NCERT Class 8 Vocational Education Chapter 1 Hydroponics: Growing Plants without Soil

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NCERT Class 8 Vocational Education Chapter 1 Hydroponics: Growing Plants without Soil

Also, you can read the NCERT book online in these sections Solutions by Expert Teachers as per Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Book guidelines. CBSE Class 8 Vocational Education Textual Solutions in English Medium are part of All Subject Solutions. Here we have given NCERT Class 8 Vocational Education Notes, CBSE Class 8 Vocational Education in Englishi Medium Textbook Solutions for All Chapters, You can practice these here.

Hydroponics: Growing Plants without Soil

Chapter: 1

Part 1 : Work with Life Forms

Intex Question

Page No: 11

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the hydroponics system?

Ans: The advantages and disadvantages of the hydroponics system are:

Advantage	Disadvantage
Plants grow without soil; saves fertile land and prevents soil degradation.	Requires constant monitoring of pH, nutrient solution and dissolved oxygen.
Plants grow faster and produce larger yields because they receive a direct and constant supply of nutrients and oxygen, eliminating the need for roots to search for them.	Hydroponics requires a steep learning curve and technical knowledge to manage nutrient solutions, pH levels, and system maintenance effectively.
Cold climates with chilly winter temperatures and shorter day lengths prohibit plant growth. But with a hydroponics system, plants can be grown hydroponically year-round because the grower controls the temperature, light, and nutrient-supply.	Compared to a traditional garden, a hydroponics system is more expensive to acquire and build. Costs range depending upon the type and size of the system purchased, and whether or not it’s prefabricated or built with individual components to create a customized design.

2. Is there any difference in the method or tools used for harvesting, transport, and storage?

Ans: Yes, there are significant differences in the methods and tools used for harvesting, transport, and storage, as these are distinct stages of post-harvest handling with different objectives and equipment. Harvesting is cleaner because no soil is attached to roots; usually scissors or small knives are enough. but Transport & Storage are easier as produce is clean and lighter, but proper moisture control is needed to prevent wilting. 

Page No: 15

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of growing microgreens using hydroponics?

Ans: The advantages and disadvantages of growing microgreens using hydroponics are:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Faster Growth & Higher Yields: Crops grow more quickly and produce higher yields because they have direct access to nutrients and are not competing for resources in soil.	High Initial Costs: Hydroponic systems require a significant upfront investment for setup, including equipment and infrastructure.
Requires very little space and water; ideal for homes and schools.	Needs clean water and safe nutrient solution to avoid contamination.
Cleaner end product Because there is no soil, hydroponic microgreens are less prone to contamination from soil-borne pathogens, heavy metals, or debris. This translates into minimal post-harvest washing, better shelf life, and reduced risk of spoilage — essential for chefs or retailers emphasizing food safety	Risk of systemic failures Hydroponic setups are closed systems — meaning if one tray becomes contaminated (e.g., by a waterborne pathogen like Pythium), the problem can spread quickly throughout the entire system if not isolated immediately.

2. Have you used the microgreens? How did you use them (raw salad or as a garnish)? 

Ans: yes, we used. Microgreens are young seedlings of vegetables and herbs. They are harvested just after the emergence of the initial 2–4 leaves (size 1–3 inches). Producing microgreens is an easy and quick way of producing healthy sprouts in a compact space. People find microgreens tasty and consume them raw. They use them for garnishing salads, soups and sandwiches. Microgreens are a rich source of vitamins C, E, K, and A, and carotenoids. They can be produced from various vegetables like cabbage, beetroot, fenugreek, mustard, spinach, coriander, and wheat.

3. Can this method be applied to all crops? What are the probable limitations of microgreen production?

Ans: No, the hydroponic microgreen method cannot be applied to all crops.

It is best suited for leafy vegetables and herbs such as spinach, mustard, coriander, fenugreek, beetroot and similar quick-growing plants.

Limitations of microgreen production:

Large or long-duration crops (like cereals, pulses, or fruit trees) need longer growth periods and more root space than the trays provide.

Structural support for heavy fruiting plants is not possible in small trays.

Temperature and humidity sensitivity may lead to fungal growth or wilting.

Only a small quantity of food (mainly for salads or garnishes) is produced, not staple food grains.

Page No: 18

1. Which seeds, seedlings or plant cuttings did you use for the system?

Ans: I used spinach, fenugreek, mustard and coriander seeds for microgreens, and planted a few tomato and mint cuttings in the hydroponic (DWC/NFT) setup

2. Were you able to observe the soil getting wet in the upper pot?

The action is similar to getting pumped up by the wick. This is called ‘capillary action’. Capillary action is the process by which liquid moves through a narrow space, like the fibres of a wick without the help of external forces like gravity. 

Ans: Yes, I observed that the soil in the upper pot became moist on its own.

This happened because of capillary action the process by which water moves upward through the narrow fibres of the wick without the help of gravity, just like water getting pumped up naturally.

3. List three key difficulties you experienced while building the system. What did you do to overcome them?

Ans: While building the hydroponic system, I faced three major difficulties and solved them like this:

(i) Cutting and shaping bottles and pipes neatly: I used a sharp cutter and worked under my teacher’s supervision to get clean, safe cuts.

(ii) Preventing water leakage at joints: I sealed every joint carefully with silicone glue and checked for leaks before planting.

(iii) Maintaining correct pH of nutrient water: I tested the water regularly and adjusted it with weak acids like vinegar or citric acid to keep the pH between 6.5 and 7.0