Enhancing Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) Productivity: Foliar Sprayed Fe-Alg-CaCO3 MPs as Fertilizers for Aquaponics Cultivation

Aquaponics is an innovative agricultural method combining aquaculture and hydroponics. However, this balance can lead to the gradual depletion of essential micronutrients, particularly iron. Over time, decreasing iron levels can negatively impact plant health and productivity, making the monitoring and management of iron in aquaponic systems vital. This study investigates the use of Fe-Alg-CaCO3 microparticles (MPs) as foliar fertilizer on lettuce plants in an aquaponic system. The research investigated Lactuca sativa L. cv. Foglia di Quercia Verde plants as the experimental cultivar. Three iron concentrations (10, 50, and 250 ppm) were tested, with 15 plants per treatment group, plus a control group receiving only sterile double-distilled water. The Fe-Alg-CaCO3 MPs and ultrapure water were applied directly to the leaves using a specialized nebulizer. Foliar nebulization was chosen for its precision and minimal resource use, aligning with the sustainability goals of aquaponic cultivation. The research evaluated rosette diameter, root length, fresh weight, soluble solids concentration, levels of photosynthetic pigments, and phenolic and flavonoid content. The 250 ppm treatment produced the most notable enhancements in both biomass yield and quality, highlighting the potential of precision fertilizers to boost sustainability and efficiency in aquaponic systems. In fact, the most significant increases involved biomass production, particularly in the edible portions, along with photosynthetic pigment levels. Additionally, the analysis of secondary metabolite content, such as phenols and flavonoids, revealed no reduction compared to the control group, meaning that the proposed fertilizer did not negatively impact the biosynthetic pathways of these bioactive compounds. This study opens new possibilities in aquaponics cultivation, highlighting the potential of precision fertilizers to enhance sustainability and productivity in soilless agriculture.