Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) is a hydroponic system used for commercial plant production. In NFT systems, plants are placed in pots within channels where water and nutrients flow continuously, allowing roots to access the solution easily. This method maximizes nutrient uptake, encourages vigorous plant growth, and minimizes water usage by recirculating the nutrient solution. NFT is popular for growing a variety of crops like lettuce, herbs, and strawberries due to its efficiency and productivity.

Plants can be commercially produced in nutrient film technique systems where the plants are grown in pots sitting in channels on a small incline with a constant flow of water and nutrients running down the channel or gutter. The plant roots then grow into the flow.

What are the positives of Nutrient Film Technique?

In NFT systems, very little water passes through the plant roots at a time. Plus, it’s a recirculating system, which means the water that is pumped out of the reservoir is captured and reused. Because it’s able to collect and reuse water, it needs significantly less than systems that use new water every single time.

What is the gravel film technique?

Gravel Flow Technique (GFT) is a variation of the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) system which was developed in the early 1970s. The principle is that a balanced nutrient solution (salts and trace elements in solution) is made available to the plant root system as a 1 to 2 mm ‘film’ on the bottom of a gully.

Why is it called nutrient film technique?

NFT was pioneered in 1965 by Allen Cooper at the Glasshouse Crops Research institute in Littlehampton, England. In an ideal system, the depth of the recirculating stream is very shallow, little more than a film of water, hence the name ‘nutrient film’.

What is the difference between Nutrient Film Technique and deep flow technique?

The nutrient film technique (NFT) utilises a tank on a slope which allows a shallow flow of water over the roots of the plant [19] . Contrastingly, in the deep flow technique (DFT), the tray is filled with solution and the roots are completely submerged [20]. …

What are advantages of a Nutrient Film Technique?

The Nutrient Film Technique offers several advantages, including efficient nutrient use, good oxygenation of roots, space-saving design, and precise control over plant nutrition. However, it requires careful attention to detail and maintenance to ensure optimal plant growth and productivity.

Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) Hydroponics System Tutorial

What are advantages of a nutrient film technique?

The Nutrient Film Technique offers several advantages, including efficient nutrient use, good oxygenation of roots, space-saving design, and precise control over plant nutrition. However, it requires careful attention to detail and maintenance to ensure optimal plant growth and productivity.

What is the Nutrient Film Technique in a fish tank?

Nutrient film technique (Figure 4) is a system that uses horizontal pipes or gutters for growing the plants. Specially made channels or PVC pipes (Figure 5) are used to support the plants and convey the fish tank effluent past the roots of the plants and back to the fish tank.

What is the Nutrient Film Technique for microgreens?

Nutrient film technique (commonly known as NFT) is a method of growing in which the microgreens have their roots in a depth-less stream of recirculating nutrient enriched water, in which are dissolved all the ingredients required. There is no solid rooting medium.

What are the positives of nutrient film technique?

In NFT systems, very little water passes through the plant roots at a time. Plus, it’s a recirculating system, which means the water that is pumped out of the reservoir is captured and reused. Because it’s able to collect and reuse water, it needs significantly less than systems that use new water every single time.

What is the difference between Nutrient Film Technique and hydroponics?

Because Nutrient Film Technique systems don’t have a cycle to keep track of, optimize, and maintain, they’re easier to maintain once set up. Unlike other hydroponic systems, they don’t require a timed release of nutrient solution. That means that after set-up, the system will recirculate its solution automatically.

What is the flow rate for nutrient film technique?

The recommended flow rate for a N.F.T. system is typically between 1/4 gallon to 1/2 gallon per minute (1 to 2 liter’s) for each grow tube (channel/gully). Or between 15 gallons to 30 gallons per hour (60 to 120 liter’s).

What is the difference between nutrient film technique and deep water culture?

SUMMARY. Deep water culture (DWC): plants sit on floating rafts under lights with their roots in nutrient solution. Nutrient film technique (NFT): plants sit in gutters with a shallow nutrient solution that flows by plant roots.

What is the difference between deep water culture and nutrient film technique?

SUMMARY. Deep water culture (DWC): plants sit on floating rafts under lights with their roots in nutrient solution. Nutrient film technique (NFT): plants sit in gutters with a shallow nutrient solution that flows by plant roots.

Is nutrient film the same as ebb and flow?

Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) is a hydroponics system that is popular and versatile. It uses a pump to deliver fertilized water to the grow tray and a drain pipe to recycle the unused nutrient solution. It is similar to Ebb and Flow, but in NFT, the nutrient solution continuously flows over the roots.

What is the most common film technique?

Cut: The most common editing technique; two pieces of film are spliced together to “cut” to another image. Fade: A gradual change in the light to move from one scene to another.

In conclusion, the Nutrient Film Technique is a hydroponic system that supplies plants with a continuous flow of nutrient-rich solution. By allowing the roots to uptake oxygen and nutrients efficiently, this method promotes healthy plant growth and higher crop yields. The simple design and scalability of the NFT system make it popular among both hobbyists and commercial growers. With proper monitoring and maintenance, this innovative technique offers a sustainable and resource-efficient way to cultivate plants without the need for soil. Whether you are growing herbs in your kitchen or producing crops on a larger scale, the Nutrient Film Technique can be a smart choice for optimizing plant growth and productivity.