Effects of cutting on vegetative development and biomass quality of perennial halophytes grown in saline aquaponics

ABSTRACT The cultivation of vascular plants in aquaculture is becoming increasingly important and saline aquaponics have been centered on with a short life cycle (i.e. annual species). However, the perennial halophytes can allow to produce biomass year-round by repeated cuttings regrowth. present study evaluated effects different cutting regimes growth tissue nitrogen uptake halophyte Paspalum vaginatum Salicornia neei cultivated aquaponics. Clarified water from Litopenaeus vannamei was used as main source nutrients grow established Nutrient Film Technique (NFT). In each trial (28 days), three groups 22 were NFT benches subjected no cutting, one harvest two harvests. Cutting applied both halophytic species did not affect quality recirculating water. Tillering stem elongation P. had increasing trends augment frequency. cut at 28-day intervals produced larger number marketable size branches less lignified shoots than non-cut branchy every 14 days, which showed smallest branch size. Individual S. took up their tissues between 2.27-2.45 mg/day N 4.59-6.43 N, respectively. statistically accumulation either species. One treatment, 28 considered most suitable practice for production halophytes.