Growth Dynamics of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) Coupled with the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in a Greenhouse Aquaponic System in Morocco

Aquaponics offers a sustainable alternative to conventional agriculture, particularly in water-scarce regions such as Morocco. This study assesses the growth and biomass production of lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. Madrilène) cultivated in a greenhouse aquaponic system integrating Oreochromis niloticus and leafy plants. The system combined nutrient film technique (NFT) and deep-water culture (DWC) modules operating in a closed recirculating loop. Eighteen lettuce seedlings, germinated in rockwool, were grown for 30 days under aquaponic conditions. Plant performance was evaluated through height, leaf number, and fresh biomass. At harvest, the mean final height reached 22.2 ± 2.8cm, with an average fresh weight of 194.1 ± 15.3g per plant, yielding a total biomass of 3.49kg. The system consumed 12.5L. day⁻¹ of water, of which 3.2L. day⁻¹ corresponded to plant transpiration. These results demonstrate that lettuce can achieve commercial yields within 30 days without chemical fertilizers, confirming the technical feasibility and agronomic potential of aquaponics for sustainable food production and urban agriculture under Moroccan climatic conditions.