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The green fodder deficit is the biggest bottleneck for livestock productivity in semi-arid regions, especially for resource-poor farmers. Low-cost climate-smart hydroponic chamber (CSHC) based hydroponic fodder production provides a viable solution under such an environment. A CSHC equipped with a fan pad-based evaporative cooling system, controlled drip watering system and smart air exhaust system was designed and developed at ICAR-IGFRI, Jhansi, India with the aim of modifying the inside growth environment of the chamber for improved production of quality fodder. The developed CSHC was capable of maintaining daily average temperature and relative humidity in the range of 23-280C and 87-90%, respectively, with an average cooling efficiency of 78.3%. This efficient cooling was an outcome of specialized CSHC designed with an effective covering material (UV stabilized 200 µm LDPE), shade net with 70% shading efficiency, fan pad-based evaporative cooling system, controlled drip watering system, and smart air exhaust system; which enabled ambient environment conducive for optimum plant growth. Among the different treatment combinations of seed loading rates and soaking hours, the highest maize biomass yield of 2.58 kg/ft2 was achieved after seven days with a seed loading rate of 300 g/ft2 when the seed was soaked for 12 h. At the highest productivity of biomass, the values of dry matter, crude protein, and crude fiber contents were found as 13.51%, 13.71%, and 15.12% respectively. The benefit-cost ratio of the developed CSHC was 1.32 with a payback period of 3.12 years. The developed CSHC was found productive and profitable; hence, it can create a great impact in achieving feed security under resource deficit conditions of climate-change-affected semi-arid regions across the globe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• ZIF-8 and ZIF-67 inhibited the growth and photosynthesis of rice seedlings. • The phytotoxicity of ZIFs is mainly from pristine ZIFs and transformed ZIFs. • Pristine ZIFs and transformed ZIFs were internalized by roots, but not transported shoots. • Released metal ions from ZIFs can be transported from roots to shoots. Zeolite imidazole frameworks (ZIFs), a class of the metal organic framework, have been extensively studied in environmental applications. However, their environmental fate and potential ecological impact on plants remain unknown. Here, we investigated the phytotoxicity, transformation, and bioaccumulation processes of two typical ZIFs (ZIF-8 and ZIF-67) in rice (Oryza sativa L.) under hydroponic conditions. ZIF-8 and ZIF-67 in the concentration of 50 mg/L decreased root and shoot dry weight maximally by 55.2% and 27.5%, 53.5% and 37.5%, respectively. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging combined with X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns revealed that ZIFs on the root surface gradually collapsed and transformed into nanosheets with increasing cultivation time. The fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labeled ZIFs were applied to trace the uptake and translocation of ZIFs in rice. The results demonstrated that the transformed ZIFs were mainly distributed in the intercellular spaces of rice root, while they cannot be transported to culms and leaves. Even so, the Co and Zn contents of rice roots and shoots in the ZIFs treated groups were increased by 1145% and 1259%, 145% and 259%, respectively, compared with the control groups. These findings suggested that the phytotoxicity of ZIFs are primarily attributed to the transformed ZIFs and to a less extent, the metal ions and their ligands, and they were internalized by rice root and increased the Co and Zn contents of shoots. This study reported the transformation of ZIFs and their biological effectiveness in rice, highlighting the potential environmental hazards and risks of ZIFs to crop plants. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc (Zn), a micronutrient, is a source of energy for essential oil (EO) biosynthesis. Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) is a plant growth regulator that has favorable effects on EO quality and quantity. