Basil (Ocimum basilicum) Cultivation in Decoupled Aquaponics with Three Hydro-Components (Grow Pipes, Raft, Gravel) and African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Production in Northern Germany

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.

Download Full-text

Spearmint (Mentha spicata) Cultivation in Decoupled Aquaponics with Three Hydro-Components (Grow Pipes, Raft, Gravel) and African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Production in Northern Germany

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su14010305 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 305

Author(s):

Ulrich Knaus ◽

Julia Zimmermann ◽

Samuel Appelbaum ◽

Harry W. Palm

Keyword(s):

Industrial Production ◽

Clarias Gariepinus ◽

Culture Conditions ◽

Leaf Number ◽

Pipe Diameter ◽

Channel Height ◽

African Catfish ◽

Northern Germany ◽

Mentha Spicata ◽

Fresh Biomass

Mint (Mentha spicata) was cultivated in different hydroponic components: grow pipes, a raft and an ebb-and-flood gravel substrate system irrigated with aquaculture effluents from intensive African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) production under decoupled aquaponic conditions in northern Germany. The spearmint grew well and plant heights above ground were not significantly different between the gravel (57.7 ± 13.1 cm), raft (58.0 ± 17.7 cm) and grow pipe components (63.6 ± 9.9 cm). Root lengths and root fresh weights were two-fold and four-fold higher in raft (64.3 ± 20.5 cm; 42.8 ± 29.9 g) and grow pipes (59.4 ± 15.2 cm; 41.3 ± 25.7 g) compared with gravel substrate (29.7 ± 7.8 cm; 9.4 ± 9.4 g; raft = grow pipes > gravel). Spearmint leaf number was significantly higher in the grow pipes (770.0 ± 224.4) than in the gravel substrate (499.8 ± 228.4) with intermediate values in the raft. Significantly highest mean fresh biomass was found in the raft (1275.6 ± 33.4 g), followed by grow pipes (1042.0 ± 35.8 g) and gravel substrate (686.3 ± 98.2 g; raft > grow pipes > gravel). M. spicata, under aquaponics, grows best in grow pipe and raft components. An increase in pipe diameter for the grow pipes and a reduction in the channel height for the raft components could optimize aquaponic culture conditions for both industrial production and the hobby sector in the future.

Download Full-text

Effects of Ortho-Phosphate on Growth Performance, Welfare and Product Quality of Juvenile African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

Fishes ◽

10.3390/fishes4010003 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 3 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Sebastian Strauch ◽

Judith Bahr ◽

Björn Baßmann ◽

Adrian Bischoff ◽

Michael Oster ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Clarias Gariepinus ◽

Phosphate Fertilizer ◽

African Catfish ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Fish Welfare ◽

P Fertilizer ◽

Skin Coloration

Ortho-phosphate inside recirculation aquaculture systems is limited as a consequence of precipitation and regular water exchange rates. To improve plant growth in coupled aquaponics, phosphate fertilizer addition to hydroponics can increase PO43−-P concentrations inside the process water. We investigated the effects of four PO43−-P concentrations (<10 (P0), 40, 80, 120 mg L−1) in rearing water on growth performance, feed efficiency, and welfare traits of juvenile African catfish (Clarias gariepinus Burchell, 1822). By trend, optimum specific growth rate of 2.66% d−1 and feed conversion ratio of 0.71 were observed at 40 and 80 mg L−1 PO43−-P. Higher PO43−-P significantly affected skin coloration, swimming activity and external injuries, with the palest and inactive fish combined with most external injuries in the P120 group. Mineral and protein contents in the fish remained unaffected, while fat content inside the fillets enriched with increasing PO43−-P. Inorganic P in blood plasma increased significantly, while phosphate concentrations inside the fillet remained unchanged. We suggest that PO43−-P concentrations of 40 to 80 mg L−1 do not reduce the performance of African catfish aquaculture, while increased values of 120 mg L−1 affect fish welfare. This allows limited addition of PO43−-P fertilizer in coupled aquaponics with African catfish to support plant growth.

Download Full-text

Growth of Basil (Ocimum basilicum) in DRF, Raft, and Grow Pipes with Effluents of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in Decoupled Aquaponics

AgriEngineering ◽

10.3390/agriengineering3010006 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 92-109

Author(s):

Johannes Pasch ◽

Benny Ratajczak ◽

Samuel Appelbaum ◽

Harry W. Palm ◽

Ulrich Knaus

Keyword(s):

Growth Parameters ◽

Clarias Gariepinus ◽

Dry Weight ◽

High Water ◽

Ocimum Basilicum ◽

Root Activity ◽

Leaf Biomass ◽

African Catfish ◽

Nutrient Loads ◽

Intensive Rearing

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).

Download Full-text

Aquaponics (s.l.) Production of Spearmint (Mentha spicata) with African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in Northern Germany

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12208717 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (20) ◽

pp. 8717

Author(s):

Ulrich Knaus ◽

Lisa Carolina Wenzel ◽

Samuel Appelbaum ◽

Harry Wilhelm Palm

Keyword(s):

Leaf Area ◽

Growth Parameters ◽

Clarias Gariepinus ◽

Stocking Density ◽

Leaf Length ◽

African Catfish ◽

Northern Germany ◽

Mentha Spicata ◽

Liquid Fertilizer ◽

Fresh Biomass

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.

