"Hymec" -
A revolutionary hydroponics
Mebiol Co., Ltd., Japan
A novel membrane for cultivation of horticultural crops
HYMEC (stands for HYdro MEmbrane Cultivation) is a novel and innovative plant culture technology using a Polymer based "Hydro membrane" which separates the plant and the culture medium (or water with nutrients) which saves 80 to 90% water and also yields produce of higher Brix value. Of course, it saves cost as well.
As explained in the illustration given below, this membrane's unique advantage lies in its capability to allow water in the form of vapour (and not liquid) and so the supporting soil (or vermicomposed matrix) is not flooded, allowing enough aeration for the roots. Moreover, ONLY the water required for the plants is used and the rest saved, unlike in the conventional hydroponics where most of the water goes to irrigate the soil in excess of the plant's demand. It offers a great advantage of filtering all the root zone pathogens.
Baby leaf crop on HYMEC cultivation (3 weeks)
Mechanism of HYMEC cultivation
The above illustration explains the HYMEC cultivation. In a tray, water and nutrients mixture are added above which the sheet of HYMEC - Hydro membrane (Red in color) is spreaded and fixed to the sides. On this sheet, a layer of matrix like either soil or vermicomposed is placed. Now this matrix is ready for raising crops. The seeds sown start growing as plants, taking water from below, through the HYMEC membrane in vapour form and air from the atmosphere which easily pass through the matrix as it is not flooded.
<<< The picture of the cross section of a portion of the plant root with the adjoining HYMEC shows, how well the roots are attached to it for the purpose of absorbing water.
This methodology and materials have been thoroughly analyzed not only in the laboratory but also in a larger scale green house to give the following advantageous results:
1. A denser and finer root network with increased surface area for absorption when HYMEC is used, compared to regular cultivation or Hydroponics.
The pictures on the right prove the above statement.
Fine roots of several Micron thickness on the Right side;
whereas the extreme right picture shows roots of size measuring several hundred micron thickness as in current hydroponics.
Left: Fine roots of HYMEC;
Right: Thicker roots of lesser density as in current Hydroponics.
2. Brix value (Conc of sugar content of the produce) is significantly higher in HYMEC cultivation.
When compared using five different crops at similar conditions, the HYMEC cultivation yielded at least four times higher sugar content (expressed in BRIX units) against conventional hydroponics, as shown in the data on the left.
3. Almost 95% lesser water consumption when compared to conventional Hydroponics.
The data on the right shows the comparative water consumption is extremely lower when HYMEC cultivation is employed.
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