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the interaction effect of Zn and MeJA on the phytochemical traits and EO compositions of peppermint cultivated under soilless conditions. Zn omission and the highest Zn concentration (0.1 mgL−1), which are stress conditions for plants, increased phytochemical traits as well as EO content, and 1 mM MeJA was more suitable for increasing these parameters. The major classes of peppermint EO components were oxygenated monoterpenes, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, and monoterpene hydrocarbons. The major constituents included menthol, menthone, menthofuran, and 1,8-cineole. Elicitation of peppermint with MeJA at different Zn levels modified the EO composition. The highest menthol content (50.1%) was observed in the 1 mM MeJA and 0.025 mgL−1 Zn treatment groups. In conclusion, this study indicated that Zn and MeJA could be appropriate compounds for changing phytochemical compounds, antioxidant activity, and EO composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytoremediation is a rapidly expanding process due to its technical and economic viability. The objective of this work was to evaluate the phytoremediation potential of Helianthus annuus in three cultivation media: artificially contaminated Catalão soil, hydroponics and roadside soil. In hydroponics, ZnCl2 doses 0.32 mgL− 1, 29.94 mgL− 1, 60.06 mgL− 1, 119.94 mgL− 1 were used. While in the artificially contaminated soil, the doses were 0 mgkg− 1, 299 mgkg− 1, 599 mgkg− 1, 1498 mgkg− 1. Physiological analyzes made it possible to demonstrate that treatments T3 and T4, with the highest concentrations of the metal, inhibited growth and promoted darkening of the roots. The highest Zn contents occurred in the aerial part. The results indicated that Helianthus annuus was classified as hyperaccumulator due to its ability to accumulate high levels of Zn mainly in artificially contaminated soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Internet of Things (IoT) plays a crucial role in technology advancements, especially in the agricultural sector, such as hydroponics. Manual monitoring of parameters like nutrient levels, pH, and water levels in plants consumes farmers' time and energy and increases the risk of crop failure. This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of using IoT RAFT (Remote Automated Farming Technology) system for farmers, particularly hydroponic bok choy farmers, in monitoring and controlling plant nutrient levels and the development process using waterfall as a research methodology. Parameters tested in this research include bok choy height, number of leaves, and bok choy harvest weight. We conducted this research on 14 plants for one harvesting period, then we used linear regression to determine the growth rate by calculating the slope. The results show that the plant height, the number of leaves, and harvest weight using the IoT RAFT system are 0.5897 cm/day, 0.6391 leaves/day, and 216.43 grams, respectively. We also compared the IoT RAFT system with a non-IoT bok choy growing method, and we concluded our IoT RAFT system has a better growth rate compared to the non-IoT bok choy growing method.

Abstract This study aimed to assess the performance of hydroponics vegetated with Duranta erecta in removing nutrients from domestic wastewater in a pilot-scale study. Domestic wastewater was fed to four lines of hydroponic-constructed filter systems (HCFS). The lines 1 and 3 were filled with gravel, but the lines 2 and 4 were filled with polyester sponges. The experimental biofilters (lines 1 and 2) were planted with Duranta erecta, and the control biofilters (lines 3 and 4) were unplanted. This experiment was operated at hydraulic retention times (HRT) of 1, 3, 5, and 7 days which were conducted sequentially. Results indicated that the planted biofilters in gravel media removed nutrients better than the other planted biofilters in sponge media. Better removal efficiencies of 55 and 47% for total nitrogen (TN) and of 32 and 26% for total phosphorus (TP) removal by planted and control lines, respectively, were obtained at 7 days HRT. At the end of the experiment, TN and TP accumulation in the plant biomass sample increased from 132 to 216 g TN/Kg of dry weight, and from 53to 86 g TP/Kg of dry weight, respectively at 7 days HRT. Hence, it can be concluded that nature-based hydroponic filters planted with Duranta erecta might have a promising potential, mainly with gravel media. HCFS represents a very welcome technology to treat domestic wastewater at a decentralized level in developing countries, including Ethiopia.

