Published in Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, Vol. LVIII
Written by Ehud ELIA, Camelia HODOȘAN, Lucica NISTOR, Florentina DUMITRACHE, Nicoleta-Alina UDROIU
The goal of the project was to establish a self-sustaining herb production unit in a soilless environment, using an aquaponic system as a bionutrient source for the plants. Aquaponic systems are closed-loop symbiotic systems of aquaculture and soilless agriculture which uses nutrient-rich water from the fish culture to irrigate and fertilize the plants, while the plants clear the water before being recirculate to the fish tank. In this process, the wastes generated by the fish (such as urine, ammonia and decomposed fish fodder) are converted by nitrifying bacteria into forms readily to be assimilated by plants. The process of building the nitrifying bacteria cultures is known as "cycling". On this process the daily values of temperature, nitrates, nitrites, ammonia and pH in the fish tank water are to be assessed and controlled toward the goal of having the bacteria cultures established as quick as possible. The methodology of choice for the assessment of nitrates, nitrites and ammonia was spectrophotometric determination. After completion of cycling stage, a soilless grow bed for the plants was established. Different combinations of substrates and plants are to be tested on this stage of the project, in order to achieve the best combination of "pairs" of substrates and plants to be grown in an aquaponic setup.
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aquaponics
