Growth and development of herbaceous plants in aquaponic systems

Abstract

Aquaponics integrates aquaculture and hydroponic production using fish waste as nutrients for various vegetable crops. Herbaceous plants such as basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) and spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) are in great demand due to their properties; however, there is very little information about their behavior in aquaponics. The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth and development of these species under aquaponic conditions. According to the results, the evaluated herbaceous plants suit crop conditionsand they can be used as part of the biological filters in aquaponic systems with tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L. var. Stirling) production. Water quality could be maintained within appropriate ranges for both fish and plant production. Spearmint was the plant where the highest productivity was observed, suggesting that it assimilates the nutrients produced in this type of system more efficiently.