Effects of Stocking Density on Water Quality,Growth and Economic Benefits of Chinese Softshelled Turtle Pelodiscus sinensis in Ponds

The Chinese soft-shelled turtle Pelodiscus sinensis is a high-valued freshwater species cultured in China.This study investigated the effects of stocking density on water quality,growth performance and economic return of Pelodiscus sinensis cultured in ponds.P.sinensis were stocked at densities of 1 ind./m^2(LD:low stocking density) and 2 ind./m^2(HD:high stocking density) in 3 000-m^2 ponds,with three replicate ponds for each density.P.sinensis juveniles were fed with a commercial dry pellet feed of 46% crude protein and minced fillet of silver carp ans cultured for 122 days.The results showed that the levels of total nitrogen(TN),total phosphorous(TP),Chlorophyll-a(Chl.a) and turbidity in LD treatment were significantly lower than those in HD treatment(P<0.05).The mean TN and TP concentration in LD treatment was 29.3% and 35.7% lower compared to the HD treatment at the end of the experiment,respectively.Mean survival rates,final weight,average growth rates and PER were significantly higher in LD treatment compared with the HD treatment(P<0.05),respectively.Production was significantly affected by stocking density,which was higher in HD treatment,but the net income was higher in LD treatment.The results suggest that turtles with mean weight 55.6 g rearing at a low stocking density(1 ind./m^2) in ponds had a positive effect on overall economic return and was effective at improving turtle growth performance and water quality.

Physicochemical water quality parameters in typical rice-crayfish integrated systems(RCIS)in China

To determine the variation of water quality in rice-crayfish(Procambarus clarkii)integrated systems(RCIS)in China,eleven water quality parameters were measured monthly in a typical RCIS located in Qianjiang City(Hubei Province)from July 2014 to June 2015,the parameters were analyzed with principal component analysis(PCA)and compared between the trenches and rice areas during the rice fallow period(Nov-May).The trench and rice area comprehensive results showed that pH(7.48-8.68),NH_(4)^(+)-N(0.2-1.09 mg/L),NO_(2)^(-)-N(<0.052 mg/L)and conductivity(435-951μS/cm)were within the suitable ranges for P.clarkii and that turbidity(TU)was high during the crayfish harvesting and rice planting season.Annual averages of total nitrogen(TN),total phosphorus(TP),permanganate index(CODMn),and chlorophyll a(Chl.a)content were<2(except in Nov-Dec),0.25,10 mg/L,and 50 mg/m^(3)(especially in Nov-May,<10 mg/m^(3)),respectively.Dissolved oxygen(DO)was below 4 mg/L in Mar-Sep,with a minimum of~1 mg/L,and much higher in Oct-Feb.The maximum and minimum monthly average water temperature(WT)were 31.4°C in July and 5.7°C in December,while the maximum and minimum instantaneous WT were 39.7°C and 2.5°C,respectively.PCA analysis showed that the first three axes,which were mainly correlated with DO,WT and nutrient level,described most information of the parameters,and parameters showed seasonal changes.Some differences were observed in water parameters between the trenches and rice areas,i.e.,trenches generally had higher TU,WT and DO,and lower TN,TP and CODMn,although no significant differences were found in some months and some parameters.The study revealed relatively low water nutrient level,probable extreme WT and DO level in some seasons,and certain differences between the trenches and rice areas in typical CRIS in China.Accordingly,some measures should be taken to improve the negative parameters:1)enhance the water fertility;2)increase DO,especially in Mar-Sep;3)increase the trench and water depth to avoid extreme WT.And water quality management should be addressed in both trenches and rice areas.