Sugarcane bagasse and paddy straw biochar amendment in degraded inland saline soil improves water and sediment quality and growth of genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT)☆

Kara, Tao and Bharti, Vidya Shree and Amal, Chalungal Thampi and Biswas, Smriti and Konduri, Arun and Adakney, Swaraj and Krishnan, Sreedharan and Bhuvaneswari, Rathi (2025) Sugarcane bagasse and paddy straw biochar amendment in degraded inland saline soil improves water and sediment quality and growth of genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT)☆. Aquaculture Reports, 43. pp. 1-9. ISSN 2352-5134

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Abstract

An experiment was conducted for 45 days in 500-litre fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) tanks to evaluate the effects of biochar on sediment and water quality, as well as the growth performance and health of genetically improved farmed tilapia. The study included two treatments and one control: T1 (Sediment + Inland Saline Water + Paddy Straw Biochar at 9 tons/ha), T2 (Sediment + Inland Saline Water + Sugarcane Bagasse Biochar (SBB) at 9 tons/ha), and C (Sediment + Inland Saline Water without Biochar). Biochar application significantly enhanced sediment quality parameters (cation exchange capacity, organic carbon, potassium content, and water holding capacity) compared to the control (p < 0.05). Water quality was also improved, with increased in potassium level and reduced ammonia concentration in the treatments. Growth performance metrics demonstrated significantly higher values in biochar treated groups, with Weight Gain (WG%) increased by 5 % (T1) and 11.32 % (T2) compared to the control. Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), Specific Growth Rate (SGR%), and enzymatic parameters was also improved significantly in the biochar treated groups. Haematological parameters, including Red Blood Cell (RBC) and White Blood Cell (WBC) counts, as well as higher haemoglobin level, indicated better overall health in tilapia with biochar treatments. Stress-related enzyme activities, including Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT), were notably reduced in T1 and T2 compared to the control. Hence, it may be concluded that inland saline soil, unsuitable for agriculture, can be converted into a productive aquaculture system through biochar amendment in sediment.

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