Lecture on blog writing was taken by Suvarna madam. She taught us how to create blog.
Dixit sir conducted lecture on simple national renewable sources. eg. Sun, Photosynthesis.
There are 5 steps in Design Thinking Process
- Empathy
- Design
- Idea
- Prototype
- Test
What is Empathy ?
Empathy is first important step of Design Thinking Process. Empathy means to understand the problem faced by the people. Through empathy we are able to put ourselves in condition of that person and connect with how they might be feeling of their situation.
Way to Empathize :-
1. By talking with that person.
2.By observing the problems faced by the person.
3.By doing the actual work and experiencing the problems.
Prasad sir assigned us task to find out information about Hydroponics.
INTRODUCTION :-
The cultivation of plants in nutrient-enriched water, with or without the mechanical support of an inert medium such as sand, gravel, or perlite is called hydroponics. Also called as soilless farming.
Hydroponic:-
Hydroponic system is a soil-less cultivation method. It can be used to grow plants in a nutrient rich , water bladed solution.
In this method of cultivation, roots of plants are suspended in water so that roots.
Hydroponic is a way to skip the soil, sub in a different material to support the roots of the plant, and grow crop directly in nutrient rich water.
The added benefits of controlling and managing pH, CO2, heat, air movement, nutrients supply, water needs, temperature and lighting scheme, help farmers boost production of their crops.
Advantages:-
1) No soil involved
2) Optimal use of location
3) Control over climate
4) Save water
5) Optimal use of nutrient
6) pH control
7) Fast growth rate
8) Zero weed
9) Time saving process
22/07/2022
Types of Hydroponics :-
1. Flood and drain system
2 NFT
3.Deep Water Culture
4.Aquaponics and Aeroponics
5.Wick Culture
NEED OF PROJECT / Problems in Old NFT Hydroponic System
A) The water entering the inlet had a short path . water was in fast motion from one pipe to another.
B) Waterlogging problem in some pipes.
C) Proper maintenance was not done.
D) Motor of the system was not working.
E) To convert old hydroponic system into flood and drain system.
F) Observation of plants growth in different solutions.
TITLE:- Hydroponic Cultivation in 3 Different solution
Objectives:-
1) To observe plant growth in three different solution.(Chemical fertilizer, Vermiwash urine fertilizer, vermiwash by bioslurry).
2) To run hydroponic out of waste material.
3) To pick the best from the different growing media and use hydroponic system.
4)To maintain the System.
Methodology:-
1) The term hydroponics was derived from the Greek word hydro means water and ponos means labour and literally means water work.
2) We have to construct a hydroponic structure which would consist of 3 different layers with same plant (Spinach), and 3 different liquid (Chemical fertilizer, Vermiwash urine fertilizer, vermiwash by bioslurry) should be taken and then growth of plant could be studies.
3) first we dismentled the old structure.
Bill of Material:-
Study on design concept of NFT hydroponic:
This design was made consisting of front view, side view and top view.
Dismantle of old NFT Hydroponic system: Ongoing Work
Helping Abhishak in modification of old system and we could convert it into convert it into flood and drain system.
Today we also shifted different hydroponic system (Flood and Drain system ) which was already present in Ashram.
For that we had to dismantle it and then move it and then again make it working.
So I also got to know how Flood and Drain system works.
23-7-2022 – 26-7-2022
Plants which are placed in bowls with cocopeat need maintenance & watering them is necessary for plants life.
Watching the video and discuss with Suvarna mam about which pump selection for hydroponic system?
3 pumps are required for 3 different layer hydroponic system & I went to the village and ordered two pumps.
Because, 1 pump are available in chemistry lab & To take Permission to use that pump was taken from the Sonal Mam.
01-08-2022
The Dismantle old hydroponic structure was carried behind the workshop.
Giving nutrition to Tomato plants.
Putting Spinach seeds in plastic tray with cocopeat & watering them.
02-08-2022
Giving water to spinach seeds.
Giving Nutrition to Tomato plants.
I have brought Brush, Thinner, Polish Paper & Paint from Pabal Village.
