We evaluated the water characteristics and particle sedimentation in Macrobrachium amazonicum (Heller 1862) grow-out ponds supplied with a high inflow of nutrient-rich water. Prawns were subject to different stocking and harvesting strategies: upper-graded juveniles, lower-graded juveniles, non-graded juveniles+selective harvesting and traditional farming (non-grading juveniles and total harvest only). Dissolved oxygen, afternoon N-ammonia and N-nitrate and soluble orthophosphate were lower in the ponds in comparison with inflow water through the rearing cycle. Ponds stocked with the upper population fraction of graded prawns showed higher turbidity, total suspended solids and total Kjeldahl nitrogen than the remaining treatments. An increase in the chemical oxygen demand:biochemical oxygen demand ratio from inlet (4.9) to pond (7.1–8.0) waters indicated a non-readily biodegradable fraction enhancement in ponds. The sedimentation mean rate ranged from 0.08 to 0.16 mm day⁻¹ and sediment contained >80% of organic matter. The major factors affecting pond ecosystem dynamic were the organic load (due to primary production and feed addition) and bioturbation caused by stocking larger animals. Data suggest that M. amazonicum grow-out in ponds subjected to a high inflow of nutrient-rich water produce changes in the water properties, huge accumulation of organic sediment at the pond bottom and non-readily biodegradable material in the water column. However, the water quality remains suitable for aquaculture purposes. Therefore, nutrient-rich waters, when available, may represent a source of unpaid nutrients, which may be incorporated into economically valued biomass if managed properly.

Simulations were performed to evaluate the economic potential of farming the seaweed Hypnea pseudomusciformis in two production scales for the carrageenan, human food, and glycolic extract markets in Brazil. The initial investment was low in all scenarios (US$25,579 in 7.5 ha and US$71,202 in 22.5 ha farms). Labor and taxes were the major production costs for production commercialized for the carrageenan and human food markets, respectively. Liquid glycerin and bottles were the main costs when the productions were marketed for glycolic extract. The carrageenan market showed no economic feasibility. On the other hand, the human consumption market was shown as very profitable, resilient, and highly attractive (IRR was ∼100%). Marketing the glycolic extract is also feasible and attractive (IRR was ∼25%) but had lower economic indicators and low resilience when compared to the human food market scenario. Upscaling the production optimized investments and reduced production costs, improving profitability. The plasticity of seaweed enables entrepreneurs to explore different markets simultaneously to increase farm resilience.

To determine the chemical composition and digestibility of insect meal for poultry made from the larvae of Tenebrio molitor (TL) and nymphs of Gryllus assimilis (GAN) a total excreta collection test was carried out, substituting 20% of the reference diet with each type of meal. The meals presented 6074 and 5975 kcal/Kg of gross energy, with 49.34% and 52.66% protein for TL and GAN respectively. The most nutrient digestibility was less than 65%, except for energy and ether-extract digestibility in the meal from Tenebrio molitor larvae, which were over 70%. The meals under analysis can be used as a source of nutrients in poultry diets.

The effects of the intensification on the performance of the Amazon River prawn hatchery carried out in a simple recirculation system were investigated. Newly hatched larvae were stocked in 120 L tanks at 80, 100, 120 and 140 larvae L⁻¹ in a closed recirculating system. The experiment used a randomized block design with five replicates. An exponential equation was adjusted to express the relationship between the stocking density and productivity (postlarvae L⁻¹). The development, larval quality, survival and postlarval (PL) dry weight did not significantly differ among the treatments (p > 0.05). When 80 larvae were stocked, the productivity (54 ± 11 PL L⁻¹) was lower than those at higher densities (p < 0.05). Stocking 120 and 140 larvae L⁻¹ resulted in higher productivities (75 ± 18 and 80 ± 17 PL L⁻¹, respectively) with a lower use of Artemia nauplii to produce each postlarvae (~1200 Artemia nauplii PL⁻¹). The maximum mean M. amazonicum postlarval production estimated by the exponential model was 93 PL L⁻¹. This means that despite the increase in stocking density, productivity tends to stabilize. The results showed that M. amazonicum tolerates high intensification in recirculating hatchery systems based on a crushed shell bed biofilter, and the intensification optimizes Artemia use.

Based on the concepts of Knowledge-Based Urban Development (KBUD) and Living Labs (LL) of Agriculture, this article analyses the open innovation processes of two agricultural living labs: VivAgriLab on the Paris-Saclay campus in France and AgroLab Uniandes in Colombia, aiming to understand the adaptation possibilities of their models to Brazilian university campuses. The methodology used was Case Study involving bibliographic research, document analysis, and secondary data collection. Results show that VivAgriLab effectively integrates organised civil society around agriculture and environmental preservation through applied scientific research and open innovation processes. It demonstrates that agriculture-focused living labs can promote interaction and integration between society and academic research in agricultural production. VivAgriLab fosters meetings between researchers and stakeholders, encouraging transdisciplinary projects supporting the region's ecological, agroecological, and food transitions through a multisectoral approach. AgroLab Uniandes facilitates dialogue, co-creation, experimentation, and the integration of traditional, experiential, and scientific knowledge, focusing on research, technology, and education. While its high-tech solutions enhance efficiency in urban agriculture, they raise concerns about accessibility and scalability for small-scale and resource-limited farmers, potentially widening the gap between advanced and traditional practices. AgroLab and similar initiatives should pair technological innovations with robust education, training, and support programs to democratise urban agriculture, ensuring all farmers can benefit from and contribute to the evolving urban agriculture landscape. Each, in its way, contributes to sustainable development and presents a viable solution to the challenges faced by the scientific community in conducting applied and transdisciplinary research in real-world contexts.