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Economic performance of melon (Cucumis melo L.) using Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) pond waste from pellet and maggot–Azolla feeding systems 


Citation :- Economic performance of melon (Cucumis melo L.) using Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) pond waste from pellet and maggot–Azolla feeding systems. Res. Crop. 27: 538-543
ARDIYANTA, FADINGGA ADI PRATAMA, PUGUH BINTANG PAMUNGKAS, CICILIA TRI KUSUMASTUTI AND OKTI PURWANINGSIH ir.ardiyanta@upy.ac.id
Address : Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas PGRI Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta 55182, Indonesia
Submitted Date : 6-08-2026
Accepted Date : 8-09-2026

Abstract

Reusing aquaculture pond waste for horticultural crops is a promising approach in integrated farming and the circular bioeconomy, but its economic value under different fish feeding systems is still not clear. The type of feed given to tilapia may affect the nutrient content of pond waste and its usefulness for melon production. Hence, there is a need to compare the economic performance of melon using pond waste generated under different tilapia feeding systems. A research was conducted in a naturally ventilated greenhouse at Soboman, Ngestiharjo, Bantul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia (7° 48' S; 110° 20' E; 70 m above mean sea level) between February and May 2026, comparing the economics of melon (Cucumis melo L. cv. Sky Rocket) raised over Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) ponds and watered with the waste those ponds produced under two feeding systems. The melons grew in planting tubs set above cement ponds, and a timer-driven automatic system delivered the nutrient-rich pond water to them every three days. A completely randomised design with three replications pitted two treatments against each other: waste from pellet-fed tilapia (L1) and waste from maggot–Azolla-fed tilapia (L2). Fixed and variable costs, revenue, farm income, net profit, the revenue–cost (R/C) ratio, the benefit–cost (B/C) ratio and profitability were all worked out per hectare and tested statistically. Mean fruit weight was higher under L2 (563.7 g/plant) than under L1 (302.2 g/plant), and the combined melon-and-fish revenue came to IDR 755.1 million/ha for L2 versus IDR 521.6 million/ha for L1. The maggot–Azolla system delivered the stronger figures across the board, with net profit of IDR 400.2 million/ha, an R/C ratio of 2.13, a B/C ratio of 1.13 and profitability of 112.8%, against IDR 153.5 million/ha, 1.42, 0.42 and 41.7% for the pellet system. Both were financially viable (R/C > 1), yet the maggot–Azolla option cut feed cost sharply and lifted economic efficiency, pointing to a promising circular route for integrated tilapia–melon production.

Keywords

Aquaculture effluent automatic irrigation benefit–cost ratio circular agriculture greenhouse horticulture profitability waste valorisation 


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