The integration of aquatic animals and horticultural production through aquaponics has been recently studied and endorsed by scientists as a real, sustainable solution to optimize the reuse of nutrient and water resources in food production. The present study (HortiMED H2020 PRIMA Project-Grant Number 1915), conducted in three plastic greenhouses at El-Kanater Research Station in Egypt, has gone one step beyond aquaponics by evaluating the feasibility of combining integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA) with hydroponic horticultural production using the nutrient film technique (NFT) and floating raft systems (FRS) to maximize nutrient cycling resulting from cultured aquatic animals.

A primary challenge for the horticultural industry is to ensure high yield and product quality while using resources in an efficient and sustainable way