P-01-06-003
Evaluation of a polyculture system utilizing several plant species to enhance phosporous and nitrogen removal from freshwater salmon farm effluent

This project is intended to determine the effectiveness of a pilot wasabi/poplar or wasabi/grass system in reducing total phosphorus and nitrogen levels in effluent water from the Brumar freshwater salmon farm. The project will monitor growth and survivability of wasabi and hybrid poplar or grasses grown in hydroponics (wasabi) or soil (poplar and grass) at the Brumar freshwater salmon farm, evaluate commercial potential of growing wasabi in conjunction with BC-based freshwater salmon farms and investigate food safety issues regarding use of effluent from freshwater salmon farms and commercial hydroponic crops.

The activities carried out will include establishing base data nutrient levels in effluent water from a land-base fish farm, the effectiveness of plant species such as hybrid poplar and forage grasses to reduce nutrient levels in discharge water from a land-base fish farm, base data nutrient uptake by wasabi grown in a hydroponic system, and by hybrid poplar and forage grasses using discharge water from a freshwater fish farm, information on growth, survival, commercial quality and economic viability of wasabi grown in a hydroponic system irrigated with discharge water from a land-base fish farm, basic information of food safety of Wasabi japonica grown in a hydroponic system using discharge water from a land-base fish farm, and preliminary information for the design of a commercial facility to produce wasabi in a hydroponic system using discharge water from a land-base fish farm.

Project Start Date: April 1, 2002

Project Completion Date: March 31, 2004

For further information please contact: Regional ACRDP Coordinator: Jerry Corriveau (E-mail: CorriveauJ@pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca).