Progress 09/01/17 to 04/30/20
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience reached by our efforts during this reporting period were limited to our collaborating Phase I team members, our Phase I Larta Commercialization Advisor, our collaborating CRADA team member Dr. Marisa Wall, Director, USDA ARS Daniel K. Inouye Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, Hilo, and our planned Phase II team members including our TABA commercialization advisors at Dawnbreaker, Inc. Changes/Problems:Project changes/problems and corrective actions were identified and explained in the project's two approved requests for 12 month no-cost extensions of time. In the first year, the delayed 2017 Phase I starting date of mid-September resulted in our missing the planned summer growing season for our comparative plant growth trials and assessment of potential plant heat stress resulting from differing raft colors during the hot summer months. In addition, pre-project leafy green screening trials conducted in HFC's existing DWC grow beds did not result in the identification of a consistently high performing leafy green for use in our comparative growth trials due to slow growth and insect infestations. To address this situation, our horticultural advisors recommended that we construct elevated grow DWC beds in a more favorable growing area of our farm to better support our Phase I comparative growth trials. Purpose-built elevated DWR grow beds were designed and constructed specifically for HFC's aquaponic research and comparative production trials but further delayed the implementation of our Phase I work plan. During the second year, a longer than anticipated time was required to colonize the volcanic cinder biofilter, to balance water flow and aeration inputs and the pH and nutrients of the system for favorable plant growth, and, ultimately, to add a floating biomedia filter tank to gain better control over the DO and ammonia in the system. It also took multiple preliminary growth trials to evaluate seven potential lettuce varietals and shade cloth densities to determine the most appropriate varietals and shade cloth density for the comparative growth trials. In addition, our two collaborating commercial farms encountered major unanticipated problems during the second year. Specifically, Day2 Resources, located in the Puna District of the Big Island, was completely overrun by lava during the May 2018 lava flow event and was no longer available to participate in our Trial 5 validation effort. Subsequently, the owner/operator of Ili'ili farms in Waianae, Oahu's leading DWR aquaponics farm and the second planned participant in Trial 5, suffered a debilitating stroke and had to close his farm. To address this unanticipated problems and complete the Phase I field research work plan, HFC conducted two back-to-back commercial-scale validation growth trials at HFC's purpose built DWC aquaponics facility which was designed and operated in the same manner as Ili'ili farm's larger commercial operation. In the end, all problems were addressed without any major changes to the approach. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Each of the six proposed objectives were successfully addressed in the Phase I research effort collectively demonstrarting the feasibility of Hawaii Fish Company's innovative manufactured aquaponics raft concept. Objective 1 - The homemade rafts fabricated from expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation boards were found to have the highest water absorption after a single simulated production cycle, increasing over 300% in weight and exhibiting a maximum loading rate of only 5.9 kg (13 lbs) before breaking. Homemade extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation board rafts had a much lower water absorption rate and higher maximum load capacity but due to the mandatory fire retardants, are not suitable for planned aquaponic raft manufacture. Hot wire-cut EPS rafts exhibited decreasing water absorption with increasing density and thickness. Molded EPS rafts of similar or higher density absorbed less water and supported a greater maximum load for a comparative thickness. The linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) rafts absorbed no water but were heavier and more costly. The freeboard of all rafts under a simulated 8.16 kg (18 lb) load exhibited decreased freeboard. Objective 2 - Cohort 1 was a preliminary test run to determine the abundance of target bacteria on the upper and lower surfaces of five raft materials before and after a simulated growth cycle and again after washing and sanitation. Generic E. coli showed a substantial number of readable samples and was selected as a parameter to monitor. Total coliforms were usually "too numerous to count" but present in nearly all samples and a useful parameter for comparative purposes. Cohorts 2 and 3 were the core of the trials, testing top and submerged surfaces of raft samples after a simulated growth period, and again after washing and a chlorine sanitation rinse. Total coliforms and generic E. coli were present in countable numbers on the top and submerged surfaces of all test discs prior to sanitation. The sanitation rinse largely eliminated the generic E. coli on the surfaces of all treatments, and significantly reduced the total coliform counts. Cohort 4 tested the top surfaces of the four target raft materials exposed to a lettuce crop for a growth cycle to determine the effect of lettuce on the bacterial colonization of the top food contact surface. Generic E. coli were present in very low numbers in all treatments with total coliforms being variable according to treatment. Cohorts 5 and 6 tested the top surfaces of the four raft materials for total coliforms and generic E. coli before and after 48-hr desiccation, and, concurrently, tested additional samples with the 3M Clean?Trace battery-operated Luminometer and Adenosine Tri-Phosphate (ATP) surface swabs for real time determination of comparative ATP levels before and after 48-hour desiccation. In all cases, both the bacterial counts and ATP levels were significantly reduced after the 48-hour desiccation treatment. Together, these trials provided meaningful comparative data on bacterial colonization of top and submerged surfaces of five raft materials and confirmed the effectiveness of a chlorine rinse and 48-hour desiccation for sanitation of each. Objective 3 - The first trial tested the effect of raft thickness on the growth of two lettuce cultivars, Salvius, a Romaine lettuce, and Muir a summer crisp leaf lettuce. ANOVA tests were run to analyze the