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Horticulturae
Special Issues
Enhancing Plant Quality and Sustainability in Aquaponics Systems
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Enhancing Plant Quality and Sustainability in Aquaponics Systems

A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Protected Culture".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 May 2026) | Viewed by 6061

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Genaro Soto-Zarazua

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Embedded Systems and Applications, Faculty of Engineering, Amazcala Campus, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, El Marqués 76265, Mexico
Interests: aquaculture; automation; biosystems; embedded systems; renewable energy
Dr. Priscila Flores-Aguilar

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biosystems, Faculty of Engineering, Amazcala Campus, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, El Marqués 76265, Mexico
Interests: biosystems; integrated agri-aquaculture system; urban/rural farming; sustainable development goals
Dr. Amanda Kim Rico-Chávez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Unidad de Ingeniería en Biosistemas, Facultad de Ingeniería Campus Amazcala, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Carretera Chichimequillas, s/n km 1, El Marqués 76265, Mexico
Interests: agriculture; plant physiology; plant defense; specialized metabolites; metabolomics; chemometrics; data science

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As aquaponics systems increase in complexity and popularity, innovative strategies are essential for maximizing the health, productivity, and environmental efficiency of plants.

To address these challenges, we are pleased to announce a Special Issue titled "Enhancing Plant Quality and Sustainability in Aquaponics Systems". This Special Issue serves not only as a platform for sharing cutting-edge research but also as a catalyst for advancing the field. It aims to bring together the latest studies, methodologies, and practical applications that contribute to improving plant quality and sustainability in aquaponics.

The growing interest in aquaponics has led to numerous studies exploring various aspects of plant growth, system management, and sustainability. Researchers are increasingly focused on innovative approaches to enhance nutrient uptake, optimize system performance, and improve the overall sustainability of aquaponics systems. This Special Issue seeks to highlight recent advances, novel techniques, and practical solutions in these areas.

We invite submissions that include, but are not limited to, the following topics:

  • Innovative strategies for improving plant health and yield in aquaponics systems.
  • Techniques for optimizing nutrient delivery and utilization in aquaponics environments.
  • Advances in system design and management to enhance sustainability and efficiency.
  • Studies on the effects of different plant species and cultivars on system performance.
  • Research on the integration of new technologies and methods for enhancing plant quality and sustainability.
  • Aquaponics 4.0, integrating IoT, Meta-Analysis, BIG data, and AI.

By contributing to this Special Issue, you will have the opportunity to showcase your work and share valuable insights that will help drive further advancements in the field. The goal is to create a comprehensive overview of the latest developments and future directions, supporting the continued growth and success of aquaponics. Together, we can shape the future of this exciting field.

We look forward to receiving your contributions and collaborating to advance the science and practice of aquaponics.

Yours faithfully,

Dr. Genaro Soto-Zarazua
Dr. Priscila Flores-Aguilar
Dr. Amanda Kim Rico-Chávez
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Horticulturae is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Aquaponics 4.0
  • eustress
  • biostimulation
  • alternative feed
  • urban aquaponics

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 495 KB  
Article
Nutrient Use Efficiency and Sustainable Productivity in Tilapia–Catfish and Lettuce–Spinach Aquaponic Polyculture
by Leticia Félix-Cuencas, Jesús Josafat De león-Ramírez, Samuel López-Tejeida, Priscila Sarai Flores-Aguilar and Genaro Martín Soto-Zarazúa
Horticulturae 2026, 12(3), 259; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12030259 - 24 Feb 2026
Viewed by 791
Abstract
This study evaluated productive performance, nutrient use efficiency, and nitrogen and phosphorus mass balance in an intensive aquaponic polyculture system combining Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), lettuce (Lactuca sativa), and spinach (Spinacia oleracea [...] Read more.
This study evaluated productive performance, nutrient use efficiency, and nitrogen and phosphorus mass balance in an intensive aquaponic polyculture system combining Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), lettuce (Lactuca sativa), and spinach (Spinacia oleracea) under high biomass density (40 kg m−3). Nine treatments were established through a 3 × 3 factorial combination of fish (tilapia:catfish = 75:25, 50:50, 25:75) and plant (lettuce:spinach = 75:25, 50:50, 25:75) species ratios and evaluated over three consecutive 60-day production cycles. Nitrogen and phosphorus use efficiencies differed significantly among treatments, reaching maximum values above 50% for NUE and 47% for PUE in catfish-dominant systems with higher spinach proportions, indicating improved nutrient recovery and reduced losses. These treatments also produced greater fish biomass, whereas lettuce-dominant combinations favored plant yield. Water quality remained within acceptable ranges, although higher catfish proportions were associated with lower dissolved oxygen and increased nitrogen availability. Overall, results demonstrate that optimizing fish–plant species ratios enhances nutrient retention and sustainable productivity in intensive aquaponic systems. Future research should explore adaptive species ratio management and economic feasibility to support large-scale implementation of polyculture aquaponics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enhancing Plant Quality and Sustainability in Aquaponics Systems)
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14 pages, 1089 KB  
Article
Comparative Performance of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in a Coupled Aquaponic System Using Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Under Tropical Conditions
by Cassius Aruho, Nasser Kasozi, Gertrude Atukunda, Papius Dias Tibihika, Margaret Aanyu, Barry Kamira, Godfrey Byaruhanga, Everlyne Ajore, Gabriel Ddamulira and Idd Ramathani
Horticulturae 2026, 12(2), 175; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12020175 - 31 Jan 2026
Viewed by 1128
Abstract
This study evaluated the performance of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) cultivated in coupled aquaponic systems integrated with Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) under tropical greenhouse conditions. The experiment was conducted across two consecutive lettuce [...] Read more.
This study evaluated the performance of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) cultivated in coupled aquaponic systems integrated with Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) under tropical greenhouse conditions. The experiment was conducted across two consecutive lettuce production cycles to assess fish growth, plant performance, water quality, and nutrient dynamics. African catfish exhibited significantly higher specific growth rates (1.08 ± 0.18%/day; p = 0.02) and weight gain (92.38 ± 22.29%; p = 0.03) compared with tilapia. During the first lettuce cycle, tilapia-based systems yielded significantly higher final plant weights (177.6 ± 34.4 g/plant; p = 0.0002), and greater increases in leaf number, weight gain, and absolute growth rate than catfish-based systems. However, in the second cycle, catfish systems resulted in superior lettuce leaf morphology, with significantly greater leaf length, width, and total leaf area. Nutrient profiles differed markedly between systems. In the deep-water culture (DWC) units, total phosphorus (TP) concentrations were significantly higher in the tilapia-based system during cycle 1 (12.39 ± 0.64 mg/L; p = 0.0001), while total nitrogen (TN) concentrations were significantly higher in the catfish treatment during cycle 2 (21.54 ± 2.93 mg/L; p = 0.0007). Catfish-based systems also showed higher levels of calcium and sodium. Despite these differences, temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen remained within optimal ranges for aquaponic production across both systems. Overall, tilapia-based aquaponics promoted faster early-cycle plant growth and higher initial yield, whereas catfish-based systems enhanced nitrogen availability and improved lettuce leaf structural development over successive cycles. These findings indicate that fish species selection plays a critical role in shaping nutrient dynamics and crop performance in tropical aquaponic systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enhancing Plant Quality and Sustainability in Aquaponics Systems)
