Impact of "A" Frame Angle Design on Hydroponic System Production

Abstract

The scarcity of water become global problem, the "A" frame structure system is commercially extended in the hydroponics industry. The objective of this work was to evaluate the impact of different "A" frame angle design for NFT system design, water depth in pipes and pipes position, on growth of two leafy vegetables parameters. The treatments were the angle of "A" frame design (A o ), (45° and 60°), Water depths (4 and 6 cm), and leafy plants (lettuce and mint). The results indicated that, the changing angle from 180° to 60° and 60° to 45° decreased the occupied surface area by 45.0 % and 25.76 %, respectively. The light intensity values were decreased by changing the "A" frame angle from 60° to 45° by 26.4 % for lettuce and 32.0 % for mint. Changing the position of the pipe from center to bottom decreased the light intensity for lettuce by 9.2 % and 11.7 % for 45° and 60° angels, respectively. While increased by 21.2 % for mint with 45° angle only. Root length and stem diameter were increased by changing angle from 45° to 60° and water depth from 4 to 6 cm for both mint and lettuce plants. Optimal yields of lettuce and mint plants grown in "A" frame hydroponic system with 45° angle like those plants grown with 60° angle, indicating from no significant differences in the production of lettuce and mint plants. The "A" frame design with 45° angle can be recommended for production of lettuce and mint.