| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4568309 | Scientia Horticulturae | 2011 | 7 Pages |
An aquaponic system was designed to investigate effects of foliar applications of some micro- and macro-nutrients on tomato growth and yield in comparison with a hydroponic system. Common carp, grass carp and silver carp were stocked in the rearing tanks at 15, 20 and 15 fish m−3, respectively. The fish were fed three times daily with a pellet diet containing 46% protein. Fourteen days old tomatoes seedlings were transplanted on to growth bed units of aquaponic and hydroponic systems after stocking of carp fish for 2.5 months in the rearing tanks. Foliar nutrients application began 30 days after transplantation. Eight treatments were used, untreated control, foliar application at the rate of 250 mL plant−1 with 0.5 g L−1 K2SO4, MgSO4·7H2O, Fe-EDDHA, MnSO4·H2O, H3BO3, ZnCl2, and CuSO4·5H2O. Plants were sprayed twice a month. The results showed that biomass gains of tomatoes were higher in hydroponics as compared to aquaponics. Foliar application of K, Mg, Fe, Mn, and B increased vegetative growth of plants in the aquaponics. In the hydroponics, only Fe and B had positive effects on plant growth. Cluster number per plant in aquaponics was lower than in hydroponics treatments, but it increased with foliar application of elements. There was no difference in fruit number and yield between aquaponics and hydroponics grown plants in the control treatments. Except Cu, foliar spray of all elements significantly increased plant fruit number and yield in the aquaponics in order of: K > Fe > Mn > Zn > Mg > B. In the hydroponics, foliar application of K, Mg and Zn increased fruit number and yield of plants compared to control. These results indicated that foliar application of some elements can effectively alleviate nutrient deficiencies in tomatoes grown on aquaponics.
Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlightsAn aquaponic system was designed to investigate effects of foliar applications of some micro- and macro-nutrients on tomato growth and yield in comparison with a hydroponic system. The study showed that biomass gains of tomatoes were higher in hydroponics as compared to aquaponics. Foliar application of K, Mg, Fe, Mn, and B increased vegetative growth of plants in the aquaponics. In the hydroponics, only Fe and B had positive effects on plant growth. Cluster number per plant in aquaponics was lower than in hydroponics treatments, but it increased with foliar application of elements. Except Cu, foliar spray of all elements significantly increased plant fruit number and yield in the aquaponics in order of: K > Fe > Mn > Zn > Mg > B. In the hydroponics, foliar application of K, Mg and Zn increased fruit number and yield of plants, but B and Cu decreased them compared to control treatments. Foliar application of Mg and Fe increased chlorophyll b contents of plant leaves in both hydroponic and aquaponic systems compared to the control treatments. These findings indicated that foliar application of some elements can effectively alleviate nutrient deficiencies in tomatoes grown on aquaponics. Foliar spray of some nutrients on tomato was examined in aquaponics and hydroponics. Biomass gains of tomatoes were higher in hydroponics as compared to aquaponics. Foliar spray of K, Mg, Fe, Mn, and B increased plants growth in aquaponics. In the hydroponics, only Fe and B had positive effects on plant growth. Foliar application of K, Mg and Zn increased fruit number and yield in hydroponics.
