Aquaculture Asia, Vol.14, No.1, pp.1-51, January-March 2009

Peter Edwards writes on rural aquaculture: Myanmar revisited. Harvesting, traditional preservation and marketing of fishes of Chalan Beel, Bangladesh, by Galib, S.M. and Samad, M.A. Role of community in production and supply of larger, quality fingerlings, by Radheyshyam, De, H.K. and Saha, G.S. Can rice-fish farming provide food security in Bangladesh? by Ahmed, N. and Luong-Van, J. Nutritional and food security for rural poor through multi-commodity production from a lake of eastern Uttar Pradesh, by Singh, S.K. Emerging boost in Sri Lankan reservoir fish production: a case of adoption of past research findings, by Amarasinghe, U.S., Weerakoon, D.E.M., Athukorala, D.A. Farming the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium malcolmsonii, by Radheyshyam Breeding and seed production of butter catfish, Ompok pabda (Siluridae) at Kalyani Centre of CIFA, India, by Chakrabarti, P.P., Chakrabarty, N.M. and Mondal, S.C. Asia-Pacific Marine Finfish Aquaculture Magazine Use of fish in animal feeds: a fresh perspective National strategies for aquatic animal health management, by Mohan, C.V. NACA Newsletter.

Development of giant freshwater prawn broodstock

The commercial success of a giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) hatchery depends upon the uninterrupted supply of the desired quantity and quality of broodstock. This study was an attempt to develop the broodstock near a hatchery, to be used for seed production throughout the year. The hatchery produced seed were stocked at the rate of 3/m2 after initial pond preparation. The prawns were fed with a pelleted diet (3 mm size) prepared by using locally available feed ingredients. The seed had an initial weight of 0.30 g and attained an average weight of 92.0 g and 62.0 g in males and females, respectively, within 11 months. Berried prawns were observed starting from the month of June (5%), after six months of stocking, with a maximum in September (60%). The percentage of berried prawns increased from June to September when the water temperature was optimum and decreased from December when it got cold. The broodstock developed in this experiment could be used in the hatchery after six months of stocking, and brooders could be used to produce seed for two seasons before being sold in the market.

