Growth of Flowering Plants in Aquaponic System ประดิพันธ์ ทองแถม ณ อยุธยา อนัญญา วงศ์วานรุ่งเรือง พรรณิกา พรมศรี และรุจิรา บุตรน้อย

Abstract

Soilless culture is an alternative way for farmers since it is easy to care and increase yield good quality product. This research is aimed to compare the growth and flowering of Sulfur Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus Cav.), Marigolds (Tagetes erecta L.) and Golden balsam (Impatiens balsamina L.) in aquaponic system, hydroponic system and soil culture. The plants were grown in aquaponic system using 80 of fancy carps (Cyprinus carpio L.)  while the AB mix solution with EC 1.8 mS/cm was used in hydroponic system. The soil bed was prepared using a commercial soli mixture. The data was collected for 7 weeks, comprising stem height, flower size and the number of flowers. The results showed that all aquaponic-grown plants had a greater (P≤0.05) increase in stem height, flower size and flower quantity than hydroponic system and soil culture, respectively. Therefore, the aquaponic system can be used as a guideline for the development of commercial flower production and it is also a driving force of the development of aquaponic systems for other plants.