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Comparative Growth Performances of Taro Plant in Aquaponics Vs Other Systems

M.A. Salam
Department of Aquaculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

M. A. Islam
Department of Agricultural Statistics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

S. M. Sayem
Department of Agricultural Statistics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

M. Y. Prodhan
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur-5200, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Population pressure and land scarcity hindered the development and food security in Bangladesh. To feed the enormous population, farmers increased crop production using chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides which created environmental pollution and health hazards. Therefore, an experiment was carried out as organic farming to investigate the growth performances of Taro plant (Colocasia esculenta) in aquaponics system (T₁), hydroponics with tap water (T₂) and in soil (T₃). The healthy and equal sized Taro seedlings were used in each method and tilapia was used as experimental fish. Water quality parameters were recorded weekly, fish and vegetable growth was monitored fortnightly and soil quality was measured monthly. Two sample t-test was conducted for morphological parameters and coefficient of variation (CV) was measured for biochemical elements to find out the best performed method. The growth of Taro plant was significantly different in various systems. The highest growth was found in T₁ followed by T₃ and T₂. The mineral contents in the soil were significantly higher than the other systems. Taro plant growth was significantly higher in T₁ as waste water continuously supplied nutrients to the plants, hence, the system can be replicated anywhere in the country irrespective of geographic location and weather to overcome the environmental pollution.

Keywords: Aquaponics, Hydroponics, Vegetables, Fish and Minerals

Location: Faculty of Fisheries, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh

Start Date: 00-03-2012

End Date: 00-07-2012

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Aquatic animal

Objectives:

1. To observe the comparative growth performances of Taro plant in aquaponics system, hydroponics and soil as traditional method.

Methodology:

Three different methods were tested to determine the best system to grow Taro vegetable. The applied methods were ?T₁ = aquaponics system for soilless vegetable culture in gravel bed with fish tank waste water, T₂= hydroponics for soilless vegetable culture in gravel bed with tap water and T₃= vegetable culture in soil media with tap water as control. Tilapia was used as animal species in aquaponics system (T₁₎. The Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was used to conduct the experiment. The healthy and uniformed Taro seedlings were used in each method. The experiment was carried out in the Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh, during the period from March to July, 2012. MEASUREMENT OF SOIL AND WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS: Some essential soil and water quality parameters such as available phosphorus (P) and sulphur (S), exchangeable potassium (K) and sodium (Na) contents were measured using standard laboratory analysis procedure. Phosphorus was analyzed colorimetrically by NaHCO₃ extraction and ascorbic acid reduction method. Exchangeable potassium was analyzed by ammonium acetate extraction method. On the other hand, the calcium chloride extraction method was used for determination of available sulphur and flame photometric method was used to determine the sodium content. MORPHOLOGICAL DATA COLLECTION: Data on the morphological parameters were collected at 15 days intervals from planting to harvesting date. The plant height was measured from the ground level to the tip of the longest stem by a meter scale. Numbers of branches of the plants were counted properly. Diameter of the individual plant and number of stems of a plant were recorded. Leaf area was measured with an automatic digital electronic portable leaf area meter (Model LI-3100, Lincoln, NE-68504, USA). The biomass content of the Taro plant was measured at final harvest. BIOCHEMICAL STUDY: After final harvest, the plant samples were sun dried followed by oven drying at 70⁰C for 72 hours. Exactly 0.2 gram finely ground plant sample was digested by wet oxidation method using di-acid mixture (HNO₃: HClO_⁴ = 2: 1;. Phosphorus content in the extract was determined colorimetrically. The potassium and sulphur contents were estimated spectrophotometrically. The concentrations of Ca and Mg were determined by complexometric method of titration [2]. Moreover, sodium content was determined by the flame emission photometric method. Since the methods were non-similar, the arithmetic mean and standard deviation were different for the biochemical elements e.g. Ca, Mg, S, P, Na and K%. The coefficient of variation (CV) was measured to find out the consistency of the method. After calculation of CV, the bar chart of different biochemical elements were constructed to diagnosis the best method on the basis of biochemical output. SAMPLING OF FISH: Fish was carried out fortnightly. Scoop net was used to catch the fish from the tank. Ten fishes were caught randomly and length and weight were measured carefully. Weight was taken with an electronic compact balance (KD-S/F-en) and the length with a measuring cm scale. All the data were recorded in a notebook. Immediately after recording the length and weight the fry were released in the respective tank. T-TEST FOR MORPHOLOGICAL DATA: Two sample t-tests were conducted to find out the best performed methods on the basis of height, number of stem, diameter of the single stem, diameter of the plant and leaf area.

Source of Information: International Journal of Innovation and Applied Studies Vol. 7 No. 3 Aug. 2014, pp. 941-946

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

With the increase of population, efficient use of resources has become a prime responsibility of the policy makers around the world. Aquaponics is such a system which integrates fish culture and vegetable production allowing efficient use of water and fish feed residue as nutrient for plant. Findings suggest that aquaponic system offers better results than other media. This system can enhance the organic farming which could be environmental friendly. The present study is one of the first attempts in Bangladesh which will act as base of future studies. Further feasibility studies such as economic viability should be made. Organic nature of such agriculture will add extra-dimension towards the efforts to achieve the food security in Bangladesh.

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