Plant Production In Aquaponic Systems

Crop FamiliesCompositae

◦ Lettuce, endiveCruciferae

◦ Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, pak choi, mustard, turnips, radish, kohl rabi

Cucurbits (melon)◦ Cucumber, squash,

pumpkin, melonLamiaceae

◦ Mint, basil, lavender, thyme, oregano

Chenopodiaciae◦ Spinach, beet, chard,

amaranth, quinoaSolanaceae

(Nightshade family)◦ Tomato, pepper, chillies,

potato, tobaccoLiliaceae (lily)

◦ Onions, leeks, garlic, chives

Gramineae◦ Corn

Leguminosae (legumes)◦ Beans, peas

Nutrients Required For Plant Growth

Macronutrients Micronutrients

C Carbon*O Oxygen*H HydrogenN NitrogenK Potassium**Ca Calcium**Mg MagnesiumP PhosphorusS Sulphur

Cl ChlorineFe Iron**Mn ManganeseB BoronZn ZincCu CopperMo Molybdenum

*Supplied by CO2 and H2O **Must be supplemented

Production Method

Staggered Batch

Allow for weekly harvest◦ Develops market

Maintains uniform nutrient uptake

Easier managementCan deplete nutrientsLarge greenhouse

needed yet there are periods when it is not in use.

Seedling ProductionShade houseGreenhouse benchesSeeding flats with plant plug cells

in themE-Z vacuum seederWatering and fertilizer injector

systemMedia mixing for filling seeding

flatsVermiculite/coir mix NOT SOIL.Keep greenhouse washed and

clean

Seedling ProductionGreenhouse or shade house

◦Protected areaKeep it clean

◦Metal tables◦Floor with drain◦Weed barrier

Dirt and dead plant material harbor insects and disease

Planting MediaSoilless potting mixCoir (coconut fiber) + Vermiculite

◦60% + 40% of each mixed, respectively

◦Free from pythium spores◦Requires fertilizer supplementation◦Labor required to prepare mix

Planting MediaPeat potting mix (i.e.

Promis BX)◦ Inexpensive◦ Readily available◦ Uniform quality◦ Contains micronutrients

for seedling growth◦ Can have pythium

spores Jiffy peat pellets

◦ Expensive◦ Easy to use◦ Can have pythium

spores

Oasis root cubes◦ Expensive◦ Requires

additional nutrients

◦ Dries out quickly in greenhouse

Rockwool◦ Expensive

Seedling ProductionFill flat with mixSeed at required depth for plant

variety◦Automatic seeder for small and

surface planted seedsCover flat until seeds germinate

◦Many seeds germinate better in the dark

◦Keeps mice from stealing seeds◦Keeping covered too long causes

seeds to elongate and have weak stems (go ‘leggy’)

Watering EquipmentFogg-It Nozzle

◦4 gpmDramm 400 Water Breaker

◦400 tiny streams of water

Watering EquipmentHozon Siphon Mixer

◦1:16 proportioning device for fertilizer distribution

NPK Nitrogen,Potassium, PhosphorusN-Nitrogen-shootsP-Phosphorus-rootsK-Potassium-flowers and fruit

Use 9-45-15 for seedling production.◦Promotes strong root formation.