Project title: Selection for fast growth in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L.,
in low-input earthen pond environments
PhD student: Harrison C. Karisa
Short description of the proposed research:
The aim of the project is to carry out a selective breeding program for fast growth in O. niloticus for low-input farm conditions and to study the effects of selection on associated performance traits. For this several sub-studies are needed:
1. To estimate heritability and response to selection for growth in O. niloticus, in low-input ponds.
2. To assess the efficiency of selection for low input target environments by defining the role of phenotypic plasticity
and genotype by environment interaction.
3. To investigate differences in low- and high- input selected lines with regard to metabolic energy expenditure
and early or late maturity.
Comparison will be made with a sister selection program carried out under high input conditions with the hypotheses of no difference in heritability and response to selection for growth between the two lines and no significant genotype-environment interaction.
Composition of the scientific support project group:
Prof. Dr. J.A.J. Verreth, Supervisor, WUR / Aquaculture & Fisheries
Dr. Prof. V. Arendonk, Co-Supervisor, WUR /Animal Breeding & Genetics
Dr. ir. Henk Bovenhuis, Daily Supervisor, WUR /Animal Breeding & Genetics
ir. Hans Komen, Advisor, WUR /Animal Breeding & Genetics
Dr. Mahmoud Rezk, Advisor, WorldFish Center, Regional Research Center for Africa and West Asia, Abbassa, Egypt