The Growing World of Hydroponics
As we know by now, there are numerous systems and hybrids of systems that can be used for hydroponic growing. Techniques and methods continue to evolve. However, one system in particular has dramatically changed the face of the horticultural world of hydroponics, particularly in the commercial sector: the nutrient film technique (NFT) system.
Years ago, the European Economic Community (EEC--today, simply known as the EC) was placing great pressure on British tomato and cucumber growers. It was evident that unless a breakthrough in technology was made to give British growers an edge, it would be a sad farewell to an entire industry. Then the Glasshouse Crops Research Institute put together a research team led by Dr. Allen Cooper. Their goal was to develop a cost-effective method of growing crops to compete with the cheap, outdoor products that were flooding the U.K. from EC countries, such as Spain and Italy.
The hydroponic system they came up with was originally dubbed the “nutrient flow technique.” However, it was later revised to more properly describe the method and was renamed the nutrient film technique, or simply NFT.
