Articles
Water and nutrients use efficiency in aquaponics: effects of biostimulant application
Article number
1425_16
Pages
117 – 124
Language
English
Abstract
Modern agriculture is mainly based on the extensive application of chemical fertilisers and pesticides to increase plant growth and yield.
Although soilless cultivation is linked to higher productivity, it is associated with high demand for nutrients and water.
Concerns about the negative impact of such applications on natural resources, the environment in general and human health have promoted organic farming as an alternative approach to the conventional practices followed to date.
For this reason, the current trend is emphasized in plant organic non-nutrient based biostimulants the application of which is highly associated with plant growth promotion.
Considering all the above, applications of biostimulants could help increase plant nutrient uptake as well as water use efficiency in aquaponic systems, where the water collected from the fish tanks is not discharged into the environment but recycled for plant fertigation.
Thus, the aim of the present study was to assess the effect of two different biostimulants on water and nutrient uptake in lettuce and tomato crops fertigated through a nutrient-poor aquaculture solution in the Mediterranean basin.
Based on the results of the present study, tomato and lettuce yield were significantly affected by the foliar application of both formulations, while both biostimulants resulted in higher Ca2+ leaf content in the aquaponic lettuce plants.
In general, both biostimulants showed a positive effect on the yield and nutrient uptake of the tomato and lettuce control plants, which are plants fertigated through a standard hydroponic solution.
Although soilless cultivation is linked to higher productivity, it is associated with high demand for nutrients and water.
Concerns about the negative impact of such applications on natural resources, the environment in general and human health have promoted organic farming as an alternative approach to the conventional practices followed to date.
For this reason, the current trend is emphasized in plant organic non-nutrient based biostimulants the application of which is highly associated with plant growth promotion.
Considering all the above, applications of biostimulants could help increase plant nutrient uptake as well as water use efficiency in aquaponic systems, where the water collected from the fish tanks is not discharged into the environment but recycled for plant fertigation.
Thus, the aim of the present study was to assess the effect of two different biostimulants on water and nutrient uptake in lettuce and tomato crops fertigated through a nutrient-poor aquaculture solution in the Mediterranean basin.
Based on the results of the present study, tomato and lettuce yield were significantly affected by the foliar application of both formulations, while both biostimulants resulted in higher Ca2+ leaf content in the aquaponic lettuce plants.
In general, both biostimulants showed a positive effect on the yield and nutrient uptake of the tomato and lettuce control plants, which are plants fertigated through a standard hydroponic solution.
Authors
N. Katsoulas, S. Faliagka, I. Naounoulis, A. Bari, M. Aslanidou, A. Mourantian, S. Bouras, G. Kountrias, E.M. Pechlivani
Keywords
biostimulants, aquaponics, water use efficiency, nutrient uptake, plant fertigation
Groups involved
- Division Plant-Environment Interactions in Field Systems
- Division Precision Horticulture and Engineering
- Working Group Modelling in Fruit Research and Orchard Management
- Working Group Modelling Plant Growth, Environmental Control, Greenhouse Environment
- Division Greenhouse and Indoor Production Horticulture
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