Fish-Aquatic Plants Integration

FISH-AQUATIC PLANTS FISH-AQUATIC PLANTS INTEGRATION INTEGRATION

Prof. R. S. CHAUHAN(Former Director Fisheries, Uttarakhand)

Department of AquacultureCollege of Fisheries

G. B. Pant University of Agriculture & TechnologyPantnagar-263 149, Uttaranchal

Fish-Aquatic Plants Integration Fish-Aquatic Plants Integration

Many aquatic bodies are not sufficiently suitable Many aquatic bodies are not sufficiently suitable for composite carp culturefor composite carp culture

India has vast area of wetlands, derelict water India has vast area of wetlands, derelict water bodies, community ponds and road side pondsbodies, community ponds and road side ponds

Such water bodies may be used for propagation of Such water bodies may be used for propagation of some aquatic plants for fetching of fruits or other some aquatic plants for fetching of fruits or other edible partsedible parts

In fish-aquatic plants integration, cautious In fish-aquatic plants integration, cautious selection of fish species is important selection of fish species is important

Singhara-An Aquatic FruitSinghara-An Aquatic Fruit Genus Genus Trapa Trapa comprises about 30 species comprises about 30 species Exclusively grows in eutrophic waterExclusively grows in eutrophic water The nut has two (sometimes four) short slender The nut has two (sometimes four) short slender

spines in place of pronounced horns of the Chinese spines in place of pronounced horns of the Chinese plant plant

The fruit with two spines s known as The fruit with two spines s known as Trapa bispinosaTrapa bispinosa The four-spined fruit is known as The four-spined fruit is known as Trapa Trapa

quadrispinosaquadrispinosa There is also a four spined European species There is also a four spined European species Trapa Trapa

natans natans commonly known as Jesuit nut or water commonly known as Jesuit nut or water caltrops or water chesnut caltrops or water chesnut

Singhara- An Aquatic FruitSinghara- An Aquatic Fruit

Called water chestnut in English and Singhara in Called water chestnut in English and Singhara in Urdu Urdu

The Chinese call it ‘ling ko’The Chinese call it ‘ling ko’ Edible sweet fruitEdible sweet fruit Good source of calcium, iron, potassium and zincGood source of calcium, iron, potassium and zinc Grown in freshwater ponds, marshes, seasonal Grown in freshwater ponds, marshes, seasonal

and perennial lakesand perennial lakes Singhara grows best at water depth of 0.5-1.0mSinghara grows best at water depth of 0.5-1.0m Plant requires full sunligh and high organic content Plant requires full sunligh and high organic content

Singhara-An Aquatic FruitSinghara-An Aquatic Fruit Water chestnuts are divided into three types Water chestnuts are divided into three types One that is green, the second that is completely red and the One that is green, the second that is completely red and the

third type is green blended with redthird type is green blended with red It is cultivated in tropical countries Asia, Africa and central It is cultivated in tropical countries Asia, Africa and central

Europe Europe About 2/3 of the water chestnut plants float just beneath the About 2/3 of the water chestnut plants float just beneath the

water surface and thus form a thick mat in water columnwater surface and thus form a thick mat in water column TrapaTrapa has no primary root has no primary root The submerged stem bears two types of adventitious rootThe submerged stem bears two types of adventitious root Those near the base of stem fix the plant to muddy substrate Those near the base of stem fix the plant to muddy substrate The rest are free floating fibrous roots born in pairs below the The rest are free floating fibrous roots born in pairs below the

leaf bases and are unusual being green and photosynthetic leaf bases and are unusual being green and photosynthetic

Singhara-An Aquatic FruitSinghara-An Aquatic Fruit

The flowers are auxilliary, white in colour, The flowers are auxilliary, white in colour, with a solitory pedunclewith a solitory peduncle

They open above the surface towards the They open above the surface towards the afternoonafternoon

After pollination, the flowers submerge to After pollination, the flowers submerge to facilitate fruit formationfacilitate fruit formation

Fruits appear in September and continue up Fruits appear in September and continue up to January to January

PROS OF SINGHARA CULTUREPROS OF SINGHARA CULTURE

Water chestnut flour is used as thickener in Water chestnut flour is used as thickener in Asian cookingAsian cooking

