Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the effect of different initial densities of Nile tilapia fingerlings on water quality, fish growth, and production of marjoram ( Origanum majorana L.) and sweet basil ( Ocimum basilicum L.) in a recirculating aquaponic set up. The experiment was carried out on randomized block design and comprised four fish densities (0, 150, 250 and 500 fish m -3 ) and two crops, in which each treatment was continued for 45 days and replicated three times. Except for pH and total alkalinity, all water physicochemical parameters were increased significantly at high fish densities. In contrast, most of the biological parameters for fish were unaffected by culture density, although at the highest density crude protein percentage was significantly increased and ether extract percentage was significantly reduced. Plant productivities were highest when fish were cultured at density of 500 fish m -3 , a density that was found to be appropriate for maintaining water quality and promoting fish growth while preventing toxicity and mortality. The present study has demonstrated the technical viability of coupling Nile tilapia culture coup with aquaponic production of marjoram and sweet basil.
Highlights
The escalating growth in the world population, plus increasing the demand for freshwater, has imposed enormous pressure on the agricultural and industrial sectors that are responsible for food production
The experiment was held on a randomized block design with a 4 x 2 factorial scheme, comprising four different densities of tilapia fingerlings with average weight of 6.96 ± 1.19 g and length 1.58 ± 0.38 cm: (T1(0): 0 fish m-3, T2(150): 150 fish m-3, T3(250): 250 fish m-3 and T4(500): 500 fish m-3) and two crops:,in which each treatment was continued for 45 days and replicated three times, in a recirculating aquaponic system
Schematic representation of the aquaponic system used in the study showing: (A) lateral view of the interconnecting units; and (B) top view indicating the point of water sample collection
Summary
The escalating growth in the world population, plus increasing the demand for freshwater, has imposed enormous pressure on the agricultural and industrial sectors that are responsible for food production. The sustainable food production, with minimal water and nutrient loss, has become a necessity rather than an ethical matter or political debate. In this context, aquaponic technique could allow the sustainable food production by integrating vegetables culture and fish farming (Nelson, 2007; Villarroel, Rodriguez Alvariño, & Duran Altisent, 2011). Present study found that the fish species had a high growth rate, a high feed conversion rate and a high market value (Fülber et al, 2010) Technology, v. 40, e35460, 2018 that employed in traditional olericulture and aquaculture methods (non circulated aquaculture) that involve irrigation and constant water replacement, respectively (Cortez, Araújo, Bellingieri, & Dalri, 2009; Roosta & Mhsenian, 2012; Hundley & Navarro, 2013; Van Rijn, 2013; Wongkiew, Chandran, Lee, & Khanal, 2017).
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