Plant growth and nutritional profiles of aquaponic crops based on phenotypic analyses

Introduction Aquaponics, an innovative integration of recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and soilless cultivation systems, has gained increasing attention as a sustainable food production strategy for urban and peri-urban environments. Despite advancements in aquaponics research, several challenges persist, including plant nutrient efficiency, reliable water and microbial quality, system design optimization, and technology implementation. The current study aimed to generate insights into enhancing the application of aquaponics as a food production system, to explore phenotypic assessment techniques for detecting biotic and abiotic conditions, and to evaluate plant performance with respect to nutrient and microbial dynamics, as well as physiological characteristics related to chlorophyll content and leaf area development. Materials and methods A vertical aquaponic system equipped with LED lighting was operated alongside a hydroponic Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) system in a climate-controlled chamber to analyze nutrient flow and its correlation with the development of tilapia and tatsoi, used as model organisms for fish and plants, respectively. The control was a Hydroponic unit using the Hoagland & Arnon solution for plant fertilization. Both the control and aquaponic systems were operated in triplicate. The experiment lasted forty-five days. Results and conclusion Tilapia growth parameters were optimal, with a Specific Growth Rate (SGR) of 5.25% and a Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) of 0.96. The highest total biomass yield in plants was observed in the aquaponic system, reaching 11.27 kg, with a productivity of 4.5 kg/m 2 . Significant differences were observed in aquaponics plants, with superior values for average length and wet weight ( p < 0.05), as well as chlorophyll content ( p < 0.01 ) and green leaf expansion ( p < 0.001 ). Phenotypic assessment in plants provides valuable insights into plant development and potential yield limitations, particularly in aquaponic systems, where plant production is a primary driver of system viability and expansion. The absence of Oomycetes and Enterobacteriaceae in aquaponic fish tanks suggests the potential to reduce root fungal and microbial pathogens. The results emphasize aquaponics’ capacity to improve plant growth and overall system health by promoting microbial quality, all while ensuring optimal fish production. This supports its role as a sustainable and effective system.