No abstract

Sumithion is an organophosphate insecticide, extensively used to remove tiger bug from aquaculture ponds prior to the release of fish larvae. Its usage in aquaculture may initially assist in insect eradication; however, the harmful effects of sumithion may surpass the beneficial effects and may be alarming for the farmed fish and other aquatic organisms. This study summarizes the consequential effects of sumithion on the natural productivity in aquaculture ponds, and early development, physiological response, and reproductive functions of the farmed fish. Studies have found that sumithion adversely affects the natural production of phytoplankton, zooplankton and benthos, and reduces the hatching success with increased mortality, and morphological alterations in fish embryos and larvae. Fish haematological and biochemical alterations are also reported to be induced by the exposure to sumithion, as are variety of histopathological alterations and reproductive dysfunctions in exposed fish. Overall, this study is the first comprehensive overview of any insecticide which may advance our understanding of the rational and restricted use of insecticide in aquaculture operations.

The study was conducted to evaluate the impact of epsom salt, rich in magnesium and sulfur content beneficial to plant, on beetroot production in aquaponics system. Media based aquaponics systems (nine units) were employed for beetroot and tilapia culture where three treatments T1, T2 and T0 were applied with three replications (R1, R2, and R3) each. Epsom salt was applied in T1 as foliar spray in the form of 5% solution in each replication, whereas same amount of epsom salt (5 g) was directly applied on vegetable bed in T2 as root application. But in control (T0) no epsom salt was used. Beetroot saplings were planted in retrospect at a rate of two saplings per growbed (replication). After thirty days, plants grew enough to support the water clarification in aquaponics, ten tilapia fry were stocked per tank (90 L) in each replication. Fish were fed commercial floating feed containing 30% protein. Although the fish growth parameters in three treatments were statistically similar, the highest mean length gain, weight gain, specific growth rate and fish production were found 5.11±1.64 cm, 30.16±0.11 g, 0.39±0.01 %/day and 26.27±2.47 tons/ha/60 days respectively in T1 followed by T2 and T0. However, response of beetroots to different treatments was statistically different. The highest average leaf area (69.79 ± 0.48 cm2), length of root (31.03±0.43 cm), weight of root (21.17±1.92 g), and production of beetroot 8.67±1.54 tons/ha/90 days were found in T1 followed by T2 and T0. Harvesting time was also reduced in epsom salt based aquaponics system. The overall production of beetroot and tilapia was higher in T1 (foliar spray) than T2 (root application) and T0 (control). Thus, the study signifies the potentialities of epsom salt in aquaponics vegetable production. However, further research is needed to verify the dose response to epsom salt in aquaponics system. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. March 2020, 6(1): 56-66

The experiment was conducted to visualize the effect of exogenous aspirin on tomato production in aquaponic system. Aspirin, a derivative of salicylic acid, acts as a potential non-enzymatic antioxidant and plant growth promoter, hence regulates plant physiology. The experiment employed three treatments (T) with three replications (R) each where, 60 ppm and 120 ppm aspirin were used in T1 and T2, respectively and Tcon was control with no aspirin. Media filled plastic containers (0.29m×0.30m×0.21m) as growbeds and plastic tanks of 120 liter capacity as fish tank were installed to construct each aquaponic systems indicating each replication. Tilapia, was stocked at 111 fish /m3 in the fish tank and fed commercial floating feed containing 30% protein at the rate of 3% body weight twice daily. In each replication, two tomato saplings were planted. Fish tank water was oxygenated with a 10 watt air pump, then waste water from tank was pumped to grow bed with a 12 watt submersible pump. Survival rates were 70, 85 and 50% in T1, T2 and Tcon respectively. While fish productions were 0.42, 0.34 and 40.49 (kg/m2/60 days) in T1, T2 and Tcon respectively. The water quality parameters were within the suitable ranges for tilapia as well as tomato in the aquaponic system. Foliar spray of aspirin was applied fortnightly. Tomato production was hampered with various diseases in all the treatments although the aspirin treated plant (T1 and T2) were free from few diseases. The highest tomato production was found 0.44 kg/m2/60 days in T2 followed by T1 (0.42 kg/m2/60 days) and Tcon (0.34 kg/m2/60 days). Noticeably, Plant growth and tomato production were higher in T2 and T1 with less disease prevalence than Tcon, suggesting positive impacts of aspirin on tomato. However, further research is needed to justify the aspirin doses at user level. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. March 2019, 5(1): 78-86