中国东北样带（NECT）羊草种群数量特性变化及其与环境因子的直接梯度分析

陆地样带研究是国际地圈一生物圈计划( IGBP)全球变化研究中最引入注目的创新之一。目前，国际上已经设立了15条陆地样带，而且正在开展各项研究工作。现有关于陆地样带的研究报道多集中在环境梯度分析、气候变化对植被初级生产力的影响及环境变化与植被变化的对应关系等方面，而关于陆地样带环境梯度变化上植物种群生态学的研究尚未见报道。 本研究以东北样带为平台，研究北纬43。31' - 44041'，东经125018’-115。31'范围内，即由湿润到干旱的环境梯度变化系列，羊草主要形态特征、种群密度、生物量、种子生产、生物量分配比例等变化规律及其与环境因子的相关关系，初步探讨了中国东北大尺度环境变化对羊草种群的影响及羊草对变化环境的适应规律。 在本研究的环境变化系列上，羊草种群外部形态的突出变化是种群植株高度由东至西沿降水量逐渐下降的梯度逐级递减，而且植株高度与生长季前期的降水量呈显著正相关关系。除旗叶外，羊草种群各叶片长度具有相似的变化趋势，即长春地区种群叶片长度远远大于其它种群，阿巴嘎旗地区种群叶片长度远远小于其它种群，其它8个种群叶片长度变化不大，呈平缓波动状态。除长春地区羊草叶片宽度显著大于其它种群外，其它9个种群间虽有一定的差异，但基本是处于波动状态。这说明羊草的各形态特征对该梯度环境变化的反映是不同的。 在该环境梯度上，羊草种群总密度、营养枝密度和生殖枝密度具有非常相似的变化趋势，均为由东至西呈先增后减的趋势，并且最大值都在长岭种马场地区。而且，无论是种群总密度，还是营养枝和生殖枝密度均与9月份平均温度显著相关，这是因为秋季高温对地上部分的营养物质向地下根茎转移及地下根茎芽的形成有利，丰富的物质积累和发育良好的地下根茎芽是翌年种群具有较高密度的保障。在本研究的10个种群中，除长春地区种群生殖枝分化率显著低于其它种群外，各羊草种群生殖枝分化率相对稳定，而且羊草种群生殖枝分化率与环境梯度上各环境因子间的相关性均不显著。 在本研究中，种群总生物量、营养枝生物量、生殖枝生物量和个体生物量等指标具有不同的变化趋势。表现为由东至西或由湿润到干旱，除生殖枝生物量在最东端的各种群中呈增加趋势外，种群总生物量和地上群体生物量（营养枝生物量和生殖枝生物量）均呈逐级盘低走势，而且干燥系数和生长季前期的降水量是决定总生物量和地上群体生物量变化的主要因素。地下根茎生物量表现为从湿润的长春市地区到半干旱的绍根地区呈缓慢盘低，而后随干旱程度的加重迅速增加，但至最干旱的阿巴嘎旗地区又迅速下降。在半干旱和干旱地区，植物根系生物量增加能使植物更有效地利用有限的水资源。羊草种群个体生物量的变化趋势基本一致，即除长春地区种群个体生物量远远大于其它9个种群外，各羊草种群个体生物量虽有所差异，但变化不大，基本水平波动状态。个体生物量的相对稳定是羊草能适应各种变化生境的重要保障，而且在该实验梯度上个体生物量的相对稳定是通过种群密度变化来调节的。 在本研究梯度上，虽然各种子生产指标有一定的变化，如锡林郭勒草原定位站种群和阿巴嘎旗种群的种穗长度、结实数和单位面积种子产量均较低等，但这些指标的变化与由东至西的降水量递减等气候因子变化是不一致的，如结实数、单位面积种子产量和种子重量等基本呈波动状态，只是在实验梯度的西端才有明显的下降。这说明在本研究的环境梯度系列上，环境因子对羊草种子生产有一定的影响，但最主要的影响可能是其自身遗传因素，这有待于今后的深入研究。 在本研究的环境梯度上，由东至西或由湿润到干旱的气候变化系列上，羊草种群根茎、营养枝、生殖枝和种子生物量分配比例呈现明显的规律性变化。最显著的表现是羊草种群根茎生物量分配比例随降水量的减少而逐渐增加。在水资源有限的生境下，大比例的根茎生物量分配能增加根系对地下水分的吸收，同时有利于物质和能量在根部的贮藏，这种机制能确保植物在干旱气候条件下生存。相反，羊草种群地上营养枝生物量分配比例由东至西逐渐下降，减少营养枝生物量分配比例可以降低营养枝水分蒸腾量，协调根部水分吸收和枝条蒸腾的关系，保持整个植物体的水分平衡。羊草种群生殖枝和种子生物量分配比例均呈两头低，中间高的变化趋势。这说明降水充足和严重干旱均不利于羊草有性生殖体的生产，半湿润和半干旱气候区是羊草种子生产的理想地域，这也可能是羊革能在半湿润和半干旱气候区大面积分布的原因。

Studies on the performance of Ovatide on breeding of Indian major carps

The paper deals with the experimental studies on breeding of Indian Major Carps - Catla catla (Valenciennes), Labeo rohita (Hamilton), Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton), & Labeo calbasu (Hamilton) with the help of 'Ovatide' which is being used as an alternative inducing agent for commercial seed production. This study has been conducted for six consecutive months (April - September, 2000) in a stone-pitched breeding channels of a farm located at Midnapore District, West Bengal. The doses of 'Ovatide' (0.5 ml/kg of fish weight) remained same for each female species during the entire study period and males were released without any dose. The physicochemical parameters of water during different months were estimated. The latency period and fertilization percentage varied in different months and species. The results confirmed that 'Ovatide' can be used successfully in a much more cost-effective way for induced breeding of carps, even in rural fish farms with morrum-pitched breeding channels.

