Nutrient film technique is a hydroponic method that focuses shallow streams over solution over crop root systems. This kind of design could be hard to install but if done correctly can produce rapid and huge cultivation. Nutrient film technique, or NFT, cultivation methods provide crops with enough nutrients through the solution constantly flowing past the root systems and gives them exposure to oxygen. Compared to other hydroponic systems NFT supplies plants with more air and so growth is quicker.

Nutrient film technique hydroponic systems direct shallow streams of nutrient solution down gullys which hold root. The shallow stream delivers all the minerals plants need for cultivation and by keeping the stream shallow the root systems have exposure to oxygen. This system is one of the most effective for supplying crops nutrients and fresh air, many other hydroponic systems require one to be favored more than the other.

One of the crucial design aspects of NFT systems is the flow rate which is largely dictated by the incline of the channels. For most crops a small incline which slowly transports solution around the roots permitting optimum access is ideal and slopes of 1:100 are ideal. In practice it can be hard to set up systems so level that a slope of 1:100 is adequate to avoid accumulation of solution in depressed spots. The solution lots of home gardeners utilize steeper slopes of approximately 1:50.

The amount of water a system could hold and the size of the watering channels also has a substantial influence on crop size and timing. If gullys are overly large or there are too many crops using the same water minerals could become depleted and plants at the far end of the gully could suffer. Every nutrient film technique design should be tested to make sure it is not overloaded. A general rule is 1 liter of solution for 60 seconds for each crop tank though this amount can change according to plants being cultivated and the gully design for the hydroponic system. Researchers have found that quality begins dropping on channels which exceed 15 meters in size.

NFT hydroponic cultivation methods are some of the most efficient irrigation systems. They could be difficult to set up and require accurate construction so slope and nutrient concentrations remain constant. If these disadvantages can be solved flowers of impressive magnitude and value can be quickly grown.