On-farm Analysis of the use of clear Plastic Pond Sheeting for Enhanced Growth and Productivity of Tilapia Rendalli and Oreochromis Shiranus Polyculture in Earthen Ponds

Abstract: 
The effect of clear plastic sheeting on growth of Tilapia rendalli and Oreochromis shiranus polyculture and pond productivity was assessed in twelve 200m2 ponds in Dowa district, Malawi. Clear plastic sheets of 200 microns were installed 50 cm above water surface, covering 0%, 50% and 80% of the pond area. The experiment was conducted in a Randomised Blocked Design. Final mean weight and specific growth rate were significantly high (p<0.05) in 80% cover ponds. Survival rate, chlorophyll a, and zooplankton concentration were also highest in 80% covered ponds although non-significant. Fish grew at 1.12% Body Weight (BW) per day in ponds with 80% cover showing an increase of 30% from the uncovered ponds which had SGR of 0.75% BW/day. The study has further shown that 80% pond sheeting is more profitable than 0% and 50% pond plastic sheet. Hence, covering ponds with 80% clear plastic sheeting can boost aquaculture production.
L’effet de la bâche en plastique transparente sur la croissance de Tilapia rendalli et la polyculture d’Oreochromisshiranus, et la productivité de l’étang ont été évalués dans douze étangs de 200 m2 dans le district de Dowa, au Malawi. Les bâches en plastique transparente de 200 microns ont été installées 50 cm au-dessus de la surface de l’eau, couvrant 0%, 50% et 80% de la surface de l’étang. L’expérience a été menée dans une conception randomisée en blocks. Le poids moyen final et le taux de croissance spécifique étaient significativement élevés (p <0,05) dans les étangs de 80% de couverture. Le taux de survie, la chlorophylle a et la concentration en zooplanctons étaient également plus élevés dans des étangsde 80% de couverture, bien que non significatifs. Les poissons ont augmenté à 1,12% du poids corporel par jour dans les étangs avec unecouverture de 80% montrant un accroissement de 30% des étangsnon couverts qui avaient un SGR de 0,75% de poids corporel / jour. L’étude a également démontré que la couverture d’un étang à 80% est plus rentable quela couverture d’un étang à 0% et 50% par des bâchesen plastique. Par conséquent, couvrir lesétangsà 80% avecune bâche en plastique transparent peut stimuler la production aquacole.
Language: 
English
Extended abstracts submitted under Harnessing Aquaculture and Fisheries
Date of publication: 
2012
Country: 
Region Focus: 
Southern Africa
Collection: 
RUFORUM Conferences and Workshops
Licence conditions: 
Open Access
Access restriction: 
Form: 
Printed resource
Publisher: 
ISSN: 
E_ISSN: 
Edition: 
Notes: 

The 2012 RUFORUM Biennial Conference is the third in the series. The main objective of the Biennial conferences is to provide a platform for agricultural research for development stakeholders in Africa and beyond to actively exchange findings and experiences, while at the same time learning lessons towards improving performance of the agricultural sector and ultimately people’s livelihoods. The biennial conference is RUFORUM’s most comprehensive meeting for the diversity of stakeholers in agriculture. It is especially dedicated to graduate students and their supervisors, grantees in RUFORUM member universities and alumni. It is a platform for peer review, quality control, mentorship, networking and shared learning. The third Biennial Conference was attended by 657 participants.This record contains an extended abstract accepted under the theme of Harnessing Aquaculture and Fisheries