Date of Defense
25-11-2024 1:00 PM
Location
F3-032
Document Type
Thesis Defense
Degree Name
Master of Science in Horticulture
College
College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
Department
Integrative Agriculture
First Advisor
Dr. Abdul Jaleel
Keywords
food, fodder, millets, Quinoa, aquaponics, greenhouse, Tilapia, antioxidants
Abstract
Aquaponics is a sustainable food production technology that integrates aquaculture with hydroponics. This study aimed to evaluate the possible impact of an aquaponics system on the cultivation of pearl millet, finger millet, and quinoa, utilizing water from tilapia aquaculture. The duration of the experiment is six months utilizing the manually constructed backyard aquaponics system. Tilapia fish serves as the principal biological material for nutrient generation in the experiment. This study investigated and recorded water quality indicators, including pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels over the experimental period. The parameters of fish growth, including survival rate, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, proximate composition, and production quality, were assessed and documented. In addition to the plant development characteristics, biochemical and proximate content were assessed, along with the nutritional quality of the grain (biochemical and mineral concentration). This study demonstrated superior performance in fish productivity and proximate composition, alongside an enhanced level of grain production appreciation. The generated grains exhibit superior nutritional quality in terms of biochemical and mineral concentration. The crop leaves exhibit enhanced nutrient quality performance. The findings indicated that the aquaponics system can effectively cultivate millet crops, with the nutrients from the aquaponics being efficiently utilized to create high-quality grains. Overall, this research highlights the potential for aquaponics systems to not only enhance fish productivity but also improve the nutritional quality of grains. By utilizing the nutrients from the system effectively, aquaponics can contribute to sustainable agriculture practices and food production.
Included in
CULTIVATION OF FOOD AND FODDER CROP MILLETS AND QUINOA IN THE AQUAPONICS SYSTEM FOR SUSTAINABLE FOOD SECURITY IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
F3-032
Aquaponics is a sustainable food production technology that integrates aquaculture with hydroponics. This study aimed to evaluate the possible impact of an aquaponics system on the cultivation of pearl millet, finger millet, and quinoa, utilizing water from tilapia aquaculture. The duration of the experiment is six months utilizing the manually constructed backyard aquaponics system. Tilapia fish serves as the principal biological material for nutrient generation in the experiment. This study investigated and recorded water quality indicators, including pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels over the experimental period. The parameters of fish growth, including survival rate, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, proximate composition, and production quality, were assessed and documented. In addition to the plant development characteristics, biochemical and proximate content were assessed, along with the nutritional quality of the grain (biochemical and mineral concentration). This study demonstrated superior performance in fish productivity and proximate composition, alongside an enhanced level of grain production appreciation. The generated grains exhibit superior nutritional quality in terms of biochemical and mineral concentration. The crop leaves exhibit enhanced nutrient quality performance. The findings indicated that the aquaponics system can effectively cultivate millet crops, with the nutrients from the aquaponics being efficiently utilized to create high-quality grains. Overall, this research highlights the potential for aquaponics systems to not only enhance fish productivity but also improve the nutritional quality of grains. By utilizing the nutrients from the system effectively, aquaponics can contribute to sustainable agriculture practices and food production.