Water Culture Research Articles

Value-added green biorefinery co-products from ultrasonically assisted DES-pretreated Chlorella biomass

This study pursued the goal of creating value-added co-products through an environmentally friendly biorefinery approach, employing ultrasonically assisted deep eutectic solvent (DES)-pretreated Chlorella biomass. The primary focus was on generating enriched biodiesel feedstock with exceptional fuel properties and developing hydroponic biofertilizer. The results demonstrated the effectiveness of a two-step process involving a 5-minute ultrasound-assisted DES pretreatment followed by ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction, which efficiently extracted lipids from Chlorella biomass, yielding biodiesel-quality lipids with good cetane number (59.42) and high heating value (40.11 MJ/kg). Notably, this two-step approach (78.04 mg-lipid/g-microalgal biomass) led to a significant 2.10-fold increase in lipid extraction compared to a one-step process (37.15 mg-lipid/g-microalgal biomass) that combined ultrasound-assisted DES pretreatment and solvent extraction. Importantly, the aqueous extract derived from lipid-extracted microalgal biomass residues (LMBRs) showed promise as a component in hydroponic biofertilizer production, supporting lettuce growth in hydroponic deep water culture system. Consequently, microalgae biorefinery co-products hold tremendous potential in enhancing the profitability and sustainability of interconnected sectors, encompassing renewable energy, agriculture, and the environment.

Identification and Characterization of a Novel Microalgal Strain from the Antofagasta Coast Tetraselmis marina AC16-MESO (Chlorophyta) for Biotechnological Applications.

The wide rocky coastline of the Antofagasta hosts an intertidal ecosystem in which the species that inhabit it are routinely exposed to a wide range of physical and chemical conditions and have therefore evolved to tolerate extremes. In the search for new species of potential biotechnological interest with adaptations to a wide range of environmental conditions, the isolation and characterization of microalgae from these ecosystems is of great interest. Here, a new microalgal strain, Tetraselmis marina AC16-MESO, is described, which was isolated from a biofilm collected on the intertidal rocks of the Antofagasta coast (23°36'57.2″ S, 70°23'33.8″ W). In addition to the morphological characterization, 18S and ITS sequence as well as ITS-2 secondary structure analysis revealed an identity of 99.76% and 100% with the species Tetraselmis marina, respectively. The analyses of the culture characteristics and biochemical content showed similarities with other strains that are frequently used in aquaculture, such as the species Tetraselmis suecica. In addition, it is tolerant of a wide range of salinities, thus allowing its culture in water of varying quality. On the other hand, added to these characteristics, the results of the improvement of the lipid content in stressful situations of salinity observed in this study, together with other antecedents such as the potential in bioremediation already published for this strain by the same research group, present a clear example of its biotechnological plasticity. It is noteworthy that this strain, due to its characteristics, allows easy collection of its biomass by decantation and, therefore, a more cost-efficient harvesting than for other microalgal strains. Therefore, this new strain of Tetraselmis marina, first report of this species in Chile, and its morphologically, molecularly and biochemically description, presents promising characteristics for its use in biotechnology and as feed for aquaculture.

Knowledge of Trainee Teachers about the New Water Culture: A Comparative Study between Two Spanish Cities

Education is the main tool society has for transforming cultural habits and making them more sustainable. This work entails a comparative study in the sphere of initial teacher training regarding the knowledge of future educators on the New Water Culture (NWC). An ad-hoc questionnaire was administered to a sample of 1387 future primary and secondary school teachers studying in Granada (N = 942) and Melilla (N = 455), both Spanish cities with diverse education and water conditions. The results indicate that the trainee teachers in Granada display knowledge more in line with the NWC. However, there are contents where the results are inverted due to the media impact regarding water in Melilla. Furthermore, it is confirmed that both groups lack correct training that allows them to transfer appropriate knowledge effectively and thus create new behaviours in future generations in a visible and permanent way.

