Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) Production in Northern Latitudinal Aquaponic Growing Conditions

Abstract

<jats:p>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.</jats:p>

Basil, Ocimum basilicum, yield in northern latitudinal aquaponic growing conditions

“…The wastewater in aquaculture production is substituted for the nutrient solution used in hydroponic production. Occasionally the wastewater may have macronutrients (P, K; Nicoletto et al, 2018) or micronutrients (Fe; Abbey, Anderson, Yue, Short, et al, 2019) added in when levels are deficient for plant growth. Once the nutrients are absorbed by the plants in the hydroponic production, the clean water is returned to the aquaculture production, finishing the loop.…”

“…Aquaponics is of growing interest for greenhouse and warehouse producers to grow local, sustainable produce, and fish in northern latitudes (Abbey, Anderson, Yue, Short, et al, 2019; Abbey, Anderson, Yue, Schermann, et al, 2019). Short, Yue, Anderson, Russell, and Phelps (2017) surveyed consumers for their knowledge of aquaponic products.…”

“…Commonly grown crops in aquaponics are leafy greens (lettuce), herbs (basil), and small fruits, such as strawberries (Abbey, Anderson, Yue, Short, et al, 2019; Abbey, Anderson, Yue, Schermann, et al, 2019; Love et al, 2015; Maucieri et al, 2018). Recent studies found that year‐round production of aquaponic‐grown, day‐neutral strawberries, and lettuce in greenhouses and warehouses in northern latitudes could be accomplished (Abbey, Anderson, Yue, Short, et al, 2019; Abbey, Anderson, Yue, Schermann, et al, 2019).…”

The effectiveness of filters on catfish Clarias gariepinus fry performance in the aquaponic system

“…According to Danahar et al 2013 andArdita et al 2015, the lower FCR value produced, the higher feed efficiency value obtained to the fish. Water plant is a good biological filter due to capable of maintaining good water quality in the culture system (Zahidah et al, 2017;Abbey, 2019). Good water quality will support the fish growth and development, including feed efficiency improvement to support the growth.…”

Riparian populations of minnesota reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) are most likely native, based on SNPs (DArTseqLD)

“…HID) set at a minimum of 150 lmol m -2 s -1(Abbey et al 2019). Both greenhouses were located in the St. Paul campus Plant Growth Facilities (University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN USA) as previously described(Abbey et al 2019). Plants were fertilized…”