Grant-funded aquaponics project explores brackish water possibilities for tomatoes
Large aquaponics tank at VSU Randolph Farm.
Virginia State University (VSU) will conduct research investigating tomato growth and nutraceutical qualities within brackish water (5 ppt) aquaponic systems. Dr. Nicholas Romano, VSU’s Aquaculture Extension Specialist, along with Mr. Joshua Dusci, VSU’s Indoor Agriculture Extension Associate, received a grant for $38,000 from the Virginia Department of Consumer Services to develop the project in collaboration with VSU’s Virginia Cooperative Extension counterpart, Virginia Tech (VT).
As a coastal state, some producers have small amounts of brackish water in their groundwater. “There might be low amounts of salt in producers’ groundwater,” explains Dr. Romano. “Some of them have been advised to install reverse osmosis filters, which are expensive and upwards of $20,000, and potentially unnecessary.” Dr. Romano suggests there might be benefits to growing produce some crops through aquaponic systems with brackish water. Anecdotal evidence and past research indicate that tomatoes grown with brackish water may taste sweeter while some fish also benefit from slightly saline water. If so, a favorable taste could justify the higher prices producers generally charge for aquaponic products and bring customers back for more. This two-month study will begin over the summer within the Hydroponic and Aquaculture Demonstration Greenhouse at VSU’s Randolph Farm.
For this study, Dr. Romano and his team will grow two cherry tomato varieties along with Nile tilapia within the six replicated Deep-Water Culture (DWC) aquaponic systems at VSU: three systems will be run under fresh water conditions (< 1 ppt) and three under brackish water conditions (5 ppt). After the growing season, VT’s labs will test the biochemical composition of the tomatoes, including nutrients, vitamins, and sugar content. The flavor profile may be favorable and, therefore, marketable. “It’s like making lemonade from lemons,” says Dr. Romano. “It’s possible our research will reveal that if someone happens to have water with a slight influx of brackish water, it won’t be a dealbreaker in terms of producing food with aquaponics but rather could provide an opportunity.”
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