User:Robert Virgin/sandbox

Fiber Track Method (FTM) is a technique used in hydroponic cultivation to promote faster and natural growth patterns. FTM has the potential to revolutionize horizontal hydroponic systems, particularly traditional flood and drain setups, by decreasing the required water volume used by the system, improving nutrient availability for the target crop and improving aeration and nutrient exchange in the root zone.

FTM is closely allied to the medium-controlled method of Flood and Drain system, however, the planting container is changed from deep plant beds along a fiber-stuffed track. This allows easy handling and portability of the FTM tracks and the resident plants. The fiber tracks are lightweight and require only shallow water to work effectively. Also, flood duration and frequency can be adjusted accurately to suit the needs of different crops.

FTM consists of three main components:

1. A U-shaped track or channel that holds strips of grow media fiber strips (Figure 1). Such track or channel may be vented on sides or bottom and may have various designs of claw-type shapes or appendages to hold the grow media strips in place. In some cases, the clamp or strap may be used to secure the grow media fiber strips in the channel.

2. A number of long strand grow media fibre strips. These grow media fibre strips can be manufactured from any material able to hold enough water for the plants to absorb and drain to allow the plants to breathe. Such materials include coco coir fiber, rockwool, PP or other synthetic fibres, etc.

3. External shallow system water toughs or trays hold the FTM and nutrient water. These system troughs are connected to the feeder and drainage systems of compete hydroponics installation.

Systems are installed with plastic tracks that are stuffed with coir or similar suitable long strand fiberous grow media. These tracks are then laid in troughs or planting tables that are design to hold the nutrient solution as supplied by a flood and drain watering regime. The solution is circulated through the system on cycled intervals that allows the troughs (or tables) to fill to a certain level, thereby providing water and nutrients to the crops; then empty back to the drain reservoir after a desired time interval. Waterings can be adjusted to the requirements of the target crop, growing stage and environmental conditions.

Planting methods Step 1: The system’s troughs are installed and prepared as for regular flood and drain method of operation required to supply nutrient solution to the plants. Flood and drain systems are universally known and generally accepted by experienced hydroponics growers.

Step 2: The FTM components are prepared: a) The grow fibre strips are cut to a suitable length and height as required for the project according to the type of crop, height of system trough and required water level.   b) These cut grow media fibre strips are stuffed in the U-shaped channels, filling the internal width of the channel. After stuffing, the grow media fibre strips are held in place by the claw-like appendages on the side of the plastic channel. The channel size can be selected according to crop type and planting method. c) The stuffed FTM channels are then placed in the system troughs in preparation for Flood and Drain operation, which can be managed by an electronic timer to control the frequency and duration of the water supplied to the system troughs and the irrigation of the resident plants. Flooding frequency and duration is controlled by the grower to provide the appropriate amount of water for optimal growth, depending on crop type, weather conditions, and state of growth.

Advantages of the FTM method The Fiber Track Method (FTM) has very many advantages over clay ball medium and other popular mediums including; variable spacing, continuous harvest (baby leaf to full head), portability, better aeration and better performance in high temperatures / high humidity environments.

Fiber strips as a medium, fiber can provide an optimal environment for rooting and microbial life. It provides humidity, ventilation and a stable anchor for the plants to root into.

The use of the plastic channel or track allows the grow media fiber strips to be clamped or fixed firmly from the bottom while the upper portion of the fiber can be easily separated by the grower for seeding, transplanting, cutting, harvesting and even adjustment of crop spacing.

Crops can be easily handled with the track – FTM channels can be easily lifted from the system intact and transported to other areas for grow out or sale. This is more convenient for growers to perform targeted management, such as de-worming, pruning, foliar fertilization, etc. Growers can also transport the track with the crop to the sales location, to show consumers the freshest produce that retains the most nutrition and flavor of live vegetables.

FTM offers benefits over the traditional Flood and Drain hydroponics method. Root systems of plants do not require and may not do well being continually soaked in water. Plants breathe through their roots. Constant flooding impairs this breathing, especially during high ambient temperatures. Intermittent interaction with the nutrient solution and air allows the plant to breathe easier and allows nutrient ions to be more easily absorbed by the root zone.

Additionally, crops can be sown in rows much like regular soil cultivation and then the crop can be thinned at various stages to make room for the larger growth. Cuttings from the thinnings can be sold as young veggies. The garden becomes productive and earning all through the growth cycle.

FTM has been tested in an open roof system with good results.

Both seeded and cutting crops are grow fast and have good stablity. During the second phase of the development, the FTM was being tested in summer greenhouse environment during the hot months of planting lettuce and other leafy vegetables.

FTM continues to evolve with gathering of key data on different crop types including watering cycles, depth of fiber, nutrient mix, etc. Hydroponic and aquaponic farms continue to experiment with FTM while finding it convenient to redesign the existing systems with minimal change and build-out cost.

Practical Hydroponics and Greenhouses, Issue 183, Sept. 17; pp. 52~59