Genetic improvement of tilapia: challenges and prospects in Nigeria
The contribution of tilapia aquaculture in Nigeria to world output is negligible due to stunting, poor market value among others. This paper evaluates the aquacultural credentials of tilapia, some genetic improvement technology in cultured tilapia, namely, ploidy, hormonal sex reversal. transgenic, hybridization, and the necessity of Genetic Improvement in accelerating tilapia production in Nigeria. Investigation reveals the presence of O. niloticus with the highest growth perfermancc index (~h1=3.11) for Lake Kanji which indicates high growth potential in suitable culture environment and could serve as a good starting point for genetic development. The presence of ”wesafu”, an ecotype cichlid, endemic to Epe lagoon, Lagos, which grows to 1500g in the wild, appears to be an excellent candidate for genetic improvement of a commercial strain for the growing aquaculture industry. Tilapia Genetic improvement in Nigeria is faced with a number of setbacks. This includes short- term, scattered and disjointed funding, inadequate genetic research facilities, ecological risk, inadequate skilled manpower and poor documentation of tilapia genetic resources among others. Considering the growing importance of tilapia culture, the need to document, conserve, evaluate and utilize tilapia genetic resources is highlighted to enhance the success of food security in Nigeria.
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | conference_item biblioteca |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
FISON
2009
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| Subjects: | Aquaculture, Oreochromis niloticus, Nigeria, Kainji L., freshwater environment, Fish culture, Genetics, Selective breeding, |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/1834/38097 |
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