The Comparative Performance of Soil-Based Systems with Hydroponics

Conventional soil-based agriculture is resource-intensive, utilizing large amounts of land and water, thereby placing a strain on Earth’s natural resources. Soil-based agricultural techniques create environmental issues such as soil degradation, deforestation, and groundwater pollution from the mass implementation of fertilizers and pesticides. Agricultural crop production using hydroponics has shown promise to be less resource intensive and provide a faster turnaround in crop production. Soilless cultivation using hydroponics promises to relieve some pressure on Earth’s ecosystems and resources by utilizing lesser land and water footprint. The APS Laboratory for Sustainable Food at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) compared the growth of Lettuce Lactuca sativa “Rex Butterhead” crop grown using soil and soilless methods to analyze the growth performance in each setting. Crops grown in the soil-based medium were raised in the FGCU Food Forest, used a mix of soil and potting mix, watered regularly, and followed standard Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices. Crops grown hydroponically were grown in a thermally insulated grow tent with an artificial lighting source, ventilation, environmental controls, and the Deep-Water Culture (DWC) method. Lettuce plugs were grown for 15 days in controlled environments until two leaves after the cotyledons had developed and were ready for transplant. Plugs were transplanted into a 4 × 6 matrix at the FGCU Food Forest and the DWC growth system. Crops were grown to full bloom and ready for harvest in the soil (60 days) and soilless (30 days) based setups. We collected crop growth data, including wet weight (g), dry weight (g), leaf area (cm2), and chlorophyll concentration (μmol/m2). From the collected data, we derived the Specific Leaf Area (SLA, cm2/g) and biomass productivity (kg/m2). Descriptive statistics were used to describe the collected and derived data. We investigated the slopes of regression lines for each growth curve which derived the differences in biomass and productivity parameters between lettuce grown using soil and hydroponics. Both growing methods can grow lettuce crops to full bloom and to adequate harvest weight. The biomass parameters and productivity differ significantly between the growing methods. The lettuce crops grown using hydroponics increase in wet weight statistically and significantly faster than those grown in soil (p < 0.0001). Therefore, we determined that a hydroponic method of crop production may provide better crop output and biomass indicators measured than soil-based growth.

The Comparative Performance of Nutrient-Film Technique and Deep-Water Culture Method of Hydroponics for GREENBOX Technology

With the rising pressures on food security, GREENBOX technology was developed as an avenue for fresh leafy vegetable crop production in urban settings. GREENBOX units were designed to be thermally insulated and climate controlled, with an artificial lighting source that utilized soilless cultivation techniques. Previous studies conducted on GREENBOX technology used the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT);however, various hydroponic methods exist, such as the Deep-Water Culture (DWC) method being the most used. The APS Laboratory for Sustainable Food at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) compared the crop growth performance between DWC and NFT systems using GREENBOX technology. The following study monitored environmental conditions and compared productivity and biomass data of Rex Butterhead Lettuce crops between DWC and NFT systems. We assembled two GREENBOX units using commercially available materials and the standard nutrient solution for fertigation. The crops grown in DWC and NFT were in a 4 × 6 configuration. The DWC and NFT systems were used to grow Lettuce Lactuca sativa “Rex Butterhead” over 30 days to full bloom from prepared plugs grown for 14 days. We collected environmental data including Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD, μmol/m2∙s), Daily Light Integral (DLI, mol/ m2∙d), temperature (˚C), relative humidity (%), and Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD, kPa). We collected lettuce crop growth data, which included wet weight (g), dry weight (g), leaf area (cm2), and chlorophyll concentration (μmol/m2). We derived data, including the Specific Leaf Area (SLA, cm2/g) and biomass productivity (kg/m2), from previously collected data. We used descriptive statistics to present the collected data. A paired t-test was performed to understand the differences in biomass and productivity parameters between the DWC and NFT-grown lettuce crops. Both the DWC and NFT-grown crops could grow lettuce crops to harvest weight at full bloom. Observed data demonstrated that the biomass parameters and productivity did not differ significantly between the two hydroponics techniques. Therefore, we believe both hydroponic methods may be similar in growth performance and may be used in future iterations of GREENBOX design and prove suitable for fresh vegetable crop production in urban settings.

