Stratification of soil quality indicators with increasing pond age in brackish water carps polyculture

ABSTRACT

Present study was conducted to investigate effect of aquaculture activities on characteristics of pond bottom soil. Nine ponds located in Sargodha district, Pakistan were divided into three groups on the basis of pond age; Group 1 (10 years old), Group 2 (2–3 years old) and Group 3 (1 year old). Soil quality parameters were significantly different at surface compared to deeper layers in ponds of Group 1 and 2 (P < 0.05). Highest sand (61.74%) and lowest clay content (7.32%) was found in surface soil of 10-year-old ponds. Electrical conductivity of surface soil was 4588.83 µScm⁻¹ in ponds of Group 1 compared to 2316.67 µScm⁻¹ and 2668.00 µScm⁻¹ in Group 2 and Group 3 ponds, respectively. Results led to the inference that continuous use of ponds can lead to development of surface sediment that can interfere with optimum fish production.

KEYWORDS:

• Pond age
• bottom soil
• electrical conductivity
• soil separates
• phosphorous content

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The study did not receive any funding.