Using the Polish Paper on Dismantle old hydroponic structure before using Paint.
Cleaning structure of hydroponics
Painting the old Hydroponic Structure:
03-08-2022
I have Cleaning the pipe of previous system so that mud should be removed before we use pipe.
I have discusses with Dixit Sir on our project topic to fill Google form between Objectives, Methodology, Background.
04-08-2022
Today I have Cleaned the PVC pipe.
Painted the PVC pipe before the connecting on hydroponic structure.
Connect the PVC pipe on hydroponic structure:
05-08-2022
Today, I made outlet & inlet for the system. We went to the village to buy elbow & T we found 3 buckets & adjust the system properly.
06-08-2022 to 09-08-2022
I have planned & placed inlet & outlet pipes for hydroponic system, dripper pipes are used for that.
10-08-22 to 15-08-22
We Worked on the flood and drain Hydroponic system which was in the Polyhouse, but the system was not in operation since the open house in Vigyan Ashram and the Brinjal plants were dying. So we got assigned to start the system before the plant die.
We check the system and then the electric supply, then we started the flood and drain system .
We were also assigned to prepare Nutrient solution for the brinjal plants so that they get into good health as soon as possible.
Nutrient solution :- For 30 lit
K2SO4 2.25 gm
MgSO4 1.9 gm
NH3 1.6 gm
H3PO4 3.7 gm
We also shifted our system from workshop to a permanent place near polyhouse , First our plan was to shift it to polyhouse but due to height of our system that plan got deleted.
we shifted the system and then leveled it with the help of leveltube.
After that we attached all the motor to a single wire.
16-08-22 to 21-07 22
Finding information on hydroponic system :-
Content of Urea
Nitrification Reaction ( as plant can use only NO3, NH4 from urea ).
We decided to plant spinach plants in whole system. So found some information on Spinach.
Information on Vermiwash composter by urine method and Vermiwash composter by bioslurrry.
22-08-22 to 23-08-22
Electronic Components:-
We did coding of Arduino sensor, checked it and connected to the hydroponic system.
we set the timing on Arduino sensor, it will run for 15 min and take a pause for 1 hour.
24-08-22 to 25-08-22
We had to prepare a chemical / Nutrient solution and check its PH and TDS.
WE got the PH very less (4.3) so we decided to add ammonia (NH3) to increase its PH.
As most of the chemicals were over, we went in Pabal village to search for those chemicals.
we removed the ardunio from the system which had a code for 15 min and it would be shut for 1 hr according to the previous NFT system requirements but now it has to be change according to Flood and Drain system.
so we removed the ardunio and started its coding
We found the algorithim of ardunio:-
And the codding done :-
int motor1 = 4;
void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600);
pinMode(motor1, OUTPUT); // Set pin 4 to output
}
void loop()
{
digitalWrite(motor1, LOW); // Set pin 4 as “low” or turn it on
Serial.println(“Relay on”); // prints that the pump should be on
delay(150000); //150 second delay
digitalWrite(motor1, HIGH); // Set pin 4 as “high” or turn it off
Serial.println(“Relay off”); // prints that the pump should be off
delay(7200000); // 2 hour delay
}
We placed the Ardunio into the system after completion of the coddding.
26-08-22 to 30-08-22
we connected the whole system, but there is a problem the water in the pipe is at low level and is not touching the cup,
So we have three options (some changes in design, changing the cups or putting breaker so water level rises.
option 2 (using different and deeper cups is suitable) and option 3 (putting breakers in the system).
Calculations for selection of reservoir so that the motor doesn`t run out of water. So that the motor remain submerged when the water in the pipe rise to 2 inch height.
31-08-22 to 03-09-22
Solution Details
1)Vermiwash composter by urine method:- Vermiwash is an organic drainage obtained from units of vermicompost. The water that contain some amount of urine passes through the vermiculture, resulting in washing of the live and dead earthworms, soil microorganisms and decomposed organic matter, carries all the dissolved substances. It is rich in dissolved nutrients and amino acids and therefore, is a good source for plant nutrients in organic agriculture.