Fertiliser supplementation with a biostimulant complex of fish hydrolysate, Aloe vera extract, and kelp alters cannabis root architecture to enhance nutrient uptake

Biostimulants are non-nutritive fertiliser additives which have demonstrated improvements to growth outputs of various agricultural crops. As a result, they have gained attention as sustainable components in cultivation practices, particularly in the rapidly emerging cannabis spheres, including medicinal and industrial cannabis cultivation. One point of focus to cannabis cultivators is the plant's efficiency of nutrient utilisation, attributed to the growth vigour and activity of roots. Despite the interest in this topic, due to the concealment of plant roots within substrates, exploration of plant roots is generally challenging and as such has hampered understanding of the impacts of biostimulants to plant root activity and associated nutrient utilisation efficiency. This project aimed to characterise the impacts and modes of action of the biostimulants kelp, Aloe vera extract, and fish hydrolysate to cannabis growth through exploration of their impacts individually, and as a biostimulant complex (BC). To overcome the limitations of root analyses, substrate-free hydroponic growth systems such as aeroponics, deep water culture (DWC), and the Root-TRAPR system were utilized. These systems allowed for the measurement of changes in root architecture and nutrient utilisation induced by the biostimulants. The results demonstrated that application of BC significantly enhanced root development, as indicated by increased root branching (P = 0.038) and increased total length (P = 0.046). In addition, BC treatment resulted in significant increases in the uptake of phosphorous (P = 0.038) and potassium (P = 0.040) by the plant. Metabolite and phytohormone profiling revealed that kelp and Aloe vera extract induced general plant stress-response mechanisms, whilst fish hydrolysate induced mechanisms associated with the plant pathogen defence response. However, when applied together as BC, the induced molecular mechanisms were associated with phosphorous deficiency without induction of general stress response mechanisms, potentially driving the increased uptake of phosphorous observed. These novel characterisations of biostimulant mechanisms and efficacies provide valuable insights to establishing optimised usage of biostimulants within cannabis cultivation, leading to increased production efficiency through sustainable practises.

Effect of Light Treatment and Maturity Stage on Biomass Production and Bioactive Compounds of Two Pepper Cultivars under a Deep Water Culture Hydroponic System

Effect of Light Treatment and Maturity Stage on Biomass Production and Bioactive Compounds of Two Pepper Cultivars under a Deep Water Culture Hydroponic System

Lighting intensity affects the fatty acid composition of total lipids of basil leaves and roots (Ocimum basilicum L.)

The vegetative organs of common basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) grown in water culture at different levels of illumination (50, 100, and 150 μmol PAR quanta/(m2 s)) for 21 days were studied. In the work, the Purple Velvet basil variety, which is popular in agriculture and has intensely colored leaves was used. The biomass, water content, and composition of fatty acids (FA) of total lipids in the leaves and roots of plants and the content of malondialdehyde and chlorophylls (a, b) in the aerial parts of plants were determined. The sensitivity of the FA composition and morphophysiological parameters (biomass and chlorophyll content in leaves) of O. basilicum plants to the intensity of illumination was shown. The greatest effect was caused by the illumination intensity mode of 150 μmol/(m2 s). Species composition of O. basilicum FA under all lighting conditions was wider in root lipids; however, more pronounced changes in the qualitative composition of Fas were observed in leaves. Photodependent regulation of FA component composition of O. basilicum manifested itself in an increase in the proportion of unsaturated FAs, especially polyene ones, which led to an increase in the unsaturation index (UI) of esterified lipid FAs. The highest UI values were obtained with illumination of 150 μmol/(m2 s). At the same time, with an increase in the illumination intensity, a significant increase in the activity of ω-3 and ω-9-desaturases occurred, which indicates in favor of their lightdependent activation. Thus, increasing the intensity of lighting to certain values directly proportionally affects the physiological parameters of O. basilicum. The maximum indicators of productive growth and the implementation of adaptive mechanisms of green and underground parts of basil plants correspond to illumination of 150 μmol/(m2 s).

