The Impact of Nutrient Concentration (N:P) and Manure Type on Fish Polyculture

Abstract

Nutrient availability is considered to have a major role in controlling primary productivity. Therefore, an important aspect of successful aquaculture management in fish culture systems is making available basic nutrients, for example, phosphorous (P), nitrogen (N), and carbon (C) in optimal concentrations. The use of fertilizers in relation to pond productivity has been studied in order to develop better fertilization procedures under given environmental conditions. Many researchers from across the world have suggested different N:P ratios for optimizing fish production. The primary aim of this study was to understand the influence of nutrient quality and quantity on fish and primary productivity in terms of optimizing fish production. Two objectives of this study include evaluating the performance of pig and cow manures in terms of primary productivity and fish production; and understanding the influence of different N concentrations ranging from 1-2 ppm on fish production while P was maintained at 0.5 ppm. It was evident from this research that fish species nutrient-sensitivity to nitrogen concentrations ranging from 1-2 ppm was significantly different. The 1 ppm N:0.5 ppm P concentration was found to be the most suitable nutrient ratio for pond fertilization as significantly higher fish production and lower mortality were recorded in this treatment. In terms of plankton and fish production, pig manure was found to be significantly more effective than cow manure. Higher nutrient (>1 ppm N) concentrations negatively impacted zoo-plankton and zoo benthos development. Daily manure application would considerably reduce the organic load in the fish culture system, enabling more efficient use of nutrients for primary and secondary production.     

Effect of fertilization frequency on pond productivity and fish biomass in still water ponds stocked with Cirrhinus mrigala (Ham.)

Four different fertilization frequencies, namely twice per week, once per week, twice a month and once a month, were used in ponds to assess their effects on nutrient release, pond productivity and fish biomass. All ponds received the same total fertilizer inputs during the experimental period of 60 days (cow dung 208.3 kg ha^?1 week^?1, TSP 9.8 kg ha^?1 week^?1, urea 6.0 kg ha^?1 week^?1). Studies have revealed that the highest values of fish biomass, specific growth rate (SGR), net primary productivity (NPP), plankton population and nutrients were observed in the ponds that were fertilized twice a month. A strong and significant correlation of fertilization frequency was observed with dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), alkalinity, nutrient release, NPP, plankton density (no. L^?1), fish biomass and SGR. The linear relationship between NPP and fish biomass/SGR for all the ponds was strong (r²= 0.88). Sediment chemistry revealed that O‐PO₄, NO₃‐N, organic carbon and electrical conductivity (EC) increased significantly (P<0.05) with a decrease in the frequency of fertilization, while alkalinity and calcium were high in ponds that were fertilized twice a month.     

Review of Nutrient Management in Freshwater Polyculture

Abstract

One of the most important issues concerning fish-pond fertilization is the determination of the optimal amount of fertilizer to be applied to the pond system. Another important concern is the suitability of fish species for polyculture in order to optimize production. The dynamics of nutrients, phytoplankton, and fish is a complex subject and practitioners are often compelled to formulate solutions without detailed scientific and practical consideration. The primary objective of pond fertilization is to maintain an optimal nutrient concentration for sustained biological production. Current fertilization practices in the Asia-Pacific region include: a fixed rate of fertilization and fertilization based on water color. Individual pond ecology determines how fertilization affects pond productivity, not the pond's physical location in relation to international borders. There is no universal recipe of “maximal” fertilization rates due to pond-specific variability. There is also no clear guide in the literature with regard to many aspects of fish-food; the type of organisms consumed, mechanisms of food consumption, and the digestibility and nutritive value of plankton. The usual practice is to divide fish according to their foraging in natural habitats; feeding on phytoplankton, zooplankton, zoo benthos, or detritus. The distinction between different feeding habits is not always absolute as many species of fish may change food preference depending on the abundance of different food items. This paper reviews the nutrient (nitrogen, N and phosphorus, P) management in regard to pond fertilization; use of organic and inorganic fertilizer and the impacts on fish production; use of organic fertilizer from different organisms (pig, cow and buffalo) and their interactions with primary production and water quality; optimum N:P concentration in pond water; and individual pond factors and their influence on fish production. A significant interaction was evident with time between water quality variables such as pH and alkalinity, and other factors, including manure type and fish species composition. This was reflected in the difference between pig and cow manure treatments. A significant interaction between species composition and fish production has been demonstrated. Fish survival and biomass production was influenced by the stocking ratio of the: rohu, Labeo rohita; mrigal, Cirrhinus mrigala; and Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. The recommended nutrient level for pond fertilization based on the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) and Research Institute for Aquaculture No. 1 (RIA#1) study is 1 ppm N:0.5 ppm P. The required quantity of fertilizer varies significantly with time. However, regional research is highly recommended to optimize fish production focusing on significant climate variability, which affects both primary and secondary production.     

