Bread Wheat Productivity and Profitability Under Solar-Powered Closed Hydroponic Net House System

Abstract

This experiment evaluated the productivity and economic viability of wheat under an integrated net house with a closed hydroponic irrigation system versus an open field. The objective was to assess this water-saving innovation under the Arabian Peninsula’s resource-constrained environments. The integrated system achieved markedly superior results, producing a grain yield of 13.0 t/ha—a 117% increase over the open-field yield of 6.0 t/ha. Biomass yield reached 40.0 t/ha versus 16.0 t/ha in open fields, a 150% improvement. These gains were attributed to controlled growing conditions and balanced nutrient delivery, which optimized plant performance and reduced environmental stress. The system also demonstrated significant savings in resources, offering enhanced resource use efficiency per unit of production. The estimated total values of productivity and resource savings were substantial when adjusted to the land area conserved. For ROI, BCR, and IRR, hydroponic wheat production scored 3.13, 4.13, and 312.8% in season (1) vs. 1.97, 2.97, and 197.1% for open-field production. In season (2), hydroponics scored 1.62,2.63, and 163.0% vs. 0.043, 1.04, and 4.32% for open fields. Higher yields in 2022/2023 resulted from 30 vs. 10 min/day of irrigation due to higher relative humidity reflecting higher rainfall in the first season.