scholarly journals Growth of Basil (Ocimum basilicum) in Aeroponics, DRF, and Raft Systems with Effluents of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in Decoupled Aquaponics (s.s.)

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 559-574
Author(s):  
Johannes Pasch ◽  
Samuel Appelbaum ◽  
Harry Wilhelm Palm ◽  
Ulrich Knaus

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) was cultivated in three hydroponic subsystems (i) a modified commercial aeroponics, (ii) a dynamic root floating (DRF) system, and (iii) a floating raft system in a decoupled aquaponic system in Northern Germany, Mecklenburg–Western Pomerania. For plant nutrition, aquaculture process water from intensive rearing of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) was used without fertilizer. After 39 days, 16 plant growth parameters were compared, with aeroponics performing significantly better in 11 parameters compared with the DRF, and better compared with the raft in 13 parameters. The economically important leaf wet and dry weight was over 40% higher in aeroponics (28.53 ± 8.74 g; 4.26 ± 1.23 g), but similar in the DRF (20.19 ± 6.57 g; 2.83 ± 0.90 g) and raft (20.35 ± 7.14 g; 2.84 ± 1.04 g). The roots in the DRF grew shorter and thicker; however, this resulted in a higher root dry weight in aeroponics (1.08 ± 0.38 g) compared with the DRF (0.82 ± 0.36 g) and raft (0.67 ± 0.27 g). With optimal fertilizer and system improvement, aquaponic aeroponics (s.s.) could become a productive and sustainable large-scale food production system in the future. Due to its simple construction, the raft is ideal for domestic or semi-commercial use and can be used in areas where water is neither scarce nor expensive. The DRF system is particularly suitable for basil cultivation under hot tropical conditions.

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-109
Author(s):  
Johannes Pasch ◽  
Benny Ratajczak ◽  
Samuel Appelbaum ◽  
Harry W. Palm ◽  
Ulrich Knaus

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) was cultivated in Rostock, Northern Germany, in a decoupled aquaponic system with African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) under intensive rearing conditions by using three hydroponic components, the dynamic root floating technique (DRF), the raft technique, and grow pipes. A 25% of the recommended feed input still allowed African catfish growth and provided adequate nitrogen and calcium levels in the process water. After 36 days, the plants were examined with respect to 16 different growth parameters. DRF performed significantly better than raft and/or grow pipes in 11 parameters. Total weight of basil was significantly higher in DRF (107.70 ± 34.03 g) compared with raft (82.02 ± 22.74 g) and grow pipes (77.86 ± 23.93 g). The economically important leaf biomass was significantly higher in wet and dry weight under DRF cultivation (45.36 ± 13.53 g; 4.96 ± 1.57 g) compared with raft (34.94 ± 9.44 g; 3.74 ± 1.04 g) and grow pipes (32.74 ± 9.84 g; 3.75 ± 1.22 g). Two main factors limited plant growth: an unbalanced nutrient concentration ratio and high water temperatures with an average of 28 °C (max 34.4 °C), which resulted in reduced root activity in raft and grow pipes. DRF was able to maintain root activity through the 5 cm air space between the shoots and the nutrient solution and thus produced significantly more biomass. This suggests DRF to be used for basil aquaponics under glass house conditions with high-temperature scenarios. Future studies are needed to optimize nutrient loads and examine systems with the plant roots exposed to air (Aeroponics).


Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1610
Author(s):  
Branka Vinterhalter ◽  
Nevena Banjac ◽  
Dragan Vinterhalter ◽  
Dijana Krstić-Milošević

The hairy root clones of Gentiana dinarica cl-B, cl-D, cl-3, and cl-14 were cultivated in parallel in diverse simple bioreactors, including temporary immersion systems RITA® (TIS RITA®), bubble column bioreactors (BCB), and Erlenmeyer flasks (EF), and evaluated for biomass production and xanthone content. The obtained results showed that TIS RITA® and BCB containing ½ MS medium with 4% sucrose provided equally good growth conditions in which the majority of the clones displayed the higher percentage of dry matter (DM%), and xanthones norswertianin-1-O-primeveroside (nor-1-O-prim) and norswertianin production than those cultivated in EF. Thin and well branched hairy root clone cl-B grown in BCB for 7 weeks was superior regarding all growth parameters tested, including growth index (19.97), dry weight (2.88 g), and DM% (25.70%) compared to all other clones. Cl-B cultured in TIS RITA® contained the highest amount of nor-1-O-prim (56.82 mg per vessel). In BCB with constant aeration, cl-B accumulated the highest norswertianin content reaching 18.08 mg/vessel. The optimized conditions for cultivation of selected G. dinarica hairy root clones in highly aerated TIS RITA® and BCB systems contribute to the development of bioreactor technology designed for the large scale commercial production of xanthones nor-1-O-prim and norswertianin.