Evaluation and Enhanced Use of Light Emitting Diodes for Hydroponics

Hydroponic farming is a viable and economical farming method,which can produce safe and healthy greens and vegetables conveniently and at a relatively low cost.It is essential to provide supplemental lighting for crops grown in greenhouses to meet the daily light requirement,Daily Light Integral(DLI).The present paper investigates how effectively and efficiently LEDs can be used as a light source in hydroponics.It is important for a hydroponic grower to assess the requirement of photo synthetically active radiation(PAR)or the Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density(PPFD),in a greenhouse,and adjust the quality and quantity of supplemental lighting accordingly.A Quantum sensor(or PAR sensor)can measure PAR more accurately than a digital light meter,which measures the light intensity or illuminance in the SI unit Lux,but a PAR sensor is relatively expensive and normally not affordable by an ordinary farmer.Therefore,based on the present investigation and experimental results,a very simple way to convert light intensity measured with a Lux meter into PAR is proposed,using a simple conversion factor(41.75 according to the present work).This allows a small-scale hydroponic farmer to use a simple and inexpensive technique to assess the day to day DLI values of PAR in a greenhouse accurately using just an inexpensive light meter.The present paper also proposes a more efficient way of using LED light panels in a hydroponic system.By moving the LED light panels closer to the crop,LED light source can use a fewer number of LEDs to produce the same required daily light requirement and can increase the efficiency of the power usage to more than 80%.Specifically,the present work has determined that it is important to design more efficient vertically movable LED light panels with capabilities of switching individual LEDs on and off,for the use in greenhouses.This allows a user to control the number of LEDs that can be lit at a particular time,as required.By doing so it is possible to increase the efficiency of a LED lighting system by reducing its cost of the electricity usage.

The Function of Roots of Tea Plant (<i>Camellia sinensis</i>) Cultured by a Novel Form of Hydroponics and Soil Acidification

A novel form of hydroponic culture was employed to explore the physiological function of roots of a tea plant (Camellia sinensis). The pH of the nutrient solution with an actively growing tea plant decreased during cultivation. Furthermore, no oxalic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid or citric acid, all possible factors in acidification, was detected in the nutrient solution of a growing plant. A proton pump inhibitor suppressed the acidification of the solution. Soil acidification might have been accelerated with a proton released from ammoniacal nitrogen preferentially for the growth, suggesting the specific mechanism of tea plant as a functional food.

Characteristics of <i>Morus alba</i>L. Cultured by In-Room Hydroponics

Morus alba L., (cv Ichinose) was cultivated by in-room hydroponics. The flavor and texture of leaves were markedly improved enough to be edible. When the contents of 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) and polyphenols were measured in the hydroponic cultivar, DNJ increased in the leaf compared to the field grown M. alba. However, polyphenols, in contrast, decreased compared to the field cultivar. HPLC profiling revealed marked difference in leaf components between hydroponic and field cultivars indicating relative contents of lipophilic polyphenols were increased. The polyphenols contents, especially, lipophilic polyphenols in the root were remarkably high compared to So-Haku-Hi (Sang Bai Pi in Chinese). The anti-obesity effect of the hydroponically grown Morus was further studied in rats by feeding high-fat, high-sucrose (HFHS) diet with and without supplementation of dried leaf and root powders for 15 weeks. As the result, both the leaf and root from the hydroponic cultivar showed potential anti-obesity and anti-hyperlipidemic functions through amelioration of insulin resistance. Differential effects of leaf and root powders indicated that besides DNJ, the lipophilic polyphenols may play a crucial role in the anti-diabetic function of hydroponically grown Morus alba L. The hydroponics will provide an alternate way to cultivate a novel resource of Morus for developing functional foods and medicines.

Organic Hydroponics Production

Hydroponic culture is a controlled systems use a soilless growing media,supply all of the plant’s nutrition in the plant’s solutions(water with dissolved fertilizers),result in higher yields of vegetables,flowers,herbs and others crops.Hydroponic systems derive in many various forms and types.Most traditional hydroponic systems are extremely specialized,controlled-environment production systems.Organic hydroponics is a system that is arranged based on organic agriculture of culture.Different approaches are used for controlling of plant pathogens such as physical,chemical,biological controls,biofertilizers,bioremediators and integrated pest management.All the required nutrients are supplied in controlled amounts,including organic crops.This article discuss the way for promoting organic hydroponics systems and to help the small-scale producer make decisions about follow this markets,production methods,and disease control.

