs only small number of inorganic elements in addition to water, oxygen, and sun light to grow the plant Hydroponics farming can be a major advantage for Indian agriculture; it has the potential to produce crops in every season without soil. Such practices can help Indian farmers to increase their crop productivity even in small fragmented lands.This review paper focus on the challenges and possibilities to bring soil less farming in India to ensure its stability so that it may prove more beneficial for Indian farmers to grow crops which are 100% organic, toxic free and of better quality.