Nebraska Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems CDE Practice Exam

Aquaponics is best defined as a system that integrates fish farming with hydroponics. In this innovative agricultural practice, fish are raised in a controlled environment, and their waste products provide an organic nutrient source for plants grown hydroponically. This creates a symbiotic relationship where the fish benefit from the plants filtering and improving water quality, while the plants receive nutrients from the fish waste. This dual approach allows for increased efficiency in resource use, providing two sources of food—fish and plants—within the same system.

While the other options involve farming concepts, they do not accurately describe the structure and function of aquaponics. Aquaponics is specifically characterized by its integration of aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (soilless plant cultivation), which is not merely a mix of traditional farming or crop rotation. Therefore, the choice that highlights the combination of fish farming and hydroponics is the most accurate representation of aquaponics.