The normal range for 24-hour urine volume is 800 to 2,000 milliliters per day
Urea:- It can be used as a chemical fertilizer. Of course, ammonia can also be processed into various nitrogen fertilizers and nitrogen-containing compound fertilizers. It is an important basic raw material for inorganic and organic
Urea Fertilizer 1 Kg Soil Manure (1 Kg Granules)
Original Price =₹130
Our urine contains significant levels of nitrogen, as well as phosphorous and potassium. The relative ratios are typically around 11 parts nitrogen to 1 part phosphorus to 2.5 parts potassium. Americans produce about 90 million gallons of urine a day, containing about 7 million pounds of nitrogen.
2)Vermiwash compoter by bioslurry method:-
A) it acts as biofertilizers, restores soil nutrients, stabilizes soil, and enhances soil fertility at a long-term period.
B) it attends to social issues and recycles waste.
C) it is shown to be a profitable enterprise as a circular economy.
3)Nutrient solution :- For 30 lit
K2SO4 2.25 gm
MgSO4 1.9 gm
NH3 1.6 gm
H3PO4 3.7 gm
04-09-22 to 09-09-22
In discussion with Dixit sir we decided that instead of making NFT hydroponic system we will make Flood and Drain system.
so all those problems that we were facing ( low water level, fast movement of water, larger cups) all of those were solved.
Dixit also told us to learn and apply syphon system in our hydroponic structure
So we started our study on syphon system and the new design & planning of Flood and drain system
we decided the flow of water which would be like the hole from where water which was exiting from the system is now the inlet of the system, the water will enter the system from the previous outlet with the help of motor which will run foe 2 min 30 sec (time taken to fill the pipe ) then the system will shut down and water will come back into reservoir with the help of syphon system and by the inlet itself, system will run after every 2 hrs.
we also planted the spinach plants in cocopit media so we could place the plants in the system .
After plantation was completed all these cups were placed into the system .
13-09-22 to 17-09-22
we removed the ardunio from the system which had a code for 15 min and it would be shut for 1 hr according to the previous NFT system requirements but now it has to be change according to Flood and Drain system.
18-09-22 to 22-09-22
We had a observation that due to continous rainfall it had affected plants growth.
Due to over irrigation and very good water holding capacity of cocopit the plants started to burn. Spinach do not need lot of water.
So after discussion with Dixit sir we decided to change the media from cocopit to small pieces of brick.(as it has low water holding capacity and contain large number of pore space between them.)
We also collected all the different liquids ( chemical water, vermiwash form urine method, vermiwash from bioslurry method), near our system.
23-09-22
After we collected all the solutions such as chemical water, vermiwash form urine method and vermiwash from bioslurry method
We are suppose to maintain its PH and Tds before we can supply it to the plants.
The PH required by the plants is between 6 to 7
The Tds required by the plants is nearly 700 to 900
After this observation in the first case of chemical water I had to add MgSO4 and K2SO4 to increase its Tds.
In second case I had to add water to reduce its Tds and H3PO4 or nitric acid to decrease its PH.
In third case I had to add H3PO4 or nitric acid to decrease its PH and its Tds value was good.
