Planting Strategies for Lettuce in an Aquaponic-BFT System with Nile Tilapia

This study evaluated Lactuca sativa performance in an integrated aquaponic-biofloc system with Oreochromis niloticus using 500 L fish tanks, 100 L biofloc units, and NFT hydroponics under three planting strategies. The 30-day experiment showed no differences in water quality or fish performance among treatments. Treatment B (substrate without root cleaning) resulted in superior plant performance, with leaf height of 31.89 cm, lettuce productivity of 2.98 kg/m³, and highest system productivity of 8.15 kg/m³. Root-associated floc accumulation did not negatively affect growth. The integrated system proved efficient, and substrate use improved yield while reducing labor demands.