Microbial Growth in Shrimp Ponds as Influenced by Monosilicic and Polysilicic Acids

Ruiping Zhang,Elena Bocharnikova,Vladimir Matichenkov

doi:10.1007/s12633-021-01599-y

Abstract

In order to increase shrimp production and minimize detrimental environmental impacts of aquaculture, the maintenance and regulation of the growth and composition of phytoplankton communities and nutritional balance are critical. Silicon (Si) is an essential nutrient for diatoms and other types of microorganisms, but the information about the Si impact on their growth is extremely scarce. Monosilicic and polysilicic acids were tested in several shrimp cultivation systems in Jiangsu Province, China. In pond waters, the concentrations of monosilicic and polysilicic acids were sharply reduced by 36-95% and 35-75%, accordingly, as compared with those in supply water sources. The microbial cell abundance was strongly dependent on monosilicic acid. In laboratory experiments, monosilicic acid added to pond water or probiotic solutions at 1- and 2-mM Si had a significant positive effect on cell abundance. Over three days, the concentrations of monosilicic acid decreased by 81 to 91% in pond water and by 11 to 24% in probiotic solution. In probiotic solutions, the degree of polymerization of silicic acid was more intensive than that in shrimp pond waters. The data obtained demonstrates the importance of systematic studies related to the functions of Si in shrimp aquaculture.

Highlights

Shrimp farming production is one of the fastest-growing segments of the world agriculture with a forecast of the compound annual growth rate in the period 2017–2021 being 4.8 to 5.4% (Anderson et al 2016; 2019)
Monosilicic acid added to pond water or probiotic solution at 1 and 2 mM Si had a significant positive effect on cell abundance
The concentrations of monosilicic acid were remarkably lower as compared with incoming water: by 26.3 times (517.0 vs 19.6 μM Si), 6.4 times (100.0 vs 15.6 μM Si), and 2.8 times (49.3 vs 17.3 μM Si), respectively on Farm 1, Farm 2, and Farm 3

Summary

Introduction

Shrimp farming production is one of the fastest-growing segments of the world agriculture with a forecast of the compound annual growth rate in the period 2017–2021 being 4.8 to 5.4% (Anderson et al 2016; 2019). Shrimp farming management should be based on a systems approach including the application of different materials to provide high productivity and quality and minimize negative impact on the environment (Ray and Lotz, 2017; Sarkar et al 2019). The microbial community plays a significant role in providing additional feed, enhancing nutrient utilization efficiency, reducing anoxic conditions, and minimizing environmental impacts (Denev et al 2009). In plant biology and agriculture, Si has been declared a beneficial element being important for the immune system induction in response to abiotic and biotic stresses (Guerriero et al 2016). Silicon-mediated impacts like sugar formation, DNA stability, transport regulation (activated Fe, B, K, Ca transport and reduced that of Cd, Hg, As, Na) have been reported as a result of Si addition (Bocharnikova et al 2014; Hernandez-Apaolaza 2014, Adrees et al 2015)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion