Assessment of the growth performance of tilapia and tomato in aquaponics system

Abstract

This study assessed the growth performance of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) in a recirculating aquaponic system. The study was carried out using three culture methods; Fish Culture, Hydroponics, and Aquaponics, with all the parameters determined once a week, for 12 weeks. The initial length of the tilapia fish in the fish culture alone was 6.1±0.92cm and increased to 8.4±1.18cm and the mean weight increased from 4.5±2.30g to 8.6±18.60g while the initial length of the Tilapia Fish in the aquaponics system increased from 6.0±0.92cm to 8.7± 1.18cm and the mean weight was 4.5±2.30g and increased to 9.23±0.60g, at the end of the experimental period. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in length and weight gain of fish. The correlation coefficient (r) was 0.97 for tilapia in an aquaponics system. The correlation coefficient in the experiment indicated that the length and weight of fish were strongly correlated and it was close to 1. The results from the Aquaponics system and ordinary fish culture showed the best growth performance for tilapia. In conclusion, the aquaponics system did not adversely affect the growth of tilapia. The growth of the tomato plant differed when stocked in Hydroponics and Aquaponics systems, the aquaponics system is better than the hydroponics system in terms of growth performance of tomato and tilapia.