Evaluación de un sistema acuapónico urbano en invernadero en la región de Tacna, Perú

Global food demand is driving the development of sustainable production technologies such as aquaponics, a symbiotic system that integrates aquaculture and hydroponics through nutrient recycling. This study evaluated the viability of an urban aquaponic system designed for food production with low environmental impact and efficient water-use. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse over a 24-week period using 50 Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus Linnaeus, 1758) and 50 lettuce plants (Lactuca sativa L.). Physicochemical parameters and growth rates were monitored at three critical points: The fish tank outlet (C1), the biofilter outlet (C2), and the hydroponic system outlet (C3). By the end of the experimental period, tilapia reached a mean weight of 210.46 g, compared with an initial mean weight of 0.73 g, while mean length increased from 2.61 to 24.82 cm. The final survival rate was 95 %, and the fish exhibited an isometric standards growth pattern. Lettuce showed 100 % survival rate, reaching a maximum fresh weight of 361.3 g and a leaf length of 32.36 cm. These values exceeded the commercial standards considered in the study and auggest adequate macronutrient availability within the system. Regarding water quality, nitrogenous compounds remained within acceptable ranges, although nitrite concentrations reached a maximum of 1.0 ppm. Overall, the aquaponic system proved to be a technically efficient alternative for food production in confined urban spaces, while ensuring the effective utilization of organic waste for plant growth.