Abstract

VALENZUELA-ANTELO, Andrés et al. Effect of tezontle particle diameter in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) in aquaponics. Terra Latinoam [online]. 2023, vol.41, e1598.  Epub June 12, 2023. ISSN 2395-8030.  https://doi.org/10.28940/terra.v41i0.1598.

In aquaponics, the use of substrate allows the colonization of nitrifying bacteria and may act as a biofilter. The diameter of substrate particles can be decisive in the colonization of substrate by bacteria and can affect the development and yield of plants. Thus, in this research, we raised the hypothesis that the particle diameter of tezontle affects the development and yield of plants, as well as the bacterial colonization of substrate. The experiment consisted of 12 fish ponds of 120 L,12 tubs of 240 L for the substrate and a pump as auxiliary oxygenation for the fish ponds. Three crops were established in each tub: tomato, cucumber, and lettuce. The crops seedlings were transplanted into three tezontle granulometries: <1 cm, >5 cm and a 50:50 mix of both sizes with three replications per treatment. An analysis of variance and a Tukey's test were performed. There was no effect of substrate particle diameter on the height, stem diameter and SPAD readings in tomato, cucumber, and lettuce plants. In addition, the particle diameter of the substrate did not affect the yield, firmness, titratable acidity, or Brix degrees in the tomato fruits. Furthermore, there was no effect on the yield and quality of cucumber fruits. In contrast, for lettuce, the fresh weight of the substrate consisting of particles <1 cm in diameter was 55% higher than that of particles >5 cm in diameter (89.87 and 50.12 g per plant, respectively). The particle diameter does not affect the yield or quality of the established crops, however, in practical terms, the tezontle particles <1 cm in diameter are recommended due to their greater moisture retention capacity and higher surface area for bacteria colonization.

Keywords : particle diameter; nitrifying bacteria; fish; vegetables.

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