以δc分析有机粪肥养鱼池中鱼类生长能源的初步研究

本文介绍了通过对鱼体、饵料、粪肥的δc值的分析来追踪碳元素的流向,从而研究施肥鱼池中鱼类生长能源的动力学过程的结果。研究表明,滤食性鱼类的生长能源主要来自自养生产系统;杂食性鱼类中的白鲫和鲤鱼,分别有三分之一以上和二分之一左右是来自自养生产系统,而其他部分的生长能源,则来自异养生产系统。     

Combined effects of fertilization rate, manuring and feed pellet application on fish performance and water quality in polyculture ponds

This study analyses the combined effects of organic and inorganic fertilization and of feeding with pellets on fish performance and water quality in a polyculture of common carp. Cyprinus Carpio L., silver carp. Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (Val.), grass carp. Ctenopharyngodon idella (Val.) and hybrid tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L. x O. aureus Stetndachner. Experiments included six treatments, which are combinations of inorganic fertilisation (daily or fortnightly), manuring (supplied or not), feed pellets (supplied or not) and density of phytoplanktivorous fish species (high-density treatments with 50% more hybrid tilapia and 300% more silver carp than low-density treatments). The effects of the management procedures on fish weight, growth, survival and yield. plankton abundance, water quality, and their complex interactions at the different levels of the natural food web were analysed. The hypothesis that daily fertilization should increase algal production, which in turn should sustain a higher density of phytoplanktivorous fish, proved to be correct within certain limits. Algal reproduction rate was higher under daily fertilization, pointing to better supply of food for herbivorous fish, while algal biomass was similar under both fertilization regimes, pointing to the utilization of that algal food supply. The increased algal food supply sustained a 50% density increase of the omnivorous tilapia, but not the 300% density increase of the grazer silver carp.     

海洋施肥及其在南海外海渔业开发方面的应用前景

海洋施肥系采取人工措施向海洋上层提供氮、磷、铁等限制性营养元素以增加海洋初级生产力的行为,其在增殖生物资源和减缓气候变化方面均具潜力。海洋施肥研究已有20年历史,但国内尚无此类研究。本文介绍了海洋微量元素铁和大营养元素氮、磷施肥的概念和基本原理,回顾海洋施肥研究发展历程,总结现有研究成果,并简要评述海洋施肥技术在应用方面存在的争议。在此基础上,着重探讨海洋施肥在南海外海渔业开发方面的应用前景。南海光热充足,但外海表层水体大营养元素匮乏,生物生产力低下,大营养元素施肥可提高海域初级生产力,从而可持续地增加渔业产量;施肥促进浮游植物繁殖而在特定海域形成的饵料生物密集区会吸引鱼群聚集,从而提高外海渔业捕捞效率。南海北部近海渔业资源已过度利用,在继续控制捕捞渔船数量和功率的情况下,开发外海施肥的渔业资源增殖技术有助于部分转移近海捕捞压力,为近海渔业的恢复性增长创造条件。     

Application of Azotobacter enhances pond productivity and fish biomass in still water ponds

