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Efficacy of Wish Pond-aquaponics System in Mitigating Water Pollution and Safe Food Production

Md. Khairul Islam
Department of Aquaculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

KM Shakil Rana
Department of Aquaculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Rafia Afrin
Department of Aquaculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Saroar Zahan
Department of Aquaculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

MA Salam
Department of Aquaculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The experiment was conducted for 108 days from 27 September 2016 to 11 January 2017 in Bolashpur, Pagla Bazar and Boyra, the peri-urban areas of Mymensingh sadar to assess the integration effect of aquaponic system with wish pond concept in producing safe food by addressing water pollution associated with wish pond alone. Juvenile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) of 5.97 ± 1.36 cm and 4.73 ± 3.97 g and walking catfish (Clarias batrachus) of 6.93 ± 1.35 cm and 2.77 ± 1.88g initial size were stocked at the rate of 100 fish/pond. Commercial floating pellet feed were used at a rate of 10% body weight of fish. Survival rate, total production of fish and vegetables were higher (84%, 18.78 tons/ha/108 days and 58.64 tons/ha respectively) in wish pond-aquaponics system than the wish Pond system (78%, 15.80 tons/ha/108 days and 47.07 tons/ha). Nutrient loads were significantly lower in wish pondaquaponics system at the end because of utilization by the plants therefore performed better than the wish pond system in maintaining water quality.

Keywords: Wish pond, Aquaponics, Water pollution, Fish, Vegetables, Small pond

Location: Bolashpur, Pagla Bazar and Boyra, the peri-urban areas of Mymensingh sadar, Bangladesh

Start Date: 27-09-2016

End Date: 11-01-2017

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Aquaponics

Objectives:

The study was conducted with a view to mitigating the environmental problem of wish pond by combining aquaponics for safe food production.

Methodology:

2.1 Study Site The experiment was conducted with ten household families in Balashpur, Boira and Pagla bazar, the peri-urban areas of Mymensingh sadar, Bangladesh from 27 September 2016 to 11 January 2017. A questionnaire was made to collect some related information from the participants to know their basic knowledge on fish culture, aquaculture systems, home gardening, and their household and economic condition. Among the participants, 4 were males and rest 6 was females, their average age was 40.8 (±9.31) years. Five farmers were selected for wish pond-aquaponics and another five for wish pond system only. After selection of families different type of materials such as- plastic sac bags, plastic containers, trays, wires, pipes, water pumps, electrical instruments, nylon nets, tripals, bamboos, gravels etc. were collected from ‘Mymensingh Bazar’ and suppliers. 2.2 Preparation of wish pond system After having the reconnaissance survey data, the wish pond was constructed in the farmer’s yard measuring 2.1 x 1.5 x 0.3 m³. The soil available from digging pond was compiled with some ingredients such as ½ kg urea, ½ kg tsp, ½ kg murate of potash, ½ kg wheat flower and 1 liter molasses to enhance the vegetable productivity. Then the soil was filled into the sac bags and placed them around the pond to have a strong embankment. Following the sac bag setup at the pond side, a tripal and polythene lining was placed inside the pond to facilitate and increase water holding capacity. Some bamboo splits and pillar was used to tie the bag to keep in place and then water was added. Some ponds were filled with nearby pond water and some were filled with municipality supply water. The system was fenced with nylon net to protect the vegetables from the domestic birds and animals. Machas were also constructed for the blackthorns like bean, gourd and in addition bamboo stick was placed to support the vegetables not falling in the water. In Cambodia the wish pond system consisted of concrete tanks (3 meters x 4 meters x 1.2 meters). The preparation procedure was a new concept in the present experiment to reduce the set up cost. 2.3: Preparation of aquaponics system Aquaponic set up were linked with four wish pond systems available with electricity and security. Six food grade plastic containers (20 L) were used to facilitate the aquaponics vegetable production. A twenty watt aquarium filter pump was used to pump the water from the wish pond to the containers where brick lets were used as grow bed and vegetable saplings were planted. The brick lets were supposed to filter the fish water and naturally accumulated microbes would convert the ammonia to nitrite and then nitrate to make the water safe for the fish and provides food for the vegetable plants. 2.4: Planting vegetable saplings and stocking of fish Different types of seasonal vegetables such as- brinjal, water gourd, cabbage, cauliflower, tomato, water spinach etc. were planted in different sacs. They were planted both on the top of the sac and beside the sac by making small hole on the sac wall. In aquaponics system, vegetable plants were planted through the bricks and gravels. Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and walking catfish (Clarias batrachus) juveniles were released at the rate of 100 fish in each pond. Commercial floating pellet feed containing 30% protein was used to feed the fish twice daily. Feed was given at the rate of 10% body weight of the fish. 2.5: Sampling and harvesting of fish and vegetables Sampling of fish was done monthly. In every sampling, ten fishes were sampled randomly caught from the pond by using a fine mesh net. Length and weight of the fish were measured and the data were recorded in the computer. Vegetable harvesting was a continuous process. Water spinach was harvested after 15 days of plantation. Other vegetables were harvested between 55-60 days. Following the harvesting process, their amount and numbers were recorded. The fish and vegetables were finally harvested after 108 days of experiment. 2.6 Sampling of water Water samples were collected from the fish pond in ½ liter water bottle. The water samples were collected twice during experimental period, first at the starting period and then at the end of the experiment. After the collection of samples they were brought to the Humboldt Soil Testing Laboratory in Soil Science Department at BAU for measuring total-N, electric conductivity (EC), hydrogen carbonate (HCO₃), potassium (K), sulfur (S), sodium (Na) and phosphorus (P). 2.7: Statistical analysis Collected data were loaded in the computer for statistical analysis. One way ANOVA was done with the collected data. Comparison between treatment means was carried out by Duncan’s test to analyze the significance of variation between the treatment means. All statistical analyses were carried out by MS Excel 2010 version and Excel-Stat software. The outcomes were presented in tabular and graphical forms.

Source of Information: Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 2018; 6(2): 405-410 E-ISSN: 2320-7078 P-ISSN: 2349-6800

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

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Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The present study concludes that wish pond system is pollution prone; hence, water was exchanged twice during the 108 days of experiment period. Integration of water filtration system (aquaponics) improved the water quality; therefore, increased fish production than the Wish pond system. The system produced vegetables without fertilizer and ensured clean water for fish growth. Vegetable consumption has increased in the families than the neighbors. The system proved environmental friendly and easy to handle; therefore, these can be combined and implemented in water deficit harsh areas, in regional as well as international context.

Knowledge Management: Journal