Download Full-text

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

AgriEngineering ◽

10.3390/agriengineering3030036 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 559-574

Author(s):

Johannes Pasch ◽

Samuel Appelbaum ◽

Harry Wilhelm Palm ◽

Ulrich Knaus

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Growth Parameters ◽

Clarias Gariepinus ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Ocimum Basilicum ◽

African Catfish ◽

Floating Raft ◽

Tropical Conditions ◽

Intensive Rearing ◽

System Improvement

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.

Download Full-text

EFEKTIVITAS ANTIBAKTERI BAWANG PUTIH (Allium sativum L) SEBAGAI PENGAWET ALAMI PADA IKAN LELE DUMBO (Clarias gariephinus) SEGAR

Surya Medika: Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu Keperawatan dan Ilmu Kesehatan Masyarakat ◽

10.32504/sm.v14i1.106 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 26

Author(s):

Dyah Anggraeni ◽

Nurlela Nurlela

Keyword(s):

Room Temperature ◽

Allium Sativum ◽

Research Result ◽

Clarias Gariepinus ◽

Storage Period ◽

The Body ◽

Garlic Extract ◽

African Catfish ◽

Natural Preservatives ◽

Colony Counter

Background: Natural preservatives are compounds produced by natural ingredients that can suppress bacterial growth and development. Natural preservatives are carried out because most of the preservatives circulating are chemicals and unsafe for the body. One of the natural preservatives is by using garlic extract (Allium sativum L). Objective: This study is aimed to determine the effectiveness of the antibacterial garlic (Allium sativum L) as a natural preservative in fresh African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Method: This research used the Pour Plate iroculation method. African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) which is soaked with garlic (Allium sativum L) with a concentration of 7%, 14% and 21% for 30 minutes, then the fish will be kept at room temperature with a storage period of 24 hours and 48 hours and calculated growth in bacterial numbers with the Colony counter. Result: Based on the research result, it was found that garlic extract (Allium sativum L) can obstruct the effectiveness of antibacterial in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) at a concentration of 14%.

Download Full-text

PEMBEKUAN SEMEN LELE DUMBO (Clarias Gariepinus BURCHELL 1822) SEBAGAI MODEL KRIOPRESERVASI SEMEN IKAN

Jurnal Natural ◽

10.30862/jn.v9i1.778 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lutfi Lutfi

Keyword(s):

Liquid Nitrogen ◽

Clarias Gariepinus ◽

African Catfish ◽

Nitrogen Vapor ◽

Dmso Concentration ◽

Freezing Temperatures ◽

Vapor Liquid

Effect of four types of diluentss and four concentration of DMSO (5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) against the motility of African catfish sperm were evaluated after storage at freezing temperatures. The steps in preparation the 16 treatments combination of the diluents are preparation of diluents, mixing diluents with DMSO, packing of semen into 0.3-ml straw, equilibration of semen at 4 °C for 30 minutes, freezing of semen in nitrogen vapor liquid at a height of 6.5 cm for 10 minutes, and subsequently storage of semen in liquid nitrogen (-196 0C) for further analysis of post-thawing motility (PTM). The result showed that the highest level of motility of spermatozoa was in treatment P1D15 (45.7 ± 4.3%) and the lowest was in treatment P2D20 (14.5 ± 13.2%). The best diluent in this observation was diluents containing NaCl, KCl, CaCl2 and NaHCO3. The best concentration was DMSO 15%. While the best interaction between the concentration of DMSO diluents is P1D15 treatments containing NaCl, KCl, CaCl 2 and NaHCO3 with a combination of 15% DMSO concentration. The conclusion of the research is that diluents containing NaCl, KCl, CaCl2 and NaHCO3 with a combination of 15% DMSO concentration can be used in cryopreservation of African catfish semen.

Download Full-text

Growth of `Bartlett' Pear Seedlings in Response to Number of Root-lesion Nematodes and Temperature

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.25.3.318 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 318-320

Author(s):

J.L. Townshend

Keyword(s):

Root Growth ◽

Pyrus Communis ◽

Leaf Number ◽

Pratylenchus Penetrans ◽

Leaf Production ◽

Lesion Nematodes ◽

Effects Of Temperature ◽

Root Lesion Nematodes

The effects of temperature and root-lesion nematodes [Pratylenchus penetrans (Cobb)] on the growth of newly germinated `Bartlett' pear seedlings (Pyrus communis L.) were examined. At five temperatures from 10 to 30C, P. penetrans (five per gram of soil) did not purple the leaves. After 8 weeks, leaf number, trunk height, and top and root weights were reduced only at 25C. The number of P. penetrans in the roots were greatest at 15 and 20C. At 20C, P. penetrans (16 per gram of soil) caused the leaves of seedlings to turn purple, and, by 6 weeks after treatment, the nematodes had reduced leaf production, trunk elongation, and top and root growth.

Download Full-text