Median Lethal Concentration (LC₅₀) of Piscicidal Plants and Their Utilization in Aquaculture

Abstract

Aqueous and ethanol extracts of Acacia pennata (bark), Catunaregam uliginosa (fruit), Diospyros lenceofolia (fruit), and Sapindus mukorossi (fruit) were evaluated as piscicides on the freshwater fish Danio dangila, Danio rerio, and Puntius shalynius, and the air-breathing Heteropneustes fossilis. Catunaregam uliginosa (fruit) possessed relatively higher piscicidal potency followed by Sapindus mukorossi (fruit), Acacia pennata (bark), and lastly Diospyros lanceofolia (fruit). Catunaregam uliginosa can thus be used for eradicating unwanted wild fishes in a short time span at low concentrations so that the health of aquatic environment is maintained.

Keywords:

• Piscicidal activity
• aqueous extract
• ethanol extract
• freshwater fish
• median lethal concentration

Acknowledgments

Authors are thankful to the North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, India, for providing laboratory facilities. The financial support granted from the University Grant Commission, India, is greatly acknowledged.