Abstract Background The root of a plant is a fundamental organ for the multisensory perception of the environment. Investigating root growth dynamics as a mean of their interaction with the environment is of key importance for improving knowledge in plant behaviour, plant biology and agriculture. To date, it is difficult to study roots movements from a dynamic perspective given that available technologies for root imaging focus mostly on static characterizations, lacking temporal and three-dimensional (3D) spatial information. This paper describes a new system based on time-lapse for the 3D reconstruction and analysis of roots growing in hydroponics. Results The system is based on infrared stereo-cameras acquiring time-lapse images of the roots for 3D reconstruction. The acquisition protocol guarantees the root growth in complete dark while the upper part of the plant grows in normal light conditions. The system extracts the 3D trajectory of the root tip and a set of descriptive features in both the temporal and frequency domains. The system has been used on Zea mays L. (B73) during the first week of growth and shows good inter-reliability between operators with an Intra Class Correlation Coefficient (ICC) > 0.9 for all features extracted. It also showed measurement accuracy with a median difference of

Background: Boron (B) is a micronutrient, but excessive levels can cause phytotoxicity, impaired growth, and reduced photosynthesis. B toxicity arises from over-fertilization, high soil B levels, or irrigation with B-rich water. Conversely, silicon (Si) is recognized as an element that mitigates stress and alleviates the toxic effects of certain nutrients. In this study, to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of Si on maize under boron stress conditions, a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design was conducted with three replications in a hydroponic system. The experiment utilized a nutrient solution for maize var. Merit that contained three different boron (B) concentrations (0.5, 2, and 4 mg L−1) and three Si concentrations (0, 28, and 56 mg L−1). Results: Our findings unveiled that exogenous application of B resulted in a substantial escalation of B concentration in maize leaves. Furthermore, B exposure elicited a significant diminution in fresh and dry plant biomass, chlorophyll index, chlorophyll a (Chl a), chlorophyll b (Chl b), carotenoids, and membrane stability index (MSI). As the B concentration augmented, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and catalase (CAT) enzyme activity exhibited a concomitant increment. Conversely, the supplementation of Si facilitated an amelioration in plant fresh and dry weight, total carbohydrate, and total soluble protein. Moreover, the elevated activity of antioxidant enzymes culminated in a decrement in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and MDA content. In addition, the combined influence of Si and B had a statistically significant impact on the leaf chlorophyll index, total chlorophyll (a + b) content, Si and B accumulation levels, as well as the enzymatic activities of guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and H2O2 levels. These unique findings indicated the detrimental impact of B toxicity on various physiological and biochemical attributes of maize, while highlighting the potential of Si supplementation in mitigating the deleterious effects through modulation of antioxidant machinery and biomolecule synthesis. Conclusions: This study highlights the potential of Si supplementation in alleviating the deleterious effects of B toxicity in maize. Increased Si consumption mitigated chlorophyll degradation under B toxicity, but it also caused a significant reduction in the concentrations of essential micronutrients iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn). While Si supplementation shows promise in counteracting B toxicity, the observed decrease in Fe, Cu, and Zn concentrations warrants further investigation to optimize this approach and maintain overall plant nutritional status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydroponic farming systems play an increasingly important role in the sustainable production of nutrient-rich foods. The contamination of surfaces in hydroponic fresh produce production poses risks to the food safety of crops, potentially endangering public health and causing economic losses in the industry. While sanitizers are widely used in commercial hydroponic farms, their effectiveness against human pathogens on surfaces and their impact on plant health and quality are not known. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of chemical sanitizers in eliminating Salmonella Typhimurium from inanimate surfaces in commercial hydroponic Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) systems. Further, we assessed the impact of sanitizers on the yield, quality, and nutritional value of lettuce and basil. Sanitizers (Virkon, LanXess, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; SaniDate 12.0, BioSafe Systems, East Hartford, CT, USA; KleenGrow, Pace Chemical Ltd., Delta, BC, Canada; Green Shield, United Labs Inc., St Charles, IL, USA; Zerotol, BioSafe Systems, East Hartford, CT, USA; Bleach, Pure Bright, ON, Canada) were tested against Salmonella Typhimurium inoculated on NFT surfaces (nutrient reservoir, growing channels, top covers, drain lines). The effective treatments were then tested for their impact on lettuce and basil in a split-plot experiment conducted in commercial NFT units. Crop yield, color, and nutrient content (chlorophyll and carotenoids) were measured throughout the crop life cycle. While all quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC), SaniDate 12.0 (200 ppm), Zorotol (5%), and Virkon (1%) eliminated Salmonella Typhimurium from commercial NFT surfaces, chlorine-based sanitizer treatments were statistically similar to water treatments