The Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)

The Nutrient Film Technique, or NFT, was pioneered by Allen Cooper at the Glasshouse Crops Research Institute in Littlehampton, England. In this growing technique, plants are palcet atop an interved “V” shaped channel, sealed on all sides into a box-little tunnel, through which a thin film of nutrient solution passes along the bottom. A pump and reservoir combination situated below the channels collects and recycles the nutrient back through the system. Roots grow down along the channel, receiving oxygen directly from inside of the through, while receiving water and nutrient from the thin film of nutrient being carried along the bottom of the channel by gravity. The enclosed channels maintains 100% humidity to protect against dehydration. Excellent results can be obtained with this system. However, maintaining the “nutrient film” becomes difficult once the roots form large mats at the bottom of the channel. The resulting puddling can create stagnation in the root zone, depleting roots of oxygen and fresh nutrient. Efficiency, on the other hand, is excellent because the closed channel limits evaporation.

HOW TO HYDROPONICS

FOURTH EDITION

KEITH ROBERTO

PUBLISHED BY: THE FUTUREGARDEN PRESS, NEW YORK