Sand culture of vegetables using recirculated aquacultural effluents
1990
McMurtry, M.R. | Nelson, P.V. | Sanders, D.C. | Hodges, L.
Fish production and biofiltration provided by sand-cultured vegetable crops were linked in a closed system of recirculating water. Blue tilapia (Sarotherodon aureus L.) were stocked as mixed-sex fingerlings at a density of 1.68 kg.m-3 (0.105 lb.ft-3). Fish were fed a commercial chow. Greenhouse-grown bush bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) were irrigated with water drawn from the bottom of the tilapia tank for 30 minutes every three hours during the daylight hours. Drainage from the 0.5 m (1.64 ft) deep sand beds was returned to the fish tank. Each crop was also grown in a sandy loam soil. Feeding 1 kg (2.20 lb) of fish food produced an increase of 0.76 kg (1.68 lb) fish and 1.66 kg (3.66 lb) of vegetables. Both water quality and nutrient content were adequate for tilapia and plant growth in sand culture with no supplemental fertilization. The feasibility of an integrated, recirculatory system for concurrent production of vegetables and fish with no additional fertilizer application was demonstrated.
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