The Effects Of "Yam Minisett Dust" On Some Aquatic Organisms.

ABSTRACT

Considering the problem of pesticides on aquatic organisms as have been documented by most researchers and the nearest of the demonstration farm of the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) Umudike to the water source supplying the fish farm of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), a study of yam minisett dust on some aquatic organisms was carried out. This study was carried out using cultured zooplankton in organic manure and post fingerlings of the hybrid cross between Heterobranchus Ion gifihis (Male) and C/arias gariepinus (female) got from the African Regional Aquaculture Centre ( ARAC), Aluu, Port Harcourt. These organisms were exposed to different concentrations of this pesticide and observations showed that the pesticide affected all the parameters measured; behavioral response and the physiology of the fish. The LC50for fish was 39.6mg/I and 7.8mg/I for zooplankton. A safe concentration of 1.23mg/I is recommended for aquatic life. Although the pesticide showed some effect on the haematological study, it was not conclusive because the organisms were not subjected to a sublethal test. More work therefore needs to be done on that aspect.