Residue from Açai Palm, Euterpe oleracea, as Substrate for Cilantro, Coriandrum sativum, Seedling Production in an Aquaponic System with Tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

This study examined the effects of using Euterpe oleracea residue as a substrate for Coriandrum sativum seedling production in an aquaponic system with tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum. The manuscript is generally fine, experimental design and rusults are ok, well, the conclusion may be more instructive if some regression analysis is made.  Some typos need to be treated.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Point 1: This study examined the effects of using Euterpe oleracea residue as a substrate for Coriandrum sativum seedling production in an aquaponic system with tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum. The manuscript is generally fine, experimental design and rusults are ok, well, the conclusion may be more instructive if some regression analysis is made.  Some typos need to be treated.

Response 1: We would like to thanks reviewer 1 by the comments and we carried out regression analysis as suggested, however, r was low (< 0.4). Therefore we prefer to use ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test for comparisons among treatments.

 

Point 2: 50% is missed

Response 2: It was included as indicated by reviewer

 

Point 3: It is not always soilless.

Response 3: According to Simon Goddek aquaponic production systems are soilless….(Goddek, Simon, et al. Aquaponics food production systems: combined aquaculture and hydroponic production technologies for the future. Springer Nature, 2019). Growth media or substrate can be used, but it is not soil…..as cited by other authors.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Abstract

15-16 True, but the sentense is unclear. Divide into two sentences and explain clearly.

21 The experiment was very short.

 

Introduction

38-40 The concenpt has been tested in many occasions but it has rarely been successful.

49 ([4])-> [4]

58 [9,10];, -> [9,10],

60 chemical -> nutrient

62 are -> were

 

M&M

77-78 Add surface are of the palstic cups in the biofilter, as given by the manufacturer.

How the nutrient analyses were performed and where? Explain the used methods and equipment. ICP-OES? List their limits of detection/ quantification.

Similarly, explain clearly the methods used for blood analysis.

 

Results

Figure 2: Consider adding colors for clarity.

Did you taste the fish? Did you observe off-flavor in fish flesh?

 

Discussion

188 But the optimum pH for the biofilters is at about 8. 

The discussion section is very short and remains thin in contents. Additionally, the conclusions section is missing. This would definitely be useful in listing the main findings and suggestions for furter studies.

The number of references is suitable and consists of recent studies.

 

Author Response

We would like to thanks reviewer 2 by the comments to improve our manuscript.

Point 1: Abstract

15-16 True, but the sentense is unclear. Divide into two sentences and explain clearly

Response 1: We corrected sentences 15 and 16, splitting them. “The production of high-quality seedlings is important to achieve better productivity in horticulture. Despite being well developed in conventional agriculture, there are few studies on aquaponic systems” 

 

Point 2: 21 The experiment was very short.

 

Response 2: The experiment lasted the entire seedling production phase, when 3 leaves appeared. In the Amazon environment this is fast, occurring in 18 days. This experimental period was similar to our previous study on Amazonian shrimp published in a high impact journal (Sterzelecki, Fábio Carneiro, et al. "Effects of hydroponic supplementation on Amazon river prawn (Macrobrachium amazonicum Heller, 1862) and lettuce seedling (Lactuca sativa L.) development in aquaponic system." Aquaculture 543 (2021): 736916.

 

Point 3: Introduction

38-40 The concenpt has been tested in many occasions but it has rarely been successful.

Response 3: Previous studies on aquaponic production have shown technical feasibility, however, sometimes economic feasibility is not achieved, mainly due to small-scale production (Goddek, Simon, et al. Aquaponic food production systems: combined aquaculture technologies and hydroponic production for the future. Springer Nature, 2019). Our previous studies in the Amazon basin pointed out advantages to integrate the recirculation aquaculture system with hydroponic (= aquaponic) production. The development of new technologies in aquaponic system are necessary to reduce production costs and monetize the activity.

 

Point  4: 49 ([4])-> [4]

Response 4: Corrected as suggested

 

Point  5: 58 [9,10];, -> [9,10],

Response 5: Corrected as suggested

 

Point  6:  60 chemical -> nutrient

Response 6: Corrected as suggested

 

Point  7: 62 are -> were

Response 7: Corrected as suggested

 

M&M

Point  8: 77-78 Add surface are of the palstic cups in the biofilter, as given by the manufacturer.

Response 8: Corrected as suggested

Point  9: How the nutrient analyses were performed and where? Explain the used methods and equipment. ICP-OES? List their limits of detection/ quantification.

Response 9- Corrected as suggested

 

Point  10: Similarly, explain clearly the methods used for blood analysis.

Response 10- Corrected as suggested

 

Results

Point  11: Figure 2: Consider adding colors for clarity.

Response 11- Corrected as suggested

Point  12: Did you taste the fish? Did you observe off-flavor in fish flesh?

Response 12- No, we did not eat the experimental fish from this study, but from the other experiments we have ate and no off-flavor were observed.  

Discussion

Point  13: 188 But the optimum pH for the biofilters is at about 8. 

Response 13- This pH range (8) is normally maintained in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems for bacteria nitrification, however in aquaponic system, a neutral to slight acid water is needed for plant nutrition (goddek 2019)

 

Point  14: The discussion section is very short and remains thin in contents. Additionally, the conclusions section is missing. This would definitely be useful in listing the main findings and suggestions for furter studies.

Response 14- The discussion section was improved and a conclusion section was included as suggested.

Point  15: The number of references is suitable and consists of recent studies.

Response 15- Thank you for your considerations.  

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

The authors have responded to reviewers´ questions and comments and made changes based on them. In my opinion, the ms can be accepted.