Otomatisasi Ultrasonik Fogger Budidaya Selada Keriting Hijau Secara Fogponik di Pertanian Indoor berbasis Internet of Things (IoT)

Lettuce or in Indonesia better known as bokor lettuce is a commodity that has bright prospects for cultivation. Green Curly Lettuce is harvested at the age of 25 - 35 days. The price of Green Curly Lettuce on the market can reach Rp. 10,000 to Rp. 15,000 per kg. One of the hydroponic methods that can be carried out for cultivating Green Curly Lettuce plants indoors is a hydroponic system with fog or commonly called Fogponic. Fogponic is a hydroponic system developed from the Aeroponic method, using an ultrasonic fogger or atomizer to atomize nutrients to plant roots. The aims of this research are 1). Designing a water temperature control system device, solution concentration and light height of Fogponic nutrient water in Indoor Agriculture. 2). Create an Automatic Ultrasonic Fogger to maximize nutrition to the roots of Green Curly Lettuce plants. 3), Evaluate the performance of the Automatic Ultrasonic Fogger system by integrating it with the Internet of Things (IoT) via the Thingspeak website. Fogponic design using Ultrasonic Fogger can maximize the little water needed by plants. Even though the use of LED Grow Light cannot replace sunlight in Greenhouses. Automatic Ultrasonic Fogger works according to schedule at 06.00, 08.00, 10.00, 12.00, 14.00, 16.00 and 18.00. Besides that, it will work when the fogging machine detects the water level is decreasing so that it gives a notification to add nutrient water. The Fogponics work system can revive green curly lettuce plants and is better than Deep Water Culture (DWC) Hydroponics. However, it is not significantly different from Bubbleponik and still inferior to simple Aeroponics.

Antibacterial Effect of Pomegranate Juice on Listeria innocua and E. coli in Different Media.

The antibacterial effect of pomegranate juice (PJ) at six concentrations (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50%) against Listeria innocua and Escherichia coli was investigated in distilled water (DW) and bacterial culture broth. L. innocua and E. coli at approximately 105 cfu mL-1 were inoculated in PJ samples and incubated at 4, 25, and 37 °C for 0, 6, 24, and 48 h. The bacterial population and pH of culture media were measured at each removal. Results indicated that the antibacterial effect of PJ was dependent upon bacteria species, juice concentration, incubation temperature, and growth medium. Higher juice concentration and incubation temperature resulted in increased antibacterial effects. Bacterial populations were decreased more significantly in DW systems than in the culture broth, while L. innocua was more sensitive to PJ than E. coli in the DW systems. Regardless of PJ concentrations in DW systems, L. innocua, initially inoculated at approximately 105 cfu mL-1, was reduced to undetectable levels at 25 and 37 °C within 24 h. The growth of L. innocua and E. coli was significantly inhibited in bacterial culture broth containing ≥ 20% PJ (p < 0.001). This study provides insight into the potential application of PJ in food and beverage products for food protection.

Investigating the potential of growing crops hydroponically utilizing feed and draw solutions from fertilizer drawn forward osmosis

This study investigated the potential of utilizing both the draw and feed solutions resulting from fertilizer drawn forward osmosis for hydroponic crop cultivation. Synthetic brackish groundwater of 2500 ppm was used as the feed solution, whereas commercial hydroponic nutrients, sourced from a local supplier, were utilized as a draw solution. This study also investigated the potential of integrating nanofiltration with forward osmosis, but supplementing the water necessary for further dilution of draw solutions through nanofiltration. Two crops were selected, i.e., cherry tomatoes and spinach grown at different water salinities, for their economic values. The cherry tomatoes were grown in Deep Water Culture hydroponic systems, while the spinach was grown in Nutrient Film Technique systems. If this application is deemed feasible, it allows for providing a method to grow two different crops in areas associated with non-arable land and brackish groundwater. During desalination, it was observed that there were two groups of flux readings, the first with an average flux of 7 to 9 l/m2/h, and the other with an average flux of 4 to 6 l/m2/h. This was due to using the same draw solution twice; once to concentrate the feed solution to 5000 ppm, and then once more to concentrate the feed solution to 3500 ppm. It was found that while the 3500 ppm cherry tomatoes tables had the highest yield and highest number of tomatoes throughout the plants lifetime, tomatoes from freshwater tables on average weighed more by about 19%, while, on average, 5000 ppm tomatoes weighed less than 3500 ppm tomatoes by 10%. The results of the spinach demonstrated that while both control and experiment groups yielded similar number of leaves, the average yield per plant for the experiment group was higher than the control group (by 25%).

