Effect of the farm operations for wheat cultivation in fish ponds on the growth performance and total yield of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

This study aimed to investigate the effect of farming operations for wheat production in fish ponds on growth and vitality for Oreochromis niloticus. Six earthen ponds (4200 m²) were used in this study. Fish farming showed two successive seasons followed by cultivating of wheat in the winter period. Fish farming of O. niloticus in the first season began on 17/5/2012 up to 18/10/2012 then cultivated by wheat on 8/11/2012 up to 8/05/2013 and thereafter stocked by O. niloticus on 25/5/2013 up to 25/10 /2013. O. niloticus fish were fed on a diet containing 25% crude protein. Wheat culture was exposed to three treatments (two replicates for each treatment). The first treatment (T1) wheat was cultured without any fertilizers, while in the second treatment (T2) wheat was cultured with inorganic fertilization and in the third treatment (T3) wheat was cultured with organic fertilization. O. niloticus fingerlings averaging 30.20g in weight in first year and 30.63g for the second year at stocking rate (12000 fingerlings/feddan). Results obtained can be summarized as following: Season of aquaculture: the second season recorded the highest averages of body weight (BW), body length (BL), condition factor (K), daily weight gain (DWG) and specific growth rate (SGR). Treatments: The third treatment (T3) O. niloticus recorded the highest ranges of body weight (BW), body length (BL), condition factor (K), daily weight gain (DWG) and specific growth rate (SGR). Wheat culture: second treatment (T2) recorded the highest ranges of total weight of Wheat crop. Based on the results obtained in this study and from the economical evaluation, it could be concluded that, Wheat cultivation in ponds during the winter period taking into account organic and inorganic fertilization for wheat crop, feeding O. niloticus on artificial feed containing 25% crude protein increased the weights of fish, as well as increased the yield of wheat production from fish ponds in addition to that it was best in terms of economic efficiency compared to other treatments.