Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I would appreciate some advice on crop rotation in an aquaponic system. I'm a backyard veggie grower of probably 25years experience. I've always grown using organic principles which includes a 6 bed crop rotation to discourage pests and disease.

Do aquaponic growers use any similar method.

Not needed as the nutrients are constantly renewed

Crop rotation is also about pest and disease control.
It is a good question. I have asked my plant pathologist friends who are also aquaponistas and they think that the question is a good one as well. They think that the grow bed environment may not be suitable for the carry over of many pathogens in sufficient quantity to cause a problem. However there are many water borne pathogens such as pythium and phytophthora that may be an issue. There are no reports of problems but time will tell.

I don't think crop rotation is a bad idea in AP...

It's certainly not needed for a nutrient/element depletion standpoint...

But could have some relation to pathogens.... although because we recirculate... crop rotation alone probably wouldn't counter the problem...

I do however, in larger systems... often leave a grow bed (in rotation)... fallow for a while... and/or clean the media....

Partly for mineralisation... partly for maintenance....

Most people and systems... probably wont have that luxury though...

Both are water borne, so if you get either, they will be throughout the entire system anyway. IMO crop rotation would be of no use in that regard.

Agree Mr D but I think in that case you would "rotate" out of the system the plants that are suceptable and only plant non-suceptable plants.

It looks like a good idea to rotate to me, mostly to stem boredom with the same old vegetables!