Protecting plants from pests and diseases in aquaponic systems

Abstract

This paper gives an overview on aquaponics - a new, emerging food production technology. We point out to the social, economic, and environmental advantages of aquaponic systems, as well as to their complexity, in relation to plant nutrition and fish and plant health, and pest control. Furthermore, environmental aspects and connections to circular economy based on sustainable ecological cycles in aquaponic systems is discussed. We conclude that, in order to produce healthy plants in aquaponic systems, 1) special care has to be taken via uninterrupted measurements of the chemical composition of the circulating water, to maintain proper levels and proportions of nutrients, 2) special consideration has to be given to the potentially toxic constituent, ammonia, and 3) the prevention, monitoring, and rapid identification of the pest(s) and disease(s), and their efficient control have to be prioritized. Application of aquaponic systems in urban agriculture might be both environmentally and economically profitable by enhancing local production, utilizing unused, often derelict buildings, creating jobs and recirculating water and other natural resources linked to renewable energy production and waste management