Effect of Nutrition Supplement on Water Quality and Growth of Geranium in Aquaponic System

초록

An aquaponic system combines growing plants and fish, where optimal water quality is essential to a balanced and productive system. This research evaluated effects of nutrition supplements and their combinations of T1 (KHCO3), T2 (KHCO3 + Fe-EDTA) and T3 (KHCO3 + Fe-EDTA + KH2PO4) on aquaponic water and plant growth. Geranium (Pelargonium zonale L.) plants and goldfish (Carassius auratus auratus) were kept together in a small tank for 60 days and a recycling deep flow system was installed for planterior purposes. Electrical conductivity (EC), pH, and nutrient concentration of water and plant growth parameters were measured. Results showed that EC and pH fluctuated during the treatment period, they were higher in T3 but lower in the control than in others. At 60 days after treatment, potassium, phosphate, and sulfate were significantly higher in T3-treated water than in other treatments. Magnesium, calcium, and nitrate were significantly higher in the control than in others. At 60 days after treatment, plant height and the number of leaves were the highest for T2-treated plants. Leaf length, leaf width, NDVI, and SPAD values were significantly higher for T2 and T3-treated plants than for others. However, leaf discoloration of plants was significantly lower in T2 and T3 treated groups. Leaf discoloration showed negative correlations with SPAD and NDVI values. These results suggest that T2 treatment is preferable for sustainable water quality and the growth of geranium plants in an aquaponic system as a planterior.

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