Impact of Solar UV-B Radiation in the Culture of Pacific White Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Middle East and North African (MENA) region are known for high levels of solar UV radiation. A study was conducted to assess the effect of UV radiation on phytoplankton chlorophyll, β-carotene and growth of pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei in HDPE liner culture ponds for 98 days. The experiment is based on control ponds (direct sunlight) and treatment ponds (Green house) using intensive shrimp culture method. Shrimp juveniles (SPF) at the rate of 100/m2 were stocked in each pond and fed with a standard fishmeal based supplementary pellet feed having 35% protein in diet. Physico-chemical parameters of pond water, UV-B radiation, Chlorophyll-a, shrimp growth and β-carotene in meat were monitored during the study period. Significant reduction (p<0.01) in UV-B radiation was found in treatment ponds in comparison with control ponds at an average reduction of 23.2% for surface water due to filtration. Chlorophyll-a in phytoplankton and β- carotene in shrimp were found to be increased in treatment ponds due to low UV-B radiation. However, shrimp growth was not affected significantly (P>0.01) by UV-B radiation in culture ponds.