Vermicompost as fish pond manure - Effect on water quality and growth of Catla catla (Ham.)

Abstract

The present study was conducted in earthen ponds measuring 0.003 ha for 150 days to study the effect of vermicompost as pond manure on growth performance of Catla catla. Different organic fertilizers were used at a dose of vermicompost @ 15000kg/ha/yr, vermicompost @ 10000kg/ha/yr, vermicompost @5000kg/ha/yr and cowdung @ 10000kg/ha/yr in five replicates and one pond was treated as control. One forth dose of fertilizers were applied 15 days prior to fish stocking and remaining doses were given at fortnightly intervals. Supplementary feed was used for feeding twice daily @ 2% body weight per day for entire experiment. The physiochemical characteristics of pond water remained within the favourable limits for fish culture. The range of water parameters increased significantly (p≤0.05) in the ponds. Maximal growth of Catla catla in terms of weight gain, length gain and growth increment was observed in the pond treated with vermicompost @10000kg/ha/yr.