Growth and production performance of red tilapia and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus Lin.) under low-input culture system

Comparative production potential of red tilapia (a mutant hybrid of Oreochromis mossambicus) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) under low-input aquaculture was studied in six ponds of 360 m² each with an average water depth of 90 cm. Three ponds were stocked with fingerlings of O. niloticus (average weight 11.4±3.48 g) while three other ponds were stocked with red tilapia (average weight 10.72±2.5 g) at a density of 20,000 fingerlings/ha. Supplementary feed consisting of rice bran was given daily at 4-6% of standing biomass. Ponds were fertilized at fortnightly intervals with cattle manure 750 kg/ ha. After six months of rearing, gross fish productions of 3,218 and 3,017 kg/ha were obtained from O. niloticus and red tilapia ponds, respectively. Of this, table size fish (>80 g in size) production amounted to 2,366 and 2,823 kg/ha from O. niloticus and red tilapia culture, respectively. Analysis of cost and benefits showed higher benefit from red tilapia culture.

Preliminary study of the aquatic macrophytes of selected fish ponds and reservoirs in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

A five months survey was conducted to identify the aquatic macrophytes in fishponds and reservoirs in Makurdi (Benue State, Nigeria) between August and December 1999. A total of 3-prominent aquatic macrophytes were identified: Ipomoea aquatica, Nymphae lotus and Echinochloa pyramidalis at two-study sites (site 1, receives organic manure effluent from a cattle ranch, site 2, receives inorganic fertilizer through application). Ipomoea aquatica were found restricted to site l, while Nymphae lotus and Echinochloa pyramidalis were found associated with site 2. Analysis of the results indicates high level of ammonia-nitrogen at site 1 compared to site 2. Mineral analysis of the plant tissues indicate high level of iron in Ipomoea aquatica and Nymphae lotus. Mineral concentration were found to be significantly higher (P,L, 0.05) in Ipomoea aquatica and Nymphae lotus when compared with concentration in Echinochloa pyramidalis

Preliminary study of the aquatic macrophytes of selected fish ponds and reservoirs in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

A five months survey was conducted to identify the aquatic macrophytes in fishponds and reservoirs in Makurdi (Benue State, Nigeria) between August and December 1999. A total of 3-prominent aquatic macrophytes were identified: Ipomoea aquatica, Nymphae lotus and Echinochloa pyramidalis at two-study sites (site 1, receives organic manure effluent from a cattle ranch, site 2, receives inorganic fertilizer through application). Ipomoea aquatica were found restricted to site l, while Nymphae lotus and Echinochloa pyramidalis were found associated with site 2. Analysis of the results indicates high level of ammonia-nitrogen at site 1 compared to site 2. Mineral analysis of the plant tissues indicate high level of iron in Ipomoea aquatica and Nymphae lotus. Mineral concentration were found to be significantly higher (P,L, 0.05) in Ipomoea aquatica and Nymphae lotus when compared with concentration in Echinochloa pyramidalis

Study on the biomass yield of Duckweed (Lemna minor) (L.) in hydroponic cultures containing different concentrations of aquaeous extract of chicken manure

The biomass yields of duck week (Lemna minor(L) was monitored in hydroponic media prepared by variously extracting 0.50, 1.00 and 2.00g of dried chicken manure per liter of city water (tap water) supply. The culture media consisting of aqueous extract of the various manure treatments were made up to 12 liters in all cases with tap water as control. Plastic baths of 25 liters capacity with 0.71 super(m2) surface area were used as culture facility. Each bath was stocked at a density of 30g super(m-2) with fresh weed samples (i.e 21.30g/bath). Maximum yields were obtained at all treatment levels and control on day 3 and based on the highest yield of 0.37gm super(-2)d super(-1) (dry matter) obtained at 1.00gL manure treatment which was however not significantly higher (P>0.05) than the 0.36gm super(-2)d super(-1) (dry matter) at 0.05gl super(-1) media manure content, an average manure level of 0.75l super(-1) was selected and used to determine the operational plant density. Thus fresh weights of 30 to 300gm super(-2) was grown in triplicate at 30g intervals for a period of 3 days. A regression equation of Y=2.6720+0.0021x with a corresponding maximum density or operational plant density of 266gm super(-2) and yield of 0.98gm super(-2), d super(-1) (dry matter) were obtained. Further growth trials were carried out at the operational density and manure levels of 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, 1.25, 1.50, 1.75 and 2.00gl super(-1) media manure concentration giving a significantly higher yield (P<0.05) of 17gm super(-2), d super(-1) (dry matter). This yield was however doubled to between 2.21 and 2.24gm super(-2) d super(-1) (equivalent to 7.96 to 8.06mt.ha-1, Yr-1 dry matter on extrapolation) if 25% and 75% respectively of the total weed cover were harvested daily within the experimental period. The role of some dissolved plant nutrients (DPN) were also discussed

Pig dung as pond manure: effect on water quality, pond productivity and growth of carps in polyculture system

Pig dung was used as manure at 18 and 36 t/ha/year in carp polyculture (without supplementary feeding) for 270 days. It was observed that pig dung at both the levels did not degrade the physico-chemical properties (pH, dissolved oxygen and alkalinity) of water. The nutrient (phosphates and nitrates) level of water was higher in manured ponds than control ponds (no manuring, only supplementary feeding). Further, plankton levels (phyto- and zooplankton) were also significantly higher in manured ponds. The growth of Catla catla and Labeo rohita was significantly more in manured ponds than in control ponds. Growth of Cirrhinus cirrhosus and Cyprinus carpio was significantly more in ponds manured with pig dung at 18 t/ha/year than in control ponds and the growth of Ctenopharyngodon idellus was significantly more in control than in manured ponds.

Oyster mushroom waste as manure in fish culture: a preliminary study

In an attempt to recycle the waste substrates of the oyster-mushroom crop, tanks were stocked with seed of Indian major carp Cirrhinus mrigala at the rate of 600,000/ha and waste substrate was applied at weekly interval at 0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 g/tank. Oyster mushroom waste not only provided highly nutritive colonised detritus to the fish as direct feed, but also produced rich plankton in the tank. In waste treated tanks, production was better than in the control in 150, 200 and 250 g/tank treatment suggesting the possibility of fish-oyster mushroom integration.

Effects of black Bengal goat manure on growth and production of Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) starin [sic], Oreochromis niloticus

In a goat-tilapia integrated farming system, the effect of Black Bengal goat manure on the growth and production of Oreochromis niloticus was studied at the Freshwater Substation, Shantahar, Bogra for 4.5 months. The stocking density used in three treatments were, 200 goats and 15,000 GIFT strain/ha (T1); 300 goats and 15,000 GIFT strain/ha (T2); and only 15,000 GIFT strain/ha (T3). The initial individual total length and weight of stocked tilapia were 7.6 cm and 11.34 g, respectively. Twelve ponds each having an area of 40 square meters were used for this trail [sic]. On one side of each pond goat shed was constructed and the space allocated for each goat was 0.75 m x 1.5 m. Newly weaned black Bengal goats of average weight 8.45 kg was used in the trial. Every morning the goats manure was swiped out in ponds through the fixed opening of bamboo made floor of goat shed. Water depth of the ponds was maintained at 0.75 m. The highest fish production was in treatment 1 (1,750 kg/ha) followed by treatment 2 (1,455 kg/ha) and treatment 3 (621 kg/ha). The difference in individual goat weight was not significant (P>0.05) among treatments 1 and 2.