Aquaponics, the combination of hydroponics and aquaculture into one growing system, is a controlled environment production system that potentially has increased environmental and consumer benefits over traditional production methods. There are many different ways to configure aquaponics systems that include different fish species, water circulation, lighting, plant species/density, and more. We tested three cultivars of lettuce, a common aquaponically produced crop, for yield in multiple aquaponic systems and conditions over a 13-month period in Minnesota. Four different aquaponic configurations and four types of fish were tested over the course of the experiment. There was no addition of supplemental nutrients to the systems to evaluate the differences between treatments and set a baseline. There was no difference in yield between lettuce produced aquaponically and those grown in soilless medium. However, there was a difference in yield between lettuce grown with different fish treatments. The tilapia treatment produced higher average yield than yellow perch. There was a difference between cultivars, with higher average yield from loose-leaf bunch cultivars (Salanova, Skyphos) than the bibb type (Rex). Average yield for all but one treatment was above that of reported commercial field production, making lettuce a competitive aquaponic crop in most systems.

Aquaponics is the integration of aquaculture and hydroponics to grow fish and plants together in one system. Many producers in the northern United States are attracted to aquaponics for its potential to produce indoors year‐round. However, little is known about consumer preferences for products grown in aquaponic systems. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted an experimental auction to measure the impact of information about production method on consumers’ willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) for lettuce. For most participants, WTP was similar for both aquaponic and soil grown lettuce with overall average bids of $1.47 per 8 ounces and $1.48 per 8 ounces, respectively. Learning how samples were grown (either aquaponic or soil‐grown) rarely changed bids significantly, although on average, participants with environmental group membership lowered their bids for aquaponic lettuce samples. In general, higher frequency shoppers expressed higher average WTP for all types of lettuce. [Q100 Agriculture: General, Q220 Renewable Resources and Conservation: Fishery; Aquaculture]

The need for yield research is increasing with the popularity of aquaponic food production systems where plants and fish are grown together in a recirculating system. Our objective was to compare the yield of three basil cultivars (“Elenora,” “Genovese,” “Nufar,” Ocimum basilicum) in four configurations (greenhouses: floating raft DWS, ebb & flow, A‐frame; warehouse: floating raft; 1–8 tank replications/treatment) as well as a soilless control to establish a baseline for aquaponic producers in northern latitudes. We also tested whether basil yield varied among fish types: yellow perch, Perca flavescens, goldfish, Carassius auratus, tilapia, Oreochromis spp., and koi, Cyprinus carpio. Fish tank water temperature, nitrite, and alkalinity levels differed significantly over seasons (summer, winter). There was a significant decrease in basil production in all aquaponic systems that used koi (greenhouse, warehouse). No significant difference in basil yield was found among greenhouse and aquaponic systems for perch, tilapia, or goldfish nor among the basil “Elenora,” “Genovese,” and “Nufar.” Considerable variation occurred in yield although most of it occurred in fresh weights, being reduced significantly in dry weights. The effects of growing koi fish on reducing aquaponic production of basil is noteworthy, although future research is needed to the exact cause.

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