Flour is also used during fastingFlour is also used during fasting In may parts of Asia, the fruit is a staple In may parts of Asia, the fruit is a staple

food sourcefood source Fruit has been used to treat elephantiasis, Fruit has been used to treat elephantiasis,

rheumatism and skin complaintsrheumatism and skin complaints It is an ornamental plant with medicinal and It is an ornamental plant with medicinal and

nutritional valuenutritional value

CONS OF SINGHARA CULTURECONS OF SINGHARA CULTURE

Hard spines are sharp enough to injure people Hard spines are sharp enough to injure people It can wipe out native bay grasses from some It can wipe out native bay grasses from some

areasareas Creates breeding grounds for mosquitoesCreates breeding grounds for mosquitoes Provides only marginal habitat to native fish and Provides only marginal habitat to native fish and

birdsbirds Its complete eradication is very difficult, so Its complete eradication is very difficult, so

waterchestnut has been declared abnoxious waterchestnut has been declared abnoxious weed in many parts of USA weed in many parts of USA

SINGHARA AND INTEGRATED SINGHARA AND INTEGRATED AQUACULTURE AQUACULTURE

Singhara cultivation is done in shallower waterSinghara cultivation is done in shallower water Deep ponds are either utilised exclusively for fish Deep ponds are either utilised exclusively for fish

cultivation or at the most the outer peripheral cultivation or at the most the outer peripheral portions with shallow water are used for singhara portions with shallow water are used for singhara cultivationcultivation

Such ponds could be put under integrated Such ponds could be put under integrated aquaculture in the form of concurrent singhara-aquaculture in the form of concurrent singhara-cum-fish cultivationcum-fish cultivation

Suitable fish species are airbreathing magur, Suitable fish species are airbreathing magur, singhi, kawai etc. singhi, kawai etc.

PREPARATION OF SEEDLING PREPARATION OF SEEDLING

Two methods are used in cultivation:Two methods are used in cultivation:1.1. Natural seeding from previous cropsNatural seeding from previous crops2.2. Preparation and transplanting of seedlingsPreparation and transplanting of seedlings While selecting fruits for seeds, spines are cut While selecting fruits for seeds, spines are cut

with sharp knife.with sharp knife. Selected seeds are stored only after curing with Selected seeds are stored only after curing with

a special technique.a special technique. The seeding material should be kept in large The seeding material should be kept in large

earthen pots which are filled with freshwater and earthen pots which are filled with freshwater and left undisturbed for two to three daysleft undisturbed for two to three days

PREPARATION OF SEEDLINGPREPARATION OF SEEDLING

Water is changed everyday for a week.Water is changed everyday for a week. The process is continued until the hard, The process is continued until the hard,

thick outer skin of the fruit rots and the loose thick outer skin of the fruit rots and the loose coating of the seed is detached from the coating of the seed is detached from the fruits and the thin, stony, inner coat fruits and the thin, stony, inner coat becomes visible.becomes visible.

The curing of seed material is done at room The curing of seed material is done at room temperature and is completed in about 35-temperature and is completed in about 35-40 days.40 days.

PREPARATION OF SEEDLINGPREPARATION OF SEEDLING

Seeds so cured can easily be stored in the Seeds so cured can easily be stored in the same earthen pot without water and covered same earthen pot without water and covered with a moist cloth or gunny bag to provide with a moist cloth or gunny bag to provide high humidity and low temperature.high humidity and low temperature.

These containers are kept in a cool, shady These containers are kept in a cool, shady place and can be stored for up to 3-4 place and can be stored for up to 3-4 months, without affecting seed viability.months, without affecting seed viability.

TRASPLANTATIONTRASPLANTATION

Before broadcasting, the seeds are coated Before broadcasting, the seeds are coated with a layer of soil on the opposite face of with a layer of soil on the opposite face of the germinated portion in order to add extra the germinated portion in order to add extra weight on the non-germinated face and to weight on the non-germinated face and to assure that after broadcasting, in the assure that after broadcasting, in the manner of a shuttle-cock, the seeds will manner of a shuttle-cock, the seeds will settle at the bottom with the germinated face settle at the bottom with the germinated face up and the coated face down.up and the coated face down.


They also can be manually sown.They also can be manually sown. The stem starts emerging and gradually The stem starts emerging and gradually

spreads out.spreads out. During the months of June-July, seedlings During the months of June-July, seedlings

are lifted from the nursery pond and are lifted from the nursery pond and transplanted into larger ponds, ditches, or transplanted into larger ponds, ditches, or reservoirs.reservoirs.

For transplantation, the uprooted stems are For transplantation, the uprooted stems are cut into several smaller pieces.cut into several smaller pieces.


