Optimizing Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Growth: Harnessing the Synergy of Aquaponics through a Split Root System
Integrating hemp cultivation with aquaponics presents a sustainable and efficient approach to enhancing plant growth while supporting fish cultivation. Since hemp’s legalization in the 2018 Farm Bill, there has been little research on indoor cultivation of hemp using aquaponics. This study investigates implementing a split root system with an aquaponics system for hemp cultivation to optimize nutrient absorption and overall plant health. It also explores research on the possibility of a dual decoupled and coupled aquaponics growing technique, known as a multiloop system. The split root system involves dividing the roots into two halves and submerging one half into one treatment bucket and the other half in another treatment bucket. Two controls of a single bucket, one with Hydroponic water and another with Fish water were used to compare growth. Throughout the experiment, plant growth was measured through kite measurements, pH, EC, and chlorophyll content. Post-harvest measurements such as fresh weight, dry weight, root weight, and root area were taken. A single cultivar, TJ’s CBD, will be used to analyze the effects of different root zone treatments. Since hemp recently became legal in the United States, there is almost no research on how hemp is cultivated. This study aims to investigate how well hemp grows in an aquaponics treatment.