Assessment of fish pond sediments for growth, yield and nutritional quality of Indian spinach (Basella alba L.)

Abstract

Integrated farming system is a very effective tool for improving rural economy. Our present study was carried out in different pond dykes of Dumuria upazila of Khulna district, Bangladesh to investigate the effect of different fish pond sediments on growth, yield and subsequently analyze the nutritional quality of Indian spinach. The experiment consisted of two factors viz., pond types (P) (three different ponds growing different fish species: P₁ = prawn and carp, P₂ = prawn and mola, and P₃=prawn, mola and carp) and each pond was cultivated with different fish species with different population densities); and pond sediments (M) (three levels: M₁ = pond dyke soil, M₂ =50% pond mud and 50% pond dyke soil, and M₃ =100% pond mud).  Physical and chemical properties of three ponds dyke soil as well as sediments were analyzed. Parameters studied on Indian spinach were growth, yield and nutritional qualities. Pond sediments were better quality due to well decomposition and microbial activity of sediments compared to dyke soil of ponds. Organic matter of pond sediment was 2.79 (P₃) and EC was 790 (µc/cm). Plant height was varied from 10 to 19% due to the ponds type and sediment effects. Mostly, the plant growth was found better under the supplement of 100% pond sediments compared to dyke soil (M₁) and mixed soil (M₂). The highest yield was found in P₃M₃ and it was varied from 20 to 25%.  Minerals like Ca (%), P (%), and S (mg/100g) were found statistically significantly higher in P₂M₃ compared to other treatments combinations. Nutrition like Vit A and Vit C were the highest (81.33 µg/100 g and 106.14 mg/100 g, respectively) found significantly higher in P₂M₃. Therefore, the pond mud (50% and 100%) can be used to increase the yield and nutrient uptake by the crop which can facilitate to reduce eutrophication and fertilizer for the better environment.