Journal article
Authors list: Xu, Lu; Ziethen, Christopher J. J.; Appelbaum, Samuel; Palm, Harry W. W.; Knaus, Ulrich
Publication year: 2022
Pages: 1076-1094
Journal: AgriEngineering
Volume number: 4
Issue number: 4
eISSN: 2624-7402
Open access status: Gold
DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering4040067
Publisher: MDPI
Abstract:
In the present study, wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum L.) was chosen since fish effluents could be adequate to support its optimal growth. Wheatgrass was irrigated by water from African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) production under two stocking densities, namely extensive aquaculture unit (EAU) and intensive aquaculture unit (IAU), and tap water mixed with fertilizer (Control) in combination with three horticultural substrates: 100% coconut fibers (C), 70% coconut fibers + 30% perlite (CP), and 50% perlite + 50% vermiculite (PV) in an ebb-and-flow system. Different plant growth parameters, including nutrient contents, were evaluated and discussed. The results showed that regarding irrigation water, shoot dry mass was significantly higher in fish water groups. The root-shoot ratio was significantly higher in Control. The highest SPAD index was discovered in IAU. Regarding substrates, the root-shoot ratio was significantly low in C. Vitamin and mineral production reached mainly the highest concentrations in the combination of fish water with different substrates. In conclusion, irrigation water from IAU and coconut fibers were sufficient for optimal wheatgrass growth; meanwhile, IAU effluents showed a positive influence on vitamin production. Our study demonstrates the potential of aquaponics as a more sustainable way of producing superfoods.
Citation Styles
Harvard Citation style: Xu, L., Ziethen, C., Appelbaum, S., Palm, H. and Knaus, U. (2022) Aquaponics Production of Wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum L.) in Different Horticultural Substrates with African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in Northern Germany, AgriEngineering, 4(4), pp. 1076-1094. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering4040067
APA Citation style: Xu, L., Ziethen, C., Appelbaum, S., Palm, H., & Knaus, U. (2022). Aquaponics Production of Wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum L.) in Different Horticultural Substrates with African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in Northern Germany. AgriEngineering. 4(4), 1076-1094. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering4040067
Keywords
coconut fibers; ebb-and-flow system; perlite; STOCKING DENSITY; vermiculite; VITAMINS
