Aquaponics Digest - Sat 03/21/98
Message 1: Re: Seaweed Extract addition for aquaponics systems
from Gordon Watkins
Message 2: Small Systems
from S & S Aqua Farm
.------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------.
| Message 1 |
'------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------'
Subject: Re: Seaweed Extract addition for aquaponics systems
From: Gordon Watkins
Date: Sat, 21 Mar 1998 15:35:59 -0600
John,
You've touched on some of the controversies surrounding the
agricultural usage of seaweed concentrates.
I'm not sure just what enzymes are found in seaweed. I can't put my
hands on the Maxicrop literature just now but it is a listed ingredient.
Algamin contains 30 ppm abscissic acid, 40 ppm cytokinin, 70 ppm indole
acetic acid and "high levels" of vitamins and minerals.
My sense from using kelp products for many years is that because the
active ingredients are found in very low concentrations, the effects of
their use is subtle. I foliar test my blueberries annually and I've
never seen elevated levels of micronutrients, even after heavy foliar
applications of kelp and other products, but I have noticed that in the
occassional year when I haven't used seaweed, the plants don't seem as
vigorous or vibrant. I've never noticed any of the undesirable effects
that you mention. This is just anecdotal evidence, but it's sufficient
for me to continue its use on a commercial scale. Using it in an
aquaponic system however, may be very different. After trying it out on
some goldfish for a week, I added Algamin to my system last night, so
I'll let you know if I see any effects.
I use seaweed concentrates more as preventatives than as a major source
of nutrients. I find that it improves the plants' resistance to and
tolerance of insects, disease, and low temperatures.
Incidentally, I also feed kelp meal to my livestock as a
vitamin/mineral supplement.
Regards,
Gordon
John Shannonhouse wrote:
>
>
> People have been writing about enzymes being added to a growing
> system in seaweed extracts. Exactly what kind of enzymes are supposedly
> being added? I cannot think of any benefit any kind of enzyme would
> provide just floating around in the fish tank and hydroponic beds.
>
> < and cytokinins>>
> Is it such a good idea to be adding plant hormones to your growth
> beds without knowing their relative concentrations and activities?
> Different plant hormones also stimulate growth in different (not always
> desirable) ways. You could cause your plants to waste a lot of energy
> growing long roots and shoots with giberellic acid or cause a plant to have
> trouble telling up from down with auxin.
> Just something to keep in mind.
> John Shannonhouse
.------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------.
| Message 2 |
'------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------'
Subject: Small Systems
From: S & S Aqua Farm
Date: Sat, 21 Mar 1998 20:49:54 -0600
To the group - posting this as an introduction, and welcome
comments/suggestions to those of you who have systems of similar size. Paula
>From: PattyRagen
>Date: Sat, 21 Mar 1998 21:27:29 EST
>To: snsaquasys@townsqr.com
>Subject: Subscribe Aquaponics Mailing List
>
>I would like to subscribe to the mailing list. My daughter and I are
>interested in building a (very) small aquaponics system using tilapia (prob. a
>30 gal tank) and herbs. I am looking forward to this wonderful learning
>experience for both of us.
>
>Sincerely,
>Patricia M. Ragen
-------------------------------------------------------
>
S&S Aqua Farm, 8386 County Road 8820, West Plains, MO 65775 417-256-5124
Web page http://www.townsqr.com/snsaqua/
|
