Aquaculture pond fertilization.

Abstract

Abstract Organic fertilizers (livestock manures and other agricultural wastes or by-products) and chemical fertilizers can be applied to aquaculture ponds to increase fish or shrimp production. Pond fertilization increases concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus and other plant nutrients to stimulate phytoplankton photosynthesis that is the base of the food web culminating in shrimp and fish production. Fertilization usually results in two to fivefold increase in aquaculture production. Organic fertilizers tend to increase production above that possible with chemical fertilizers, but a combination of organic and chemical fertilization usually results in greater production than does either type of fertilization alone. Manufactured feeds allow much greater production than possible with fertilizers, and feeding has become more common than pond fertilization. However, fertilization remains an important practice for smallholder farmers in developing countries. It also is sometimes applied early in the grow-out period in feed-based aquaculture, and it is a common technique for increasing production of sportfish ponds.