Grow Organic Food Sustainably with iAVs: A Smarter Alternative to Aquaponics

What if you could grow fresh, organic fish, fruits, vegetables (even root crops), and herbs in your backyard using less water, fewer resources, and no chemical inputs? Enter the Integrated Aqua-Vegeculture System (iAVs)—an innovative, open-source food production method that predates modern aquaponics and offers unmatched efficiency and simplicity.

What is iAVs?

iAVs, or the Integrated Aqua-Vegeculture System, is a sustainable food production system in which plants derive nutrients from the metabolic wastes of fish. It seamlessly blends fish farming (aquaculture) with plant cultivation (horticulture) within a self-contained ecosystem. This system harnesses the power of sand as both a biofilter and a growing medium, creating a harmonious symbiotic relationship between fish and plants.

The system’s most tangible outcomes are clean, fresh fruit and vegetables – and freshwater fish. In essence, we feed the fish – the fish supply the nutrients for the plants – and the plants clean the water for the fish.

iAVs is an intentional ecosystem – one that mimics the Earth’s natural biological processes – and it is the symbiotic integration of all three of the primary ecological niches:

• The aquatic environment
• The soil ecosystem
• Terrestrial plants – including the rhizosphere

Fish waste, naturally rich in nutrients, is broken down by beneficial microbes in the sand bed, converting it into readily available nutrients for plants. Plants absorb these nutrients, effectively cleaning the water and creating a healthy environment for the fish. This purified water is then drained back into the fish tank.

From 1984 to 1994 the iAVs Research Group at NCSU was composed of 7 co-investigators from 5 disciplines, plus 9 principal consultants, with 9 co-authors published in 5 referred Journals, and accessed the services of over 4 dozen other consultants and technicians.

In North Carolina, iAVs researchers included faculty from 16 Departments in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences among 4 other Colleges at NCSU, the North Carolina Sea Grant Program (UNC), NCSU Office of International Programs, The Research Triangle Institute, and the Center for PVO/University Collaboration in Development (~ 30 member institutions).

iAVs investigators also actively collaborated with contributors from 30 (plus) external institutions, not including the USDA Commercial Demonstration Project participants and agriculture/development Ministries from 12 (plus) foreign governments et al.      (E.g., AVRDC, DDC-AUC, Duke, ERL-UAZ, FAO/UN, IBRD, ICA-Auburn, ICLARM, ICRISAT, NASA-CELSS, New Alchemy Institute, Rodale, USAID, USDA-OECD, Winrock, Wood’s Hole Oceanographic Institution, et al)

Ten (10) of the iAVs research participants are currently (already) honored by their peers as “Fellow” of their respective professional discipline.  This is the highest professional honor conferred on a scientist with the exception of a Nobel Laureate.

Did you know? Publications resulting from iAVs research have been cited in referred Journal articles at least 114 times to date (Jun.’16, per researchgate.net only).

What Makes iAVs Unique?

Developed in the 1980s by Dr. Mark McMurtry and Professor Doug Sanders at North Carolina State University, two of the founding pioneers of what was later termed ‘aquaponics’, iAVs is the only system of its kind rigorously supported by peer-reviewed research. The system’s development involved interdisciplinary collaboration across multiple scientific disciplines, solidifying its status as a pioneering approach to sustainable agriculture.

Although the research at North Carolina State University was discontinued because it was ready for commercial application and usage, the research and findings from iAVs confirmed much of the background science that underpins aquaponics. iAVs uses less energy, less parts, less space, it needs no supplements and the pH is stable. Initial experiments conducted at NCSU demonstrated that sand-based filtration significantly outperformed traditional hydroponic systems, yielding 200–300% higher plant growth rates across various species.

Every flood and drain system that exists is based on the flood and drain technique (also known as reciprocating biofilter) that Dr. McMurtry developed and implemented in his early experiments with iAVs.

While iAVs is distinct from aquaponics in its current definition, Dr. McMurtry is widely acknowledged as the originator of aquaponics because his work laid the foundation for its development, and all subsequent flood and drain systems (also known as reciprocating), are essentially variations of his original iAVs design.