Two strains (derepressed-nitrogen fixing, Mac-27 and phosphate solubilizing, PS-21) of Azotobacter chroococcum were inoculated in fish culture ponds, singly and in combination with inorganic fertilizers (urea, single superphosphate–SSP). Physico-chemical parameters of pond waters, plankton production and fish biomass were studied. Inoculation of A. chroococcum (Mac-27) enhanced nitrogenase activity and rate of nitrogen fixation. A slight reduction in nitrogen fixation and nitrogenase activity was noticed when urea at 96 kg ha–1 y–1 was mixed with the biofertilizer (Mac-27). Inoculation of PS-21 enhanced phosphate solubilization, but Kjeldahl-nitrogen concentration values remained low in comparison with controls. On the other hand, inoculation of Azotobacter (either strain) enhanced the accumulation of ammonium-N, nitrite-N and nitrate-N. A significant (p < 0.05) reduction in dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration also took place when Azotobacter (both Mac-27 and PS-21) was inoculated in fish ponds. However, when used along with inorganic fertilizers, the reduction was not significant. The pH values were only slightly lowered when the phosphate-solubilizing strain (PS-21) of Azotobacter was inoculated. Inoculation of biofertilizer enhanced plankton production, net primary productivity and fish biomass. However, highest values in most of these parameters were noticed only in ponds that were treated with the higher doses of inorganic fertilizers (urea 192 kg and SSP 1500 kg ha–1 y–1). © Rapid Science Ltd. 1998     

Limnological Factors Influencing Growth of Cage-Cultured Bighead Carp ♀ x Silver Carp ♂ Hybrids

Four 2-m³ cages each stocked with 120 bighead carp ♀ X silver carp ♂ hybrids were placed in each of four ponds varying in trophic status from mesotrophic to hypereutrophic. Fish were cultured, without feeding, from 13 March to 1 October, 1987. All fish survived but lost weight (-0.37 g/fish/day) in the mesotrophic pond. Maximum fish growth rate occured in the two eutrophic ponds (6.61 and 7.04 g/fish/day). Fish growth in the hypereutrophic pond was about one-half (3.64 g/fish/day) that in the two eutrophic ponds until a sudden thermal destratification and dissolved oxygen depletion killed all the fish. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that gross phytoplankton primary productivity accounted for 68% of the variation in fish weight gain (R² = 0.68; P < 0.0001) in all ponds. When eliminating primary productivity data from the statistical model, number of algal taxa comprising phytoplankton communities explained 49% of the variation in fish growth (R² = 0.49; P < 0.0001). Conditions of hypereutrophy believed to be detrimental to fish growth were: a decline in cladoceran density; a preponderance of blue-green algae, especially colonial forms with mucilaginous sheaths; a shift from numerous, relatively small plankton algal taxa to fewer but larger forms; degraded water quality.     

Comparative evaluation of the fertilizer value of human urine, cow manure and their mix for the production of carp fingerlings in small holding tanks

Advanced fry of Indian carps and post-larvae of freshwater prawn were reared for 120?days in 18 small holding tanks using each treatment in triplicate as: (a) non-aerated and (b) aerated fresh human urine (0.01%), (c) cow manure (1.8?kg tank^?1), mixed treatment with cow manure and human urine under (d) iso-phosphorus and (e) iso-nitrogenous conditions and (f) control. Examination of water quality, primary productivity of phytoplankton, plankton and fish growth from different treatments revealed that the total fish yield was maximum in the cow manure treatment (621.5?g?tank^?1) followed by the mixed treatments under iso-nitrogenous (428?g?tank^?1) and iso-phosphorus (333?g?tank^?1) conditions. Fish yield in different treatments was the direct function of the gross and net primary productivity of phytoplankton which, in turn, were directly related to the concentrations of nitrate and phosphate levels of water as well as their ratios in different treatments employed.     

Effect of organic fertilizer on plankton primary productivity in fish ponds

The effect of cattle organic fertilizer on plankton primary production and related variables was tested in six Bulgarian fish ponds situated close to the town of Plovdiv in Bulgaria. At the beginning of the experiment (16th of May 2004, about 10 days after filling with water) a suppression of plankton metabolism was observed and after that the ponds treated with manure demonstrated significantly higher productivity than the controls, especially during the transition to the autumn season when the water column was more regularly mixed. The other measured variables (Secchi disk readings, plankton chlorophyll-a and respiration, assimilation number per unit chlorophyll-a) did not show significant differences between the treated and control ponds.     

