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Title: EFFECT OF SILICATE FERTILIZATION ON THE PRODUCTION OF LITOPENAEUS VANNAMEI

Author
item Green, Bartholomew - Bart
item WIGGLESWORTH, JOHN - SEA FARMS GROUP, HONDURAS

Submitted to: Aquaculture America Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/28/2002
Publication Date: 1/28/2002
Citation: GREEN, B.W., WIGGLESWORTH, J.M. EFFECT OF SILICATE FERTILIZATION ON THE PRODUCTION OF LITOPENAEUS VANNAMEI. AQUACULTURE AMERICA CONFERENCE. 2002.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The objective of this experiment was to quantify the effect of silicate fertilization on pond water quality and production of Litopenaeus vannamei in earthen ponds compared to a standard pond fertilization program. A completely randomized design experiment in 2x2 factorial arrangement was conducted in 12 2-ha earthen ponds during the dry season on a shrimp farm in Honduras; two levels (presence or absence) each of a standard fertilization or silicate fertilization program were evaluated. Ponds were stocked L. vannamei (9.6 PL/m2) and were harvested 83 d later. Commercial shrimp ration (20% protein) was offered to shrimp beginning three weeks after stocking. Water was exchanged in ponds at 5% per week. No significant differences in total N, TAN, total P, reactive silicate, chlorophyll a, and BOD2 concentrations were observed in ponds where silicate fertilizer was present or absent. Total N, total P, chlorophyll a, and BOD2 concentrations were significantly greater in ponds receiving the standard fertilization program compared to pond that did not. However, mean reactive silicate concentration was significantly lower in ponds managed with the standard fertilizer program. After 83 days, gross shrimp yield was similar in ponds fertilized with silicate (526 kg/ha) and ponds not fertilized with silicate (541 kg/ha). No significant differences were observed between these treatments for average weight or for survival. However, gross shrimp yield after 83 days was significantly greater in ponds managed with the standard fertilization program (599 kg/ha) compared to ponds where it was absent (468 kg/ha). Mean average weights and mean survivals were similar where the standard fertilization