on most surfaces. All chemical sanitizers impacted the yield, color, and nutritional value of lettuce and basil. SaniDate 12.0 (200 ppm) was the least detrimental to crops and was identified as a potential candidate for further validation in commercial hydroponic settings. The findings of this study will be translated into recommendations for the industry and will contribute to the development of future food safety guidelines and policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article titled "Editorial: Biostimulants in agriculture II: towards a sustainable future" explores the use of biostimulants in agriculture to improve sustainability and productivity. Biostimulants are products that stimulate plant growth and improve characteristics such as nutrient use efficiency and tolerance to stress. The article discusses various studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of biostimulants in improving crop tolerance to environmental stresses. The market for biostimulants is growing, particularly in Europe, due to increasing interest in organic food production. Biostimulants offer a promising solution for sustainable agriculture by reducing reliance on chemical inputs and improving crop performance. [Extracted from the article]

Soilless agriculture is acknowledged worldwide because it uses organic leftovers as a means of supporting intensive and efficient plant production. However, the quality of potting media deteriorates because of lower nutrient content and excessive shrinkage of most organic materials. A current study was undertaken to identify the optimal blend of locally available organic materials with desirable qualities for use as potting media. Therefore, different ingredients, viz., Pinus roxburghii needles, sugarcane bagasse, and farmyard manure were used alone or in combination as potting media to test their suitability by growing spinach as a test crop. Results showed that an increase in Pinus roxburghii needles and sugarcane bagasse decreased medium pH and electrical conductivity. Higher pH and electrical conductivity were recorded for the treatments having a higher farmyard manure ratio (≥50%) in combination. Except for pine needles 100%, pH and electrical conductivity were in the recommended range. The growth attributes include, leaves plant-1, shoot length, fresh- and dry shoot weight along with plant macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium) and micronutrients (iron, copper, manganese, and zinc) content were higher in treatment pine needles 50%+farmyard manure 50% followed by pine needles 25%+farmyard manure 50%+sugarcane bagasse 25%. Moreover, the particular treatment of pine needles 50%+farmyard manure 50% exhibited the highest concentrations of macro- (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) as well as micronutrients (iron, copper, manganese, and zinc) in the potting media following the harvest. This study highlights the potential of utilizing agro-industrial litter/waste as a soilless growing medium for spinach production under greenhouse conditions. When employed in appropriate proportions, this approach not only addresses disposal concerns but also proves effective for sustainable cultivation. Further research is needed to investigate the use of these wastes as potting media by mixing various particle-size ingredients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the use of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and deep learning (DL) in plant breeding and agriculture. It discusses how these technologies have revolutionized our understanding of plant biology and their potential impact on global food security and sustainability. The article presents several studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of AI-driven approaches in crop management, disease detection, and varietal classification. It highlights the opportunities for developing disease-resistant plant varieties, optimizing nutrient levels, and improving crop quality and resilience. Overall, the article emphasizes the importance of advanced technologies in enhancing agricultural practices and ensuring a secure food supply. [Extracted from the article]

Saffron cultivation is important in global agriculture and is mainly flourishing in Mediterranean climates. Although it originated in Asia Minor, it is widely grown in regions such as Iran, India, Spain, Morocco, Greece, and Italy. Labour-intensive harvesting, mainly by hand, characterises its production and offers substantial employment opportunities in cultivating areas. However, traditional saffron-producing countries such as Spain, Italy, and Greece have witnessed declining production due to labour demands and competition from low-wage countries. Mechanization remains unfeasible due to the delicate nature of the plant. To revitalise saffron cultivation, efforts have been focused on reducing labour costs, improving productivity, and improving quality through innovative techniques, such as soilless crops. In this study, the productivity and quality of saffron was evaluated in a soilless culture and three fertigation doses were evaluated: a control, consisting of Sonneveld and Voogt's standard nutrient solution, and two treatments with two supplemented solutions, 30% K and 30% Ca. The results indicated that the solution with 30% K obtained higher corm productivity, as well as better quality saffron, as all the products of this treatment were included in Category I according to the ISO 3632 standard, while the quality of saffron grown with the control solution was lower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic products are gaining popularity due to their positive impact on human health and the environment. While hydroponics is commonly used in vegetable production, it relies on mineral fertilizers derived from limited and non-renewable resources. As a result, farmers are actively seeking sustainable farming solutions. This