Vegetable Production in an Integrated Aquaponic System with Stellate Sturgeon and Spinach–Matador variety

Abstract

This study aims to reveal the performances parameters, both in terms of quantity and quality, for spinach (Spinacia oleracea)-Matador variety, growth in an aquaponic integrated system, along with stellate sturgeons (A. stellatus) under three crops densities (V1-59 crops/m2, V2–48 crops/m2 and V3–39 crops/m2), by using hydroton as growing substrate, under a continuous flow hydraulic regime. The experiment was run in triplicate for each one of the three variants. The water quality was monitored and a series of growth parameters were determined, as follows: leaf area index (LAI), relative growth rate (RGR), average net assimilation rate (NAR), mean leaf area ratio (LAR) and crop growth rate (CGR). Also the concentration of chlorophyll a, b, carotenoids, ash and dry matter for spinach leaf, from each of the three experimental variants was determined and compared with the one of marketable spinach, growth conventional, in soil. It can be concluded that statistical significant differences (p<0.05) were recorded in terms of growth performance and crops quality, between the experimental variants. Also the quality of spinach grown in aquaponic conditions, by using effluent derived from stellate sturgeon intensive aquaculture is similar to that of the marketable spinach, growth conventional.

Keywords

• aquaponic system
• chlorophyll
• crop densities
• relative growth rate
• spinach
• water quality