The Value of Pig Manure as a Source of Nutrients for Semi-Intensive Culture of Nile Tilapia in Ponds (A Review)

Abstract

Growing global needs for food call for substantial increases in protein production in coming years, and for diligent conservation efforts. Manures from farm animals have been viewed both as a resource and as a waste product, but they are critically important sources of nutrients for organic and integrated farming and for traditional Asian aquaculture. Given constraints on livestock production and capture fisheries, careful development of the aquaculture industry is a necessity. The production volume and market share of tilapia are advancing extremely rapidly, and so too is the proliferation of misinformation and controversy. Culture and feeding practices differ widely, but feeding is usually recognized as the single largest cost to producers. Traditional Asian integrated farming practices involve the use of manures and other farm wastes to promote algae and zooplankton production, serving as a sole or supplemental nutrient source to the food chain that supports tilapia growout. Tilapia also ingest manures. The efficient use of nutrients from manures can have multiple benefits to integrated terrestrial agriculture and aquaculture, as long as product safety and quality are not compromised. With efficient use, handling of manures is simplified, fish production costs are reduced, fish nutrition can be improved, and potentially polluting materials are cycled constructively on integrated farms. Consumer and press reactions to the use of farm manures in food production can be highly polarized. Published responses cover a range of extremes, from enthusiastic endorsement to volatile reactions and outright rejection; in some areas this practice is considered to be more of a "PR (Public Relations) problem" than a health hazard. The perception in online public media that tilapia coming from ponds fertilized with manure are * Corresponding author. C. L. Brown et al. 1183 heavily contaminated with pathogens has not been supported by evidence. The perspectives of farmers in two major tilapia production areas (China and the Philippines) are included.

Stable isotope analysis to quantify contributions of supplementary feed in Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (GIFT strain) aquaculture

“…This result is not in accord with that of Brown et al. () and does not indicate that the growth of GIFT can be directly improved with organic manures (Ezeafurukwe, Osuagwu & Ahaotu, ). Neither treatment indicated any assimilation of chicken manure δ 15 N by algae, plankton and GIFT.…”

“…In this study, chicken manure had the most enriched d 15 N value (6.5& more enriched than GIFT) and eliminated as a potential source of diet for GIFT. This result is not in accord with that of Brown et al (2014) and does not indicate that the growth of GIFT can be directly improved with organic manures (Ezeafurukwe, Osuagwu & Ahaotu, 2013). Neither treatment indicated any assimilation of chicken manure d 15 N by algae, plankton and GIFT.…”

“…Inorganic and organic fertilizers are used in aquaculture ponds to boost algae and phytoplankton production (Boyd, ; Green, ) and secondary production such as zooplankton (Treece, ). Manure from farm animals are also used in aquaculture ponds as this has been recognized as an important source of nutrients and contributes to the food chain that supports tilapia growth (Brown, Yang, Fitzsimmons & Bolivar, ). In this experiment, chicken manure was used for both treatments, as often is the case in tilapia production systems, but results suggest that chicken manure had minimal contribution to algae and phytoplankton production.…”

“…In this experiment, chicken manure was used for both treatments, as often is the case in tilapia production systems, but results suggest that chicken manure had minimal contribution to algae and phytoplankton production. Nutrients derived from manure enhance phytoplankton and zooplankton production in culture ponds (Brown et al., ). If chicken manure contributed largely, then both the phytoplankton and algal δ 15 N isotopic values would have been enriched, occupying positions closer to chicken manure in the bi‐plots (Figure ).…”

Pathogenicity of streptococcus agalactiae in oreochromis niloticus

“…The Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is a relatively large cichlid fish, and one of the first fish species cultured worldwide. It is known as the "aquatic chicken" of the human diet, and it is particularly consumed by pregnant women and children [1]. Since the first trial in Kenya in 1920, the tilapia has been cultured in over 100 countries around the world, because its growth rate is high and it is highly tolerant of different culture conditions [2].…”