Estimation of the Nitrogen-Phosphorus Load Caused by Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum, 1792) Cage-Culture Farms in Kesikköprü Dam Lake: A Comparison of Pelleted and Extruded Feed

Authors: UMUT AŞIR, SERAP PULATSÜ

Abstract: This research was conducted in order to estimate the nitrogen and phosphorus loads released into Kesikköprü Dam Lake between April and July 2006 from 2 different rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum, 1792) cage farms. Both farms had a capacity of about 20 t year^{-1}, and used pelleted and extruded feed. In Kesikköprü Dam Lake the nitrogen load was estimated to be between 56.00 and 62.92 kg t^{-1}of fish produced, and the phosphorus load was estimated to be between 10.66 and 12.17 kg t^{-1}of fish produced in cages in which pelleted feed was used, In cages in which extruded feed was used, the nitrogen load was estimated to be between 33.47 and 25.97 kg t^{-1}of fish produced, and the phosphorus load was estimated to be between 7.32 and 7.96 kg t^{-1}of fish produced. Based on the quantitative results of this study, it was concluded that for aquaculture to be sustainable in inland waters where rainbow trout is cultured, and to minimize its influence on eutrophication, it would be beneficial to use extruded feed.

Keywords: Rainbow trout, nitrogen and phosphorus loads, net cage culture, pelleted, extruded, fish feed, Kesikköprü Dam Lake

Full Text: PDF