Published in Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, Vol. LXVIII, Issue 1
Written by Mirela CREȚU, Ion VASILEAN, Săndița PLĂCINTĂ, Marian Tiberiu COADĂ, Angelica DOCAN, Lorena DEDIU, Carmelia Mariana DRAGOMIR BĂLĂNICĂ
This study explores the growth performance of kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) cultivated in an aquaponic system integrated with fish production. The experiment was conducted in a controlled environment using varying planting densities to assess their impact on plant development and overall system productivity. Four densities were evaluated: 14 plants/m2, 21 plants/m2, 28 plants/m2, and 41 plants/m2 respectively. Plant growth performance, including plant height, leaf number, and biomass, were evaluated across densities to determine the optimal conditions for kale growth while maintaining water quality parameters for the fish. Results showed significant differences in growth across the stocking densities, with 28 plants/m2 achieving the highest productivity, marked by greater biomass and vigorous development. The findings highlight the potential of aquaponics as a sustainable cultivation method, effectively recycling fish-derived nutrients to support the growth of kale.
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