UTILISATION OF VEGETABLE LEAVES FOR CARP PRODUCTION

Abstract

The results of two sets of experiments on mono-culture of grass carp
(Ctenopharyngodon idella) and mixed culture of carps (grass carp 50 :
catla 20 : rohu 15 : mrigal 15) fed exclusively with vegetable leaves are
reported. The experiments were conducted with two replicates each in
0.02 ha ponds of Wastewater Aquaculture Division of the Central Institute
of Freshwater Aquaculture, Rahara during 1991-93.
Monoculture of grass carp stocked @ 1000/ha demonstrated an average
net production of 21.0 kg/ 0.02 ha/8 months (1501 kglha/yr). Mixed culture
of carps stocked @ 5000 /ha recorded an average net production of 22.5
kg/0.02 ha/8 months (1903.7 kg!ha/yr). Field studies revealed that water
bind weed (Ipomoea aquatica) is the most preferred feed of grass carp
amongst vegetable leaves followed by amaranths (Amaranthus gangeticus
and Amaranthus viridis), cauliflower (Brassica oleracia var. votrytis)
and cabbage (Brassica oleracia var. capitata) leaves. Through selection
of highly productive leaf vegetables and suitable crop planning on fallow
fish pond dykes, round the year feeding programme of grass carp has
been explored. Recycling of sewage .effluent for vegetable production and
utilisation of vegetable leaves for fish production is considered an ideal
way of integrated resource management for low cost production.