Evaluation of Nile tilapia pond management strategies in Egypt

Five pond management strategies for Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus L. production were evaluated in 0.1‐ha earthen ponds in Egypt during a 145‐day production cycle. Pond management strategies developed by the Pond Dynamics/Aquaculture Collaborative Research Support Programme (PD/A CRSP) were compared with a traditional and a modified Egyptian pond management strategy. Young‐of‐year Nile (mixed‐sex or sex‐reversed) tilapia were stocked into ponds at 20 000 fish ha^?1. Sex‐reversed tilapia were stocked into chemical fertilization, organic fertilization plus formulated feed and feed only treatment ponds, whereas mixed‐sex tilapia were stocked into organic fertilization plus formulated feed and chemical plus organic fertilization plus formulated feed treatment ponds. Nile tilapia yields ranged from 1274 to 2929 kg ha^?1. Nile tilapia yields in organic fertilization plus formulated feed treatments were significantly greater than the yield from chemical fertilization ponds. PD/A CRSP pond management strategies did not produce significantly greater Nile tilapia yields than the traditional Egyptian system, but a larger percentage of harvested tilapia in the organic fertilization plus feed treatments were classified in the first and second class size categories compared with the traditional Egyptian system. Organic fertilization plus formulated feed pond management strategies had the highest net returns, average rate of return on capital and the highest margin between average price and break‐even prices to cover total variable costs or total costs.     

龙头水库浮游植物初级产量、浮游生物生物量和鲢鳙鱼产力的研究

1978-1979年在龙头水库进行了浮游植物初级产量和浮游生物生物量的研究。浮游植物初级产量每昼夜平均为1．88克碳／米^2。浮游植物和浮游动物生物量分别为5：764mg／L和0：587mg／L。用龙头水库的实例来讨论水域生态系的供饵能力、鲢鳙鱼产力和鱼种的合理放养量。     

The direct contribution of fish to lake phosphorus cycles

Abstract –  Published data are synthesised to assess the direct contribution of fish to the recycling of phosphorus across a lake productivity gradient. Phosphorus excretion rates by fish assemblages are more or less directly proportional to fish biomass, despite changes in mean body mass, species composition and diet with increasing lake productivity. Piecewise linear regression of published data shows for the first time that lacustrine fish biomass increases with total phosphorus (TP) concentration in the water column up to around 140  μ g·TP·l⁻¹ but levels off above that value, suggesting that fish contribute less to nutrient recycling as lake productivity increases. The results confirm previous findings that water column nutrient recycling by fish is much less important than by plankton and that fish are important nutrient stores in lakes. The contribution of fish to nutrient recycling is small because of their low turnover rates relative to other taxa.     

Potential yield estimates of unexploited pelagic fish stocks in Lake Malawi

The biomass of the offshore pelagic fish of Lake Malawi was estimated at 168 400 t and is currently unexploited by a fishery. This biomass comprises, by weight, 81% Cichlidae, 15% catfish and 4% Cyprinidae. A Beverton and Holt dynamic pool model was used to estimate potential sustainable yields and to forecast likely changes to the size and age structure of the fish populations under various levels of fishing effort. The total sustainable yield from the offshore fish population was estimated at 34 000 t yr^–1 and, if harvested, would almost double the yield of fish from the lake. Potential yields on an areal basis are low (14.2 kg ha^–1 yr^–1), but are consistent with expectations from studies of pelagic ecosystem productivity.     

投喂芽孢杆菌对鳜及饵料鱼养殖池塘水质和浮游生物的影响

采用一种芽孢杆菌制剂(Bacillus)对鳜(Siniperca chuatsi)及饵料鱼池塘进行水质调控。通过测定池塘水体的氨氮、亚硝酸盐、透明度及pH值等水质指标和池塘中浮游生物量,评价芽孢杆菌制剂对鳜及饵料鱼池塘水质和浮游生物的影响。结果表明,该芽孢杆菌制剂能够提高水质透明度,降解水体中氨氮和亚硝酸盐的含量,其中,亚硝酸盐的最大降解率为77.5%。投喂芽孢杆菌后,实验池塘和对照池塘浮游生物组成均变化不大,表明该制剂对池塘的浮游生物组成没有影响。     

Production of Florida red tilapia in seawater pools: Nursery rearing with chicken manure and growout with prepared feed

Florida red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) were reared in 23 m³ seawater (37 ppt) pools. Monosex males (1.3 g mean weight) were stocked at a density of 25 fish/m³ and reared to fingerling size (>10 g) in pools receiving either chicken manure applied at a rate of 105 kg/ha day⁻¹ or pelletized feed (30% protein) administered ad libitum. Following the nursery period, fingerlings in fed pools were reared through adult, marketable sizes.