Trade of live brooders of the black tiger shrimp, Penaeus Monodon Fabricius 1978, at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

The demand for brooders of Penaeus monodon by the hatcheries, which are solely dependant on wild brooders for their seed production, has resulted in a vigorous fishery and trade for this species, especially along the Visakhapatnam coast. More than three hundred brooders are brought in per day for trading during the peak landing season from December to March every year. The price of gravid brooders has been declining over the years but on an average is about Rs. 30,000 per brooder. The total length of male brooders ranged from 190 to 246 mm during the three years under study and for females it varied between 210 and 330 mm. A specialized methodology for transportation, storage and trade of P. monodon brooders has been evolved over the years at Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour. Concentrated exploitation of brooders from the wild and presence of pathogens in them makes a strong case for development of specific pathogen free brooders and conservation of wild stock.

Development of artificial breeding techniques for long-whiskered catfish, Sperata aor and giant river catfish, Sperata seenghala of Bangladesh

Sperata aor and S. seenghala are the two important native catfishes of Bangladesh but commercial farming of these species is not possible due to lack of naturally collected or artificially produced seeds for stocking. Attempts were made to develop techniques for seed production by artificial breeding and nursery-rearing of fries of these catfishes. A total of 60 S. seenghala (750-1,500 g) and 10 S. aor (600-1,000 g) broods were collected from the Brahmaputra river-basin and floodplains in Mymensingh region four months prior to their breeding season. The collected brood fishes were reared in separate earthen ponds with supplementary feeds comprising of rice bran (40%), mustard oil cake (29%), fish meal (30%) and vitamin-premix (1 %). Three experiments were conducted to optimize the hormone dose. A total of nine S. seenghala females weighing from 750 to 1,500 g were given an initial and resolving dose of 12-20 and 16-24 mg PG/kg body weight, respectively. The males weighing from 650-950 g were administered a single dose of 18-26 mg PG/kg body weight at the time of the time of administering the resolving dose to the females. The females ovulated partially and the eggs were examined under a compound microscope, but most of them were found to be less ripe or damaged. Collection of milt by stripping the males was not successful. The testes were taken out and sperm were observed to be non-motile and less developed. In view of stimulating natural propagation of S. seenghala, artificial holes (nests) were constructed in the pond bottom. Each hole was 0.7 m in diameter and 0.3 m in depth. A total of 10 holes were made and then 10 pairs of S. seenghala breeders (800-1,200 g) were stocked in the pond. In mid February, 3,000 fry of S. seenghala with a mean length of 4.60 cm and weight of 0.36 g were collected by repeated netting followed by drying of the pond. The fry were then stocked in a nursery pond and fed with commercial feed (SABINCO starter-1). The average length and weight of the fingerlings were 9.01 cm and 3.95 g, respectively and the estimated survival was 60% after two months of rearing. S. aor did not respond to natural spawning. Further study is essential to develop techniques for their successful artificial and natural breeding.

Demonstration of some selected aquaculture technologies under farming system research in Jessore and Santahar, Bangladesh

