Nitrogen Dynamics in Modular Sustainable Agricultural Systems (MISAS): Implications for Nutrient Balance in Aquaponics.

• Grant number: 25/24091-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: February 01, 2026
• End date: June 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Fishery Resources and Fishery Engineering - Aquaculture
• Principal Investigator: Brunno da Silva Cerozi
• Grantee: Josué Wenceslau de Oliveira Neto
• Supervisor: Kevin M Fitzsimmons
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Arizona, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 24/19461-2 - Integrated nutritional management in aquaponic systems: modulating nitrogen excretion through specific dietary strategies, BP.MS

Abstract

The growth in global population is intensifying pressure on food production and agricultural intensification, exposing the environmental issues associated with traditional production systems. In this context, sustainable practices like aquaponics, which integrates fish and plant production in recirculating systems, have gained increasing importance. However, nutrient deficiencies and nitrate accumulation in the nutrient solution are recurrent challenges in aquaponics. In addition to feed formulation and nutritional management strategies, the incorporation of different trophic levels represents a promising approach to overcome these constraints and enhance the productivity, resilience, and sustainability of the system. A notable example of such an integrated and innovative production model is the MISAS (Modular Integrated Sustainable Agricultural Systems), which efficiently connects different production chains, optimizes resource use, and promotes circular economy. Thus, by studying the nitrogen flow in the MISAS, it is expected to identify key processes that can improve nutrient use efficiency in aquaponics, helping to correct existing nutritional imbalances. (AU)