The Potential of Periphyton-based Aquaculture Production Systems

216 Pages·2012·6.14 MB·English

The Potential of
Periphyton-based Aquaculture
Production Systems
Doctoral Dissertation
Mohd. Ekram-Ul-Azim
C6NTRALE LANDBOUWCATALOGUS
0000 0873 3715
Promotoren: Prof. Dr. E.A. Huisman
Emeritus Hoogleraar in de Visteelt en Visserij
Wageningen Universiteit
Prof. Dr. J.A.J. Verreth
Hoogleraar in de Visteelt en Visserij
Wageningen Universiteit
Co-promotor: Dr. M.C.J. Verdegem
Universitair docent bij de Leerstoelgroep Visteelt en Visserij
Wageningen Universiteit
Promotiecommissie: Prof. Dr. Ir. A. J. van der Zijpp
Wageningen Universiteit
Prof. Dr. N. de Pauw
Ryksuniversiteit Gent, Belgie
Prof. Dr. M.A. Wahab
Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh
Dr. P. van der Steen
International Institute for Infrastructural, Hydraulic and
Environmental Engineering (IHE), Delft
K J'
The Potential of
Periphyton-based Aquaculture
Production Systems
Mohd. Ekram-Ul-Azim
Proefschrift
ter verkrijging van de graad van doctor
op gezag van de rector magnificus
van Wageningen Universiteit,
Prof. Dr. Ir. L. Speelman,
in het openbaar te verdedigen
op maandag 10 december 2001
des ochtends om elf uur in de Aula.
Azim, M.E. 2001. The potential of periphyton-based aquaculture production systems. Ph.D.
Thesis, Wageningen University.
Fish Culture and Fisheries Group, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, Wageningen
Institute of Animal Sciences (WIAS), Wageningen University, The Netherlands.
ISBN: 90-5808-564-3
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Stellingen (Propositions)
1. Labeo rohita is a predominantly periphyton grazer, realizing excellent growth and
production in periphyton-based aquaculture systems.
(this Thesis)
2. By providing a substrate area similar to the pond water surface area, both autotrophic and
fish production can be doubled.
(this Thesis)
3. The expanded aquaculture industry relying heavily on fish meal poses a threat, not only to
capture fisheries, but also to itself.
(Naylor et al., 2000 in Nature)
4. More attention should be given to research of polyculture and integrated cultures,
especially targeting fish species that feed low in the food chain.
(Professor E.A. Huisman in his farewell message, January, 2001)
5. The practice of aquaculture should be pursued as an integral component of development,
contributing towards sustainable livelihoods for poor sectors of the community,
promoting human development and enhancing social well-being.
(Bangkok declaration, Aquaculture development beyond 2000)
6. Mechanization and automation save money, time and resources. However, if applied in a
dogmatic way, they reduce creativity and enhance the wealth of few at the expense of
many.
7. In a world where freshwater will become increasingly scarce, increasing fish production
concurrently with sustainability is a priority as well as a challenge for scientists.
8. Machee Bhatee Bangali (Fish and rice make the People of Bangladesh).
(Bangladeshi proverb)
Stellingen belonging to the thesis
"The potential of periphyton-based aquaculture production systems"
M.E. Azim
Wageningen, 10 December, 2001
(Dedicated to
my wife and daughter
Abstract
Azim, M.E., 2001. The potential of periphyton-based aquaculture production systems.
Ph.D. Thesis, Fish Culture and Fisheries Group, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen,
Wageningen Institute of Animal Sciences (WIAS), Wageningen University, The Netherlands.
The overall objective of this study was to determine the technical and economical
performance of periphyton-based aquaculture systems in Bangladesh. It thus addressed one of
the key constraints for the poor to benefit from fish culture - limited access to resources such
as fertilizers and feeds - while trying to maximize the conversion of these resources into fish.
