Dynamics of soil properties and pathogen levels inPacific white shrimp ponds during a productioncycle: Implications for aquaculture management

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Dynamics of soil properties and pathogen levels inPacific white shrimp ponds during a productioncycle: Implications for aquaculture management

Suwanit Chainark, Vanida Sumetlux, Pitchaya Chainark

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This study examines the temporal and spatial variations insoil properties and microbial populations in Pacific whiteshrimp ponds throughout a production cycle in PhuketProvince, southern Thailand, aiming to refine shrimp farmingmethodologies and enhance pond soil management. We col-lected soil samples from four ponds across two aquaculturesites at six different stages of the production cycle—BeforeSediment Flushing (BSF), After Sediment Flushing (ASF), andduring each month of the four-month cycle (M1 to M4).These samples were analyzed from both central and periph-eral pond zones at three soil depths (0–5 cm, 5–10 cm, and10–15 cm). The results indicated negligible variation in soilcharacteristics and microbial loads across all stages. Never-theless, a significant finding was the fluctuation in levels ofeasily decomposable organic matter (EDOM), which is criti-cal for maintaining soil and water quality and affects bothshrimp growth and disease incidence. EDOM levelsdecreased to their lowest after ASF, then progressivelyincreased, reaching a peak at M4 (p < 0.05). The study sug-gests that effective sediment flushing post-cultivation not only mitigates the accumulation of deleterious residues, butalso reduces the necessity for prolonged pond desiccation,thereby offering a sustainable strategy to maintain the eco-logical balance of shrimp ponds over successive farming cycles.


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