Effect of culture intensity and probiotics application on microbiological and environmental parameters in Litopenaeus

The present study examined the complex interaction among stocki ng density and extent of probiotic use with production and environmental parameters in Litopenaeus vannamei culture ponds to suggest suitable management strategies. The study was conducted in L. vannamei culture -1 -1 ponds with stocking density of 35 nos sq m (Group I) and 56 nos sq m (Group II) and probiotic -1 -1 application @16.5 kg ha and 157 kg ha , respectively. There was no significant difference noted between the two groups of ponds in respect to ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) in sediment and nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB) in water samples, whereas sig nificantly higher levels of AOB in water samples of high intensity culture ponds (Group II) and NOB in sediment samples of Group I were observed. The levels of sulphur oxidizing bacteria (SOB) a