Construction of an aquaponics system for the consortium production of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum)

Abstract

Knowing how to use existing freshwater sources is essential in times of rationing and sustainable
use of natural resources. Aquaponics emerges as an alternative to address such barriers through food production, and the association of aquaculture and hydroponics practices into a
single recirculating water and nutrient system. Twenty-four seedlings of Solanun lycopersicum
were planted, initially planted in organic substrate from compost until reaching an average size
of 89.765mm. For the calculation of the average only 5 feet of tomatoes were measured weekly.
Later, these seedlings were positioned and fixed side by side on the substrate of the biological
filter, consisting of spheres of naturally enriched clay of nitrosomonas and nitrobacter,
already coupled and matured in aquapony system consorted with fish. For the orientation and
fixation of the tomato feet in the biological filter bamboo stems were installed to the substrate,
in order to support the adult individuals during the fruit production period. Measurements were
taken regarding the size of the tomato seedlings every 7 (seven) days of culture, initially through
the use of a pachymeter and later through a 50cm ruler and tape measure. From the first
week already the difference of both systems becomes evident. In the Aquaponics system the
average in the first week was: 89.768 mm. Flowering was early in the aquaponics system, the
first flowers appeared on April 3, 2017, referring to 56 days after the transplant of the seedlings
to the biological filter. In this period, the aquaponics plants were measuring an average of
827.2 mm in height, these values refer to the tenth week. It can be concluded that the viability
of tomato cultivation in an aquaponic system has many advantages, for example: rapid vegetative
growth, early flowering, no pest infestation and disease - specifically the bacterium R.
solonecearum, which causes the wilt epidemic. Final product free of pesticides and chemical
fertilizers, aggregation of value to the final product, production in small spaces and anywhere
of two products at the same time and in the same system, vegetables and fish.