Aquaponic Growing System Benefits from Compost Tea

Effects of molasses and compost tea as foliar spray on water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) in aquaponics system
International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies 2017
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         A group of brainy botanists from Bangladesh wondered if they could improve the yield of their water spinach crop by supplementing plants with foliar sprays.  The crop is grown in a recirculating hydroponic system using a NFT design (Nutrient Film Technique)  which flows shallow water  over the plant's root.  The effluent of is then  returned to a reservoir which contains fish, in this case tilapia.  The fish's waste becomes plant food through a microbial process called nitrification.  There are limitations to growing certain plants aquaponically, as the nutrient levels must remain low enough to ensure the health of the fish.  The use of supplemental foliar sprays is used to introduce essential nutrients that might be in limited supply. 
        The scientists in this case wanted to see if there was benefit to using a simple aerated compost tea. In the experiment, they sprayed spinach with either aerated compost tea, a molasses solution, or just plain water.   They found that the spinach grown with the compost tea  spray was significantly heavier than spinach grown with the molasses spray, and well more so than the spinach sprayed only with water.  The experiment showed that compost tea has a place in emerging aquaponic technology.   

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