Investigation on environment monitoring system for a combination of hydroponics and aquaculture in greenhouse

This work develops a distributed environmental monitoring system for the combination of hydroponics and aquaculture based on the internet of things technology,which mainly includes the information perception layer,the information transmission layer and the sys-tem architecture.The system has employed multiple sensors terminal to real-time acqui-sition,including air and water temperatures,dissolved oxygen etc.LoRa protocol is suitable for sending small data and the 4G was employed to collect data and send to the cloud plat-form.Java is used to develop background applications,to access cloud platforms and local data processing.Based on the collection and processing of environmental data and cloud service platform,the mobile application program client and remote login desktop have been developed.It has been implemented and tested in Tongzhou,Beijing for 3 months in 2020.The results showed the proposed monitoring system stability for overall operation and accuracy data transmission,which can support the actual hydroponics and aquacul-ture production management.After analysis of monitoring data collected from the devel-oped monitoring system,indoor air and water temperature have the obvious correlation with atmospheric pressure(0.7 and 0.9)and outdoor temperature(1.0 and 0.9),respectively.

The Assessment of Growth Performance of Brassica rapa var. chinensis ‘Li Ren Choi’, Spinacia oleracea ‘Auroch’, Eruca sativa ‘Astro’, and Brassica rapa var. japonica Using GREENBOX Technology

Obtaining nutritious food is becoming increasingly difficult due to the growing urban population and the degradation of soil, water, and air from mechanized and industrialized agricultural techniques. More than half the global population resides in urban areas, with not enough surrounding agricultural land to meet food requirements. Food traveling long distances, an average of 1020 miles, has resulted in increased food miles for the average food item in the United States of America, representing wasted resources. The novel GREENBOX technology was invented in response to increasing pressures on food security. Previous studies conducted on GREENBOX technology assessed the technical feasibility of utilizing Lettuce Lactuca sativa ‘Rex Butterhead’. We at the APS Laboratory for Sustainable Food at Florida Gulf Coast University assessed the technical feasibility of growing different leafy green vegetable crops. GREENBOX technology consists of thermally insulated climate-controlled enclosures, an artificial lighting source, a soilless cultivation method (hydroponics), and environmental control modules. We assembled two GREENBOX units to assess the environmental conditions and growth performance of Brassica rapa var. chinensis ‘Li Ren Choi’, Spinach Spinacia oleracea ‘Auroch’, Arugula Eruca sativa ‘Astro’, and Mizuna Brassica Brassica rapa var. japonica. Plugs were cultivated and then transplanted in a randomized manner to the nutrient film technique (NFT) channels, subsequently grown for 30 days to full bloom and ready for harvest. Fertigation was carried out using a standard concentration nutrient solution. Crops were arranged in twelve blocks of four species each. We collected environmental data including daily light integral (DLI, mol/m2∙d), temperature (˚C), relative humidity (%), and vapor pressure deficit (VPD, kPa). Collected biomass data included wet weight (g), dry weight (g), leaf area (cm2), and chlorophyll concentration (mg/cm2). We then derived the Specific Leaf Area (SLA, cm2/g). Descriptive statistics were utilized to understand the differences in biomass parameters between the four crops grown. We also compared the performance parameters of our crops with existing peer-reviewed literature and found it superior, if not comparable to commonly found industrial output. We determined that all crops grew to full bloom, demonstrating that GREENBOX technology may be used to grow a variety of different leafy green vegetable crops.

Morphological and Physiological Responses of Weedy Red Rice (<i>Oryza sativa</i>L.) and Cultivated Rice (<i>O. sativa</i>) to N Supply

Red rice (Oryza sativa L.), a noxious weed in rice production, competes with cultivated rice for nutrients. Accumulation of more N in red rice than in cultivated rice may be due to a mechanism different from that of cultivated rice. To test this assumption, red rice and cultivated rice were grown in nutrient solution to compare their growth and physiological responses to N supply. Experimental design was a split-plot, where main plot factor was rice type (Stf-3, ‘Wells’);split-plot factor was N treatment [T1 (complete nutrient solution);T2 (–NH4NO3);T3 (+NH4NO3 for 24-h post-N deficiency);and T4 (+NH4NO3 for 48-h post-N deficiency)]. Nitrogen deficiency was defined as N sufficiency index (NSI) 4, Stf-3 showed higher increment in root length and surface area than Wells. Shoot tissue concentrations of N and total sugars were measured to determine physiological response in N-deficient and N-supplemented plants. Stf-3 had greater N and sucrose tissue concentrations at N-deficient conditions compared with Wells, implying a stress-adaptive molecular mechanism regulated by N and sucrose availability.

Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) for Miniature Hydroponic Lettuce

There is growing concern about food safety, environmental impact, and efficient energy usage in agricultural production systems. Producing lettuce under artificial lighting could be a solution addressing these concerns. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) offer the advantages of a narrow light spectrum, low power consumption, and little heat production. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of different light sources on the growth of miniature “Tom Thumb” butterhead lettuce in a non-circulating hydroponic system. Lettuce seedlings, started in Oasis Horticubes, were transferred to net pots in containers with a hydroponic nutrient solution. The lettuce was grown in a lab under three light treatments—blue LEDs, red LEDs, and fluorescent lights. At the end of the study, fluorescent lights resulted in greater root dry weight than blue LEDs and red LEDs. Total plant dry weight under fluorescent lights was greater than under red LEDs. There were no significant differences in shoot dry weight and plant height among the treatments. Percent partitioning of dry weight to shoots was greatest with red LEDs, followed by blue LEDS, and fluorescent lights. Percent partitioning of dry weight to roots was greatest with fluorescent lights, followed by blue LEDS, and red LEDs. Leaf chlorophyll content was greater under blue LEDs and fluorescent lights than red LEDs. The pH of the nutrient solution of the blue LED and the fluorescent light treatments were greater than the red LED treatment. Electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution of the fluorescent light treatment was greater than the blue LED treatment and the red LED treatment. In conclusion, LEDs could provide an alternative lighting source for miniature lettuce production.

Effect of Root-Zone Temperature on Growth and Quality of Hydroponically Grown Red Leaf Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Red Wave)

Soil temperature influences crop growth and quality under field and greenhouse conditions;however, precise investigation using controlled cultivation systems is largely lacking. We investigated effects of root-zone temperatures on growth and components of hydroponically grown red leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Red Wave) under a controlled cultivation system at 20&degC. Compared with ambient root-zone temperature exposure, a 7-day low temperature exposure reduced leaf area, stem size, fresh weight, and water content of lettuce. However, root-zone heating treatments produced no significant changes in growth parameters compared with ambient conditions. Leaves under low root-zone temperature contained higher anthocyanin, phenols, sugar, and nitrate concentrations than leaves under other temperatures. Root oxygen consumption declined with low temperature root exposure, but not with root heating. Leaves of plants under low rootzone temperature showed hydrogen peroxide production, accompanied by lipid peroxidation. Therefore, low temperature root treatment is suggested to induce oxidative stress responses in leaves, activating antioxidative secondary metabolic pathways.

Comparison of the S-, N- or P-Deprivations’ Impacts on Stomatal Conductance, Transpiration and Photosynthetic Rate of Young Maize Leaves

Seven-day-old maize (Zea mays) plants were grown hydroponically for ten days in deprived nutrient solutions against the corresponding control grown under full nutrition;the effects of S-, N- or P-deprivation on laminas’ mean stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (E) and photosynthetic rate (A) were monitored, along with the impact on the laminas’ total dry mass (DM), water amount (W), length and surface area (Sa). Furthermore, a time series analysis of each parameter’s response ratios (Rr), i.e. the treatment’s value divided by the corresponding control’s one, was performed. Under S-deprivation, the Rr of laminas’ mean gs, E, and A presented oscillations within a ±15% fluctuation zone, notably the “control” zone, whilst those of laminas’ total DM, water amount, surface area, and length included oscillation during the first days and deviation later on, presenting deviation during d10. Under the N-deprivation conditions all Rr time courses except the A one, included early deviations from the control zone without recovering. The deviation from the control zone appeared at d4. Under P-deprivation, all Rr time courses represented oscillations within the control zone. P-deprivation’s patterns resembled those of S-deprivation. Compared to the one of the S-deprivation, the P-one’s oscillations took place within a broader zone. Linear relationships among the various Rr patterns were found between gs-E, gs-A, E-A, DM-W and DM-Sa. In conclusion, the impact of P-deprivation appeared in an early stage and included an alleviation action, the one of N-deprivation appeared early with no alleviation action, whilst that of S-deprivation appeared later, being rather weaker when compared to the impact of the P-deprivation’s impact.

