Project title: The role of fish ponds in nutrient dynamics of high and
low input systems of mixed farming systems.
PhD student: Patricia Muendo
Short description of the proposed research:
The study hypothesis that nutrient dynamics in fish ponds will differ according to nutrient input level, which is related to the selected tilapia strains. Fishponds can play an important role in preserving nutrients and act as nutrient traps when pond sediment is used as fertilizer for agricultural crops. The study aims to explore the role of fishponds as nutrient traps to increase nutrient use efficiency of mixed farming systems. Therefore the student will:
1. Quantify the temporal variation in nutrient availability and requirements
in east-African land-based agriculture on the basis of literature data.
2. Characterise nutrient dynamics in different tilapia culture environments
(including high and low input systems and different strains of tilapia)
3. Quantitatively describe the process of sludge formation and evaluate
the value of sludge as a fertilizer in land-based agriculture.
Composition of the scientific support project group:
Prof. Dr. J.A.J. Verreth, Supervisor, WUR / Aquaculture & Fisheries
Dr. M.C.J. Verdegem, Daily Supervisor, WUR / Aquaculture & Fisheries
Dr ir. Jetse J. Stoorvogel, Co-Supervisor, WUR / Soil Science & Geology
Dr. Gamal El Naggar, Advisor, WorldFish Center, Regional Research Center for Africa and West Asia, Abbassa, Egypt