Aquaponics: alternative types and approaches

Whilst aquaponics may be considered in the mid-stage of development, there are a number of allied, novel methods of food production that are aligning alongside aquaponics and also which can be merged with aquaponics to deliver food efficiently and productively. These technologies include algaeponics, aeroponics, aeroaquaponics, maraponics, haloponics, biofloc technology and vertical aquaponics. Although some of these systems have undergone many years of trials and research, in most cases, much more scientific research is required to understand intrinsic processes within the systems, efficiency, design aspects, etc., apart from the capacity, capabilities and benefits of conjoining these systems with aquaponics

Wpływ jakości CO₂ na młodą sałatę uprawianą pod zoptymalizowanym spektrum światła

The cost and yield are two the most important criteria in agriculture by which optimization of environmental factors are needed to carry out. In the present study, we investigated the efficient lighting spectrum and elevated CO2 concentration for cultivating healthier plants more rapidly. One of the aims of our study is to optimize LEDs light spectrum for healthier vegetable production in greenhouses and maximum economical benefits for growers. The impact of elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration on antioxidant and nutritional properties of green leaf ‘Multigreen 3’ and red leaf ‘Multired 4’ baby leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), grown under optimized light spectrum was investigated. CO2 concentrations of 0.963 g · dm-3and 1.938 g · dm-3 were maintained in the growth chambers. Lettuce was grown under four wavelength (640, 455, 660 and 735 nm) light-emitting diode based (LED) illumination. Under 0.963 g · dm-3 CO2 conditions, ‘Multired 4’ lettuce represented higher antioxidant value due to higher ascorbic acid, anthocyanin, tocopherol contents and higher sucrose concentration, as compared to ‘Multigreen 3’ lettuce. Higher CO2 concentration (1.938 g · dm-3) had uneven effect on the quality of both baby leaf lettuce cultivars. Red leaf lettuce reacted to the higher CO2 level by lowered D tocopherol, ascorbic acid concentrations and significantly higher glucose contents in their leaves, when green leaf lettuce – contrarily – contained higher ascorbic acid and D tocopherol concentrations under 1.938 g · dm-3 of CO2.Koszty i plon to dwa najważniejsze kryteria w rolnictwie, według których należy wybierać optymalne czynniki środowiska. W niniejszym badaniu oceniano spektrum światła i podwyższone stężenie CO2 w celu szybszej hodowli zdrowych roślin. Jednym z celów badania było zoptymalizowanie spektrum światła LED w celu produkcji zdrowszych warzyw w cieplarniach oraz dla maksymalnych korzyści ekonomicznych hodowców. Badano wpływ podwyższonego stężenia dwutlenku węgla (CO2) na cechy anytoksydacyjne i żywieniowe młodej sałaty zielonej ‘Multigreen 3’ i czerwonej ‘Multired 4’ (Lactuca sativa L.) hodowanych w warunkach zoptymalizowanego spektrum światła. W komorach wzrostu utrzymywano stężenia CO2 wynoszące 0,963 g · dm-3 oraz 1,938 g · dm-3. Sałata wzrastała oświetlana diodą emitującą światło (LED) o czterech długościach fal (640, 455, 660 i 735 nm). W warunkach 0,963 g · dm-3 CO2 sałata ‘Multired 4’ miara większą wartość antyoksydacyjną ze względu na wyższy poziom kwasu askorbinowego, antocyjanin, tokoferolu oraz wyższe stężenie sacharozy w porównaniu z sałatą ‘Multigreen 3’. Wyższe stężenie CO2 (1,938 g · dm-3) miało nierówny wpływ na jakości obu odmian sałaty. Sałata czerwona reagowała na wyższy poziom CO2 obniżonym Į-tokoferolem i stężeniem kwasu askorbinowego oraz istotnie wyższą zawartością glukozy w liściach, natomiast zielona sałata miała wyższe stężenie kwasu askorbinowego i Į-tokoferolu w warunkach 1,938 g · dm-3 of CO2

Effect of supplemental UV-A irradiation in solid-state lighting on the growth and phytochemical content of microgreens

In this study, we sought to find and employ positive effects of UV-A irradiation on cultivation and quality of microgreens. Therefore, the goal of our study was to investigate the influence of 366, 390, and 402 nm UV-A LED wavelengths, supplemental for the basal solid-state lighting system at two UV-A irradiation levels on the growth and phytochemical contents of different microgreen plants. Depending on the species, supplemental UV-A irradiation can improve antioxidant properties of microgreens. In many cases, a significant increase in the investigated phytochemicals was found under 366 and 390 nm UV-A wavelengths at the photon flux density (12.4 μmol m-2 s-1). The most pronounced effect of supplemental UV-A irradiation was detected in pak choi microgreens. Almost all supplemental UV-A irradiation treatments resulted in increased leaf area and fresh weight, in higher 2,2–diphenyl–1–picrylhydrazyl free-radical scavenging activity, total phenols, anthocyanins, ascorbic acid, and α-tocopherol

Effect of supplemental UV-A irradiation in solid-state lighting on the growth and phytochemical content of microgreens

In this study, we sought to find and employ positive effects of UV-A irradiation on cultivation and quality of microgreens. Therefore, the goal of our study was to investigate the influence of 366, 390, and 402 nm UV-A LED wavelengths, supplemental for the basal solid-state lighting system at two UV-A irradiation levels on the growth and phytochemical contents of different microgreen plants. Depending on the species, supplemental UV-A irradiation can improve antioxidant properties of microgreens. In many cases, a significant increase in the investigated phytochemicals was found under 366 and 390 nm UV-A wavelengths at the photon flux density (12.4 μmol m-2 s-1). The most pronounced effect of supplemental UV-A irradiation was detected in pak choi microgreens. Almost all supplemental UV-A irradiation treatments resulted in increased leaf area and fresh weight, in higher 2,2–diphenyl–1–picrylhydrazyl free-radical scavenging activity, total phenols, anthocyanins, ascorbic acid, and α-tocopherol