Azomite Application Does Not Positively Influence Water Quality, Phytoplankton Populations, or Zooplankton Populations When Preparing Mississippi Channel Catfish Nursery Ponds for Stocking

Abstract

AbstractAzomite is a hydrated sodium calcium alumina silicate that is mined from a volcanic deposit in Utah. The product contains many micronutrients that may be beneficial in preparing catfish nursery ponds for stocking. In northwest Mississippi, a 5‐week study was conducted to compare water quality, phytoplankton populations, and zooplankton populations in Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus nursery ponds treated with Azomite at 0, 50, or 100 kg/ha. The study was conducted in 0.04‐ha ponds during April, when fry ponds are prepared for stocking. Azomite application did not affect ammonia concentrations. Over time, nitrite concentrations increased more in control ponds compared to Azomite‐treated ponds; however, nitrite concentrations were low in all ponds. Chlorophyll‐a concentrations were also unaffected by Azomite application. The pH did significantly increase with increasing Azomite application rate. Azomite application had no effects on phytoplankton or zooplankton populations. Overall, there were no beneficial effects of adding Azomite to Channel Catfish nursery ponds in northwest Mississippi.