The suitability of four locally available substrates for periphyton growth was evaluated and
the optimal fertilization regime determined. The production and growth of four indigenous
species, rohu Labeo rohita (Hamilton), catla Catla catla (Hamilton), kalbaush L. calbasu
(Hamilton) and gonia L. gonius (Linnaeus), was evaluated under single species and
polyculture conditions. The species were selected on the basis of their feeding behaviour,
ease of culture and high market demand. The periphyton production rate was around 2.5 g of
ash free dry matter m"2 d"1. Considering the total periphyton substrate area in the pond, this
rate can support an estimated fish production of 5,000 kg ha"1 y"1. Periphyton production
effectively doubled the autotrophic C production, while no trade-off in production between
phytoplankton and periphyton communities was observed. The nutritional quality of
periphyton was adequate to support the dietary needs of the experimental fish. Nitrogen
retention in fish in substrate-based systems was about 1.6 times higher than in control
systems without substrate. As periphyton substrate, bamboo (Bambusa sp.) proved better than
hizol branch (Barringtonia sp.), bamboo side shoot or jute stick (Corchorus sp.) in terms of
nutritional quality and periphyton productivity. Jute stick, however, provided better
economical returns.
In single species culture, fish yields of rohu and kalbaush increased on average 80%
compared to control systems without substrate, whereas with gonia, no significant production
increase was observed. In periphyton-based polyculture systems, 70-180% greater fish
production compared to controls was obtained. A three species periphyton-based polyculture
technology was developed. Using the 75 m2 experimental freshwater ponds, provided with a
substrate surface area approximately equal to the pond water surface area and stocked at the
rate of 6,000 rohu, 4,000 catla and 1,500 kalbaush (total 11,500 juveniles) per hectare, a fish
production of 2,306 kg was achieved within a 90-days culture period.
A pilot scale trial in an extended number of household ponds, distributed over
different agro-ecological zones of the country, has been proposed before dissemination of this
technology for wider use as a means of poverty alleviation and nutritional security in
Bangladesh and elsewhere in the region.
Key words: Periphyton; Biofilm; Artificial substrates; Pond productivity; Tropical
aquaculture; Monoculture; Polyculture; Fertilization; Proximate composition; Stocking ratio;
Stable isotope ratio; Nutrient efficiency; Production economics; Indian major carps; Catla
catla; Labeo rohita; Labeo gonius; Labeo calbasu.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 General Introduction 1
Part I Evaluation of substrates and optimization of fertilization rate
for periphyton production: implications in aquaculture
Chapter 2 The effect of artificial substrates on freshwater pond productivity 27
and water quality and the implications for periphyton-based
aquaculture
Chapter 3 Optimization of fertilization rate for maximizing periphyton 55
production on artificial substrates and the implications for
periphyton-based aquaculture
Part II Selection of suitable indigenous fish species by monoculture
Chapter 4 The potential of periphyton-based culture of two Indian major 79
carps, rohu Labeo rohita (Hamilton) and gonia Labeo gonitis
(Linnaeus)
Chapter 5 The potential of periphyton-based culture of the native major carp, 93
kalbaush Labeo calbasu (Hamilton)
Part III Evaluation of polyculture by exploring fish stocking densities,
species ratios and combinations
Chapter 6 Optimization of stocking ratios of two Indian major carps, rohu 113
{Labeo rohita Ham.) and catla {Catla catla Ham.) in a periphyton-
based aquaculture system
Chapter 7 Evaluation of polyculture of Indian major carps in periphyton- 133
based ponds
Part IV Comparison of fish production, nutrient efficiency and
economics between traditional and periphyton-based
production systems
Chapter 8 A comparison of fertilization, feeding and three periphyton 161
substrates for increasing fish production in freshwater pond
aquaculture in Bangladesh
Chapter 9 General Discussion 185
Summary 205
Samenvatting 209
Ph.D. Education Programme 213
Acknowledgements 214
Curriculum Vitae 216
List of Publication 217
Promotors: Prof. Dr. E.A. Huisman
Emeritus Professor of Fish Culture and Fisheries
Wageningen University
Prof. Dr. J.A.J. Verreth
Professor of Fish Culture and Fisheries
Wageningen University
Co-promotor: Dr. M.C.J. Verdegem
Senior Lecturer at the Fish Culture and Fisheries Group
Wageningen University
Promotion committee: Prof. Dr. Ir. A. J. van der Zijpp
Wageningen University, The Netherlands
Prof. Dr. N. de Pauw
University of Ghent, Belgium
Prof. Dr. M.A. Wahab
Bangladesh Agricultural University
Mymensingh, Bangladesh
Dr. P. van der Steen
International Institute for Infrastructural, Hydraulic and
Environmental Engineering (IHE), Delft, The Netherlands
Chapter 1
General Introduction