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Sand culture of vegetables using recirculated aquacultural effluents

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... Hydroponics and aquaculture have been practiced historically [41]- [42], but aquaponics, a combination of recirculating aquaculture [43] and hydroponics [44] is relatively new [45]- [49]. The basics of system design and operation of aquaponics and hydroponics have been described in many publications [45], [47], [48], [50]- [53]. ...
... Hydroponics and aquaculture have been practiced historically [41]- [42], but aquaponics, a combination of recirculating aquaculture [43] and hydroponics [44] is relatively new [45]- [49]. The basics of system design and operation of aquaponics and hydroponics have been described in many publications [45], [47], [48], [50]- [53]. Recent overviews by Maucieri et al. [54] and Palm et al. [55] list the main system designs based on the type of hydroponic plant growing bed components illustrating a range of methods for implementing the technologies in an urban context. ...
... Scaling up to large commercial operations in aquaponics is only recently beginning to occur [58], and there is not yet enough information to fully assess the sustainability of widespread large commercial operations [37], [53], [59]- [60]. In contrast, commercial hydroponics is well established [45], [61]. ...
... and hydroponics [45], is a relatively recent development [46]- [49]. Various publications have described the fundamental principles of system design and operation for both aquaponics and hydroponics have been described in many publications [45], [47], [48] [50]- [54]. ...
... and hydroponics [45], is a relatively recent development [46]- [49]. Various publications have described the fundamental principles of system design and operation for both aquaponics and hydroponics have been described in many publications [45], [47], [48] [50]- [54]. Recent overviews by Maucieri et al. [55] and Palm et al. [56] categorize system designs based on the components of hydroponic plant growing beds, and describe a range of methods for implementing these technologies in urban settings. ...
... Most aquaponics systems are small, home-based setups used by families to grow some of their food [57]. Additionally, "hobby" hydroponics has gained popularity in recent decades [45]. Scaling up aquaponics to large commercial operations is a relatively new development [58], and there is still insufficient data to fully assess the sustainability of widespread large-scale commercial operations [37], [53], [59]- [61]. ...
Conference Paper
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In urban farming, research and innovation are taking place at an unprecedented pace, and soilless growing technologies are emerging at different rates motivated by different objectives in various parts of the world. While the ultimate goal is local food production, adoption rates vary due to socioeconomic factors.
... The benefits of using fish effluents as fertiliser have been demonstrated for a variety of food crops, including tomato (Nelson et al., 1990;Castro et al., 2006;Gravel et al., 2015;Khater et al., 2015;Mangmang et al., 2015a;Delaide et al., 2019b;Pattillo et al., 2020;Pickens et al., 2020), chicory (Lenz et al., 2021a), lettuce (Mangmang et al., 2015b;Goddek et al., 2016;Ahmed et al., 2021;Delaide et al., 2021;Ezziddine et al., 2021;Lenz et al., 2021b), beans (Nelson et al., 1990), cucumber (Nelson et al., 1990;Mangmang et al., 2016), as well as potato, soybean, and onion (Abdelraouf, 2017). Overall, these experiments have shown the viability of fish effluents as fertilisers for vegetable crops, and the positive effect that these effluents have on the growth of these crops. ...
... The benefits of using fish effluents as fertiliser have been demonstrated for a variety of food crops, including tomato (Nelson et al., 1990;Castro et al., 2006;Gravel et al., 2015;Khater et al., 2015;Mangmang et al., 2015a;Delaide et al., 2019b;Pattillo et al., 2020;Pickens et al., 2020), chicory (Lenz et al., 2021a), lettuce (Mangmang et al., 2015b;Goddek et al., 2016;Ahmed et al., 2021;Delaide et al., 2021;Ezziddine et al., 2021;Lenz et al., 2021b), beans (Nelson et al., 1990), cucumber (Nelson et al., 1990;Mangmang et al., 2016), as well as potato, soybean, and onion (Abdelraouf, 2017). Overall, these experiments have shown the viability of fish effluents as fertilisers for vegetable crops, and the positive effect that these effluents have on the growth of these crops. ...
