Hydroponics · Substrate growing
Trough system
Long, lined troughs filled with low-EC washed cocopeat and fed by drip. Choose on-ground troughs for tall fruiting crops, or A-frame vertical troughs for strawberry and greens. Designed, made and installed by Kryzen inside your polyhouse.
350+farms built by Kryzen across India
Two layouts
On-ground troughs for tall crops, or A-frame vertical troughs for strawberry and greens.
Drip-fed cocopeat
Low-EC washed cocopeat in a lined trough, fed by drip lines.
One long root bed
Plants share a continuous root zone, so moisture and feed stay even along the row.
What is a trough system?
One long cocopeat bed, fed by drip
Quick answer
A trough system grows plants in a long, lined trough filled with low-EC washed cocopeat. Drip lines feed every plant the same measured nutrient solution. Kryzen builds it in two layouts: on-ground troughs for tall fruiting crops, and A-frame vertical troughs for strawberry and leafy greens.
It works like cocopeat grow bags, but the plants share one continuous root bed instead of separate bags.
Two layouts
On-ground trough or A-frame vertical trough
Same cocopeat, same drip feeding. Pick the layout that suits your crop and floor area.
On-ground trough
Long lined troughs laid on the polyhouse floor in rows.
- Tall fruiting crops: capsicum, tomato, cucumber, chilli
- Herbs such as basil
- Trellised with overhead wires and strings
- Easy to set up over large areas
A-frame vertical trough
Troughs fixed in tiers on both sides of an A-shaped frame, so more plants fit on the same floor.
- Strawberry, lettuce and other low crops
- More plants per m² of floor
- Fruit and leaves hang clean, off the ground
- Harvest at comfortable heights
How it works
From fertigation tank to trough
Six parts deliver the same measured feed to every plant in the row.
01Fertigation tank and pump
Nutrients are mixed in a fertigation tank. A pump and filter send the solution to the drip lines on a timer.
02Trough liner
A UV-stabilised black and white liner forms a long trough along each row and holds the media off the ground.
03Cocopeat blocks
Compressed low-EC cocopeat blocks are laid in the trough, then soaked so they expand into a loose root bed.
04Drip lines and drippers
One or two drip lines run along each trough, with drippers at every plant.
05Weedmat and walkways
Weedmat covers the floor between troughs to stop weeds and keep walkways clean.
06Daily monitoring
Kryzen hydroBUILD automation reads EC and pH and shows them on your phone, so doses can be adjusted every day. See IoT and automation.
Growing media
Types of cocopeat: low EC vs high EC
Not all cocopeat is the same. For hydroponics, Kryzen uses only low-EC washed cocopeat.
| Point | Low-EC cocopeat (washed) | High-EC cocopeat (unwashed) |
|---|---|---|
| Salt level (EC) | Low: below 0.5 mS/cm | High: above 1 mS/cm |
| Washing | Washed in fresh water to remove sodium and potassium salts | Not washed; natural salts stay in the cocopeat |
| Buffering | Buffered, so it does not lock up calcium and magnesium | Not buffered |
| pH | 5.5–6.5, ready for nutrient solution | Varies by batch |
| Effect on roots | Healthy roots; feed EC stays under your control | Salt stress, root burn and uneven growth |
| Use | Hydroponics and nurseries; used on every Kryzen farm | Not for hydroponics |
Cocopeat and coco fibre mix: what to buy
Good quality
100% cocopeat
Holds water and air evenly. The right grade for troughs and grow bags.
Low water retention
75% cocopeat, 25% coco fibre (coir)
Drains too fast, so plants need more frequent feeds.
Poor quality
50% cocopeat, 50% coco fibre
Dries out quickly and gives uneven root growth.
Not for agriculture
25% cocopeat, 75% coco fibre
Mostly fibre. Used for mats, ropes and packing, not for crops.
Cocopeat comes in compressed blocks. Ask for the EC report and the cocopeat-to-fibre ratio before you buy.
Crop support
Trellising for tall crops
Capsicum, tomato and cucumber in on-ground troughs grow tall. Strings and clips keep every plant upright.
Support wires
Overhead wires run along every row, fixed to the polyhouse structure above the bags.
Hooks and strings
A string hangs from the wire down to each plant. Hooks hold spare string, so tall plants can be lowered as they grow.
Trellis clips
Plastic clips hold the stem to the string every few leaves without hurting the plant.
Why it matters
Upright plants get more light and air, fruits stay clean and off the ground, and harvest is faster.
Choose your system
Trough vs cocopeat grow bags
Both feed cocopeat by drip. The difference is one long bed versus separate bags.
| Point | Trough | Cocopeat grow bags |
|---|---|---|
| Root zone | One long, continuous cocopeat bed | Separate bags, one or more plants each |
| Media | Low-EC cocopeat blocks laid in a lined trough | Low-EC cocopeat filled in bags |
| Layouts | On the ground, or in tiers on an A-frame | On the ground only |
| Best for | Strawberry and herbs (A-frame); capsicum and tomato (on ground) | Capsicum, cucumber and tomato |
| Replanting | Top up or replace media along the row | Replace bag by bag |
Why build one
Advantages of a trough system
An even root bed and clean produce, on the ground or in tiers.
Even root zone
A continuous bed of cocopeat keeps moisture and feed even along the whole row.
Exact feeding by drip
Every plant gets the same measured solution, planned with our nutrient calculator.
Forgiving system
Cocopeat buffers water and nutrients, so short power cuts do not harm the crop.
No soil diseases or weeds
The liner keeps roots off the soil, and weedmat keeps the floor clean.
More plants per m²
The A-frame version stacks troughs in tiers on the same floor area.
Clean, uniform produce
Fruits grow off the ground and stay clean, ready to grade and pack.