Biotic Stress Induced Biochemical and Isozyme Variations in Ginger and Tomato by <i>Ralstonia solanacearum</i>

This unique study evaluates the effects of Ralstonia solanacearum (Rs) induced biotic stress in two cultivars, Zingiber officinale (ginger) and Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato). They were grown in pots and hydroponic systems with controls;to induce biotic stress, about 8 × 104 colony forming units of Rs suspension was injected into the healthy test plants. Upon induction of Rs stress, highly significant (p 0.01) biochemical changes (%) were noticed in respect to controls: carbohydrate content was generally high in both plants;while they showed decreased starch and protein contents;phenolics showed a swing of decrease or increase between pot and hydroponic systems;and all plants in general showed higher (3-6 fold) proline content upon induction of biotic stress. Regarding oxidative stress isozymes (OSE), superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1) isozymes were normally 3, but treated hydroponics had 4 with comparable relative mobility values;peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) isozymes were generally 2, except for treated hydroponic tomato. Briefly, Rs induced biotic stress caused wilt symptoms in ginger, but did not affect tomato though its biochemical and OSE patterns especially in those grown as hydroponics were elicited to significantly higher levels.

Elevated Root-Zone Temperature Modulates Growth and Quality of Hydroponically Grown Carrots

Air and soil temperatures strongly influence the growth and quality of crops. However, in root vegetables, such as carrot, few experiments aimed at regulating growth and quality by manipulating root-zone temperature have been reported. We investigated the effect of root-zone temperatures (20&degC, 25&degC, 29&degC, and 33&degC) on carrot growth and components using a hydroponic system. High root-zone temperatures for 14 days reduced shoot and rootgrowth and water content. In contrast, total phenolic compounds and soluble-solid content increased in tap roots under high-temperature treatment. Root oxygen consumption was upregulated after 7 days under high-temperature treatment. These results suggest that high root-zone temperatures induce drought-like stress responses that modulate carrot biomass and components. High root-zone temperature treatments administered to hydroponically grown crops may be a valuable tool for improving and increasing the quality and value of crops.

Smart Agriculture with an Automated IoT-Based Greenhouse System for Local Communities

Nowadays, smart agriculture using wireless communication is replacing the wired system which was difficult to install and manage. Then, this paper introduces a new design for IoT application on the greenhouse, which utilizes different technologies to present a new model for practical implementation in the IoT concept. This design can settle a new method to solve problems in Market Demand, Precision in Operation and supervision. Furthermore, this design can be used in many cases and assist farmers, cropper and planted people to develop their business.

Interactions between Ipomoea aquatica and Microbial Populations

[Objective]This paper was to research the water purification mechanism of Ipomoea aquatica and its correlation with algae and rotifer. [Methods]Taking I. aquatica as the test material,Chlorella vulgaris,Scenedesmus obliquus,Microcystis aeroginosa and rotifer Adineta vaga with different densities were added to the hydroponics nutrients solutions of I. aquatica by the hydroponic ecological simulation method. The growth characteristics of I. aquatica,changes of microbial populations and the consumption status of nutrients in the nutritional solution were determined. And the interactions between the plant and the microbial populations were researched. [Results]When I. aquatica seedlings grew to a certain stage,growth of principal root stopped; while the lateral roots emerged greatly; and the nutrition absorption efficiency enhanced. As the inoculation concentration of C. vulgaris increased,root length of I. aquatica increased relatively great due to the competition for nutrients. The competition and allelopathy of M. aeroginosa and S. obliquus restricted the development of root system of I. aquatica. The grazing pressure of Chlorella vulgaris had little effects on M. aeroginosa,but restricted the rapid growth of S. obliquus. [Conclusions]This research provided data support for the application of fish-shrimp-vegetable aquaculture system.

Antioxidant properties and sensory evaluation of microgreens from commercial and local farms

Microgreens are young and tender vegetables or herbs that provide attractive color,flavor,and nutrition.The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nutritional and sensory qualities of broccoli microgreens grown by different methods(hydroponically vs.soil grown)and from different sources(commercial vs.local farm).No significant difference in total phenolic concentration and antioxidant capacity was found in all broccoli microgreens,but a significantly higher chlorophyll concentration was found in farm microgreens than the commercial ones.Moreover,the soil-grown farm microgreens possessed a significantly higher vitamin C concentration than hydroponically-grown farm sample and commercial sample.Participants in the sensory study favored farm samples regardless of growing method,and their overall liking was significantly correlated with taste of the microgreens.In addition,six other microgreens from the local farm were analyzed for their nutritional quality.These conclusions suggested a potential for consumers to still benefit nutritionally by purchasing commercial microgreens at a lower cost;however,it may be worthwhile for consumers to purchase microgreens from local farms for a better sensory experience.

