Journal of Bio-Environment Control ISSN:1229-4675(Print) 2765-3641(Online) 생물환경조절학회지

This study aimed to compare the nutrient uptake rate, growth and yield of strawberry grown under the aquaponic and hydroponic systems in a plant factory. For aquaculture, 12 of fish (Cyprinus carpio cv. Koi) were raised in an aquaponics tank (W 0.7 m × L 1.5 m × H 0.45 m, 472.5 L) filled with 367.5L of water at a density of 5.44 kg·m^-3. The 30 seedlings of strawberry were planted in ports filled with perlite substrate and then were placed on the bed (W 0.7 m × L 1.5 m × H 0.22 m) at the top of the aquaponics system, and the 30 seedlings were planted in net-pots and then placed on the holes of acrylic plates (140 cm × 60 cm, Ø80 mm) on the bed (W 0.7 m × L 1.5 m × H 0.22 m) at the deep flow technique (DFT)- hydroponics. The pH and EC of the aquaponic solution was ranged from 4.3 to 6.9 and 0.32 to 1.14 dS·m^-1, respectively, while those of hydroponics were ranged from 5.1 to 7.5 and 1.0‒1.8 dS·m^-1, respectively. The NO₃-N and NH₄-N concentration of the aquaponic solution were higher about 3.6 and 2.2 me·L^-1 than those of the standard hydroponic solution for strawberry cultivation. The P, Ca, Mg, and S ions in the aquaponic solution were also higher about 0.76, 3.1, 0.8, and 0.9 me·L^-1 than those of standard hydroponic solution, respectively, while the K and Fe were lower about 0.8 me·L^-1 and 0.5 mg·L^-1, respectively. The mineral contents of the strawberry leaves grown on aquaponics did not differ from that of hydroponics, and K content in the leaves were in an appropriate range. Uptake rates of T-N and P between the 58 and 98 days after transplant (DAT) were 1.5 and 1.9-fold higher in the aquaponics than those of hydroponics, respectively with no significant difference in the uptake rate of K. The crown diameter, plant height, and leaf length and width in the 98 DAT were significantly higher in aquaponics. The number of fruits per plant was significantly higher in aquaponics than those in hydroponics, and the fresh and dry weights of fruit and length and width of fruit were significantly higher in hydroponics. The results suggest that plants in aquaponics continuously utilize fertilizer components of solid particles from fish and feed wastes.