The Effect of Water Quality on Rice Growth Performance and Nutrient Accumulation in Integrated Aquaculture-Agriculture - Abstract
This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of Water Quality in fish cum rice integrated system on rice growth. The experimental system was conducted on rice paddy surrounded by a trench which serves as culture for fish. Oryza sativa (FARO 49) was planted in nursery bed and transplanting of seedlings was done after 15 days at a spacing of 10cm by 10cm. Rice growths were accessed by measuring morphometric stage: plant height, leaves as well as reproductive stage: yield throughout productive period. Pond water quality and sediment nutrient accumulation were monitored.
Rice plant height measured after sixteen weeks was 146.98±11.65cm and yield recorded was 2666.7kg/ha. Water quality parameters such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, NO3-N, NH3 were recommended range for the culture. Rice growth analysis shows a significant difference through improved physical-chemical parameters and revealed that NO3-N, NO2-N and NH3 are strongly correlated positively and thus significant. There was significant different (p>0.05) during production between rice plant and nitrogen content present in soil. Sediment accumulated shown high nutrient received manure with supplementary feed in the period of study. The results showed that the patterns of pond water and nutrient flows were strongly influenced by fish farming activities.
Hence, integrating fish pond with crop has strengthened nutrient recycling between Integrated Aquaculture-Agriculture which enhanced better farm outputs
and safeguarding the environment.