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Aquaponics & Agricultural Benefits By Philippe Van Den Bossche

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

By Robbie Sutter


Crop growth is going to come about through a number of different processes and the tools used may be very common. For example, everyone knows just how much of an impact sunlight and water can have when it comes to standard growth. However, are there other processes which can come into play for greater agricultural progress? It's a field that Philippe van den Bossche has experience in, which is why I'd like to speak about a method that has been given the name of aquaponics.

According to an article on Mashable, aquaponics is a unique method that will be able to aid in the growth of plants. Basically, it involves the cultivation of plants and the growth of fish in the same body of water. As fish are able to create waste, the water is able to circulate said waste in order for it to be converted into nutritious feed that the plants would take in so that they could thrive. It was a method that Parcs Holman described as, "replicating nature."

This is not an entirely new process, though, as it has been one which has been around for quite some time. Plants and fish alike have been able to grow in the water together before but there is far more of a scientific approach seen here, as Philippe van den Bossche would be able to support. The system is one that relies on detail and it is a sensitive system to boot. Attention is the key point to consider and names the likes of Philippe understand that this is vital if chemical imbalances are not to be had.

One of the details that stood out the most to me was just how much water was able to reach the plants through this method. For example, if a standard watering method was utilized in order to let plants grow, only about 2 to 5 percent will make it onto them. With a detailed aquaponics scenario, though, water flows at such a continuous rate that instances like evaporation do not matter nearly as much. With several gallons of water being pumped, it's apparent that plants will have more than their needed amount of nourishment.

While not everyone will be able to grow and manage their own aquaponics greenhouse, the fact that work is being done in this regard is noteworthy. One would have to wonder how much more consistent the growth of crops can be with this method set in place. Could farming be made easier thanks to a system like this or is it nothing but a pipe dream? To me, aquaponics is the ideal marriage of traditional methods and more modern technology in order to create sustainable agriculture.




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