Vol. 11, Special Issue 5 (2022)

Author(s):
Mihir Sarm, J Brahma, Prasanta Boro, M Sonowal, D Bharali, Anil Deka and HK Bhattacharyya

Abstract:
Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyse, two important fish-based integration systems i.e. Fish-Pig and Fish-Duck in lower Brahmaputra valley zone, Assam.Materials and Methods: The experiment was carried out in three sets of ponds in duplicate- (i) Control (T0), where the fishes were fed with commercial feed, (ii) Treatment (T1), integrated fish duck farming pond and (iii) Treatment (T2), integrated pig fish farming pond. The prepared ponds were stocked with yearlings (average length: 15cm; average weight: 242 gms) of Catla (Catla catla), Rohu (Labeo rohita), Mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala) & Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) at a stocking density of 10,000 fingerlings/ha in T0& T1 and 5,000 fingerlings/ha in T₂. In all the treatments stocking combination was maintained at Catla:Rohu: Mrigal:Grass carp 30:25:20:25. Fishes in the T₀ (Control group) were provided with commercial fish feed (CP:24%, 4 mm size pellet) @4% of the body weight while fishes in T₁ and T₂ were provided with commercial feed @50% of the control group and pig & duck excreta respectively. After 6 months, final weights of the fishes were recorded and total productions of each group were noted. Water quality parameters of the ponds like pH, dissolved oxygen, free carbon dioxide, alkalinity, hardness etc. were estimated using standard methods (APHA, 2019). TDS and Electrical Conductivity were estimated on monthly intervals using Systronics digital conductivity meter 306.Results: The results reveal that pond fertilization from the pig excreta and duck droppings encourages the growth of tiny plants like algae and other phytoplankton and tiny animals (zooplankton), providing food for the fishes. Initial average weight of individual carry over fish i.e., Grass-carp, Catla, Rohu and Mrigala were 242, 230,160 and 170 g, respectively. Final average weight of Grass carp in T₀, T₁ and T₂ pond were 1800±13.270, 1950± 12.850 and 2050± 13.520, respectively. Final average weight of Catla in T₀ T₁ and T₂ pond were 910± 9.450, 960±10.260 and 980± 12.20 g, respectively. Final average weight of Rohu in T₀ T₁ and T₂ pond were 850± 7.980, 900± 11.230 and 910± 11.160 g respectively. Final average weight of Mrigala in T₀ T₁ and T₂ pond were 600± 6.040, 720±8.500 and 730± 10.560 g, respectively. So, significant differences were found in the productivity of the four varieties of fish between T₀ and T₁ and between T₀ and T₂. But only numerical difference was noticed between T₁ and T₂. Amongst the fish varieties tested, Grass carp exhibited highest growth followed by Catla, Rohu and Mrigala as mentioned in table (1) i.e., Growth of Grass carp in T₀, T₁ and T₂ pond were 743.80, 805.78 and 847.10 %, respectively. This may be attributed to the feeding potential and genetic characteristics of the fishes. However, the fish productivity is greater in the fish-pig system than the fish- duck system. Growth of Catla in T₀, T₁ and T₂ pond were 395.65, 417.39 and 426.08 %, respectively. Growth of Rohu in T₀, T₁ and T₂ pond were 531.25, 562.50 and 568.75 % respectively. Growth of Mrigala in T₀ T₁ and T₂ pond were 348.83, 418.60 and 424.41 % respectively. The study revealed that the pig excreta act as excellent manure for the fish followed by Duck manure. Conclusion: Among the three treatments integrated fish pig farming found to be the most profitable integrated farming system followed by the fish duck farming.