Effects of Nitrogen Concentration on Growth, Yield and Phytochemical Content of Persicaria minor Cultivated Using Hydroponics System

Persicaria minor or locally known as kesum from the family Polygonaceae is a common herbal plant found in Malaysia. Hydroponic cultivation of kesum using deep water culture (DWC) system can be an alternative option for kesum growers in increasing crop yields. The deep water culture system is a method in which liquid fertiliser solution is given directly to the plant roots without any medium and water flow. The study’s main objective was to determine the effects of nitrogen concentration on growth, yield and phytochemical content of kesum cultivated using hydroponic system. Plants were grown under one of four nitrogen concentration solution regimes and the experiment was conducted under a side netted rain shelter. The four treatments comprised of 200 mg/L, 100 mg/L, 50 mg/L and 0 mg/L of nitrogen concentrations. The experiment was arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 4 replications. Plants were selected randomly and harvested eight weeks after planting. Plants grown supplemented with 100 mg/L of nitrogen concentration gave the best growth performance and biomass yield. They produced the highest plant height (78 cm) and fresh biomass yield (174 g per plant). Meanwhile plants supplemented with 50 mg/L of nitrogen concentration produced the highest Quercetin-3-glucuronide (Q3G) (98.261 mg/mL) and Quercitrin (61.367 mg/mL) compound compared to the other treatments. However, plants treated with 0 mg/L of nitrogen concentrations exhibited major nutrients deficiencies symptoms and die after 3 weeks of planting. Hence, it can be concluded that the kesum plants cultivated using hydroponics’ deep water culture system supplemented with 100 mg/L of nitrogen concentration gave the highest plant growth and biomass yields. However, to obtain higher Quercetin-3-glucuronide and Quercitrin compound, 50 mg/L of nitrogen concentration is recommended.

Metagenomic Analysis of Microbial Communities in Indoor Water Cultures: a Case Study in an Educational Building

Metagenomic Analysis of Microbial Communities in Indoor Water Cultures: a Case Study in an Educational Building

Precise Management of Hydroponic Nutrient Solution pH: The Effects of Minor pH Changes and MES Buffer Molarity on Lettuce Physiological Properties

The precise management of the nutrient solution pH is substantial for optimizing the growth and yield of hydroponically cultivated crops. Nutrient solution pH affects the solubility and availability of essential nutrients; however, during hydroponic cultivation, the pH of nutrient solution fluctuates due to unbalanced ion absorption by plants. Nutrient solution pH fluctuations might be passively controlled using a supplementary buffering agent. Nutrient solution characteristics such as pH and buffering agent molarity must be addressed simultaneously. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to evaluate hydroponically cultivated lettuce’s physiological response to minor nutrient solution pH differences and the impact of supplementary buffering agent molarity on its growth, antioxidant activity, and mineral nutrient uptake. Green lettuce (Lactuca sativa (L.)) ‘Hugin’ was cultivated in deep water culture (DWC) hydroponics in a controlled environment replicating common vertical farming conditions, and nutrient solution pH impact within the range of 5.0–6.5 was evaluated every 0.5 pH unit. Initial nutrient solution buffer capacity was enhanced by adding MES (2-(N-morpholino) ethanesulfonic acid) at 0, 1, 3, and 5 mM concentrations. Results show that even small nutrient pH differences are reflected in plant physiological responses, indicating the significance of precise pH management. Even though dry weight accumulation is not affected by the pH 5.0–5.5 treatment, it increases root antioxidant response according to ABTS (2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical scavenging activity. An initial nutrient solution buffer capacity increment with 3 mM of MES (2-(N-morpholino) ethanesulfonic acid) supplementary buffering agent resulted in a 17% yield increase compared to a nutrient solution without an additional buffering agent. MES buffer can provide adequate, passive, and precise nutrient solution pH control within the pH range of 6.0–6.5.