Lateral shoots commonly known as suckers can Lateral shoots commonly known as suckers can be detached from the main mother seed nut for be detached from the main mother seed nut for transplanting. transplanting.

Single seeded water nuts can develop 20-30 and Single seeded water nuts can develop 20-30 and sometimes even up to 50 such lateral suckers.sometimes even up to 50 such lateral suckers.

Each of these laterally developed suckers may Each of these laterally developed suckers may very well be able to send out 5-10 further shoots very well be able to send out 5-10 further shoots after transplanting.after transplanting.

From sowing to later such formations takes about From sowing to later such formations takes about 40-50 days.40-50 days.

Shoots also arise form the nodes, forming roots Shoots also arise form the nodes, forming roots and new plants.and new plants.

MAKHANA CULTUREMAKHANA CULTURE

Makhana, Makhana, Euryale feroxEuryale ferox, is perennial aquatic herb, is perennial aquatic herb Water plant with gigantic floating leavesWater plant with gigantic floating leaves Grows in standing shallow water (0.2-2.0 m deep) Grows in standing shallow water (0.2-2.0 m deep) It has a rhizomatous stem deeply rooted in mud by It has a rhizomatous stem deeply rooted in mud by

fleshy, thick root clustersfleshy, thick root clusters Leaves are green on upper side and purple red on Leaves are green on upper side and purple red on

the lower sidethe lower side Leaves are thorny, oval or rounded having a Leaves are thorny, oval or rounded having a

diameter of 0.2-1.0m diameter of 0.2-1.0m

DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION

Extremely limited to tropical and subtropical Extremely limited to tropical and subtropical regions of South-East and East Asia regions of South-East and East Asia

Wild populations of Wild populations of Euryale feroxEuryale ferox are known to are known to exist in Japan, Korea, earstwhile USSR, North exist in Japan, Korea, earstwhile USSR, North America, Nepal, Bangladesh and some parts of America, Nepal, Bangladesh and some parts of IndiaIndia

In North Bihar about 42% of total water spread In North Bihar about 42% of total water spread area is suitable for makhana growingarea is suitable for makhana growing

Majority of farmers are cultivating makhana as Majority of farmers are cultivating makhana as the mono-crop the mono-crop

DISTRIBUTIONDISTRIBUTION

After harvesting of makhana crop some air-After harvesting of makhana crop some air-breathing fishes (magur, singhi, kawai, breathing fishes (magur, singhi, kawai, gorai, mud eel) trash fishes and the only gorai, mud eel) trash fishes and the only crustacean crustacean (Macrobrachium lammeri) (Macrobrachium lammeri) which which generally get access and enter through generally get access and enter through paddy fields into ponds as wild fish are also paddy fields into ponds as wild fish are also being harvested by farmers as additional being harvested by farmers as additional animal crop without introducing seed of animal crop without introducing seed of these fishes. these fishes.

MAKHANA CYCLE IN PONDS MAKHANA CYCLE IN PONDS Best grown in perennial ponds with a thick Best grown in perennial ponds with a thick

layer of highly nutritive muddy bottom layer of highly nutritive muddy bottom Usual time of sowing is Oct-NovUsual time of sowing is Oct-Nov Ist time sowing requires 90-100 kg seed/ha Ist time sowing requires 90-100 kg seed/ha

while only 35 kg seed/ha is required in ponds while only 35 kg seed/ha is required in ponds which are sown annuallywhich are sown annually

In new ponds seeds are broadcast on the In new ponds seeds are broadcast on the surface of pond which gradually sink to surface of pond which gradually sink to bottom and finally germinate in muck.bottom and finally germinate in muck.

The geminated seeds sprout in Feb. to The geminated seeds sprout in Feb. to March. March.

MAKHANA CYCLE IN PONDSMAKHANA CYCLE IN PONDS

At this time thinning operation is carried out At this time thinning operation is carried out and saplings are transplanted all over the and saplings are transplanted all over the available water space by keeping a gap of available water space by keeping a gap of about 1 m in between two plants.about 1 m in between two plants.

