Abstract

Herbal plants are used to improve health, prevent and treat aquatic animal diseases, especially in marine shrimp farms in the Mekong Delta. However, detailed information on the use of herbal plants in shrimp farming in the Mekong delta is limited. This kind of information is important in the assessment of the characteristics, needs and potential use of herbal plants for the marine shrimp industry. The current study reports on a survey conducted in 2018 into the current use of herbal plants in shrimp farming. Ninety shrimp farmers in Ca Mau and Soc Trang provinces participated in the survey. Results showed: (i) herbal plants were used in both intensive shrimp farming in earthen ponds and super-intensive shrimp farming in plastic-lined ponds. The percentages of farmers using herbal plants in Ca Mau and Soc Trang were 58% and 51%, respectively; (ii) 18 herbal plant species were used in the shrimp farming process. (iii) the enhancement of shrimp immune system was the reason for application of herbal plants by most of shrimp farmers, followed by antibacterial activity of herbal plants; (iv) in Ca Mau, the group of farmers using herbs reported differences in the size of the harvested shrimp, costs and profits compared to those in the herb-nonuse group. It can be concluded that the use of herbal plants in marine shrimp farming in the Mekong Delta has demonstrated positive effects and has the potential to become widespread in a near future.

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