(Re-)valuing and co-creating cultures of water: a transdisciplinary methodology for weaving a live tapestry of Blue Heritage

ABSTRACT This article develops a transdisciplinary methodology for valuing and co-creating ‘tapestries’ of Blue Heritage. Given impending threats to the environmental sustainability and maintenance of Cultural Heritage surrounding oceans and freshwaters, it is increasingly urgent to develop a methodology that addresses the significance of the past and its rapport with the continuous future creation and valuing of what we here develop as ‘Cultures of Water’. This idea encompasses water-related practices that occur in various ways across diverse groups and arenas. Therefore, the proposed methodology is informed by several disciplines, notably History, Ethnography, Cultural Heritage, Arts, Design, Planning, and Geography. It emphasises the creation of a continuously evolving and changing tapestry of knowledge, jointly threaded by local populations, governmental and non-governmental institutions at various levels, industries, businesses, and academia. The tapestry is woven by connecting diverse disciplinary methodologies along specific threads, three on content and six on methods and related key questions. This article presents the methodology and reflects on its practicability and potential based on autoethnographic reflections, literature reviews, and first findings from implementing parts of the methodology in northern Portugal.

Optimizing Plant Growth and Crop Productivity through Hydroponics Technique for Sustainable Agriculture: A Review

A promising, economically viable and profitable form of cultivation is hydroponics. The findings of the present study indicate that the productivity as well as quality of different leafy vegetables and high valuable fruit crops (litchi etc) was significantly improved by adopting hydroponic techniques. The pH and EC of nutrient solution play an important role in this technique which directly affects the plant response. Article discusses how hydroponics can produce sustainable food while addressing issues such as climate change, lack of arable land and poor soil quality. The article highlights several hydroponic growing media and the importance of pH and dissolved solids (TDS) in a hydroponic fertilizer solution. The potential of hydroponics for Indian farmers and the need for education to facilitate their adoption is discussed at the end of the article. Presently the different substances are used to support plants, aerate them, promote maximum root growth and implement various hydroponic cultivation techniques. This paper also describes the different hydroponic techniques like nutrient film technique (NFT), deep water culture (DWC) and Ebb and flow etc and their mechanisms, applicability and advantages. Along with different hydroponics techniques the effectiveness of hydroponic growing media has also been investigated, with the best results obtained from nutrient film technique along with coconut peat as a growing media.

Effects of Oxygenated Brackish Water on Pakchoi (Brassica chinensis L.) Growth Characteristics Based on a Logistic Crop Growth Model

Oxygenated irrigation can improve soil physical and chemical properties and increase vegetable yields. It provides an effective method for safe and efficient utilization of brackish water, but its growth-promoting pathway is unclear. We investigated the effects of brackish water culture at five dissolved oxygen concentrations (9.5 (CK), 12.5, 15.5, 18.5, and 22.5 mg/L) on pakchoi (Brassica chinensis L.) growth characteristics by hydroponics experiment, and the logistic model to fit and analyze pakchoi growth characteristics. At a brackish water dissolved oxygen concentration of 18.5 mg/L, nitrogen mass fraction was significantly higher than in a control treatment by 43.4%, and pakchoi effective accumulated temperature increment during vigorous plant height and root length growth was significantly lower than other treatments. The logistic model effectively simulated pakchoi plant height and root length growth, and both theoretical maximum plant height and root length reached their maximum values at 18.5 mg/L dissolved oxygen concentration. Path analysis showed that the maximum net photosynthetic rate and nitrogen mass fraction were the main factors affecting aboveground pakchoi fresh weight. In conclusion, a dissolved oxygen concentration of 18.5 mg/L in brackish water is more appropriate for pakchoi to achieve high yield under brackish water hydroponics conditions. Our results provide guidance for the safe and efficient utilization of brackish water in green and efficient vegetable production.

Monitoring the effect of water temperature on the heart rate of olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) using a bio-logger

Olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) is a major aquaculture fish species in South Korea and is primarily cultivated in running water culture systems. However, these systems undergo continuous water temperature changes due to environmental variations, and abrupt changes in water temperature can lead to physiological stress. This study was conducted to monitor the health conditions of farmed olive flounder according to water temperature. A bio-logger (DST milli-HRT, Star-Oddi) was inserted near the heart of olive flounder to observe heart rate changes in response to water temperature under two scenarios. In Experiment 1, the water temperature was increased (1 °C/day) from 15 °C to 25 °C. In Experiment 2, the water temperature was constant (28 °C). Control fish were cultivated at 24 °C. All logged heart rate measurements were graded with a data verification quality index (QI) to calibrate the electrocardiogram data. All experiments were conducted in duplicate. In Experiment 1, the average heart rates at 15 °C and 25 °C were 35 ± 8.70 beats min−1 and 59 ± 20.99 beats min−1, respectively, demonstrating a significant (p < 0.05) increase of 69%. No significant changes in heart rates relative to those at 15 °C (baseline) were observed from 15 °C to 22 °C (p > 0.05); however, a significant difference was observed at 23 °C (p < 0.05). In Experiment 2, heart rates fluctuated between 66 and 69 beats min−1 at 28 °C. In the control experiment, heart rates remained relatively constant with an average of 46 ± 1.66 beats min−1. Notably, heart rates were higher in Experiment 2 than in Experiment 1, suggesting that cardiac output may increase with the increased oxygen requirement of olive flounder under certain conditions, especially during growth at high water temperatures. Moreover, the variations in the heart rate of olive flounders according to the diurnal cycle were found to increase from day to night when the fish were kept within an optimal water temperature range (control experiment). Additionally, the heart rate of olive flounders was found to increase during feeding.

A single-center experience with microbiologic surveillance of LivaNova 3T heater-cooler devices (HCDs)

Background: The global outbreak of Mycobacterium chimaera infections associated with HCDs resulted in new maintenance recommendations. Since 2018, HCDs have been disinfected according to instructions for use (IFU), including twice-monthly bleach disinfection and monitoring hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to maintain a minimum daily concentration of 100 ppm. In February 2020, the IFU added the recommendation to perform microbiologic surveillance of HCD tank water to ensure effectiveness of disinfection to levels of &lt;1 colony forming unit per milliliter (CFU/mL) of nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM). We report our experience with this microbiologic surveillance as well as that of culturing the HCD environment to investigate modes of transmission. Methods: In 2022, we began culturing tank water in 10 HCDs for NTM. For a subset of 6 HCDs, quantitative NTM culturing of tank water before and after bleach disinfection was done. After initial results indicated widespread-contamination of HCDs with M. chimaera, we performed fill water cultures from 5 sinks in 4 HCD maintenance rooms. We also conducted 20 two-hour NTM settle-plate cultures of a cardiac operating room (OR) at different sites both inside (n = 7) and outside (n = 3) the OR: 10 with the HCD (located outside the OR) turned off (controls) and 10 with HCD turned on (exposure). A paired t test was used to evaluate differences in mean recovery of NTM in tank water samples. Results: Cultures from 7 (70%) of 10 HCDs were positive, with a mean of 13.6 CFU/mL M. chimaera (Table 1). There was no significant difference between the 10 pairs of pre- and postdisinfection NTM cultures done according to the IFU from 6 HCDs: mean predisinfection cultures (15.5 CFU/mL) versus mean postdisinfection cultures (12 CFU/mL) (P = .90) (Table 2). For fill water, 1 of 7 sink samples in 1 of 4 rooms was positive for M. chimaera ( &lt;1 CFU/mL) from a specimen from a fresh 0.2-µm filter that had been stored in the fill-sink splash zone. OR settle-plate cultures showed 0 (0%) of 10 control sites and 1 (10 %) of 10 exposure sites inside the OR positive for NTM, with a single CFU of M. avium–intracellulare complex. Conclusions: Our data cannot clearly refute either of 2 possible scenarios for HCD contamination: cross contamination during device maintenance versus at the point of manufacture. Despite the IFU guidance or disinfection being implemented, disinfection procedures failed to suppress NTM contamination, and tank water within most HCDs was contaminated with M. chimaera regardless of age or whether it was deep cleaned or upgraded with an aerosol containment device.Disclosures: None

The water cycle in Reccopolis

AbstractReccopolis was a new city built in Visigothic Spain in the late 6th c. CE. Even rarer than this example of an ex novo urban foundation in the post-Roman West is the fact that the city was equipped with a brand-new aqueduct. The aqueduct has, until now, only been partially studied, but in this paper we update and re-assess the original, preliminary results. We consider the city's whole water cycle, including usage and drainage, employing new engineering calculations and GIS analyses. The results show that the aqueduct was an integral part of the city. Finally, we set our conclusions within their wider context, looking not only at the roles of aqueducts in the ideal of a city at this time, but also at urban water culture in the Late Antique West.

