Article 3-4 I Work for the CityI work for the City of Elk City in Oklahoma. I am researching a potential project of beginning a hydroponics garden to be operated by the City. We have two potential sources of water and nutrients we are considering for the garden. We have two fish ponds that could be utilized and then the sewer lagoon gray water. What type plants would you recommend that could utilize these nutrients? What do you foresee as the pros and cons of such an operation? What aspects of the operations do you need to analyze before designing the scope of our operation? Any assistance you can give in researching this project would be greatly
appreciated. I look forward to hearing from you. Anita: Sounds like a worthwhile
enterprise. If you intend to have edible crops you would want to opt for the
fishponds. Leafy, low nitrogen requiring crops such as lettuce and basil are a
popular crop in aquaculture systems. The suitability of the water for plant
production is dependent on a number of factors such as the type of fish and fish
population density in the ponds. Other factors regarding the scope of the
project are: shelters such as greenhouses which may be required for plant
production; facilities and area required for the water treatment; seasonal
factors; availability of skilled labour; and marketability. The term for
integrated fish and plant production is typically coined "aquaponics".
The basic interaction can be best understood by studying the nitrogen cycle. As
for the gray water, there are plants which can help to treat and purify the
water. Trees such as willows, are able to live in saline conditions and
otherwise plant toxic environments. I am not to familiar with gray water and
plants, but suspect there are types of marsh grasses which could help to purify
the gray water. Using the principles of hydroponics I think that both endeavors
are achievable, but a study for feasibility must be completed. |
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