We also collected all the different liquids ( chemical water, vermiwash form urine method, vermiwash from bioslurry method), near our system
| Date | Fertilizer | pH | EC | Tds |
| 22/09/2022 | Chemical solution | 6.6 | 460 | |
| Vermiwash from Bioslurry | 7.84 | 793 | ||
| Vermiwash from Urine | 7.43 | 1737 | ||
| 23/09/2022 | Chemical solution | 6.8 | 846 | 424 |
| Vermiwash from Bioslurry | 7.79 | 1574 | 777 | |
| Vermiwash from Urine | 8.59 | 3453 | 1720 | |
| 23/09/2022 | Chemical solution | 6.52 | 514 | |
| Vermiwash from Bioslurry | 7.41 | 777 | ||
| Vermiwash from Urine | 8.2 | 1567 | ||
| 24/09/2022 | Chemical solution | 6.87 | 1189 | 523 |
| Vermiwash from Bioslurry | 7.29 | 1578 | 785 | |
| Vermiwash from Urine | 8.09 | 2990 | 1502 | |
| 24/09/2022 | Chemical solution | 6.89 | 1184 | 593 |
| Vermiwash from Bioslurry | 7.18 | 1579 | 786 | |
| Vermiwash from Urine | 7.94 | 2932 | 1480 | |
| 26/09/2022 | Chemical solution | 7.3 | 1184 | 594 |
| Vermiwash from Bioslurry | 7.52 | 1620 | 815 | |
| Vermiwash from Urine | 8.06 | 3008 | 1465 | |
| 28/09/2022 | Chemical solution | 7.51 | 1159 | 581 |
| Vermiwash from Bioslurry | 7.5 | 1600 | 802 | |
| Vermiwash from Urine | 8.21 | 3027 | 1500 | |
| 29/09/2022 | Chemical solution | 7.64 | 1152 | 578 |
| Vermiwash fro Bioslurry | 7.71 | 1622 | 808 | |
| Vermiwash from Urine | 8.6 | 3042 | 1520 | |
| 03/10/2022 | Chemical solution | 7.7 | 1160 | 538 |
| Vermiwash from Bioslurry | 7.8 | 1620 | 820 | |
| Vermiwash from Urine | 8.7 | 3059 | 1538 | |
| 06/10/2022 | Chemical solution | 7.81 | 1147 | 571 |
| Vermiwash from Bioslurry | 8.12 | 1456 | 732 | |
| Vermiwash from Urine | 8.51 | 2605 | 1302 | |
| 10/10/2022 | Chemical solution | 7.22 | 588 | 1177 |
| Vermiwash from Bioslurry | 8.5 | 746 | 1498 | |
| Vermiwash from Urine | 8.68 | 2423 | 1203 | |
| 13/10/2022 | Chemical solution | 7.8 | 555 | 1113 |
| Vermiwash from Bioslurry | 8.3 | 681 | 1413 | |
| Vermiwash from Urine | 8.6 | 1085 | 2167 | |
| 18/10/22 | Chemical solution | 8.09 | 1108 | 555 |
| Vermiwash from Bioslurry | 8.51 | 1115 | 557 | |
| Vermiwash from Urine | 8.76 | 1492 | 756 | |
| 22/10/22 | Chemical solution | 7.84 | 1168 | 557 |
| Vermiwash from Bioslurry | 8.56 | 1278 | 640 | |
| Vermiwash from Urine | 8.78 | 1513 | 757 | |
| 22/10/22 | Chemical solution | 7.09 | 1255 | 622 |
| Vermiwash from Bioslurry | 7.38 | 1338 | 671 | |
| Vermiwash from Urine | 7.55 | 1736 | 867 | |
| 22/10/22 | Chemical solution | 6.78 | 1298 | 655 |
| Vermiwash from Bioslurry | 6.97 | 1354 | 674 | |
| Vermiwash from Urine | 7.32 | 1742 | 867 | |
| 28/10/22 | Chemical solution | 7.5 | 1406 | 704 |
| Vermiwash from Bioslurry | 7.6 | 1426 | 713 | |
| Vermiwash from Urine | 8.37 | 1740 | 874 | |
| 31/10/22 | Chemical solution | 7.26 | 1496 | 746 |
| Vermiwash from Bioslurry | 7.86 | 1515 | 750 | |
| Vermiwash from Urine | 8.36 | 1899 | 944 | |
| 05/11/22 | Chemical solution | 7.88 | 1347 | 673 |
| Vermiwash from Bioslurry | 7.72 | 1808 | 907 | |
| Vermiwash from Urine | 8.30 | 1980 | 991 | |
| 09/11/22 | Chemical solution | 7.20 | 1452 | 723 |
| Vermiwash from Bioslurry | 7.36 | 1975 | 988 | |
| Vermiwash from Urine | 8.09 | 1958 | 980 | |
| 11/11/22 | Chemical solution | 7.17 | 1888 | 944 |
| Vermiwash from Bioslurry | 7.25 | 1914 | 955 | |
| Vermiwash from Urine | 7.75 | 2229 | 1113 | |
| 15/11/22 | Chemical solution | 7,07 | 1494 | 748 |
| Vermiwash from Bioslurry | 6.89 | 1972 | 934 | |
| Vermiwash from Urine | 7.68 | 2475 | 1142 |
16-10-2022 – 22-10-22
The root growth is great and the plants look healthy in all solutions, But i have observed that the plants in Vermiwash from Bioslurry have better root growth then other solutions.
