How can we optimize the growth and health of tilapia in fish farms? Researchers from Government College University Faisalabad (Pakistan), China Medical University (Taiwan), King Saud University (Saudi Arabia), and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (Sweden) studied the effects of feeding tilapia fry different types of biochar mixed with a sunflower meal-based diet.
They compared a control group with six groups fed diets containing biochar derived from various sources, such as cotton stalks, wheat straw, and even household waste.
Biochar: Turning Waste into a Benefit for All
Another interesting advancement in sustainable aquaculture is the use of biochar (BC). BC has been studied as a soil enhancer in shrimp ponds; it is produced by heating organic waste in an oxygen-limited environment and offers a double benefit:
- Waste management: Transforms waste materials such as agricultural by-products into a valuable resource.
- Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions: By locking carbon from waste materials, BC helps mitigate climate change.
Potential Benefits of BC for Fish
While research on the impact of BC on fish is ongoing, early studies are promising. Adding BC to fish feed containing SFM could:
- Improve growth: BC could enhance nutrient absorption, leading to faster fish growth.
- Improve body composition: BC could positively influence overall health and fish quality.
- Increase mineral absorption: BC could potentially improve the bioavailability of essential minerals in fish diets.
Corncob Biochar: The Best
This study explored the potential of biochar (BC) as a feed additive for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). These are the key findings:
- Growth Champion: Replacing fish meal with 2% corncob biochar (CCBC) in a sunflower meal-based diet resulted in the highest growth rates in tilapia. This aligns with previous research showing improved growth performance in other fish species fed diets containing activated carbon or bamboo biochar.
- Enhanced Nutrient Absorption: All types of BC, except household waste-derived biochar (HWBC), improved nutrient digestibility in tilapia. This suggests that BC can play a role in optimizing nutrient utilization in fish. Similar positive effects have been observed in cattle and pigs fed BC-supplemented diets.
- Improved Body Composition: CCBC supplementation resulted in the best overall body composition in tilapia, with optimal levels of protein, fat, ash, and moisture content. This could be related to a reduction in ammonia excretion, leading to higher protein content in the fish. Studies on flatfish fed bamboo charcoal support this finding.
- Healthier Fish: Except for HWBC, all types of BC positively impacted the blood parameters of tilapia fry. CCBC supplementation produced the best results, suggesting better overall fish health. While limited research exists on the effects of BC on fish blood parameters, studies in poultry show similar positive results with BC-supplemented diets.
- Improved Mineral Absorption: Tilapia fed CCBC diets showed the highest digestibility of essential minerals such as calcium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, copper, and zinc. The high cation exchange capacity of biochar could explain this, making these minerals more readily available to the fish.
The Power of Biochar
Biochar is a charcoal-like material produced by burning organic matter in an oxygen-limited environment. It is gaining popularity as a soil amendment and now shows promise as a valuable additive in aquaculture.
What Makes Corncob Biochar Special?
The exact reasons behind CCBC’s success are still being explored. However, researchers believe it might be related to the unique properties of biochar that:
- Improve gut health in fish.
- Help absorb toxins and harmful contaminants.
- Enhance the breakdown and utilization of food nutrients.
Interestingly, biochar derived from household waste (HWBC) had negative effects on fish. This highlights the importance of using biochar from specific and controlled sources for optimal results.
Conclusion
Overall, this study highlights the promising potential of CCBC as a sustainable and effective feed additive for tilapia aquaculture. By promoting better growth, nutrient absorption, health, and mineral utilization, CCBC offers a valuable tool for fish farmers seeking productive and environmentally friendly aquaculture practices.
The study opens the door to using CCBC as a sustainable and effective way to promote healthy growth and well-being of farmed tilapia. More research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind CCBC’s benefits fully and to optimize its use in tilapia diets. Additionally, investigating the effects of CCBC on other fish species and exploring alternative sources of biochar could expand the applications of this innovative approach in aquaculture.
Funding for open access to the study was provided by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.
Contact
Jean Wan Hong Yong
Department of Biosystems and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
23456, Alnarp, Sweden
Email: jean.yong@slu.se
Reference (open access)
Amjad, M., Hussain, S. M., Ali, S., Rizwan, M., A., K., & Yong, J. W. (2024). Effectiveness of feeding different biochars on growth, digestibility, body composition, hematology and mineral status of the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-63463-4