After 20 days of nursery rearing, mean fish weights (5.7–9.6 g) and survival (77.5–98.6%) in manured pools ranged from less than to greater than values in fed pools (7.9–9.4 g and 95.5–98.2%). By day 33, while mean weights (11.3±0.4 g) and survival (84.5±5.2%) in manured pools were significantly less than those in fed pools (18.0±0.6 g and 95.9±1.4%), fingerling-size fish were obtained from manured pools at an overall productivity of 55 kg/ha day⁻¹.

After 170 days in fed pools, mean fish weight was 467±9 g, survival was 89.7±0.9%, and food conversion was 1.6±0.2. Daily weight gain achieved a maximum of 4.4 g day before a rapid decline in water temperature from 28–29°C to 24–25°C caused a loss of fish appetite and evidence of disease.

The results suggest that while nursery rearing of Florida red tilapia in seawater pools fertilized with chicken manure is feasible, considerable variability in fish performance among pools can be expected, despite identical management methods. In pools receiving prepared feed, high growth rates and survival through adult, marketable sizes suggests a potential for commercial production of Florida red tilapia in seawater.     

Growth, Yield, Dressout, and Net Returns of Bighead Carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis Stocked at Three Densities in Fertilized Earthen Ponds

Abstract.— Bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis have been raised in the United States for two decades and sold through the livehaul market, but their profitability in monoculture has not been evaluated. Three studies were conducted in 0.10-ha earthen ponds to evaluate the effect of bighead carp stocking density on growth, yield, dressout yield. and net returns. Initially, bighead carp (average weight of 0.36 kg) were stocked at rates of 500, 320, or 130 fish/ha with three replicates of each treatment. Stocking rates for 2-yr-old fish (average weight of 2.45 kg) were reduced to 320, 220, or 130 fish/ha in the second year. Net yields of bighead carp stocked at 500 fish/ha (963 kg/ha) were significantly higher ( P < 0.05) than net yields at the 320 fishha density (771 kg/ha), and these were significantly greater ( P < 0.05) than net yields at 130 fish/ha (369 kg/ha) in the first growing season. Net yields in the second growing season were not significantly different ( P > 0.05) among densities. There were no significant differences ( P > 0.05) among treatments in yearly growth which ranged from 11–17 g/d in the first and from 6–13 g/d in the second growing season. Dressout percentages for whole-dressed, steak, shank fillet, and shank fillets with white meat only did not differ with stocking density ( P > 0.05). Enterprise and partial budget analysis indicated that monoculture of bighead carp in fertilized ponds is profitable only in the short run at average livehaul market prices, because revenues exceeded variable but not fixed costs. The negative net returns, when all costs were accounted for, indicated that it is not profitable to construct ponds solely for monoculture of bighead carp.     

Determination of dosage of Azotobacter and organic fertilizer for optimum nutrient release, net primary productivity and fish growth in fresh water fish ponds