1. • Key Advantages of iAVs

     1. Minimal Resource Use
        • Energy Efficiency: iAVs uses 91.67% less water pump time compared to most traditional aquaponics systems which run pumps 24/7. The pump operates for just two hours daily, making it ideal for off-grid or solar-powered setups.
        • Water Conservation: iAVs consumes only 1% (or less) of the water required in pond culture to produce equivalent tilapia yields, making it exceptionally suitable for arid or semi-arid regions and areas with extreme climate variability.
        • Space Optimization: The system requires less space and drastically reduces materials like plastics, making it both eco-friendly and cost-effective as well as aesthetically pleasing.
     2. Simplicity and Cost-Effectiveness
        • No need for additional components like bell siphons, mineralization tanks, or extra filtration systems.
        • The sand-based grow beds act as both a mechanical and biological filter, eliminating the need for external filters.
        • Stable pH levels mean no constant adjustments—a common issue in traditional aquaponics.
        • Daily management is straightforward: feed the fish twice daily and care for the plants. That’s it!
     3. Organic and Sustainable
        • Plants grown in iAVs are truly organic, as the system relies on fish waste alone as a natural nutrient source.
        • The sand medium supports a robust soil ecosystem that transforms fish waste into plant nutrients while filtering water to return it clean and oxygenated to the fish tank.
        • Comprehensive conservation of nutrient resources is achieved through intensive recycling and reuse of ‘waste’ materials and byproducts.
        • Helps conserve and expand productive land resources, including use on rooftops, reducing pressures on traditional agricultural lands.
     4. Versatility and High Productivity
        • Supports a wide range of crops, including fruiting plants, root vegetables, and virtually any species of fruit and vegetable.
        • Produces higher yields than traditional aquaponics systems while maintaining superior water quality.
        • Enables reliable year-round production of high-quality, organic, pesticide-free food products, including vine-ripened vegetables and fresh fish.
        • Offers exceptional profitability under effective management due to highly intensive, simultaneous production of multiple high-value crops.
     5. Ideal for Challenging Conditions
        • Extremely advantageous in regions with extreme climate variability or soil conditions unsuitable for traditional agricultural practices.
        • Suitable for integration in urban areas, particularly near population centers where fresh vegetables and fish are in high demand.
        • Organic produce and fresh fish can fetch premium prices, especially during off-season months in urban markets.

Why Choose iAVs?

iAVs is a leap forward in sustainable food production. Its simplicity, efficiency, and organic focus make it accessible to anyone, whether you’re a small-scale gardener or an aspiring commercial farmer. Plus, it’s backed by a decade of research and real-world application.

Dr. McMurtry’s pioneering work on iAVs laid the foundation for modern aquaponics while addressing many of its limitations. This system has been proven to work reliably even in challenging environments where water or land is scarce.

Open-Source Resources at Your Fingertips

The Expertise Behind iAVs: A World-Class Research Team

One of the key strengths of iAVs is the exceptional diversity and expertise of its research team. The iAVs research group is composed of world-renowned scientists, engineers, and agricultural experts who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the development and refinement of this groundbreaking food production system.

You can read about the iAVs research group at https://iavs.info/the-iavs-research-group/.  The iAVs research is available at https://iavs.info/tour/.

A Team of Recognized Leaders

• 10 Members Honored as Fellows: Among the group, ten members have been awarded the prestigious title of “Fellow” in their respective fields. This recognition highlights their significant contributions to science and their dedication to advancing sustainable agricultural practices.
• Merle Jensen – A Visionary in Sand Culture: Dr. Merle Jensen, a principal consultant on the iAVs research team, is celebrated for his pioneering work in sand culture. His career includes designing the Land Pavilion at Disney’s Epcot Center, where he showcased innovative food production systems. As a professor at the University of Arizona, Dr. Jensen’s groundbreaking research demonstrated that sand could serve as both a growing medium and an effective water filtration system—principles that are foundational to iAVs .

• Dr. Paul V. Nelson – Greenhouse Management Expert: Dr. Nelson, author of the widely acclaimed textbook Greenhouse Operation and Management, played a critical role in the development of iAVs. His expertise in botanical mineral nutrition and greenhouse management ensured that plants in the system received optimal nutrients for vigorous growth. Dr. Nelson also provided greenhouse space for early iAVs trials, proving instrumental in its success.

Join the Movement

Ready to take control of your food security while protecting the planet? Learn more about iAVs and how you can get started. Share this blog with your community to spread awareness about this groundbreaking method.

Together, we can grow a healthier future!