ISSN: 2577-4050
Authors: Algrient NT*, Berlin S, Thomas EE, Aimerance KD, Francis KM and Tchoumboue
Phytoplankton is one of the essential compartments of the food chain in aquatic ecosystems, especially in fish farming ponds. In order to contribute to the improvement of fish productivity in ponds by the production of phytoplankton through fertilization, a study was carried out at the Research and Application Farm, more precisely at the Aquaculture Station of the University of Dschang. The study was conducted in 9 derivation ponds of the same surface area (5.7 x 5.7 m) and 1 m depth with a flow rate of 3.23 litre/minute. Mesh net (1.5 mm) was attached to the inlet pipe of each pond to prevent fish intrusion from the reservoir. Each of the three treatments consisting of 0; 800 and 1000 kg/ha of chicken droppings was applied to one of the ponds randomly. Each treatment was repeated three times. Phytoplankton and water quality data were collected every two weeks. The results showed a richness of 237 species grouped in 6 phytoplankton phylum that were registered independently of the dropping dose. This species richness decreased with increase of the dropping dose either, 164; 121 and 109 species corresponding to doses 0; 800 and 1000 kg/ha respectively. On the other hand, density values were lowest in unfertilized ponds and highest in ponds fertilized with the highest dose (1000 kg/ha). For the production of phytoplanktonophagous fish the dose of 1000 kg could be used. However, it would be important to search for the optimal weekly fertilization dose.
Keywords: Phytoplankton; Diversity; Density; Chicken Droppings
