TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF TILAPIA (Oreochromis niloticus) AND LETTUCE (Lactuca sativa) PRODUCTION IN TWO AQUAPONICS SYSTEMS

Abstract

In Mexico, aquaculture has acquired great importance by providing social and economic benefits, as well as a source of food of high nutritional value. Of all the commercial species, tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is cultivated in the 31 states of the Mexican Republic, and its production for 2011 was 75,927 ton. However, the issue of global scarcity of fresh water requires that production systems be highly efficient. The semi-intensive production of tilapia (O. niloticus) and acropolis lettuce (Lactuca sativa) was evaluated in two aquaponics systems, one with biofiltration (SCB) and another with water replacement (SRA). The growth time for tilapia and lettuce was 160 and 30 days, respectively. The tilapia showed the highest average growth (364.64±43.16 g) in SCB, and the lettuce grew better in SRA (11.74±1.63 g). Significant differences were observed with the control of 100% soil (P<0.05). The highest concentrations of nitrites (NO₂) ammonia (NH₄) and phosphates (PO₄) were obtained with SCB, while the highest concentration of nitrates (NO₃) was observed with SRA (P<0.05). The cultivation of O. niloticus and L. sativa in aquaponics systems, biofiltration and/or direct irrigation, are an alternative for the joint production of these species; however, it is necessary to carry out a control of the nutrient dynamics in the system to optimize the use of energy throughout all its components