Evaluation of Artemia biomass production in San Crisanto, Yucatán, México, with the use of poultry manure as organic fertilizer

Abstract

The main objective of aquaculture is to obtain high yields to improve the cost–benefit relationship. Organic fertilizers are considered cheap inputs that may contribute to improving crop yields; however, responses to these fertilizers can vary not only due to their own characteristics, but also to environmental conditions at the location, salinity and handling given to these wastes. In the present work, we evaluated nitrogen and phosphorus levels resulting from 24, 48 and 72 h decomposition of five doses of poultry manure (2.67, 5.33, 10.67, 16 and 20 g l −1, equivalent to 100, 200, 400, 600 and 750 kg ha −1 (kg/10 7 l), respectively) in seawater (experiment 1). The highest quantity of nitrogen in the water was obtained with 2.67 g of fertilizer at 24 h of decomposition. The highest amounts of phosphorus were obtained with 5.33 g of fertilizer at 24 and 48 h. Based on these results, it was decided to evaluate the 2.67 and 5.33g concentrations of poultry manure in the production of Artemia spp. biomass in earthen ponds (experiment 2). The highest biomass quantities (457.0 and 467.33 g 4000 l −1) were obtained with both concentrations of fertilizer (2.67 and 5.33 g, respectively) at 55 days of the trial. Biomass production in control ponds was always lower than that obtained in fertilized experimental units. The mean biomass production of the 11 evaluations recorded was not statistically different between the two doses of fertilizer ( P>0.05), but these were significantly different from the control. The lowest apparent feed conversion ratio (AFCR=0.88) was obtained with the lowest concentration of fertilizer (2.67 g). Therefore, the best amount of fertilizer for Artemia biomass production under proposed experimental conditions is 2.67 g of fertilizer, equivalent to 100 kg ha −1. The use of poultry manure as fertilizer in Artemia culture could contribute to diversifying productive activities in the coastal zone of Yucatán and to partially satisfying the demand for this source in the region.