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Impacts of Different Agro-ecological and Management Practices on the Shrimp Productivity of Ghers in the Southwest Coastal Region of Bangladesh

K. A. Huq
Fisheries and Marine Resource Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh

M. M. Haque
Department of Aquaculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

K. Mazhabuddin
Fisheries and Marine Resource Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh

S. U. Ahmed
Brackishwater Station, Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Paikgacha, Khulna, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was undertaken to investigate the impacts of water and soil quality parameters, and management practices on shrimp productivity of ghers in three agro-ecological areas of Paikgacha, Shyamnagar and Rampal in the greater Khulna district of Bangladesh. Five ghers of existing culture systems from each of three locations were selected for this study. Findings revealed that water quality parameters including salinity, alkalinity and dissolved oxygen contributed significantly (p<0.05) and positively to shrimp productivity. Phytoplankton production also showed a positive correlation with shrimp productivity. Soil quality parameters including salinity, potassium and calcium content showed positive correlations with shrimp yield. In relation to management practices, stocking density, sources of PL form natural sources and supplementary feeding showed significant (p<0.05) and positive correlations with shrimp productivity. Water exchange also showed a positive correlation with shrimp yield.

Keywords: Agro-ecological, Gher, Correlation, Productivity, Phytoplankton

Location: Paikgacha, Rampal and Shyamnagar Upazilas, Khulna district, Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Commodity: Shrimp

Objectives:

To investigate the impacts of water quality and other ecological factors on the productivity of shrimp farms in three agroecological zones in the greater Khulna district.

Methodology:

The study was carried out in three different locations; Paikgacha, Rampal and Shyamnagar, in the greater Khulna district of Bangladesh. Five farms (ghers) from each location were selected for this study. The surface area of 15 ghers from in locations ranged from 1.07 to 7.5 hectares. The water sources of these ghers were mostly of nearby coastal rivers. The selected ghers were used for alternate shrimp-paddy culture. Paddy cultivation had been taken place during mid August to December, when salinity levels were reduced. Shrimp farming in these areas started during mid December to January when the salinity of the adjacent river started to increase. Water in the ghers was controlled by single inletoutlet. All the ghers were excavated with an internal ditch (generally called canal) of 60-100 cm depth adjacent to the boundary around the ghers. These ditches served to protect the cultured species during water exchange and cultivation of paddy. Water entered into the ghers through a synthetic net (1.0 mm mesh) placed across the inlet to prevent the entrance of undesirable species. The bottom soil of the ghers was sun dried following the harvest of paddy with slight tilling and different level of fertilization. All of the ghers under this study were prepared for shrimp culture by the end of January. After preparation of ghers, both natural and hatchery produced post larvae (PL) were stocked based on their availability. The major physico-chemical parameters of water in the selected ghers were monitored fortnightly. These were temperature, pH (PAL, Transinstrument, resolution = 0.1 pH, accuracy = ± 0.2 pH), salinity (ATAGO, S/MILL hand refractrometer, Salinity = 0-100, Model-8810), Dissolved oxygen (OSK water quality checker), alkalinity (titrimetric method using standard method of APHA 1989), and transparency (Secchi disc). In addition, quantitative study of planktonic organisms was carried out using a Sedgewick Rafter (SR) counting cell. Soil quality parameters of ghers were investigated at the soil research laboratory in the Soil Resource Development Institute (SRDI), Khulna. The main soil quality parameters measured were salinity, pH, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and Fe. The experimental ghers were managed by farmers using traditional practices. Management variables were water exchange (%), stocking density (nos./ha), stocking of PL from hatchery (%), stocking of PL from natural sources (%), feeding (kg/ha), supply of organic and inorganic fertilizer (kg/ha) to the ghers. A total of 100 shrimp were sampled monthly from each gher to observe growth performance particularly length and weight of shrimp. Shrimp were harvested continuously throughout the culture period and final harvesting was conducted at the end of the culture period. Total production was the sum of the individual weights of shrimp considering their survival. The data collected in this study were entered into the computer software SPSS (Version 10.0) and analyzed in accordance with the objectives of the study. To determine the relationships between shrimp productivity and possible contributing factors, correlation coefficients (r) were estimated.

Source of Information: Progress. Agric. 18(2) : 149-155, 2007 ISSN 1017-8139

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

In Bangladesh most of the shrimp farms are based on traditional farming patterns where overall management practices are very poor. This study attempted to determine the effect of physico-chemical aspects of soil and water, water exchange, stocking density, use of fertilizer and supplementary feed on shrimp production. Gher farmers could be suggested to increase their awareness on these factors discussed above so that they could increase the productivity of their shrimp farms maintaining better aquatic environment. In relation to management practices, stocking density, sources of PL form natural sources and supplementary feeding showed significant (p<0.05) and positive correlations with shrimp productivity. Water exchange also showed a positive correlation with shrimp yield.

Knowledge Management: Journal