BFRI evolved some selected aquaculture technologies viz. polyculture of carps in perennial ponds, monoculture of short cycled fish species (BFRI super strain) in seasonal ponds and prawn seed production through backyard hatchery system have been demonstrated under Farming System Research (FSR) component in Jessore and Santahar regions. Both polyculture of carps and monoculture of short cycled fish species technologies were tested in farmer's ponds in Kaium Kula village near Jessore town. In polyculture trials, seven species comprising of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molirrix), catla (Catla catla), rohu (Labeo rohita), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), mrigal (Cirrhinus cirrhosus) and silver barb (Barbonymus gonionotus) were stocked @ 9,500 (ratio 6:2:4:2:1:5:5); 10,750 (ratio 6:2:4:2:1:5:5) and 12,000 (ratio 6:2:4:2:1:5:4) fish/ha respectively in ponds of T1, T2 and T3 having three replications of each. The mean highest fish production was 3,148 kg/ha in T3, followed by 2,899 kg/ha in T1 and 2,875 kg/ha in T2. Production of T3 was significantly different (P<0.05) than both T1 and T2, while there was no significant differences (P>0.05) between the production of T1 and T2. In case of trial of short cycled fish species, two treatments were tested: T1 (comprising of BFRI super strain of Nile tilapia, silver carp, common carp and silver barb; ratio 3:5:1:1) and T2 (having only BFRI super strain of Nile tilapia). Stocking density in both the treatments were same (20,000 fish/ha). In this trial average production was higher in T1 (2,743 kg/ha) than that of T2 (2,369 kg/ha) but the production figure in these two treatments was not significantly different (P>0.05). Demonstration of backyard prawn hatchery technology was tested at Santahar region of Bogra district, North-west part of Bangladesh. This hatchery consisted of three main components i) bio-filter, ii) rearing tank unit (chari) and iii) air blower/air pump unit. Plastic drum of 200-250 l capacity and cemented chari of 200-250 l capacity were used as bio-filter and larval rearing containers respectively. A 0.5 hp air blower with 6 aquarium air pump were used to operate the aeration system in the hatchery. Diluted sea water (10-12 ppt) made from brine solution (200-250 ppt) collected from salt-bed was used in the backyard hatchery system of hatching of eggs and rearing of larvae. Rearing of first stage zoea-larvae was reared in three rearing tanks following the stocking densities of 40, 50 and 60/l of water respectively. Production of post-larvae were 20±0.82, 22±1.12 and 28±1.63/liter of water in treatments I, II and III respectively in 38, 40 and 39 days rearing period.

Fisheries profile mapping of coastal districts in Maharashtra state through GIS

In recent times, GIS is being increasingly used as a decision support system for management of fisheries and aquaculture. It provides new innovative approaches of the dynamic relations that characterize this sector. In this context, a study is conducted based on the secondary data of a major maritime state, Maharashtra, where mapping of fisheries profile of coastal districts in the state is performed through GIS tool having critical geographic dimensions. This paper aims to map information of the state which can be used for the purpose of planning and decision making as each aspect of map has a different component involved. For this purpose, at the core of the system, the data were accessed and integrated from different sources mainly from the five coastal districts of Maharashtra state. Data were brought in tabular form through Microsoft Excel and then joined to Map info Professional version 8.0 GIS software was used with the digitized map of Maharashtra state to enable mapping. This was further synchronized and integrated to generate four thematic maps searchable on several criteria. Map 1 contains the searchable criteria as regards to the fish growth for the year 1997-2004 and fish seed production for the year 2003-04. Map 2 contains fisher population along with their occupation for the year 1992. Map 3 contains brackish water and shrimp farming production and culture area. Map 4 contains infrastructural facilities which include type of boats etc. With this mapping, planners and various stakeholders have accessible information as regards to the various components of fisheries in the state of Maharashtra.

Catfish aquaculture

This article deals with the biology, broodstock management, seed production techniques and grow-out culture practices in C. macrocephalus.

Malaysian school engages in bullfrog and turtle farming

A brief description is given of the culture methods used in the Sepang Today Aquaculture Centre, a private aquafarming training school in Malaysia, regarding American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) and the soft-shelled turtle (Trionyx sinensis). Seed production, grow-out, marketing and future potential are discussed, referring to the school s training brochures for both culture methods.

欧报春(Primula vulgaris)不同花色与色素关系及花色遗传初步分析

为了掌握欧报春各花色遗传规律服务于良种生产,通过对欧报春各色花进行色素吸收光谱和薄层层析分析,进行不同花色杂交研究,分析了欧报春各色花所含色素类型及各花色遗传规律。结果显示欧报春群体含多种花色素,单株也可含有多种花色素,形成多变的粉色、红色及蓝色花。黄色深浅主要由类胡萝卜素含量决定。白色对粉色及黄色为隐性遗传,黄色、粉色为显性遗传并有数量遗传特征,黄色与粉色独立遗传。蓝色为多基因控制的隐性遗传,并具有数量遗传特征。

Effects of effective population size on the F-2 growth and survival of bay scallop Argopecten irradians irradians (Lamarck)

