TY - JOUR AU - Akter, Shamima AU - Bablee, Alif Layla AU - Rana, KM Shakil AU - Nigar, Mahbuba AU - Nadia, Zubyda Mushtari AU - Salam, MA PY - 2020/04/08 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - Effects of foliar and root application of epsom salt on aquaponics beetroot (Beta vulgaris) production in confined condition JF - Asian Journal of Medical and Biological Research JA - Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. VL - 6 IS - 1 SE - Articles DO - 10.3329/ajmbr.v6i1.46479 UR - https://www.banglajol.info/index.php/AJMBR/article/view/46479 SP - 56-66 AB - <p>The study was conducted to evaluate the impact of epsom salt, rich in magnesium and sulfur content beneficial to plant, on beetroot production in aquaponics system. Media based aquaponics systems (nine units) were employed for beetroot and tilapia culture where three treatments T<sub>1</sub>, T<sub>2</sub> and T<sub>0</sub> were applied with three replications (R<sub>1</sub>, R<sub>2</sub>, and R<sub>3</sub>) each. Epsom salt was applied in T<sub>1</sub> as foliar spray in the form of 5% solution in each replication, whereas same amount of epsom salt (5 g) was directly applied on vegetable bed in T<sub>2</sub> as root application. But in control (T<sub>0</sub>) no epsom salt was used. Beetroot saplings were planted in retrospect at a rate of two saplings per growbed (replication). After thirty days, plants grew enough to support the water clarification in aquaponics, ten tilapia fry were stocked per tank (90 L) in each replication. Fish were fed commercial floating feed containing 30% protein. Although the fish growth parameters in three treatments were statistically similar, the highest mean length gain, weight gain, specific growth rate and fish production were found 5.11±1.64 cm, 30.16±0.11 g, 0.39±0.01 %/day and 26.27±2.47 tons/ha/60 days respectively in T1 followed by T<sub>2</sub> and T<sub>0</sub>. However, response of beetroots to different treatments was statistically different. The highest average leaf area (69.79 ± 0.48 cm<sup>2</sup>), length of root (31.03±0.43 cm), weight of root (21.17±1.92 g), and production of beetroot 8.67±1.54 tons/ha/90 days were found in T<sub>1</sub> followed by T<sub>2</sub> and T<sub>0</sub>. Harvesting time was also reduced in epsom salt based aquaponics system. The overall production of beetroot and tilapia was higher in T<sub>1</sub> (foliar spray) than T<sub>2</sub> (root application) and T<sub>0</sub> (control). Thus, the study signifies the potentialities of epsom salt in aquaponics vegetable production. However, further research is needed to verify the dose response to epsom salt in aquaponics system.</p><p>Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. March 2020, 6(1): 56-66</p> ER -