Evaluation of Two Bio-Stimulants for Improving Water Quality in Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, Production Ponds

ABSTRACT

Two commercial products (LASE and PhytoMax), which are formulations of organic acids, enzymes, vitamins, and micronutrients intended to stimulate microbial activity in fish production ponds, were evaluated. The effects on water quality of twice-monthly applications of PhytoMax and LASE in a replicated field test conducted in commercial channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, ponds in northwest Mississippi were studied. Temperature, pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, reactive phosphorus, total phosphorus, chemical oxygen demand, chlorophyll a, and dissolved oxygen were monitored for 7 months and compared among LASE-treated, PhytoMax-treated, and control ponds. Only pH was statistically different (P <0.05) among ponds groups-7.6 in controls vs. 7.7 in LASE and PhytoMax ponds-however, this difference was not biologically significant. The results of this study failed to demonstrate a benefit of adding PhytoMax or LASE to commercial channel catfish ponds. Although adding specific micro-nutrients, vitamins, and enzymes to enhance natural microbial activity is a more ecologically sound strategy than adding bacterial suspensions, PhytoMax and LASE did not improve water quality in ponds at the recommended application rates.

Key Words:

• Channel catfish
• water quality
• probiotics
• bioaugmentation