In 2002, six cohorts of broodstock bay scallop Argopecten irradians irradians (Ne=1, 2, 10, 30, 50 and control) were randomly chosen from a population of bay scallop to produce offspring. After one year rearing, with the progeny matured, the similar experiment was done to produce the F-2 generation. To determine the magnitude of Ne effects, the growth and survival rates in larvae and adult of six F2 groups were compared. Results showed that inbreeding depression existed not only in the Ne=1 group but also in the Ne=2 group. The growth and survival rates of the two groups were significantly lower than those of the other groups (Ne=10, 30, 50, control), and there were no significant differences among the latter (P>0.05). At the same time, the amount of depression in the Ne=1 group was significantly higher than that of the Ne=2 group (P<0.05). These results indicated that the low effective population size (Ne), which increases the possibility of inbreeding, could lead to some harmful effects on the offspring. So it is essential to maintain a high level of Ne in commercial seed production. Furthermore, as the high fecundity of bay scallop might lead to increased inbreeding, selecting broodstock from different growout sites is recommended.

Interannual fluctuations in floral longevity, pollinator visitation and pollination limitation of an alpine plant (Gentiana straminea Maxim., Gentianaceae) at two altitudes in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Prolonged floral longevity and bumblebees as dominate pollinators in alpine ecosystem have been suggested to overcome pollination limitation of alpine plants arising from the decrease of pollinator activity with increasing altitude. However, this conclusion has never been examined in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP), the highest and largest plateau in the world. In this study, we intended to test year-to-year correlations between floral longevity, visiting frequency and pollen limitation of this species between two populations (at 3200 m and 4000 m) of Gentiana straminea in this plateau. Pollinator exclusion elongated both male and female phases greatly at both sites, and durations of both male and female phases in natural condition varied greatly over three years. The visiting frequency of bumblebees varied greatly at the higher altitude, but seemed to be stable at the lower altitude. Seed production was pollination limited in both populations in most studied years. The floral durations, pollinator frequency and pollination limitation showed no significant and consistent variations with the increase of altitude. The previous hypothesis that the prolonged floral longevity of alpine plants can compensate for low levels of pollinator visitation therefore could not be confirmed, and our results further suggested that in the QTP platform, the altitude shows no consistent effect on the reproductive performance of this species, despite that the fluctuation of visit frequency intensified at the higher altitude.

Pollinator shift and reproductive performance of the qinghai-tibetan plateau endemic and endangered Swertia przewalskii (Gentianaceae)

Reproductive failure results in many plant species becoming endangered. However, little is known of how and to what extent pollinator shifts affect reproductive performance of endangered species as a result of the artificial introduction of alien insects. In this study we examined breeding systems, visitor species, visiting frequency and seed set coefficients of Swertia przewalskii in two years that had different dominant pollinator species (native vs. alien). Flowers of this species were protandrous and herkogamous and insects were needed for the production of seeds. The stigmatic receptivity of this species was shorter than for other gentians. No significant difference in seed set coefficient was found for hand-pollinated plants between the two years, indicating that pollinator shift only had a minor effect on this plant's breeding system. The commonest pollinators in 2002 were native bumblebees, alien honeybees and occasional solitary bees, however, only alien honeybees were observed in 2004. The flower visitation rate in both years was relatively high, although the total visit frequency decreased significantly in 2004. The control flowers without any treatment produced significantly fewer seed sets in 2004 than in 2002. In the past decade the seed production of this species may have partly decreased due to pollination by alien honeybees, however, we suggest that they might have acted as alternative pollinators ensuring seed production of S. przewalskii when native pollinators were unavailable. The main reason that this plant is endangered is probably the result of habitat destruction, but changes in land use, namely intensified agricultural practice and unfavorable animal husbandry have also contributed to its decline. We recommend that in-situ conservation, including the establishment of a protected area, is the best way to preserve this species effectively.

Participacao das cultivares de soja da EMBRAPA na producao de sementes fiscalizadas III. Parana, 1973/74 a 1983/84.

Amostragem e coleta de dados; Resultados; Conclusoes.