PAU Secures National Patent for Innovative Hybrid Hydroponics Technology in Soilless Farming

In a groundbreaking stride towards agricultural innovation, the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in Ludhiana has achieved a significant milestone by securing a national patent for its ingenious hybrid hydroponics technology. This remarkable achievement marks a defining moment in India's agricultural landscape, as PAU introduces a revolutionary "swadeshi" solution to soilless farming. The architect behind this pioneering leap is none other than Dr. VP Sethi, Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at PAU. With this innovative approach, PAU is set to redefine agricultural practices by merging advanced techniques into a single, potent solution.

PAU's innovative approach has led to a national patent for enhancing water and nutrient delivery in pot-based substrate hydroponics. This pioneering technology seamlessly combines two distinct soilless methodologies. Substrate hydroponics, ideal for crops with extensive root systems, and water culture, commonly used for leafy vegetables, have been ingeniously integrated into a standard 12x12-inch pot. This unique design incorporates patented modifications, including a gravity-based water and nutrient recovery system that enhances cost-effectiveness.

Currently, two primary hydroponic methods are practiced worldwide. The first involves substrate hydroponics, which utilizes soilless root media, suited for crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, and capsicum. The second technique, water culture, employs shallow water ponds for cultivating leafy vegetables. PAU's innovative Hybrid Hydroponics Technology (HHT) merges these approaches into a single pot. This approach not only combines methods but also includes patented adjustments for enhanced water and nutrient delivery.

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Dr. SS Gosal, Vice-Chancellor of PAU, highlighted the transformative potential of the low-cost HHT. Beyond its immediate impact on urban vertical gardening, this innovation holds promise for large-scale commercial applications. The HHT can convert non-arable lands into productive spaces for cultivating a variety of crops, including vegetables, ornamental plants, medicinal herbs, and high-value crops. This technology empowers both rural and urban youth by enabling them to receive training and establish small-scale ventures from home.

Dr. Gosal extended an invitation to agritech companies and entrepreneurs to engage in acquiring commercial rights for the swadeshi low-cost pot-based HHT. This initiative aims to make the technology accessible for adoption in both rural and urban settings, catering to both commercial production and domestic rooftop gardening.

Cultivation trials involving cucumber, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, and capsicum revealed accelerated growth and higher yields compared to existing pot-based and grow-bag soilless technologies. HHT's design, which includes enhanced nutrient availability and increased oxygen supply, results in compact root systems, optimizing land usage and potentially increasing yield per unit area. The technology's efficient water and nutrient utilization mitigates wastage, addressing concerns about water scarcity and soil health.

Dr. Sethi highlighted that PAU's indigenously developed HHT is three times more cost-effective than imported hydroponic technologies, even without hybridization innovation. The closed-loop water and nutrient recovery system of HHT has the potential to save significant amounts of water and nutrients compared to conventional cultivation methods. This breakthrough underscores the importance of sustainable and resource-efficient farming practices, poised to bring transformative change to the agriculture sector.

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