LETS LOOK AT DUCKWEED

Today in addition to our usual searches into the world of Aquaponics, We are going to try to present an array of opinions, comments and articles on the lowly Aquatic (well sort of) plant, Duckweed of which there are several distinct varieties or types.

So why did I put Sort of? Well we have a pond at the back of our farm which is fed from our creek but only when the creek floods. So the rest of the time our pond or is it a lagoon, gradually fades to a puddle and the duckweed is left on the shore WHERE IT CONTINUES TO SURVIVE UNTILL THE NEXT FILL. Just thought you may have been interested in that little bit of trivia.

Duckweed belongs to the Lemnaceae family, a group of the smallest flowering plants with no leaves or stems, though some have roots. All duckweed varieties can produce small flowers, but they rarely do.

Read more: Facts on Duckweed | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_5057304_duckweed.html#ixzz19suh5pFU

So lets list the genuses:
There are four duckweed genuses: Lemna, Spirodela, Wolffi a,
and Wolffi ella – with over 40 species identified to date.
These plants are also unique in that they do not have
any stem or leaf structures. The plant is simply a fleshy
ovoid or flattened structure that may or may not bear
simple roots.
It is often spread by aquatic birds and floods. Commonplace
worldwide and quite hardy, it will even tolerate
brackish water (up to 4,000 mg/L of total dissolved
solids).
And so at this point, its time to look a little deeper into its value benefits and problems. To this end we go searching:

Lets see what the San Juan County Conservation District as part of the ‘Green Ground’ program have to say in their PDF Report:

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From the Iowa State University, Prepared by Joe Morris, extension aquaculture specialist and Charles Mischke, Department of Animal Ecology, Iowa State University.

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From Palomar College: The Lemnaceae (Duckweed Family) A brilliant website


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An Abstract from Water Science & Technology.

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Next from Swedish University for Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala and was supported by SAREC (Swedish Agency for Research Cooperation with Developing Countries) and the International Foundation for Science (IFS), Grant No B/208-1. 

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 Some Photographic help and Information

Ok so what about other uses:

Finally we are off to West Africa where we are provided with a study on Duckweed specifically aimed at Tilapia food

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We now cross back to Studio A

Are you looking for a speaker or workshop leader?

Sylvia Bernstein, President and Founder

An experienced speaker and internationally recognized expert on aquaponic gardening, Sylvia’s speaking style is warm, friendly, and interactive.

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Aquaponics at home cultivate fish and plants by growing plants in containers filled with gravel, your plants get their food from the waste of your fish, a process that is very beneficial to both plants and the fish. Your fish are going to be healthy and more than likely resistant to infections and various disease.Read more: http://lifestyle.ezinemark.com/aquaponics-at-home-17122dd0f3a.html#ixzz19t7WSDyO

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 I could not establish the exact location of this next website but no matter. Lets just enjoy the content.

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 Fro murray Hallam: One of the fun plants to grow in Aquaponics is strawberries. We all know how great they taste especially if picked fresh and juicy from your own system. They grow very well in conventional gravel grow beds provided your....

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 From Nelson and Pade:December Workshop Wraps up a Successful Year of Training

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From Murray Hallams Forum:

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Broke down and hired a handyman

I just couldnt seem to find time to finish the construction, nor did I have the right tools for the job, and I cant keep asking friends to bring their tools and work on it with me.  So I hired a handyman to come do the construction.  Ive still got more work to do, but at least......More

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 Well heres another year started. So Buckle-Up....were on our way again.....
See you soon
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