Potential for Combined Biocontrol Activity against Fungal Fish and Plant Pathogens by Bacterial Isolates from a Model Aquaponic System

Abstract

Abstract:One of the main challenges in aquaponics is disease control. One possible solution for this is biological control with organisms exerting inhibitory effects on fish and plant pathogens. The aim of this study was to examine the potential of isolating microorganisms that exert an inhibitory effect on both plant and fish pathogens from an established aquaponic system. We obtained 924 isolates on selective King's B agar and 101 isolates on MRS agar from different compartments of a model aquaponic system and tested them for antagonism against the plant pathogen Pythium ultimum and fish pathogen Saprolegnia parasitica. Overall, 42 isolates were able to inhibit both fungi.Although not yet tested in vivo, these findings open new options for the implementation of biological control of diseases in aquaponics, where plants and fish are cultivated in the same water recirculating system.

Economically viable aquaponics? Identifying the gap between potential and current uncertainties

“…There is also the challenge of pest and disease control management for keeping pests away from crops without removing the functional and beneficial bacteria, which was the focus of at least 14 publications (Vermeulen & Kamstra ; Sirakov et al . ; Yildiz et al ., , among others). All of the above technical improvements have direct implications on production cost, as emphasised by the comprehensive three‐part article by Palm et al .…”

Risk of Human Pathogen Internalization in Leafy Vegetables During Lab-Scale Hydroponic Cultivation

“…Despite a growing body of research on plant protection, there are currently no studies on the use of beneficial bacteria or fungi to suppress the growth of human pathogens in and on crops in hydroponic systems. The biological control of fish and plant pathogens has been attempted in aquaponics [88]. Of the 924 bacterial isolates from the aquaponics system itself, 42 isolates were able to suppress the plant disease Pythium ultimum and fish oomycete pathogen Saprolegnia parasitica in vitro.…”

Sustainable Seafood and Vegetable Production: Aquaponics as a Potential Opportunity in Urban Areas

“…Pests and pathogens include plant pests (e.g., aphids, spider mites), microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, fungi), fish parasites (e.g., monogenea, cestoda), and viruses (Goddek et al 2015). One study isolated 42 microorganisms that exerted inhibitory effects on plant and fish pathogens in an established aquaponic system and validated the implementation of biological control of pathogens in closed-loop aquaponic systems (Sirakov et al 2016). Fox et al (2012) found very low levels of generic Escherichia coli or undetectable E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella.…”

“…The spread of potentially harmful materials between species is a significant concern in a closed-loop system such as aquaponics (Sirakov et al 2016). Microbial communities are essential in closed-loop aquaponic systems because they are responsible for transforming fish waste into nitrites and nitrates that can be utilized by plants (Goddek et al 2015).…”

“…However, this can analyze only a short range of microbial pathogens, and a deep microbial profile using modern metagenomic approaches is necessary. One study isolated 42 microorganisms that exerted inhibitory effects on plant and fish pathogens in an established aquaponic system and validated the implementation of biological control of pathogens in closed-loop aquaponic systems (Sirakov et al 2016).…”