2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-142
Author(s):  
A.M. Orire ◽  
G.B. Fasomo ◽  
M.A. Haruna

This research investigated the growth performance of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings (mean weight 1.130.3g) fed cockroach meal (CM) as replacement for fish meal (FM). The fish were fed with three diets containing 45% crude protein; diet 1 (control 0% CM and 0% FM) diet 2 (10% FM, 0% CM), diet 3 (10% CM, 0% FM) for 56 days. The results showed significant differences (p<0.05) for the growth parameters evaluated for the treatments. Cockroach meal-based diet gave the best results in terms of mean weight gain (1.39+0.39g), food conversion ratio (2.54+0.15), specific growth rate (1.440.29%/day), protein efficiency ratio (0.87±0.20), apparent net protein utilization (16.23±7.19) and survival rate of 62%. This was followed by fish meal-based diet while the control diet gave a significantly (p<0.05) lower values. It can be concluded from the study that cockroach meal can substitute fish meal at 10% inclusion level. However, further study can be conducted for higher inclusion levels of cockroach meal in the diets of C. gariepinus. Keywords: Insect meal, protein, catfish, feed, growth.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (20) ◽  
pp. 8745
Author(s):  
Ulrich Knaus ◽  
Monique Pribbernow ◽  
Lu Xu ◽  
Samuel Appelbaum ◽  
Harry W. Palm

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) was cultivated in northern Germany in three different hydroponic components: grow pipes, a raft, and an ebb-and-flood gravel substrate. The nutrients originated from the intensive production of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) with 140 fish/m3 under decoupled aquaponic conditions. After 41 days, plants were significantly taller in the gravel components (101.8 ± 8.3 cm), followed by the grow pipes (96.7 ± 7.0 cm), and the raft (94.8 ± 8.6 cm) components (gravel > grow pipes = raft). The leaf number was high and not significantly different between the grow pipes (518.0 ± 81.4), gravel (515.1 ± 133.0), and raft components (493.7 ± 124.8; grow pipes = raft = gravel). Basil in the grow-pipe subsystems developed rapid root growth and clogged the pipes with heterogeneous plant growth. Basil production in northern Germany in grow-pipe, raft, and gravel hydro-components is possible by using effluents from intensive C. gariepinus aquaculture without additional fertilizer in the plant grow-out phase. Further research should focus on optimizing grow pipes by maintaining an optimal root–water contact area, as well as on new technologies such as aquaponics (s.l.) gardening.


Author(s):  
M. S. Isiyaku ◽  
P. A. Annune ◽  
L. O. Tiamiyu

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Mercuric chloride on the growth and haematological parameters in the freshwater catfish, Clarias gariepinus. A total of 30 fishes were used for each concentration as well as in the control. Clarias gariepinus was exposed to 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08 and 0.10 mg/l of HgCl2 for 56 days. The treatment with mercuric chloride was found to inflict a drastic reduction in the total count of RBC’s. The reduction was time dependent; as concentration of mercuric chloride increased, the RBC levels declined. Exposed fishes showed a significant decrease in WBC count when compared to the control. The morphological indices MCV, MCH and MCHC fluctuate as the test concentration increased. The chronic exposure to sublethal concentration of mercuric chloride to the studied fish showed a significant decrease in final body weight in comparison to control group. Also, Growth parameters such as specific growth rate (SGR), food conversion efficiency (FCE), protein efficiency ratio (PER), food conversion rate (FCR) decreased with increased concentration of mercuric chloride. The mercuric chloride caused a significant decrease in the survival rate (P < 0.05).


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 027-035
Author(s):  
Sunday Kenneth Igbang ◽  
Ada Fidelis Bekeh ◽  
Ochang Stephen Ncha

Aiming at finding cheaper and still efficient feed for aquaculture species 56 days feeding trial was conducted on African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) post fingerlings, fed on five diets with a 40% crude protein target in which maize was replaced with maize offal meal at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% respectively. Ten fish each were stocked in a plastic aquarium tank containing 20 L of water. The fish were fed at 5% body weight divided into two rations ginen at the hours of 8-8:30 am and 5-5:30pm. Growth parameters showed increase with increase in maize offal based diets, with observed weight gains of 72.42, 79.00, 95.92, 130.83 and 65.83 for diets 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 respectively. Feed conversion ratio (recorded best in 75% maize offal based diet substitution, while the poorest was recorded at 25% maize offal diet replacement, followed by the control diet (100% maize diet). 75% maize offal replacement recorded the highest specific growth rate (p<0.05).There was significant difference (p<0.05) in the ash content, crude fiber and energy level in the fish carcass. The cost of feed used throughout the experimental period was not significantly (p>0.05) influenced by the increasing level of maize offal as a replacement for maize in the diets, as the costs were comparable. However, this study reveals that maize offal meal can successfully replaced maize up to 75% in the diet of Clarias gariepinus post fingerlings without adverse effect on growth, carcass composition and economics.


