Duckweed , classified in the family Lemnaceae, is flowering aquatic plant which floats near the surface of still or slow-moving bodies of fresh water. These plants are very simple, lacking an obvious stem or leaves. The greater part of each plant is a small organized frond structure only a few cells thick, often with air pockets that allow it to float on or just under the water surface. Depending on the species each plant may have no root or may have one or more simple rootlets.
Reproduction is mostly by asexual budding, which occurs from a meristem enclosed at the base of the frond. Occasionally three tiny flowers consisting of two stamens and a pistil are produced, by which sexual reproduction occurs.
Duckweed is an important high-protein food source for fish, waterfowl and humans. As it contains more protein than soybeans, it is sometimes cited as a significant potential food source. In the wild, these tiny plants provide cover for fry of many aquatic species, providing sufficent underwater shade to reduce growth of photoautotrophic algae.
The plants can provide nitrate removal, if cropped, and the duckweed is important in the process of bioremediation because it grows rapidly, absorbing excess mineral nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphates. For these reasons duckweed is touted as a water purifier of untapped value.
These plants also may play a role in conservation of water because a cover of duckweed will reduce evaporation of water when compared to the rate of a similar size water body with a clear surface.
Duckweed is well known as a good replacement for the 'pellet' based fish food that is normally used in an aquaponics system. Due to its protein content, it has also been used as feed for ducks and chickens with great success.
Growing aquaponics duckweed is a relatively easy task. Basically, all you need is a container. The actual depth is not important as it tends to float at the surface of the water. Duckweed thrives best at 18 -30 degrees celsius. If you happen to grow too much aquaponics duckweed then you can dry it out and drain it properly to be frozen and stored. This is a technique commercially used to create duckweed pellets for fish food. For storage in a freezer all you have to do is compress the duckweed and put it in simple plastic bags.
Reproduction is mostly by asexual budding, which occurs from a meristem enclosed at the base of the frond. Occasionally three tiny flowers consisting of two stamens and a pistil are produced, by which sexual reproduction occurs.
Duckweed is an important high-protein food source for fish, waterfowl and humans. As it contains more protein than soybeans, it is sometimes cited as a significant potential food source. In the wild, these tiny plants provide cover for fry of many aquatic species, providing sufficent underwater shade to reduce growth of photoautotrophic algae.
The plants can provide nitrate removal, if cropped, and the duckweed is important in the process of bioremediation because it grows rapidly, absorbing excess mineral nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphates. For these reasons duckweed is touted as a water purifier of untapped value.
These plants also may play a role in conservation of water because a cover of duckweed will reduce evaporation of water when compared to the rate of a similar size water body with a clear surface.
Duckweed is well known as a good replacement for the 'pellet' based fish food that is normally used in an aquaponics system. Due to its protein content, it has also been used as feed for ducks and chickens with great success.
Growing aquaponics duckweed is a relatively easy task. Basically, all you need is a container. The actual depth is not important as it tends to float at the surface of the water. Duckweed thrives best at 18 -30 degrees celsius. If you happen to grow too much aquaponics duckweed then you can dry it out and drain it properly to be frozen and stored. This is a technique commercially used to create duckweed pellets for fish food. For storage in a freezer all you have to do is compress the duckweed and put it in simple plastic bags.