The advisory calls for better pond bottom management, water management, disease prevention, and biosecurity measures from shrimp cultivators during the dry-out period between December and February.
According to The Hindu, farms have been advised to desist from taking up intermittent crop during the dry period due to inclement weather conditions. The water temperature may be inimical to a healthy crop leading to spread of diseases from one pond to another.
Instead, ponds must be left dry and fallow with the bottom soil dredged up to two inches to get the ponds ready for the forthcoming crop in February. Farmers are advised to take up stocking only by late January.
The pipes pumping water into the ponds must have 40-60 micron filters. Before water is filled in the ponds, bio-security measures such as crab nets and bird nets must be installed around the ponds. The water, after being pumped into the ponds, should be bleached to a composition of 60 parts per million.
The L. Vannamei seeds shall be well tested for white-spot virus before being stocked in the ponds. Stocking density of the seeds should be about 20-40 per sq. metres. Higher stocking density might cause problems in judicious pond management, sources said.
Farmers must ensure weekly testing of waters, pond and soil nutrients, and good bacteria based on the advise of pond technicians. Farmers are advised to ensure measured feed based on measurement trays and refrain from dumping excessive nutrients.