Quick replanting
Top up or replace the cocopeat between crops without digging beds.
Climate-proof agriculture
Inside a polyhouse, heat, rain and pests stay out and harvests stay steady all year.
Technical details
Trough system specifications
Trough length, layout and spacing are planned for your area and crop after a site inspection. Every value goes in writing in your quotation.
| Specification | Kryzen trough system |
|---|---|
| System | Drip-fed cocopeat troughs (substrate hydroponics) |
| Layouts | On-ground trough or A-frame vertical trough |
| Trough | UV-stabilised black and white liner |
| Growing media | Low-EC washed cocopeat blocks |
| Feed | Drip lines with a dripper at every plant, on a timer |
| Floor | Weedmat between troughs |
| Crop support | Overhead wires, strings and clips for tall crops |
| Monitoring | EC and pH checks; doses planned with the Kryzen nutrient calculator |
Made by Kryzen
Our own factory. Our own build team.
We cut, shape and quality-test the steel at our factory in Satara, Maharashtra, and our own construction team builds it on your land. You can follow every step live on your client portal at alpha.kryzen.com.
Cost and running
What a trough farm needs
Your quotation lists every item, and our team prepares a crop-wise projection for your farm before you build.
Steady power
Drip runs on a timer. Cocopeat covers short cuts; we connect your generator or solar backup for longer ones.
Good water
A water test before you start tells us how to plan the nutrient solution.
Daily EC and pH checks
Check the feed and the run-off from the troughs every day to keep the solution right.
A polyhouse
Troughs are set up inside a naturally ventilated or fan and pad polyhouse.
Plan your doses and your sales
Use the nutrient calculator to plan feeds for each crop. Current prices from Price Watcher go into your project report, and Buyers Connect helps you sell after harvest.
Included free
- 6 months of virtual agronomy
- 4-day training for your farm team
- Hydroponic Masterclass logins
- Farm management software
- Buyers Connect
Worth ₹1.08 lakh
Compare
Trough vs soil farming
Soil farming costs less to start. Troughs use less water and fertiliser, avoid soil disease and give cleaner, more even produce.
| Point | Soil farming | Trough |
|---|---|---|
| Water use | High; flood or open irrigation | Low; measured drip to each plant |
| Yield per m² | Normal | Higher; more with the A-frame version |
| Soil diseases and weeds | Common | None in the trough; weedmat on the floor |
| Fruit quality | Mixed; soil splash | Clean and uniform |
| Fertiliser use | Broadcast; much is lost | Exact doses through drip |
| Setup cost | Low | Higher; see your quotation |
Subsidy and finance
Subsidy for your trough farm
Polyhouses for hydroponic farms built to National Horticulture Board (NHB) and National Horticulture Mission (NHM) norms can apply for government subsidy. A bank loan is usually part of the project, and the subsidy is paid after the project is checked.
NHB subsidy provider
Kryzen is a registered National Horticulture Board subsidy provider for all states.
NHM state subsidy provider
Enrolled with the National Horticulture Mission in Maharashtra and Karnataka for state horticulture schemes.
Project report for your bank
We prepare the detailed project report (DPR) your bank and subsidy file need, with cost, finance and profit projections.
Subsidy amounts depend on the scheme, your state and current government guidelines. The final decision is made by the government department.
Other hydroponic systems
Not only troughs
Mix systems in one polyhouse to grow fruiting crops and leafy greens together.
How we build
From first call to first harvest
Ten steps, one team. Most projects are built in 45 to 90 days after material reaches the site.
1Free online consultation
We discuss your land, water, budget and goals on a video or phone call.
2Site inspection
Our team checks level, slope, sunlight, soil, water, power and road access.
3Design and quotation
We design for your climate and crops, and share a detailed quotation.
4Project report and finance
We prepare the DPR for your bank loan and subsidy file.
5Subsidy and loan
We help you apply for NHB or NHM subsidy and your bank loan, with the documents each office needs.
6Manufacturing
We cut, shape and quality-test the material at our factory in Satara.
7Construction
Our team builds the foundations, structure and growing systems on your land.
8Testing and handover
We test every system and hand over a working farm.
9Training and agronomy
Hands-on training for your team and 6 months of virtual agronomy support.
10Harvest management
We help you plan harvests, grading and sales, with market prices from Price Watcher and buyers through Buyers Connect.
What is a trough system?
It is a long, lined trough filled with low-EC washed cocopeat and fed by drip lines. Plants grow in one continuous root bed instead of separate bags.
What are the two types of trough?
On-ground troughs are laid in rows on the polyhouse floor and suit tall crops such as capsicum and tomato. A-frame vertical troughs are fixed in tiers on an A-shaped frame and suit strawberry and leafy greens.
Which crops grow best in troughs?
Strawberry and leafy greens in A-frame troughs; capsicum, tomato, cucumber, chilli and basil in on-ground troughs.
How is a trough different from a grow bag?
Both use drip-fed cocopeat. A trough gives one long, continuous root bed and can be stacked on an A-frame; grow bags keep each plant or pair of plants separate.
Which cocopeat should I use?
Low-EC washed cocopeat, ideally 100% cocopeat. Mixes with a lot of coco fibre drain too fast and give uneven growth.
What happens if the power fails?
Cocopeat holds water, so plants handle short power cuts. For longer cuts, Kryzen connects the drip system to your generator or solar backup.
How long does installation take?
Most projects are built in 45 to 90 days after material reaches the site.
Is there a subsidy for trough farming?
The polyhouse can get NHB or NHM subsidy, and the project can use a bank loan. Our team prepares the project report and subsidy file.
Talk to our team
Plan your trough farm with us
Tell us your land, crop and budget. We’ll tell you honestly whether on-ground troughs, A-frame troughs or grow bags suit you, then share a detailed quotation.