The growth and survival performance of Tinfoil barb (Barbonymusshcwanefeldii) grown with Chinese broccoli (Brassica oleracea) in a low-techaquaponics system treated with the application of nitrogen, phosphorus,potassium fertilizer and fish meal

More than half of the nutrients sustaining the optimal plant growth in the aquaponic system are derived from fish waste. However, the use of fish meal and nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium (NPK) fertilizer in promoting growth parameters of the plant and for some fish species in such a system is not well documented. This study aimed to examine the effect of NPK fertilizer on the growth performance of Tinfoil barb (Barbonymus shcwanefeldii), a common riverine species as well as Chinese broccoli (Brassica oleracea) in a low-tech aquaponic system. A total of ninety fingerlings of Tinfoil barb (Barbonymus shcwanefeldii) were randomly distributed into three treatment groups with three replicates. The control group had no fertilizer added while the other groups were treated either with NPK or fish meal. After a 45-day feeding trial, fish, and plants treated with NPK fertilizer demonstrated significantly higher weight gain (4.11±0.01 g) (P<0.05) and plant height (15.77±0.15 cm) (P<0.05), respectively, compared to fish meal and the control. NPK treatment also resulted in the significantly greatest number of leaves (8.33±0.33) (P<0.05), explaining good productivity. NPK fertilizer appears to be a promising growth enhancer for both Tinfoil barb and Chinese broccoli that grow in the aquaponic system.