Consortium production of tilapia and vegetables in aquaponics system

Abstract

The aquaponics system is little known in Brazil, and consists of the integration of plant and fish crops. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the growth of tilapia raised with water reuse and the adaptation of vegetables to the aquaponics system. An aquaponics system was installed with the creation of tilapia combined with the production of watercress (Nasturtium officinale), lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and chives (Allium fistulosum). These plant species were also grown on earth beds. The vegetables were harvested 30 days after planting, and measurements of the dry and green matter mass were obtained. The growth of tilapia was monitored by obtaining weekly measurements of weight and length. The results showed that fish farming and vegetable cultivation can be combined in a single system, capable of offering good results. Aquaponics proved to be a more advantageous environment for the production of watercress and chives, reaching more than 75% when compared to earth beds. Tilapia raised in nurseries of this system can achieve a daily growth rate of 0.06 cm day-1, provided the correct feeding is done.