Growth response of kale (Brassica oleracea) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) under saline aqua-sandponics-vegeculture system

Kimera, Fahad; Mugwanya, Muziri; Dawood, Mahmoud A.O.; Sewilam, Hani

doi:10.1038/s41598-023-29509-9

Cited by 10 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 49 publications

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“…It offers sustainability, accessibility, and affordability (Sewilam et al, 2022). Although there are some limitations, such as specialized training requirements and potential nutrient de ciencies, Sandponic system shows promise for year-round organic crop production in controlled environments (Kimera et al, 2023). However, limited research exists on its functionality and scalability, highlighting the urgent need for more investigation to unlock its potential and overcome existing challenges, facilitating its broader integration into sustainable food production systems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainable leafy green production in sand media based integrated aqua vegeculture system under salinity

Subramanian,

Nair,

Manoharan

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Background Saline aquaponics is an integrated system that involves growing fish and crops in salt water. With freshwater scarcity increasing globally, saline aquaponics utilizes abundant saltwater resources, providing a sustainable solution for agriculture in arid and semi-arid regions. The sandponic system, utilizing sand for filtration and crop growth, conserves water and withstands environmental challenges. However, their performance under different salinity levels needs detailed study. This study compared the growth of lettuce plants grown in sandponic system under various salinity levels and examined the impact of saltwater on the biochemical parameters and growth of lettuce. This three-month study integrated a sandponic system into an existing aquaponic setup and primarily investigated the growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and Tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus). Various conditions were tested, including tap water (control) and different levels of salinity (2.5%, 5%, and 10%). In the study, fish growth parameters remained unaffected by rising salinity, with all groups achieving a 90% survival rate. Results Elevated salinity showed potential efficiency gains in fish farming, as evidenced by better feed intake, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio in experimental groups. Lettuce growth thrived in freshwater, with promising results in 2.5% and 5% saltwater conditions, but 10% saltwater had a detrimental effect. Proximate composition analysis of lettuce indicated declining nutritional elements with increased saltwater, especially in the 10% group. Macro and micro mineral analysis showed no significant changes due to saltwater inclusion. Conclusions The introducing low levels of saltwater into irrigation systems does not adversely affect lettuce yield or nutritional quality. This finding supports the feasibility of integrating seawater into agriculture in coastal regions, provided salinity is carefully managed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainable leafy green production in sand media based integrated aqua vegeculture system under salinity

Subramanian,

Nair,

Manoharan

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Sandponics: A Sustainable Agriculture Solution for Food Security and Resource Efficiency in Arid Regions

Nair,

Alsudain,

Manoharan

et al. 2024

J of Sust Agri & Env

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Agriculture in arid regions encounters significant challenges, including water scarcity, poor soil quality and low crop yields. Sandponics, also known as the Integrated Aqua Vegeculture System (IAVS), presents a promising solution by utilizing sand as a sustainable, water‐efficient medium for food production. This review explores the potential of sandponics as a scalable, eco‐friendly agricultural practices in arid regions. Sand, being abundant, recyclable and cost‐effective, offers a viable alternative to conventional growth media, making sandponics a practical and resource‐efficient option. The method has demonstrated success in enhancing crop productivity, particularly, in saline environments, while minimizing environmental impact. Sandponics supports food security and land use optimization by transforming challenging conditions into productive agricultural landscapes. Future research should focus on refining sand selection, optimizing nutrient and environmental conditions, managing microbial interactions and scaling up sandponics for broader application, thus advancing their role in sustainable agriculture.

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Maximization of brackish water productivity for the sustainable production of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) and grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) cultivated under an integrated aquaculture–agriculture system

Kimera,

Mugwanya,

Madkour

et al. 2024

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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Freshwater scarcity, salinity, and poor soil fertility are the major challenges affecting both food and feed productions in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Utilization of brackish water in the production of saline-tolerant fish and valuable field crops under an integrated system is promising in the maximization of yield per crop. The aim of this study, therefore, was to (1) assess the effect of saline aquaculture wastewater on the growth, yield, forage quality, and nutritive composition of sorghum seeds and (2) assess the effect of different water qualities on the survival, growth performance, and health status of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus. The experiment was conducted in a randomized completely block design of four salinity treatments with three replicates, i.e., control (freshwater mixed with inorganic fertilizers), 5000 ppm, 10,000 ppm, and 15,000 ppm. Our results indicated that although the control exhibited the highest growth (plant height, leaf number, internode number, leaf area, and soil–plant analysis development), grain, and forage yield, no significant differences were noted among the treatments. Likewise, no significant difference in the grain nutrient composition was noted among all the treatments. Assessment of the forage quality revealed improved crude protein content in the control compared to the saline treatments. However, no significant differences in the leaves and stalks fiber fractions were noted among all the treatments. Furthermore, rumen fermentation in terms of in vitro digestibility indicated no significant differences in the in vitro digestible dry matter, digestible organic matter, metabolic energy, net energy, microbial protein, short-chain fatty acids, and total dissolved nutrients among the treatments. However, rearing P. hypophthalmus in water salinities exceeding 10,000 ppm reduced the growth performance and health status of fish. Therefore, the integration of sorghum and P. hypophthalmus production in water salinities not exceeding 5000 ppm is a viable alternative to maximize brackish water productivity in freshwater-scarce regions.

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Growth response of kale (Brassica oleracea) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) under saline aqua-sandponics-vegeculture system

Cited by 10 publications

References 49 publications

Sustainable leafy green production in sand media based integrated aqua vegeculture system under salinity

Sustainable leafy green production in sand media based integrated aqua vegeculture system under salinity

Sandponics: A Sustainable Agriculture Solution for Food Security and Resource Efficiency in Arid Regions

Maximization of brackish water productivity for the sustainable production of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) and grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) cultivated under an integrated aquaculture–agriculture system

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