Abstract

The present experiment was conducted in perennial earthen ponds (ha) for 150 days to assess the effect of vermicompost on water quality and growth performance of indigenous carps. Both organic manures (Vermicompost and semi digested cow dung) were used @ 10,000 kg/ha/yr and control used to monitored their effect on growth performance of Catla catla, Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus mrigala. One fourth of doze was applied 15 days prior to fish stocking and rest in equal fortnightly installments. The fingerlings of Catla, Rohu and Mrigal were stocked @ 5000 nos. per hectare in the ratio of 4:3:3. Supplementary feed (mixture of mustard oil cake and rice bran in 1:1 ratio by weight) was given twice daily @ 1% body weight for entire period of experiment. The physico-chemical parameters were found to be within the optimum limits for carp culture in both the experimental ponds. Plankton production in both the experimental pond did not differ significantly. Maximum growth of carps in terms of weight gain, length gain and specific growth rate was maximum in the pond treated with vermicompost @10,000kg/ha/yr.