difference in lettuce leaf weight. The Muir cultivar leaf weight was significantly greater with the top performing treatment (p-value < 0.01). The other two treatments were not significantly different. The Salvius cultivar showed no significant leaf weight differences between treatments. Two subsequent trials used only the Muir cultivar and compared the effect of modified bottom and hole shape with rafts having a typical flat bottom surface and traditional cylindrical holes. In the first trial, there was no significant difference in Muir lettuce yields between modified rafts and the control (p-value = 0.61). In the second trial, the modified rafts exhibited a significantly greater lettuce yield (p-value < 0.01). Together, the results indicate that raft thickness and bottom and hole shape can affect produce growth but may vary by plant species and cultivar, and perhaps seasonally. Objective 4 -The surface temperature and reflected photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) values measured demonstrated clear differences between color treatments. The raft color growth trial consisted of five colored agricultural mulches plus an uncovered EPS control. ANOVA tests were run to analyze the difference in lettuce leaf weight. In two successive growth trials, Muir yields showed a significant difference in leaf weight based on raft color (p-value < 0.01). Together, the results of these measurements and growth trials demonstrated that colored raft surfaces provide clear differences in surface temperature and reflected PAR and a significant difference in leaf weight based on raft color. However, the results were variable between the two repeated growth trials indicating that there may be a seasonal difference. Objective 5 -In HFC's preliminary prototype comparison trial, there was a significant difference in lettuce yields (p-value < 0.01) with modified rafts covered with a top performing mulch compared to the EPS control. This increase in growth performance clearly demonstrated the feasibility of HFC's innovative manufactured aquaponics raft technology. Objective 6 - The HFC team conducted a preliminary economic analysis of the North American and global aquaponics market and a SWOT analysis of the proposed manufactured aquaponic raft in light of the results of Objectives 1-5. The economic analysis confirmed that aquaponics remains a rapidly emerging agricultural industry that is poised to provide a highly sustainable and profitable means of producing locally-grown, nutritious food. Current professional market analyses indicate that the global aquaponics market is expected to reach USD 1.34 billion by the end of 2024 and record a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.4% from 2019 to 2024 (Trent, 2020). The majority (77%) of commercial aquaponics farmers worldwide utilize DWC systems with floating rafts (Love, et al., 2014). The North American aquaponics market is expected to dominate the global aquaponics market due to increasing demand of organic food and adaption of modern farming techniques (Market Research Future, 2020). HFC's SWOT analysis highlighted the significant opportunity existing with the rapidly emerging aquaponic market and the strength of HFC's team, experience, and facilities. It also recognized the challenges of manufacture and distribution inherent to Hawaii's remote mid-Pacific location, justifying the need for HFC's planned licensing approach. The analysis also identified the potential threats from imported products and recently introduced products. However, HFC has taken the important research and development steps to assess and address the grower's needs, food safety compliance, and produce growth optimization. HFC is therefore very well positioned to take advantage of this market opportunity with the company's innovative manufactured raft technology.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/17 to 08/31/18
Outputs
Target Audience:
Nothing Reported
Changes/Problems:The delayed start date affected the initial timing of the project but this was addressed with the approval of a 12-month no-cost extension of time. Two preliminary lettuce growth trials were impacted by two successive hurricanes/tropical storms to date in 2018 during which the plants had to be moved to a safe location to protect from wind and rain damage, but this caused some root dmageand may have impacted the final trial results. Nevertheless, these trials provided beneficial data and such interruptions are part of farming and field research. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two research team members participated in a controlled environment agriculture training at the University of Hawaii Manoa, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Waimanalo Field Station, reviewing the pros and cons of various insect mesh sizes, hoop house and greenhouse structures, and integrated pest management optionsfor Hawaii's yearround tropical and subtropical growing environment. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The research team will continue with the Phase I work plan and complete all six proposed goals and objectives.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Research is currently in progress: Objective 1 - All test raft materials have been obtained, prepared, initial weights recorded, and are currently in 42 day water absorptionperiod prior to final weighing and three-point flexural strength trial to determine water absorption and strength properties of each after a typical lettuce production cycle time period. Objective 2 - All test materials have been obtained and prepared, water samples from three potential water sources have been tested to determine the best for the bacterial colinization and washing and sanitation trial, and all bacterial sample collection protocols have been finalized and all necessary laboratory supplies are in hand and the trial is ready to begin witin the next day or two, weather conditions permitting. Objective 3 - Preliminary trials to test and determine appropriate lettuce variatals for the growth trial and initial raft thickness trials for root submergence are currently in progressand willinformthe final designs for the bottom shape and hole shape trials. Objective 4 - All test materials have been obtained anda preliminary colored raft surface termperatures trial is currently in progresswhichwill inform the final experimental design of the subsequent growth trial. Objective 5 - This will follow completion of Objectives 1-4. Objective 6 - This will follow completion of Objectives 1-5.
Publications
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