Tainan, Taiwan, January 15, 2015 - National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) Department of Life Sciences accepted a commission from domestic companies to develop a stable aquaponics system in which invertebrates (fishes and snails) and vegetables can be grown simultaneously, revealed the university today.
A research team led by NCKU distinguished professor of life sciences Dr. Tzen-Yuh Chiang used micro-organisms of bacteria and fungi for the biological control to set up a stable ecological balanced simulation system in only two weeks.
Next, we will establish SOPs for different combinations of fishes and plants to achieve maximal economic yields.
Aquaponics system is a new concept in the field of organic farming, according to Chiang who added that now in Japan the symbiotic system also provides healing benefits in interior design.
He explained, aquaponics is a system for producing food that combines raising aquatic animals with hydroponics (growing plants in water) in a symbiotic environment.
In aquaponics, water from the fish tank is pumped to the hydroponics system where the fish waste is broken down and becomes a nutrient for the plants.
Then, the water is re-circulated to the aquaculture environment.
Chiang also said, the ecosystems varied in different combinations of fish and plant at different scales. The amount of feed and biological control also need to be adjusted to fit different designs.
“In the coming future, we will establish SOPs and customize the acquaponics system, allowing people to keep an acquaponic garden at home,” according to Chiang.
- Distributed via http://www.AsiaToday.com
