Fruit production by aquaponics

— is it the better alternative to

conventional farming?
JiaChen Lin
16/ 02/ 2024
 Table of contents
1) Aquaponics overview.
2) Initiatives of my research.
3) Methodology outlines.
4) Results and discussion.
5) Conclusion.
6) Evaluation and Personal gains
from research.
 I
Aquaponics
overview
--What is aquaponics?
--The symbiotic cycling mechanism of aquaponics:

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 2
Initiatives of my
research
50% of irrigation water is lost. (FAO, 1981)

Prevalent fertiliser overuse due to leakage.

(Yingnan et al., 2020)

2.4b financial loss in the

US due to eutrophication.
(Wurtsbaugh et al., 2019)
38% of land used for farming. (FAO, 2021)
77.61% energy efficiency improvement. (Yingke et al., 2017)

95% - 99% of water reuse. (Johanne et al., 2012)

Nutrients recycled & reproduced by aquatic organisms.

(Huang et al., 2021)

Vertical arrangements
saving land resources.
(Victor et al., 2022)
 3
Methodology
overview
 -Primary research-
Data based comparision between the products of the two fruit
production mechanisms.

Selection of sample.

Selection of dependant variables to be measured.

Adherance of experiemental guidelines.

Data collection and data evaluation.

 Primary research
Support and extend aid Verify and contribute

Secondary research
 -Secondary research-
Mechanisms of both fruit production systems.

System characteristics in terms of sustainability.

Past research on fruits cultivated by either methods.

Insights on methodology from similar research.

Past research on examinations of agricultural products.

Past research on prospects of aquaponics.

-Secondary literature CRAAP test.

Authourity Purpose
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Currency
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Relevance
Accuracy
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Results and
discussion
1) Reducing sugar content/ sweetness.
Percentage reducing sugar concentration in extractions. Calculated mass of reducing sugars (g) per 100g.

Government Food Data Central, USA (2006):

“4.43 grams of reducing sugars should be present in 100 grams of conventional strawberries, including 1.99
grams of glucose and 2.44 grams of fructose.”
2) Levels of vitamin C.
 Concentration of vitamin C in mg per 1 mL of extraction. Calculated mass of vitamin C (mg) per 100g.

Government Food Data Central, USA (2006):

“58.8mg of vitamin C should present in 100g of conventional strawberry.”

Sapei & Hwa (2014):

“Range for vitamin C is approximately 40 – 70mg.”
“An increase in the storage time of strawberries tested decreases the vitamin C concentration.”
3) Fruit yield.
 Number of strawberries produced per sample. Mean net weight of strawberries produced per sample.

Abbey et al. (2019):

“Albion aquaponic strawberries produced at high altitudes had a mean yield of 2.91 per plant, average net
weight was 5.43g.”

Graber & Junge (2009); Abbey et al. (2019):

“The iron deficiency in aquaponic plants leads to low yield.”
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Conclusion
Aquaponics is more resource-saving
and more sustainable.

Conceived prospects and potentials

of such a system.

Aquaponic production yielded fruits

with similar reducing sugar content
compared to conventionally grown
fruits.
Aquaponic system is capable of
production of fruits with similar vitamin
C content to conventionally grown fruits.
Aquaponics is inferior in terms of
fruit yield…
A change in transplantation date increased the yield
of aquaponic strawberries from 4.74g to 7.00g.
Ullah et al., 2022
The gross biomass of aquaponic tomatoes doubled
when coupled with the fish O. ninoticus.
Knaus & Palm, 2017
Application of carbonate ions increased both the
weight of size of aquaponic melons.
Pinero et al., 2020
Modification of drip irrigation increased the average
cumulative yield of aquaponic strawberries.
Schmautz et al., 2016
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Evaluation and
personal gains
Research Self reflection Planning and time
highlights skills management skills

Limitations Independent Thorough and

research insightful evaluation
Q&A