Doses efficaces en glyphosate et en 2,4-D pour le contrôle chimique des laitue d'eau (Pistia stratiotes, Linn.) et toxicité du glyphosate vis-à-vis des tilapias (Sarotherodon melanotheron)

The toxic effects of two herbicides Round up (gliphosate) and 2,4-D (herbazol) were tested on Pistia stratiotes (Linn. Araceae) samples cultivated in glass aquariums. The gliphosate appears to be more toxic on Pistia Stratiotes than 2,4-D. It was then tested on tilapia Sarotherodon melanotheron juveniles. The lethal dose for tilapia (CL50 = 13.25 mg.l -1) is about 18, 37 and 74 times higher than the glyphosate toxic dose for plants at 1, 2 and 4 meters water depth respectively.

Aquaculture vis-a-vis agriculture

The effect of aquaculture, especially shrimp farming, on agriculture has caused heated debate among aquaculturists, agriculturists, and non-governmental organizations. As data on the negative impact of shrimp farming on adjacent rice fields are not available, a study was undertaken in rice fields skirting three shrimp farms: a semi-intensive farm; an extensive farm; and a semi-intensive farm with a buffer zone. The buffer zone was found to be helpful in preventing salinization of the adjacent agricultural fields and the Electrical Conductivity (EC) values (less than 1) reported were found to be harmless to the rice crop. Thus, aquaculture and agriculture can coexist in coastal areas if there are buffer zones in between.

Prawn culture and policy options: technology import and culture through fishermen vis a vis industry

Recent developments in aquaculture has created an awareness that prawn culture is a dollar spinner, in which industry can step in to earn foreign exchange by producing an expensive food iten which has a high market demand abroad. The Government has to take a policy decision whether the prawn culture should be done through small fishermen to improve their socio-economic condition or through private industry with the high technology input and predefined objectives of export trade. Perhaps a simultaneous operation of the two could be allowed best in the interest of India. Perhaps in the interest of quick development and adoption of high production technology, through fishermen organization, the development is encouraged through the implimentation of welfare and area development schemes. In some selected areas private industry may be encoureged to use high production technology to develop prawns.