PHOTO 5.4 Hydroponic Farming in West Bank and Gaza a. Tomatoes growing in hydroponic pipes
b. Training schoolgirls in West Bank and Gaza in hydroponic pipe farming
Photographs © Applied Research Institute–Jerusalem. Used with permission from Applied Research Institute–Jerusalem. Further permission required for reuse.
TABLE 5.3 Variable Costs of a 1,035 Square Meter Hydroponic Cucumber Production Operation in Turkey Operation Growing medium preparation (labor) (42 hours) Fertilizing (labor) (18 hours) Calcium nitrate (82 kg) Ammonium nitrate (17 kg) Potassium nitrate (163 kg) Magnesium sulfate (84 kg) Iron (4 kg) Phosphoric acid (46 l) Nitric acid (66 l) Micro element (48 l) Planting (labor) (32 hours) Seedling (3,150 seeds) Irrigation (labor) (35 hours) Electricity (98 kWh) Pruning and training (labor) (40 hours) Fungicide and insecticide application (labor) (4 hours) Fungicide and insecticide Yellow trap (5 kg) Glue (for traps) (4 tubes) Harvest (labor) (270 hours) Wrapping (labor) (76 hours) Plastic wrapping (13 kg) Transport Total variable costs Per square meter
Total cost ($) Share of cost (%) 65 32 69 46 127 81 74 76 58 47 28 354 36 45 51 38 174 12 10 98 41 32 85 1,679 1.62
3.9 1.9 4.1 2.8 7.6 4.8 4.4 4.5 3.4 2.8 1.7 21.1 2.1 2.7 3.0 2.3 10.4 0.7 0.6 5.8 2.4 1.9 5.1 100.0
Source: Engindeniz 2004. Note: kg = kilograms; kWh = kilowatt-hours; l = liters. Understanding Hydroponics
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