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19 pages, 1012 KB  
Article
Physiological Stress, Yield, and N and P Use Efficiency in an Intensive Tomato–Tilapia Aquaponic System
by Jesús Josafat De león-Ramírez, Juan Fernando García-Trejo, Carlos Francisco Sosa-Ferreyra, Leticia Félix-Cuencas and Samuel López-Tejeida
Horticulturae 2025, 11(12), 1474; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11121474 - 6 Dec 2025
Viewed by 745
Abstract
Accelerated population growth has driven the search for efficient food production systems such as aquaponics, which integrates aquaculture and hydroponics in a closed-loop configuration. In conventional aquaculture and hydroponic systems, intensification often causes physiological stress, nutrient imbalances, and resource inefficiencies. This study tested [...] Read more.
Accelerated population growth has driven the search for efficient food production systems such as aquaponics, which integrates aquaculture and hydroponics in a closed-loop configuration. In conventional aquaculture and hydroponic systems, intensification often causes physiological stress, nutrient imbalances, and resource inefficiencies. This study tested the hypothesis that, in an intensive aquaponic configuration, the synergy between aquaculture and hydroponic modules helps mitigate stress, improve nutrient and water use efficiency, and sustain overall performance compared to stand-alone hydroponic and aquaculture systems. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions over three consecutive 180-day cycles, comparing an intensive aquaponic system with aquaculture and hydroponic modules. Tilapia in aquaponics showed 30% lower cortisol and 22% lower glucose (p < 0.05) than in aquaculture, indicating reduced stress. Tomatoes showed 25% higher catalase activity and 18% higher phenolic content (p < 0.05), reflecting moderate oxidative stress. Tilapia productivity reached 38.4 kg m−3 (+11.7%), tomato yield was 22.7% lower than in hydroponic conditions, and N–P use efficiencies were 23.3% and 20.7% (p < 0.05). Water use efficiency improved by 17.4%. Despite reduced plant growth, aquaponics decreased fish stress and enhanced nutrient recovery, supporting its potential as a sustainable, resource-efficient alternative for integrated food production under intensive conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enhancing Plant Quality and Sustainability in Aquaponics Systems)
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27 pages, 3567 KB  
Article
Exploring Salinity Tolerance in Three Halophytic Plants: Physiological and Biochemical Responses to Agronomic Management in a Half-Strength Seawater Aquaponics System
by Ayenia Carolina Rosales-Nieblas, Mina Yamada, Bernardo Murillo-Amador and Satoshi Yamada
Horticulturae 2025, 11(6), 623; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11060623 - 2 Jun 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2241
Abstract
Understanding halophyte responses to agronomic management in saline environments is crucial for optimizing their cultivation. This study assessed the physiological and biochemical responses of three halophytic species, ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.), romeritos (Suaeda edulis Flores Olv. and Noguez), and sea [...] Read more.
Understanding halophyte responses to agronomic management in saline environments is crucial for optimizing their cultivation. This study assessed the physiological and biochemical responses of three halophytic species, ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.), romeritos (Suaeda edulis Flores Olv. and Noguez), and sea asparagus (Salicornia europaea L.) cultivated in half-strength seawater aquaponics (approximately 250 mM NaCl) under the following rooting media treatments: (C) untreated rearing water (RW), (pH) pH-adjusted to 5.5 RW, (pH+S) pH-adjusted to 5.5 RW with nutrient supplementation, and (NS) standard nutrient solution + 5 mM NaCl. Salinity was the primary factor influencing plant responses, while agronomic management played a secondary role. Ice plants exhibited stable growth across treatments due to their strong succulence, high water content, and antioxidative system, requiring minimal management, though optimal pH may enhance nutrient availability. Romeritos showed high treatment variability yet maintained biomass production via Na+ compartmentalization, with C treatment supporting better osmotic regulation, while pH adjustments and mineral supplementation induced stress under HSW. Sea asparagus sustained growth across all treatments, likely due to effective K+ retention and osmoregulation, reducing the need for additional management. These findings highlight species-specific salinity tolerance mechanisms and suggest that minimal agronomic management can effectively support halophyte cultivation in saline aquaponic systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enhancing Plant Quality and Sustainability in Aquaponics Systems)
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