Studies on The Growth Pattern of The Penaeid Shrimp Peneus Notialis (PEREZ-FARFANTE) in Ponds Manured With Chicken Droppings

ABSTRACT 

A study was conducted on the growth pattern of the penaeid shrimp, Penaeus notialis, in earthen ponds at the Volta Estuary of Ghana. The ponds were treated with chicken manure at the rate of 0 kg/ha (control), 100 kg/ha, 200 kg/ha, and 300 kg/ha respectively. The culture period was divided into two phases; the first phase covered a period of 90 days and the second phase took 180 days. Growth rates established at the end of the 90 days of culture were 0.04 - 0.13 g/day that resulted in the yield of 128.03 kg/ha, 138.00 kg/ha, 168.88 kg/ha and 243.60 kg/ha in the 0 kg/ha, 100 kg/ha, 200 kg/ha and 300 kg/ha manure treatments respectively. The growth rates at the end of 180 days of culture were 0.04 - 0.07 g/day that resulted in yield of 258.72 kg/ha, 261.05 kg/ha, and 327.18 kg/ha in the 0 kg/ha, 100 kg/ha and 200 kg/ha treatments respectively. Analysis of Length-weight relationship showed isometric growth during the second half (91 to 180 days) of culture whilst the growth during the first 90 days was not isometric in all the treatments. Regression of total length on Carapace length; Body weight on Carapace length and Body weight on Total length showed strong correlation for both 90 and 180 days of culture periods. Productivity test showed nearly uniform primary production in all the ponds with 100 kg/ha treatments registering the highest value of 3.53 mg/l and 300 kg/ha treatments the lowest value at 1.45 mg/l The results indicated that P. notialis would not be ready for harvest during the first 90 days of growth; at least 5 months of growth is required to attain marketable size. Chicken manure could be used at 200 kg/ha and 300 kg/ha rates, an illustration that shrimp culture development and production in Ghana has a great potential.