DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF AN ENHANCED SMALL-SCALE HYDROPONIC SYSTEM FOR INDOOR SEEDLING PRODUCTION
РАЗРАБОТВАНЕ И ОЦЕНКА НА ПОДОБРЕНА МАЛКА ХИДРОПОННА СИСТЕМА ЗА ПРОИЗВОДСТВО НА РАЗСАД НА ЗАКРИТО
DOI : https://doi.org/10.35633/inmateh-76-62
Authors
Abstract
Ensuring food security for a rapidly growing global population amid environmental change necessitates a transformation of conventional agricultural practices, particularly in vegetable production. One promising technological approach is the implementation of hydroponic systems for indoor cultivation. This study presents the design and development of an enhanced, compact, adaptive, and technologically advanced hydroponic system suitable for cultivating seedlings and vegetables in domestic environments. The system is small-scale, Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled, and constructed using widely available materials, making it an affordable solution for small-scale farmers and households. Its functional effectiveness was evaluated through an experimental study involving the cultivation of two tomato varieties (Florida F1 and Aleno Surtse), sown in cubes with integrated organic fertilizer. Germination and early plant development success rates reached 94 % and 96 %, respectively. During the experiment, air temperature and humidity were continuously monitored. However, parameters of the nutrient solution—such as pH and electrical conductivity—were not assessed, as the system was filled with untreated spring water rather than a nutrient-enriched solution. Fluctuations in air temperature were observed due to extreme heat conditions and the absence of an integrated cooling mechanism. A cost-benefit analysis indicated that the initial investment could be recovered in under two years, assuming partial utilization (120 days per year) for tomato seedling production. Extending the cultivation period and diversifying crop selection could further reduce the payback period. Overall, the results highlight the potential of this hydroponic system as a viable and sustainable solution for home-based seedling and vegetable production.
Abstract in Bulgarian