THE EFFECTS OF THREE ORGANIC FERTILIZERS: POULTRY DROPPINGS, CATTLE DUNG AND PIG EXCRETA ON THE GROWTH OF FINGERLINGS OF Clarias gariepinus

ABSTRACT

This research was carried out to determine the effects of three organic fertilizers namely:  cattle dung, poultry droppings and pig excreta on the growth of fingerlings of Clarias gariepinus.  A total of 120 fingerlings of average length (15.3±2.10)cm and weight (34.2±8.73)g were used for the study.  The fingerlings were subjected to three different organic fertilizer treatments.  Each treatment was replicated thrice.  For proper assessment, a control experiment containing no organic fertilizer was set up alongside the other treatments.  Equal dosage of organic fertilizer (300g) was applied to each replicate of the three treatments weekly.  The research lasted for 12 weeks.  The effect of the organic fertilizers on the physic-chemical parameters of the rearing water was monitored.  The abundance of planktons was also monitored.  Results showed that there were variations in the percentage content of some important chemical elements and minerals like Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, magnesium, Sodium and Nitrogen in these organic fertilizers.  These variations reflected on the physico-chemical parameters of the rearing water, particularly pH, temperature and dissolved Oxygen, but all were within the normal range for aqua culture in the tropics.  The variations also reflected in the distribution of various plankton in each treatment.  Statistical analysis of the growth measurement of fingerlings showed that the cattlemanure treatment was significantly different (P