PLS REGRESSION TO COMPARE THE RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF WATER QUALITY VARIABLES IN FISH GROWTH

Partial least squares (PLS) is a multivariate dimension reduction technique which is not based on ordinary regression assumptions. The use of PLS regression in life sciences is still a novel concept despite many scientific applications. This paper analyses the influence of physicochemical in the two fish species, Oreochromis jipe and Oreochromis niloticus to determine the cause for their growth difference in the same culture environment. The graphical display of the multi-parameter analysis was performed using a suite of open access R-software packages. The modeling hypothesis was assessed using experimental data collected for the period of 84 days. The findings revealed that significant linear relationship exists between water quality and mean weight of both O. jipe and O.niloticus fish species. Being a crucial study meant to provide baseline information to asses the aquaculture potential O. jipe, we recommend a further study to be conducted on several other predictor variables that can be measured under controlled aquaculture conditions.