Influence of pyroligneous extract on water quality and productive performance of Penaeus vannamei

Abstract

Water is the main input used in shrimp farming, and the good quality of this natural resource is not only essential for the farmed animals' welfare, but also for a good profitability at the end of the farming process inaquaculture species. Pyroligneous extract (PE) is a yellow to reddish-brown liquid obtained from the condensation of gases produced by partial wood combustion. This compound has been used for several purposes in different areas, such as in the fertilization of various vegetable crops and in soil conditioning. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the possible benefits of the application of pyroligneous extract on water quality and its consequences on the production performance of Penaeus vannamei. Six 1.0 ha ponds were used, 3 of which were used for the application of pyroligneous extract (WPE) and the other 3 without the extract (wPE) for comparison purposes. The extract was diluted in water and applied directly to the dry soil and after a few hours of reaction the ponds were filled with water and prepared for cultivation. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) between the ponds (WPE) and (wPE) in the following water quality parameters: dissolved oxygen, pH, total alkalinity, total hardness, magnesium and silica. However, the values found