... The benefits of using fish effluents as fertiliser have been demonstrated for a variety of food crops, including tomato (Nelson et al., 1990;Castro et al., 2006;Gravel et al., 2015;Khater et al., 2015;Mangmang et al., 2015a;Delaide et al., 2019b;Pattillo et al., 2020;Pickens et al., 2020), chicory (Lenz et al., 2021a), lettuce (Mangmang et al., 2015b;Goddek et al., 2016;Ahmed et al., 2021;Delaide et al., 2021;Ezziddine et al., 2021;Lenz et al., 2021b), beans (Nelson et al., 1990), cucumber (Nelson et al., 1990;Mangmang et al., 2016), as well as potato, soybean, and onion (Abdelraouf, 2017). Overall, these experiments have shown the viability of fish effluents as fertilisers for vegetable crops, and the positive effect that these effluents have on the growth of these crops. ...
Article
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Although waste waters from aquaculture farms, known as fish effluents, have been shown to be a viable source of nutrients for crop production, their use is not permitted in organic production under the current European regulatory framework, Council Regulation (EU) 2018/848. In contrast, the use of livestock manure as fertiliser is allowed and indeed encouraged. In this work we tested the effects of two types of fish effluents – filtered and unfiltered fish waters – from an aquaponic system on the yield of onions (Allium cepa) and the soil nutrients and microbiome, compared with a fertilisation regime using composted horse manure. Soil fertility was enhanced by the addition of fish effluents, in particular in the soil treated with unfiltered fish water or sludge, which resulted in the soil with the highest nitrate content. Fertilisation with fish water and aerobically treated fish sludge resulted in higher yields than the manure, performing the best in all growth and yield measurements. The bulb weight and bulb diameter in the onions fertilised with manure were 102.43 g ± 7.26 and 61 mm ± 2.05 respectively, the ones fertilised with filtered fish effluents were 126 g ± 6.64 and 66.52 mm ± 2.17, and the ones fertilised with filtered (fish water) and unfiltered (sludge) fish effluents were 133.32 g ± 6.86 and 67.66 mm ± 1.81. The horse manure significantly affected the microbial community structure of the soil, resulting in a higher species diversity compared with the fish effluents, with the most predominant genus types being Flavobacterium, Pseudarthrobacter, Sphingomonas, Massilia, Nitrososphaera, Pseudomonas and Nocardioides. However, the microbial activity in the soil with fish effluents was also significant, which indicates that the soil treated in this way can be considered a ‘living soil’, as required for organic certification in the EU. Overall, the results confirm the findings of previous studies on the effectiveness of fish effluents as fertilisers, and highlight the superior performance of fish effluents compared with a livestock manure, thus directly questioning the prohibition on using fish effluents in organic agriculture.
... From the perspective of crops, aquaponics presents advantages compared to soil production. The authors in [13] showed higher yields with cucumber (7.3 vs 4.6 kg/m 2 ) but lower production with tomato (4.6 vs 6.1 kg/m 2 ). While the authors in [14] showed higher productivity in basil with yields of 1.8-2.0 ...
... Further, Naegel (1977) combined Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS) with hydroponic raft cultivation and included biofiltration, sedimentation tank, and with a sludge return with denitrification in a bypass. Subsequently, Lewis et al. (1978), Watten and Busch (1984), Rakocy (1989a, b) and, McMurtry et al. (1990McMurtry et al. ( , 1997 contributed in the development in system design, biofiltration, and the identification of the optimal fish-to-plant ratios that led to the creation of first known closed systems that allow for the recycling of water and nutrient buildup for plant growth, thus pointing to the suitability of integrated aquaculture and hydroponic systems for raising fish and growing vegetables. Rakocy is attributed to the development of the first commercial scale aquaponics, set up in the University of Virgin Island. ...
