Effect of application of aquaculture effluent on nutrient uptake and grain yield of the common bean

A study was conducted to evaluate the fertilizer value of aquaculture effluent from African catfish (Clarius glerepenus) with respect to common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). The study i) determined the crop nutrient value of aquaculture effluent and ii) the effect of using aquaculture effluents on the yield of common bean. A field study was conducted in Tende innovation farm, an aquaculture farm located in Wakiso district in central Uganda. Beans were planted in a split plot design and subjected to four water source treatments. These were: catfish hatchery water (Hw), catfish pond water (Pw), rain water (Rw) and lake water (Lw). Water, plant, grain, and soil samples from the four treatments were collected and analysed for nitrogen and phosphorus content. Results showed a significant difference in the total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) in the water treatments (p<0.05). The Pw and Hw treatments contained higher amounts of TN and TP. Significant effects (p<0.05) on nutrient uptake were also observed between treatments in the shoots, roots and grains. Application of Pw and Hw significantly (p<0.05) increased bean yield. It is therefore recommended that aquaculture wastewater based on its nutrient level load can be utilized as an important ameliorant for improving nutrient availability in irrigated agriculture particularly in horticultural crops that require nitrogen and phosphorus amendments.