Role of periphyton in development of sustainable aquaculture technology for inland saline groundwater: A review

Abstract

To minimize fertilizer use is one objective for sustainable development of aquaculture. Substrate-supported systems enhance food availability for some fish species thriving low in the food web. TO promote organic farming and also in view of the paucity of infomation of periphyton production and its impact on growth performance of brackishwater species, the present review indicates high growth performance of Mugil cephalus, Chanos chanos, Etroplus suratensis and Oreochromis niloticus were grown in ponds provided with substrate in comparison with controls (no feed no additional substrates) and feed ponds (only supplementary feeding, no additional substrates). Studies conducted by different workers also indicated that periphyton supported fish production technology offers considerable potential for aquaculture production enhancement. Installation of additional substrate for the growth of periphyton perhaps also ensure the complete utilization of the nutrients/nutrient pool released by the fertilizers, thus promoting organic farming without the use of costly feeds or any inorganic fertilizers. Therefore, this technology would prove to be eco-friendly and economically viable when applied on large scale.