Four experiments were conducted in order to determine the optimum dosageof Azotobacter chroococcum vis-a-vis organic fertilizer(cow-dung) required for optimum pond productivity. Hydrobiological parameters ofpond water, Azotobacter survival (viable counts), netprimary productivity (NPP) and fish growth were monitored. Studies have revealedthat irrespective of the treatments, dissolved oxygen (DO) levels weresignificantly (P < 0.05) lowered on inoculating the ponds withAzotobacter. Alkalinity, O-PO₄,NO₃-N, turbidity, NPP, plankton population and fish growth weresignificantly (P < 0.05) enhanced in ponds inoculated withAzotobacter @ 100.0 ml pond^–1w^–2 in combination with cow-dung @ 10000 kgha^–1 y^–1. At higher or lower dosages offertilizers, the values in most of these parameters remained low. On the otherhand, total kjeldahl nitrogen and NH₄-N increased continuously. Ingeneral, viable bacterial counts decreased with increase in pH, however, therate of nitrogen fixation was not affected. Multivariate analysis of the data revealed a significantpositive correlation of nutrients (Total kjeldahl Nitrogen, NO₃-N andO-PO₄), with NPP and plankton populations. NH₄-N, however,showed a significant negative correlation with DO, NPP and plankton populations.Highest fish biomass and SGR also coincided with the highest NPP and planktonpopulations, revealing that a dose of 100.0 ml pond^–1w^–2 (for 25 m³ ponds) ofAzotobacter along with 10000 kg ha^–1y^–1 of cow-dung appears to be optimum for obtainingoptimum pond productivity and fish yield. Nutrients in the sediment(NO₃-N and O-PO₄) also followed similar trend. On theother hand, organic carbon increased continuously with each increase in thedosage of fertilizers. A decline in fish biomass and pond productivity at higherfertilizer dosages has been attributed to low DO, high NH₄-N and BOD.     

The Effect of Continual,Nocturnal, or No Aeration on Water Chemistry and Plankton Standing Crops in Highly-Fertilized Sunshine Bass,Morone chrysops × M. saxatilis,Fingerling Production Ponds Without Fish

ABSTRACT

Production of fingerlings from very small fry depends upon an initial high concentration of rotifers followed by high densities of crustacean zooplankton. High fertilization rates lead to increased zooplankton production but often cause poor water quality conditions that aeration may alleviate. This study was designed to determine the effects of constant, nocturnal, and no aeration on water quality, primary productivity, and standing crops of phytoplankton and zooplankton in heavily fertilized nursery-size ponds that contained no fish.

Four 0.04-ha ponds were aerated continually; four ponds were aerated only at night with a 372-W (1/2 hp) paddlewheel aerator; and four ponds were not aerated. For 21 days after they were filled on July 21, 1999, the ponds received 1,224 kg/ha rice bran and 581kg/ha liquid 9-27-0 fertilizer. Water quality variables, primary production, chlorophyll-a and zooplankton were sampled daily.

Constant aeration resulted in several conditions more conducive to survival of fish fry, such as higher zooplankton densities, more moderate temperatures, and safer dissolved oxygen levels than did nocturnal aeration or no aeration. However, the development of a higher standing crop of phytoplankton and higher total ammonia concentrations in the turbulent, constantly aerated ponds resulted in higher un-ionized ammonia levels that were not favorable to survival and growth of fry. The high concentrations of zooplankton that developed in the aerated ponds have good potential for cropping to inoculate other ponds or to provide live foods for tank culture of zooplanktivorous fish.     

Assessment of the aquaculture subsystem in integrated agriculture–aquaculture systems in Northeast Thailand

A survey of integrated agriculture–aquaculture systems (IAAS) was carried out in four different agroecologies, an irrigated and three rainfed agroecologies (drought‐prone, rainfed lowland and rolling land), in Northeast region of Thailand, of tropical wet:dry climate. Fish culture system of IAAS varied with agroecology but not with the length of farmers' experience in IAAS farming. The size of pond holdings in the rainfed lowland agroecology was estimated to be significantly smaller (P≤0.05) than in the three other agroecologies. The highest average extrapolated gross fish yield of 2.3 tonnes ha^?1 was recorded in the irrigated agroecology and this was significantly higher (P≤0.01) than in the three rainfed agroecologies: drought‐prone (1.1 tonnes ha^?1), rainfed lowland (0.5 tonnes ha^?1) and rolling land (0.4 tonnes ha^?1). Higher fish yield in the irrigated agroecology was associated with longer stocking period and higher amount of pond inputs. Average income of IAAS households from fish also varied across agroecology in a fashion that was noted for yields. However, the farm pond played a pivotal role in the diversification of the farming system in rainfed agroecologies, as it was essentially the only source of water supply for fruit and vegetables production. While fish culture in all agroecologies was a low‐input system, intensification through fertilization of ponds with chemical fertilizers can be envisaged to increase fish production in IAAS in Northeast Thailand.