HortScience ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (8) ◽  
pp. 1050-1056 ◽  
Author(s):  
Menahem Edelstein ◽  
Daniel Berstein ◽  
Moshe Shenker ◽  
Hasan Azaizeh ◽  
Meni Ben-Hur

Tomato ‘Abigail’ (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and basil ‘Perry’ (Ocimum basilicum L.) were selected as model plants for selenium (Se) supplementation to evaluate a) effects of Se concentration in nutrient solution on Se content in different organs under fertigation, b) Se phytotoxicity threshold values, and c) mechanisms. Plants grown in a glasshouse were irrigated with 0, 1, 2, 5, and 10 mg Se/L in the first experiment, while with 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, and 1.5 mg Se/L in the second. Tomato plants accumulated Se linearly with rising Se concentrations, whereas accumulation in basil followed a saturation curve. Plants supplemented with 1.5 mg Se/L in the irrigation water accumulated 0.23 and 0.88 mg Se/g dry weight (DW) in tomato fruits and basil shoots, respectively. However, tomato roots, shoots and fruits DW were 56%, 36%, and 66% lower than in controls, respectively, and basil roots and shoots DW were 92% and 88% lower than in control, respectively. Calculated toxicity-threshold values were 1.27 mg Se/L for tomato and 0.44 mg Se/L for basil. Tomato crops were more tolerant than basil crops, although data suggested yield reduction at lower Se concentrations than those effecting biomass reductions. The results indicate that Se supplementation through drip irrigation may efficiently fortify tomato and basil. However, Se concentrations should be lower than 0.75 and 0.25 mg·L−1 for tomato and basil, respectively, to avoid yield reduction and possible Se phytotoxicity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Amos Ndarubu Tsado ◽  
Rosemary Nnenna Okoli ◽  
Abel Gboke Jiya ◽  
David Gana ◽  
Rakiya Zubairu ◽  
...  

Background: The major problem facing fish feed manufacturers and fish nutrition is the increasing competition for the same feeding stuff between man and the fish feed industry due to their conventional status. This has brought about the high price and scarcity of such feedstuffs. This research is aimed at evaluating the potentials of using graded levels of grasshopper as protein sources in the diet of African catfish. Methods: Four feeding trial were set up with percentage inclusions of the grasshopper meal of 0% [diet] 1, 5% [Diet II], 10% [Diet III] and 15% [Diet IV]. The feed was given to the fish for 8 weeks. Fish survival rates, weekly weight gain, and length gain were recorded. Results: The results revealed that the. The survival rate of fish was over 90% for all experimental diets and it was significantly improved in the fish fed on 10% & 5% of grasshoppers (95.97% & 97.5%, respectively) when compared with the control group (91.04%). Percentage weight gain of the control group was significantly lower (803.00 %) compared to fish fed on 5% of grasshoppers (1092.00%). The highest fish length gain was also recorded fish fed on 5% of grasshopper (8.65 cm) while the least length gains (5.43 cm) was recorded for the control group in relation to all other fish groups which have received grasshopper at all inclusion levels. Conclusion: It is concluded that grasshopper inclusion in diet has the potential to enhance the survival rate and modulate growth parameters in Clarias gariepinus. Therefore, Grasshopper can be used as a feed additive in aquaculture to improve fish growth and production.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (20) ◽  
pp. 8717
Author(s):  
Ulrich Knaus ◽  
Lisa Carolina Wenzel ◽  
Samuel Appelbaum ◽  
Harry Wilhelm Palm

Aquaponics production of spearmint (Mentha spicata) was evaluated under commercial grow-out conditions of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in Northern Germany (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania). Fish batch production under different stocking densities in an extensive aquacultural unit (EAU) and an intensive aquacultural unit (IAU) was connected to conventional plant cultivation on ebb-and-flood planting tables and compared to a liquid fertilizer control. The best growth parameters of M. spicata were found under the intensive stocking density of C. gariepinus (IAU), resulting in a plant leaf area of 10.9 ± 2.5 cm2, leaf length of 8.6 ± 1.6 cm, and a cut fresh biomass from aboveground of 31.8 ± 13.8 g/plant, compared to the EAU (5.6 ± 2.1 cm2; 5.4 ± 1.4 cm; 17.4 ± 4.7 g/plant) and the control (5.7 ± 2.2 cm2; 5.5 ± 1.4 cm; 11.2 ± 5.3 g/plant). The fresh biomass of the whole plants was not significantly different between the EAU (165.5 ± 71.7 g/plant) and the IAU (190.7 ± 105.6 g/plant), though the latter gained more weight. The initial fish number ratio between the EAU and the IAU of 1/4 increased the M. spicata leaf area by twofold in the IAU. Our results demonstrate that aquaponics (s.l.) production of M. spicata is possible under the direct use of effluent waters from intensive African catfish cultivation without the addition of any liquid fertilizer.


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