Exploring the impact of fish effluents as organic fertilisers on the growth and yield of soil-grown bok choy and turnip

Fruscella, Lorenzo and Kotzen, Benz (2025) Exploring the impact of fish effluents as organic fertilisers on the growth and yield of soil-grown bok choy and turnip. ECOCYCLES, 11 (1). pp. 83-93. ISSN 24162140

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Abstract

Whilst livestock manure is allowed and indeed encouraged as a fertiliser in organic arable crop production in Europe, the use of effluents from aquaculture farms is not permitted under the current European regulatory framework, Council Regulation (EU) 2018/848. In this study, the effects of two types of fish effluents – fish water and fish sludge – from an aquaponic system were tested on the yields of bok choy (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis) and turnip (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa) grown in certified subsoil and compared with the use of composted horse manure as fertiliser. The results for both crops demonstrate a good performance of fish effluents, and especially fish sludge, compared with livestock manure, and this puts into question the continued prohibition of the use of fish effluents in organic agriculture in the European Union. This research provides critical insights into the viability of fish effluents as sustainable fertilisers in organic crop production. The findings advocate for a reconsideration of the current regulatory framework, promoting the integration of aquaponics in organic farming systems, which could enhance resource efficiency and reduce environmental impacts.

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