study comprehensively evaluated the effectiveness of vermi-liquids (organic nutrient solutions) as a replacement for conventional inorganic nutrient solutions in promoting growth and nutrient acquisition in Diplotaxis muralis plants in a controlled environment. The results showed that plant biomass and SPAD values of D. muralis grown in Hoagland solution and enhanced vermitea (vermitea having relatively low pH and high EC) were higher compared to standard vermitea (high pH and low EC). The findings also revealed improved nutrient assimilation of phosphorus, potassium, calcium, iron, manganese, copper, and zinc in the enhanced vermitea plants. The heavy metal contents in D. muralis leaves were evaluated, too, and they were found to fall significantly below the safe threshold, rendering them safe for human consumption. However, the standard vermitea, with its high pH and low EC, performed poorly as a hydroponic solution. This research suggests that enhanced vermitea can completely replace chemical nutrient solutions in hydroponic agriculture. This substitution could lead to reduced production costs and improved product quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the importance of the Lamiaceae family of plants, which includes species like thyme, mint, oregano, basil, and sage. These plants are known for their aromatic properties and are widely used in various industries such as food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. The article also highlights recent research on topics such as plant cultivation methods, extraction techniques for essential oils, and the preservation of fresh produce using natural compounds. The collection of scientific papers aims to explore the potential of these plants and their extracts in various applications while optimizing growth conditions and extraction methods. [Extracted from the article]

To overcome the scarcity of fresh water, researchers have turned to investigating different techniques that enable using saline water to irrigate crops, aiming to increase the efficiency of using available water resources. A glasshouse experiment was conducted to investigate the yield responses of grafted and non-grafted (self-rooted) tomato plants grown hydroponically under three levels of water salinity (2.5, 6.0, and 9.5 dS m−1). Three tomato varieties (Ghandowra-F1, Forester-F1, and Feisty-Red) were grafted onto five rootstocks (Maxifort, Unifort, Dynafort, Vivifort, and Beaufort). The implemented treatments were studied in terms of tomato fruit yield and quality parameters. Although increasing the concentration of salts in the nutrient solution led to a decrease in fruit yield, the moderate salinity level (S-2: 6.0 dS m−1) showed its superiority over both low salinity (S-1: 2.5 dS m−1) and high salinity (S-3: 9.5 dS m−1) in terms of tomato yield parameters. The studied rootstocks did not significantly improve the tomato fruit yield, but the interaction between the grafting combinations and salinity was significant for both production and quality. More specifically, tomato plants grafted onto the rootstocks "Vivifort and Beaufort" rendered the highest yield at a low salinity level (S-1: 2.5 dS m−1) and a moderate salinity level (S-2: 6.0 dS m−1), respectively, while at high salinity (S-3: 9.5 dS m−1), grafting did not improve tomato productivity, irrespective of the rootstock. These results confirm that tomatoes can be successfully grown under hydroponic systems using salinity levels of up to 6.0 dS m−1 without sacrificing fruit yield and quality. Among the studied tomato varieties, Feisty-Red was found to be appropriate for hydroponic production. The results also demonstrated that Vivifort and Beaufort rootstocks are suitable for grafting hydroponic tomatoes under low and moderate salinity levels, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to precisely obtain the impact of nutritional elements on lettuce yield and quality, in the present study, a nutrient solution formula suitable for lettuce hydroponic production was development using response surface methodology based on the determination for micro-elements in three growth stages and taking the interaction between elements into account. Then, the formula was optimized and validated, aiming for the goal of improving lettuce yield and quality. The results showed that 200 healthy lettuce leaves contained similar amounts of macro-elements, and there was no significant difference in the unit content of micro-elements among the seedling, rosette, and harvest stages. Quadratic regression models between shoot fresh weight, SPAD value, soluble sugar content, Vc content, and nutrient content were established (R2 = 0.91, 0.95, 0.98, and 0.81, respectively). The optimal concentrations of P, K, Ca, and Mg obtained by multi-objective optimization of the quadratic regression models for fresh weight, SPAD value, soluble sugar content, and Vc content were 2.71 mmol·L−1, 6.42 mmol·L−1, 5.58 mmol·L−1, and 7.11 mmol·L−1, respectively. The nutrient solution formula (T1) was found to be the optimal nutrient solution formula for improving lettuce growth and quality. Overall, we developed a specific and targeted nutrient solution formulation for lettuce; this formulation not only meets lettuce's demand for nutrients, but also improves lettuce yield and quality, providing more choices for lettuce production in a region with high salts and high pH in the irrigation water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increases in the temperature of nutrient solutions have restricted the use of hydroponic cultivation in the tropics, predominantly due to plant stress. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of temperature stress under different hydroponic systems on the growth and saponin content of Talinum paniculatum cuttings. Three hydroponic systems, i.e., deep flow technique (DFT), nutrient film technique (NFT), and aeroponic, were tested. The temperature of the nutrient solution was set for each system, i.e., under ambient temperature (UAT) and with controlled temperature (WCT) at 26° C. The cultivation period was 60 days. The result showed peroxidation activity and proline accumulation for the adventitious roots of T. paniculatum cuttings with UAT and WCT, alongside various levels of plasma membrane damage. Levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline were analyzed by spectrophotometer. Membrane damage was analyzed with Evans blue dye. The results indicated that the levels of MDA and proline accumulation under the three hydroponic systems were higher for the WCT than for the UAT treatment. In contrast, vegetative growth was higher in UAT than in WCT. The saponin content of the adventitious root correlated with the MDA level. Saponin production was triggered by oxidative stress during cultivation, while the adventitious roots had a higher saponin content in all three hydroponic systems with the WCT treatment compared to the UAT treatment. Among the systems, aeroponic was superior for biomass and saponin. Root growth was promoted in the nutrient solution under ambient temperature whereas the production of saponins was stimulated under the controlled temperature. In the aeroponic system, root biomass values of 1.17 and 0.478 g dry weight were obtained under ambient and controlled temperatures, respectively. The total saponin contents differed slightly, namely 189.83 and 195.61 mg/g, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants grown without soil are believed to be less affected by soilborne diseases. However, in a commercial greenhouse in Ethiopia's Rift valley, Lavender plants grown in hydroponic showed signs of severe stunting and galled roots. To identify the cause of the problem, root samples were taken. From these samples, single egg masses were obtained and used as inoculum for tomato cv. Moneymaker seedlings. The resulting seedlings were grown to produce a pure culture. DNA was extracted from second-stage juveniles (J2) from sixteen isolates derived from pure cultures and amplified the 28S rRNA and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (Nad5) region of the mtDNA. The 28S rRNA and Nad5 were sequenced for two and five randomly selected isolates. A BLAST search of 28S rRNA sequences at NCBI showed a 98.34% sequence homology with known sequences of Meloidogyne javanica isolates. Moreover, Nad5 gene analysis, female perennial pattern, and the phylogenetic trees further confirmed the correct identification of this species. This is the first report of a nematode infecting plants growing in a hydroponic greenhouse in Ethiopia. Therefore, isolating any potential contaminants of the potting media for future lavender production are important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Farmers can market their crops due to the significant market share for hydroponic agriculture products. However, this presents a dilemma as the market demands a consistent supply of high-quality crops. Precise nutrient levels and controlled chemical-physics parameters are crucial considerations in hydroponic yields. Thus far, these factors have been managed manually, leading to challenges in achieving desired outcomes. Objective: This community service program aimed to address this issue by developing a real-time automated system for monitoring and controlling chemicalphysics parameters and nutrient levels via an Android application. The goal was to enhance the effectiveness and productivity of hydroponic crop harvests. Method: The program commenced with designing the system based on farmer requirements, followed by the installation and testing of equipment at partner locations. Subsequently, technical training on system features and usage was provided. Results: The system was successfully installed at Grahaponik. According to questionnaire responses, 68.4% of farmers expressed satisfaction, and 78.9% of total participants reported that the system was easy to employ. Technology installation, implementation, and dissemination to local hydroponic farmer groups were conducted. Hydroponic farmers acknowledged the user-friendliness of the devices. Conclusion: Partners' acceptance of the instruments was favorable, facilitating their ease of use and thereby enhancing the effectiveness of hydroponic farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydroponics and aeroponics are advanced techniques for cultivating plants under controlled conditions without soil in polyhouses to address soil-related problems. An experiment was designed to evaluate the potentiality of soilless methods over conventional soil-based methods for hybrid seed production of tomatoes. For initial standardization of nutrient solution and pH of the media, six different nutrient solutions viz., Hoagland's, CPRI, Chikkaballapur, Ethiopia, USDA and Komosa nutrient solutions, were tested, and pH was standardized. The crop performance was superior in Hoagland's nutrient solution with a pH range of 5.5–6.4. The experiment comprised three methods of production, two parental lines (TAG 1 F and TAG 2 F), and two seed treatments (S1: Control and S2: Thiram @ 2 g kg-1 + chlorpyrifos @3 g kg-1) for hybrid seed production of tomato. A hundred percent survival rate was recorded in a soilless medium, whereas seed treatment increased the percent survival rate by 9% under the conventional system. Soiless method performed better than the conventional method. Aeroponics recorded a higher plant relative growth rate (1.17), fruit weight (124.54 g), total biomass (106.44 g), and seed index (3.95 g). Hydroponics produced a higher number of seeds fruit 1 (98.42), SVI-II (294), and 6% higher protein than the conventional method. The soilless method may open up a new approach for high-quality and year-round healthy hybrid tomato seed production under protected cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]