Next comes Vermiwash from Urine these plants also have good root growth.
Then comes chemical water they have root growth but have thinner root growth then other two solutions.
31/10/22
Observations:-
1/11/22 – 3/11/22
Today I removed the black color plastic from the top because we started to think that due to lack of sunlight the upper layer of plants were not able to grow.
Till now :-
Upper layer ( chemical solution):- 17-5=12 plants
Middle layer(Vermiwash from urine):- 19-1= 18 plants
Lower layer(Vermiwash from bioslurry):-19-0=19 plants
5-11-22 -7/11/22
1) Today I checked the the plant and I observed that the plants present in Vermiwash from bioslurry are given good results, as the liquid came from a stable system in which earthworms are alive.
2) Vermiwash from Urine is not giving results as I suspected this could be because the earthworms in top two Crate did not survive in this system . Nitrification was not proper done.( Ammonia did not get converted to nitrate which could be used by plants.) So the plant grow was less. So i suspect it affected my observations. Only earthworms in last Crate survive.
3) Chemical solution had less growth from the beginning then I removed the black color plastic from the top because we started to think that due to lack of sunlight the upper layer of plants were not able to grow but even after that not much change was observed.
8/11/22-11/11/22
12/11/22
Today I observed that after a week of removing the top black plastic cover the top layer was getting sunlight and I have seeing significant growth in the top layer which contains chemical solution so I have concluded that sunlight is as important as water for plant growth.
Now all the layers are getting sunlight.
13/11/22 – 19/11/22
I took all the reading from the system and observed that the growth was greatest in :-
- Vermiwash from bioslurry the plants in this media showed good growth and had well grown roots and healthy leaves. All plants in this solution survived ( all 19 plants survived in this media) this is due to the reason that Vermiwash from bioslurry was a stable system where earthworms in all the 3 Crate were alive, proper sunlight to the whole layer and maintaining it’s pH, tds, and ec. The water level was going down and the tds (total dissolved solid) was also decreasing maximum water level decease 4 lit out of 23 lit from reservoir.
- Chemical solution also showed good growth after we removed the top cover and sunlight was available for all the plants before that the growth was very slow and the root and leaves growth was also week .Root were thin and the water level in this solution was going down but with very slow rate and maximum depth of 1.5 lit cm. After removal of the top cover the plant grow was good the water level went down to 3 lit and root and leaves growth was also good. There were 17 plants in the system but 5 plants died this is because of sunlight unavailability to the upper layer plants in the beginning but after removal of top cover no plants died after that.
- Vermiwash from Urine the plants in this solution showed minimum growth after a while this could be because the earthworms in top two Crate did not survive in Vermiwash system . The liquid collected was from the system had less nitrification effect ( Ammonia did not get converted to nitrate which could be used by plants.) So the plant grow was less. So i suspect it affected my observations. Only earthworms in last Crate survive. The water level decease by 3 lit maximum the root growth was strong but plant growth or leaves growth were less.
23/11/22
Conclusion:–
1) I observed the plants growth in three different solution in which plants in Vermiwash from bioslurry were best then in chemical water and atlast in Vermiwash from Urine as per yield.
2) I ran hydroponic system on waste water like Urine and bioslurry and observed and study it’s growth I also observed that bioslurry was best among the three solution. Urine solution could also been better than chemical solution if system had been properly stable.
3) I used cockpit first but after knowing that it’s waterholding capacity is very high and spinach doesn’t require that much water I change the media to brick due to low water holding capacity so I also got a proper media.
4) I took care of the system and overlooked it’s proper working everyday and got to learn so many things for this project, it was a great experience.
Thank you.
