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Precise Monitoring of Lettuce Functional Responses to Minimal Nutrient Supplementation Identifies Aquaponic System’s Nutrient Limitations and Their Time-Course

Author

Listed:
  • Evangelia Tsoumalakou

    (Department of Agriculture Crop Production and Rural Environment, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Thessaly, GR-38446 Volos, Greece)

  • Eleni Mente

    (Department of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54006 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Konstantinos A. Kormas

    (Department of Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Thessaly, GR-38446 Volos, Greece)

  • Nikolaos Katsoulas

    (Department of Agriculture Crop Production and Rural Environment, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Thessaly, GR-38446 Volos, Greece)

  • Nikolaos Vlahos

    (Department of Animal Production, Fisheries and Aquaculture, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Patras, GR-30200 Patras, Greece)

  • Panagiotis Kapsis

    (ATC Automation Systems, Nikomachou 42, GR-11631 Athens, Greece)

  • Efi Levizou

    (Department of Agriculture Crop Production and Rural Environment, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Thessaly, GR-38446 Volos, Greece)

Abstract

In aquaponics, a closed-loop system which combines fish and crop production, essential nutrients for plant growth are often at sub-optimal concentrations. The aim of the present study was to identify system limitations and thoroughly examine the integrated response of its components to minimal external inputs, notably crop’s functional parameters, fish performance, and microorganism profile. Lettuce and red tilapia were co-cultivated under only Fe and Fe with K supplementation and their performance was evaluated against the control of no nutrient addition. Photosynthesis, the photosynthetic apparatus state, and efficiency, pigments, leaf elemental composition, and antioxidant activity of lettuce were monitored throughout the growth period, along with several parameters related to water quality, fish growth, plant productivity and bacterial community composition. Nutrient deficiency in control plants severely impacted gas exchange, PSII efficiency, and chlorophyll a content, from day 14 of the experiment, causing a significant increase in dissipation energy and signs of photoinhibition. Fe+K input resulted in 50% and two-fold increase in lettuce production compared with Fe and control groups respectively. Nutrient supplementation resulted in higher specific growth rate of tilapias, but did not affect root microbiota which was distinct from the water bacterial community. Collectively, the results emphasize the importance of monitoring crop’s functional responses for identifying the system’s limitations and designing effective nutrient management to sustain the reduced environmental footprint of aquaponics.

Suggested Citation

  • Evangelia Tsoumalakou & Eleni Mente & Konstantinos A. Kormas & Nikolaos Katsoulas & Nikolaos Vlahos & Panagiotis Kapsis & Efi Levizou, 2022. "Precise Monitoring of Lettuce Functional Responses to Minimal Nutrient Supplementation Identifies Aquaponic System’s Nutrient Limitations and Their Time-Course," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-21, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:12:y:2022:i:8:p:1278-:d:894482
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ning Ling & Tingting Wang & Yakov Kuzyakov, 2022. "Rhizosphere bacteriome structure and functions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-13, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Evangelia Tsoumalakou & Eleni Mente & Nikolaos Vlahos & Efi Levizou, 2023. "Cultivating the Mediterranean Wild Edible Species Cichorium spinosum L. in Aquaponics: Functional and Growth Responses to Minimal Nutrient Supplementation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-16, March.

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