Effects of Soil Chemical Composition on the Hematology of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) in Earthen Ponds Effects of Soil Chemical Composition on the Hematology of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) in Earthen Ponds
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Abstract
Effects of soil chemical property on the hematology of Oreochromis niloticus in earthen ponds were investigated between March and August 2016. Three soil profile pits were dug side-by-side three existing earthen ponds in three different geomorphological locations of Imo state at Umuagwo, Ulakwo, and Uboma. Three homogenous soil horizons (0–20, 20–50, and 60–150 cm) were identified and evaluated for soil moisture, texture, and chemical composition using standard methods (USDA, 1971, Singer and Mum, 1996). 10 adults of O. niloticus of 250.0 ± 5.4 g average weight were randomly selected from each of the associated earthen ponds and chemically analyzed for nutrient composition in accordance with AOAC (2005). Soil texture was sandy at Umuagwo (sand: 798%, silt: 11.7%, and clay: 10.0%), sandy loam at Ulakwo (sand: 68.7%, silt: 16.0%, and clay: 15.3%), and clay loam at Uboma (sand: 32.8%, silt: 21.5%, and clay: 50.0%). The soil pH (4.0–4.5), organic carbon (0.4–0.6%), total nitrogen (0.04–0.08%), and exchangeable bases (Ca: 1.35–1.45, Mg: 0.05–1.60, and Na: 0.003–0.05 m/100 g) recorded for the clay soil at Uboma were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than in other test soils. Hematological parameters of fish from the sandy soil (PCV 39.5 ± 3.0%, red blood cell [RBC] [2.78 ± 0.5 × 106 cells/mm3], white blood cell [WBC] [45.7 ± 0.2 × 103 cells/mm2], and Hb [7.8 ± 0.8 g/dl]) did not significantly differ (P > 0.05) from those of sandy loam (PCV [43.6 ± 3.6%], RBC [2.70 ± 0.6 × 106 cells/mm3], WBC [45.0 ± 2.7 × 103 cells/mm3], and Hb [8.13 ± 0.6 g/dl]) and clay loam soils (PCV was 43.2 ± 2.1%, RBC [2.80 ± 0.01 × 106 cells/mm3], and Hb [8.13 + 0.6g/dl]). There was thus no discernible impact (P > 0.05) in the blood of O. niloticus attributable to differences in soil chemical composition.
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