Research Projects
Kenya Project

Subcontract No. RD010A-13

Note: Additional project information on Educational Outreach and Publications appears in the Peru Project section, p. 55.

Staff

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Arkansas

Rebecca Lochmann	US Principal Investigator, Project Leader
Felicia Bearden	Assistant

Background

The Continuation Plan 1996–2001 addressed the use of feed and fertilization combinations as a way of intensifying production systems. The plan also identified research objectives geared as optimizing resource utilization based on factors at each site and development of practical guidelines for improving management of ponds. Ninth Work Plan research in this component of the Kenya Project examines tilapia utilization of different locally available feeds and feedstuffs by analyzing carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios.

Work Plan Research

This subcontract was awarded funding to conduct the following Ninth Work Plan investigation (see the Peru Project (p. 55) for information on another funded investigation under this subcontract):

• Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of tilapia and Clarias fed commercial feeds of agricultural by-products/ 9FFR2A. An abstract was submitted for this investigation.

Note: The schedule and methods for 9FFR2 have been modified. Please see Appendix 5, "Completion Dates for Work Plan Studies," for revised schedule information. Revised methods will appear in the Addendum to the Ninth Work Plan. This investigation is a collaborative project among University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB), Oregon State University (OSU; under MOU No. RD009A), and Auburn University (AU; under Subcontract No. RD010A-08). The following report submitted by UAPB addresses objective 2, the relative contribution of natural food. The 9FFR2 report submitted by OSU and AU addresses objective 1, locally available and lower-cost feeds (see p. 59).

Stable Carbon and Nitrogen Isotope Analysis of Tilapia and Clarias Fed Commercial Feeds or Agricultural By-Products

Ninth Work Plan, Feeds and Fertilizers Research 2A (9FFR2A)
Abstract

Rebecca Lochmann
Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Pine Bluff, Arkansas, USA

Abstract

Samples of feeds, fertilizers, fish, mud, and plankton from the final feeding study in Kenya were received in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, in late June 2000. These samples are being freeze-dried and ground. In addition, mud must be treated to remove carbonates. All prepared samples will be submitted to a laboratory for isotope analysis, which will begin in two to three months. Final results should be available by 31 December 2000. Since all samples were received only after the feeding trial was completed, there are no preliminary isotope data to report. Several sets of feeds and feedstuffs have been subjected to proximate analysis at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff to verify results of analysis conducted in Kenya.