During April-May, the entire water surface During April-May, the entire water surface gets covered with huge, sprawling, thorny, gets covered with huge, sprawling, thorny, elliptical leaves which float on surface of elliptical leaves which float on surface of waterwater

Fruits appear in June Fruits appear in June

MAKHANA CYCLE IN PONDSMAKHANA CYCLE IN PONDS

Mature fruits burst around Aug-Sept and the Mature fruits burst around Aug-Sept and the seeds get scattered all over the bottom of seeds get scattered all over the bottom of pondpond

During this period the farmers cut the leaves During this period the farmers cut the leaves into pieces and throw for decayinto pieces and throw for decay

The scattered seeds at bottom are collected The scattered seeds at bottom are collected manually during September-Octobermanually during September-October

Seeds are accumulated in several heaps Seeds are accumulated in several heaps and collected and collected

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

Advantages Advantages

The introduction of fish in makhana ponds The introduction of fish in makhana ponds may generally benefit both crops may generally benefit both crops

The most economical utilization of The most economical utilization of waterbody (pond) may be achieved since waterbody (pond) may be achieved since the same pond would be used for the the same pond would be used for the production of both production of both makhana makhana and fish.and fish.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGESADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

Very little extra labour would be required to look Very little extra labour would be required to look after the fish, since both after the fish, since both makhana makhana and fish may be and fish may be taken care of at the same time. This extra labout taken care of at the same time. This extra labout cost may be compensated for by savings on cost may be compensated for by savings on labour for weeding, since some of the fishes tend labour for weeding, since some of the fishes tend to reduce the incidence of weeds.to reduce the incidence of weeds.

The quantity of supplemental fish feeds, if at all The quantity of supplemental fish feeds, if at all given, will be comparatively less than given to the given, will be comparatively less than given to the fish in pond culture and unused feed increases the fish in pond culture and unused feed increases the fertility of the pond by acting as organic manure. fertility of the pond by acting as organic manure.


Fishes eat harmful organisms like insects and Fishes eat harmful organisms like insects and their larvae. their larvae. Makhana Makhana yield would increase yield would increase owing to reduced pressure of insect pests and owing to reduced pressure of insect pests and increased organic fertilizationincreased organic fertilization

Makhana- Makhana- fish culture can also contribute to fish culture can also contribute to the control of water borne diseases by feeding the control of water borne diseases by feeding on aquatic intermediate hosts, viz. mosquitoe on aquatic intermediate hosts, viz. mosquitoe larvae (malaria) and freshwater molluscs larvae (malaria) and freshwater molluscs (bilharzia)(bilharzia)


The movement of fish would result in better The movement of fish would result in better aeration of water and greater tillering of aeration of water and greater tillering of makhana cropmakhana crop

The excreta of fish will act as additional The excreta of fish will act as additional organic fertilizerorganic fertilizer


DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Makhana-Makhana-cum-fish culture, however, will cum-fish culture, however, will present certain disadvantages:present certain disadvantages:

If introduced too early, the fishes may If introduced too early, the fishes may damage the young damage the young makhana makhana plants.plants.

Species of fish must be carefully selected to Species of fish must be carefully selected to avoid damage to the makhana cropavoid damage to the makhana crop


The huge sprawling leaves of The huge sprawling leaves of makhana makhana plant keep the water surface densely plant keep the water surface densely shaded from May to August. During this shaded from May to August. During this period the grazing chain gets disrupted as period the grazing chain gets disrupted as sunlight will not penetrate inside the water sunlight will not penetrate inside the water surface. The dissolved oxygen content of surface. The dissolved oxygen content of water gets depleted which makes the water gets depleted which makes the environment unfavorable for the Indian environment unfavorable for the Indian major and exotic carps.major and exotic carps.

MAKHANA-FISH INTEGRATION MAKHANA-FISH INTEGRATION

Integrating aquaculture with agriculture is an Integrating aquaculture with agriculture is an improved syotenimproved syoten

Integration is possible only on the intensity of Integration is possible only on the intensity of cultural practices involvedcultural practices involved

Fish culture in makhana ponds can be grouped as Fish culture in makhana ponds can be grouped as Secondary crop of fish after makhanaSecondary crop of fish after makhana Concurrent culture alongwith makhana during the Concurrent culture alongwith makhana during the

period of its cultivation (central vacant space, period of its cultivation (central vacant space, peripheral vacant space) peripheral vacant space)

Continuous fish culture, transferring the fish to Continuous fish culture, transferring the fish to specially prepared ponds or channels during the specially prepared ponds or channels during the harvesting period of makhana harvesting period of makhana

Fig. Singhara Fruits

Fig. Preparation of Singhara Ponds

Fig. Singhara Plant

Fig. Makhana Leaf

Fig. Processed Makhana

Fig. Size Grading of Makhana

Documents

Fish-Aquatic Plants Integration