Distribution Profiles and Interrelations of Stomatal Conductance, Transpiration Rate and Water Dynamics in Young Maize Laminas under Nitrogen Deprivation

Seven-day-old maize (Zea mays) plants were grown hydroponically for ten days in N-deprived nutrient solution. The distribution profiles according to the position on the stem of the –N laminas stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, photosynthetic rate (1st-group) were monitored, along with the corresponding profiles of dry mass, water amount, water content, length, surface area, and specific surface area (2nd-group), relative to control. In the uppermost –N laminas, the changes within a parameter of the 1st-group were significantly higher and of the 2nd-group significantly lower than the control, respectively. Correlations of the corresponding values among the parameters of the 1st-or 2nd-group were linear. The parameters between groups correlated non-linearly. Transpiration rate was divided by the lamina’s dry mass correlated with surface area in a power-type function. The slopes of the response ratios linear relations between the various pairs of parameters could be used for simulation of a lamina’s response to the deprivation.

Differential Early Fluctuations in Superoxide Dismutase and Catalase Activities Are Included in the Responses of Young Maize Organs to S-Deprivation

water soluble protein fraction (WSPF) content along with the SOD and the CAT activities were comparatively monitored in leaf blades, sheaths and roots. S-deprivation progressively diminished WSPF first in the sheaths, two days later in the blades, and four days later in the root. SOD activity per mg WSPF decreased at d2, whilst it increased for the next four days. After d6, SOD activities of roots and sheaths decreased, followed by the blades at d10. CAT activity per mg WSPF at d2 decreased only in blades, whilst increased in both sheaths and roots (more in sheaths). After d6 decreased CAT activity was found only in roots. No other decreases were observed in blades and sheaths. SOD and CAT specific activities on DM basis presented an oscillation pattern with the increase of DM. S-deprivation altered this picture, by reversing the oscillation pattern and by decreasing the trendlines. SOD specific activity initially decreased in –S sheaths and roots, whilst it remained unchanged in –S blades. Then it increased abruptly, decreased in an exponential manner and stabilised in all three organs. S-deprivation caused an early fluctuation of the CAT activity and then diverse responses;in blades a late increase in CAT activity was observed and decreases in the other two organs. S-deprivation seemed to reverse the oscillation pattern of CAT specific activity differentially for each organ type.

Effect of Plant Density on the Yield of Hydroponically Grown Heat-Tolerant Tomato under Summer Temperature Conditions

Producing enough tomato to meet market demand sustainably has not been feasible in the tropics like Ghana. Attempts to improve production using greenhouse facilities have not addressed the challenge because of high-temperature conditions in the greenhouse, which are difficult to manage. Heat stress, arising from high temperatures, hinder the performance of tomato in terms of fruit set and yield. Moreover, the impending climate change is expected to impose more unfavorable environmental conditions on crop production. An experiment was conducted in (greenhouse at Chiba University, Japan) summer period, which has similar high-temperature conditions like Ghana. This work sought to increase the yield of a heat-tolerant tomato using a state-of-the-art hydroponic system through high-density planting. The outcome of this work was intended for adoption and practice in Ghana. A Heat-tolerant tomato “Nkansah HT” along with Lebombo and Jaguar cultivars, were grown at high and low plant densities (4.1 and 2.7 plants m-2 respectively). Each plant was grown in a low substrate volume culture (0.5 L plant-1) in a recirculating nutrient film technique (NFT) hydroponic system. Parameters measured were plant growth and dry matter assimilation at 12 weeks after transplanting, and the generative components. Results showed that a high plant density increased plant height but reduced chlorophyll content by 9.6%. Under temperature stress conditions, the three cultivars recorded more than 95% fruit set, but plant density did not affect the fruit set and the incidence of blossom end rot (BER). The incidence of BER reduced the marketable yield of the Jaguar cultivar by 51% but, this physiological disorder was not recorded in the HT and the Lebombo cultivars. A high-density planting increased the yield per unit area increased by 38.9%. However, it is uneconomical to cultivate the Jaguar cultivar under a heat stress condition due to its high susceptibility to blossom end rot. To improve the yield of tomatoes under tropical heat stress with a threatening climate change condition, the HT is a better cultivar suited for high-density planting. This study shows that high-density cultivation of the HT cultivar in NFT hydroponic system has the potential to increase Ghana’s current tomato yield by 4.8 times.