Chapter
Global harvest of aquatic biota which includes flora and fauna both, through capture fisheries has already reached its maximum potential, or has shown offshoot in some cases. Capture fisheries is now stagnant, and therefore, in order to fulfil the need for growing worldwide population, culture fisheries have come up with a promising way. To further increase the production and sustainability of culture fisheries, various tools and techniques of biotechnology can be used. Aquatic biotechnology, which has both basic and spin-off applications, can help aquaculture producers increase output, efficiency, profitability, and sustainability. Genomic and proteomic research such as whole genome sequence (WGS) and marker-assisted selection (MAS) of economically important cultured fish could have an impact on fish genetic resource development and management as well. In genetically modified (GM) and gene knockout (GKO) fishes, economically important features such as improved growth, enhanced muscle mass, cold tolerance and disease resistance can be further improved. Cryopreservation of gametes (sperms and eggs) and embryos could open up new commercial possibilities for endless seed and fry production, as well as healthier and better-conditioned fish and brood stock management. It could also help with ex situ genome conservation in threatened and endangered species. Biotechnological interventions in intensive aquaculture have shown a considerable potential in using bioremediation and probiotics to regulate effluents, toxicants, and pathogens in the environment. Therefore, molecular tools can be used to minimize the impact of intensive aquaculture in environmental pollution.KeywordsAquatic biotechnologyBiotechnological interventionsGene knockoutBrood stock genetic managementProteomeMarker-assisted selection
... Naegel (1977) first proposed hydroponics as a way of achieving higher yields while reducing water usage of recirculated aquaculture. It was demonstrated that the addition of soilless plant culture was an efficient method to purify water of intensified fish culture and it began to rapidly gain interest (Nelson et al., 1990). The name aquaponics was later given to the discipline that allows to grow higher amounts of food by integrating vegetable hydroponics with fish culture in recirculating systems (Rakocy, 1994). ...
Article
Introduction. Aquaponics is quickly expanding. Specific models and modeling tools have been developed within different studies. However, no study has yet attempted nor succeeded in bringing the aquaponic community around a common modeling project to centralize knowledge and develop an effective tool for users and professional growers. Literature. This paper reviews the relevant literature to provide an overview of the available simulation models and associated modeling tools. Furthermore, it identifies the current needs to lead further modeling developments. Conclusions. Several powerful models and modeling tools have been developed but are highly specific to their research scope and are often inaccessible. The modeling knowledge specific to aquaponics is at an advanced stage but is scattered among many different works. Therefore, it is evident that a shared and accessible modeling tool, which is currently missing, would greatly accelerate the development of aquaponics.
Chapter
Aquaponics is now poised to become a climate-resilient sustainable food production system. It has come a long way from having its origin from the integrated fish and rice farming in Asia and Chinampas (floating gardens in Aztec) of Mexico to its modern-day form. However, the exact potential of aquaponics is yet to be realized and is mostly confined to small-scale and warm climates. This chapter reviews aquaponics—its principle, physicochemical parameter, system components, and designs, with more emphasis on aquaponics in cold water, its current status, some adaptations, and challenges. Some possible solutions and research areas to push cold water aquaponics toward commercialization have also been suggested.KeywordsAquaponicsClimate-resilient technologyCold waterCommercialization
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The impact of climate change on both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems tends to become more progressively pronounced and devastating over the years. The sector of aquaculture is severely affected by natural abiotic factors, on account of climate change, that lead to various undesirable phenomena, including aquatic species mortalities and decreased productivity owing to oxidative and thermal stress of the reared organisms. Novel innovative technologies, such as aquaponics that are based on the co-cultivation of freshwater fish with plants in a sustainable manner under the context of controlled abiotic factors, represent a promising tool for mitigating the effect of climate change on reared fish. The rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) constitutes one of the major freshwater-reared fish species, contributing to the national economies of numerous countries, and more specifically, to regional development, supporting mountainous areas of low productivity. However, it is highly vulnerable to climate change effects, mainly due to the concrete raceways, in which it is reared, that are constructed on the flow-through of rivers and are, therefore, dependent on water’s physical properties. The current review study evaluates the suitability, progress, and challenges of developing innovative and sustainable aquaponic systems to rear rainbow trout in combination with the cultivation of plants. Although not commercially developed to a great extent yet, research has shown that the rainbow trout is a valuable experimental model for aquaponics that may be also commercially exploited in the future. In particular, abiotic factors required in rainbow trout farming along, with the high protein proportion required in the ratios due to the strict carnivorous feeding behavior, result in high nitrate production that can be utilized by plants as a source of nitrogen in an aquaponic system. Intensive farming of rainbow trout in aquaponic systems can be controlled using digital monitoring of the system parameters, mitigating the obstacles originating from extreme temperature fluctuations.
Article
Aquaponics is an intensive sustainable agricultural production system that connects hydroponic and aquaculture systems to produce multiple cash crops with reduced water and fertilizer inputs. It is highly suited for small farm producers targeting local markets and agritourism opportunities. This 10-page fact sheet was written by Richard Tyson and Eric Simonne, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, September 2014. HS1252/HS1252: A Practical Guide for Aquaponics as an Alternative Enterprise (ufl.edu)
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