Authors : Anne Kimotho, Charles C. Ngugi, Esther Kitur and Elijah Oyoo-Okoth
Abstract: Growth performance of Nile tilapia at cage densities of 25, 50 and 75 fish m–3 was evaluated in a cage-cum-pond system under laboratory conditions and among farmers practical field conditions. Stocking density significantly (p<0.05) affected weight, SGR, FCR and survival in laboratory conditions and among farmers negatively but not observed changes in ponds (p>0.05). Interaction between stocking density and rearing condition did not affect survival of O. niloticus in ponds (p>0.05) but was observed in the cages (p<0.05). Growth performance indicators were significantly (p<0.05) negatively correlated with stocking density, albeit weakly in practical farming conditions. This study demonstrates the neglected link between research outcomes and practical condition of culture. It suggest that research outcomes under laboratory environment is rarely the case in practical field conditions, especially in developing countries, rendering rigorously controlled research findings meaningless in improving farmer’s outcomes.
Anne Kimotho, Charles C. Ngugi, Esther Kitur and Elijah Oyoo-Okoth, 2020. Growth Performance of Nile tilapia Cultured under Different Cage Stocking Densities in a Cage-cum-pond System Based on Laboratory Condition and among Farmers (Kirinyaga, Kenya). Journal of Fisheries International, 15: 22-29.