Real Life Stories of Working with Nature-based Solutions: Hydroponics

Djamila Akrouche, a researcher at the National Agriculture Research Institute (INRA) in Algeria, is coordinating the KOPIA project, a collaboration with South Korea. The project focuses on hydroponic cultivation, a method that involves growing plants in nutrient solutions without soil. This technique offers several advantages, including water conservation, reduced pesticide use, and protection from soil-borne diseases. Two main hydroponic cultivation methods are explored: substrate-based and liquid-based. For substrate-based hydroponics, local materials like cork granules, pozzolan granules, and crushed date palm waste are used to replace traditional substrates like perlite and coconut fibre. In liquid-based systems, plants are grown in nutrient solutions, with techniques like the deep-flow technique ensuring proper root development and oxygenation. Hydroponic cultivation is particularly suitable for leafy green vegetables, such as lettuce and basil, due to their smaller root systems. The project involves precise control over plant growth, from the seedling stage to harvesting. By using clean and controlled environments, hydroponics offers a sustainable and efficient approach to agriculture, especially in areas with unfavourable soil conditions.