CHALLENGES AND POSSIBILITIES IN HYDROPONICALLY PRODUCTION OF MEDICINALLY IMPORTANCE CULINARY HERBS, EXOTIC AND HIGH VALUE VEGETABLES FOR FOOD AND NUTRITIONAL SECURITY IN COLD DESERT LEH, LADAKH REGION, INDIA

Leh a Cold Desert, which is capital of union territory Ladakh and strategic location for India. There is round the year dearth of culinary herbs &amp; exotic and high value vegetables like- basil, rosemary, parsley, oregano, mint, lettuce and minor culinary herbs and turnip, tomato, capsicum, cucumber, bitter gourd, gourds, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage etc. Meeting the demand of the region by conventional production is difficult due to the harsh climate i.e. extremely dry with scanty rainfall and very little snowfall. Being a cold desert, climate is extreme in Leh ambient minimum temperatures are below or near freezing point, however, in winter, days are sunny and bright. The soil is underdeveloped and vegetation is very sparse. Major source of water for drinking and irrigation is glacier melt water. Moreover, supply of such culinary herbs and vegetables to Ladakh region necessitates the transportation with trucks which passes at a height of 5300 m, for more than 400 kms. Food items/vegetables in winters has to be air freighted as the roads are snowed. Storage of highly perishable items such as vegetable and culinary herbs is difficult. Local people and security personnel of armed forces posted in Ladakh region do not get access to green vegetables in winter, therefore, they suffer from nutritional issues. For hospitality industry also availability of these items for tourists become difficult and costly affair. With the using of hydroponic crop production technology which offers an alternate crop production system where soil is not used as a growing medium for the crops fresh vegetables and culinary herbs can be indigenously produced in Leh-Ladakh. This technology will ensure quality food and nutritional security in this region. This production system is already being used successfully for crop production in cold regions of world similar to the climate in Leh. In this technique water culture scientists discovered that as compared to soil based growth,hydrophonic plant system needs only small number of inorganic elements in addition to water, oxygen, carbon dioxide and sun light to grow the plant Hydroponics farming can be a major advantage for Leh, Ladakh Indian Horticulture it has the potential to produce crops in every season without soil. Such practices can help Leh, Ladakh farmers to increase their crop productivity even in small fragmented lands.This review paper focus on the challenges and possibilities to bring soil less farming in cold desert region Leh, Ladakh, India to ensure its stability so that it may prove more beneficial for growers to grow crops which areuninterrupted year-round production (plant factory), high quality produce, pesticide residue free produce, sustainable crop production technology, consistency in quality and supply of fresh produce.

Role of Natural Food in Enhancing the Productivity of Saline Nile Tilapia in the Mangrove Ecosystem of Segara Anakan Lagoon, Brackish Water Culture

Saline Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Milkfish, Chanos chanos (Forskal, 1775) polyculture systems in brackish water culture require natural food to sustain their brackish water fish production. Brackish water culture of Saline Nile Tilapia is developed to improve the productivity of abandoned shrimp or crab pond. At present, there are no studies examining the potential of natural food to improve the productivity of these polyculture systems in the brackish water pond located in Tritih Kulon Village, Cilacap, Central Java. To assess the availability of this food source, the diversity and abundance of plankton in the water body were evaluated through analysis. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze plankton diversity in the water body and the relationship between plankton abundance as a natural feed and saline Nile Tilapia productivity in the brackish water polyculture. Phytoplankton and zooplankton were identified according the plankton characteristic available in the references. The results showed that 21 planktons, comprising 12 phytoplankton species and 9 zooplankton groups, were identified. In spite of low plankton diversity, however, this study proved that the plankton abundance positively supported Saline Nile tilapia productivity in the polyculture system with milkfish, as indicated by low mortality (17,5 ±8,59 %; R2= 0.825-0.908), absolute high weight gain (208.2 ± 22,5 gr; R2= 0.881-0.874), and high specific growth (2,28 ± 0.77 % day-1; R2= 0.87-0.91). The productivity of Saline Nile Tilapia in brackish water polyculture with milkfish is supported by the availability of natural food, with 5.95 to 18.50% of their gut content obtained from plankton.