Comparison of the silo and broadcast methods of applying organic fertilizer in milkfish, Chanos chanos (Forsskal), ponds

Abstract

The efficacy of the silo and broadcast methods of applying organic fertilizers in ponds for the production of pond-floor, microbenthic biological complex, a natural food source known as lablab, was tested in 1-ha ponds, replicated thrice in time. Although there were no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) in milkfish growth, survival and production between the two treatments tested, after 90 days production tended to be higher in ponds prepared with the silo method. Advantages of the silo method are that it is less laborious, cheaper, and less time consuming than the broadcast method and results in consistent lablab growth until the end of the culture period.