Diet and food utilization in Oreochromis esculentus (Graham) in Lake Kanyaboli, Kenya

Abstract  Blue-green algae (Cyanophyta) and green algae (Chlorophyta) were the principal food items ingested by Oreochromis esculentus (Graham) in Lake Kanyaboli. Diatoms (Bacillariophyta), euglenoids (Euglenophyta) and zooplankton were also consistently present in the diet in small quantities. O. esculentus of different sizes fed on similar food items in the lake. The species fed actively during the day, from 0700 h until 1700 h when peak feeding activity occurred. Thereafter, digestion took place steadily until 0600 h, when 90% of the fish had empty stomachs. The diet composition remained the same throughout the year, as did the composition of phytoplankton in the lake. O. esculentus tended to select and digest the diatoms and zooplankton and, to some extent, the euglenoids. Blue-green and green algae were the least utilized food items and passed through the gut undigested.     

The effects of phosphorus and nitrogen on phytoplankton dominance in tropical fish ponds

Nine ponds were used to determine the effects of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) loading on the phytoplankton dominance in tropical fish ponds. Three ponds received triple superphosphate (TSP), three received triple superphosphate plus urea (TSP-Urea) and the rest served as the control. Addition of both phosphorus and nitrogen (TSP-Urea treatment) resulted in higher total phytoplankton than the TSP treatment and the control (P < 0.05). In general, blue-green algae formed the dominant group in TSP-Urea treatment ponds, followed by dinoflagellates, green algae, euglenoids and diatoms. In TSP-Urea treatment ponds, green algae was the most abundant group followed by blue-green, dinoflagellates, euglenoids and diatoms. Addition of combined nitrogen and phosphorus to the ponds not only significantly increased (P < 0.05) total phytoplankton densities, but also caused a shift from blue-green algal dominance to green algae. TSP treatment ponds showed significantly higher blue-green algae than TSP-Urea treatment in the early culture cycle. However, as the ponds became more productive with time, blue-green algae also appeared to be common in TSP-Urea treatment in spite of high N : P ratios. The blue-green algae increased linearly with the increase of total phytoplankton in all treatments (r²= 0.58, P < 0.01).     

池塘底泥生物组成的季节性变化对刺参食物来源的影响

为分析刺参养殖池塘底泥生物组成的季节变化及其对刺参食物来源的影响,本研究于2012年5—12月以16:1(n-7)/16:0及EPA作为硅藻的特征脂肪酸标志,20:4(n-6)作为褐藻的特征脂肪酸标志,DHA及DHA/EPA作为鞭毛藻或原生动物的特征脂肪酸标志,18:1(n-7)及奇数碳和支链脂肪酸(oddbr FAs)作为细菌的特征脂肪酸标志调查了荣成靖海湾刺参养殖池塘底泥和刺参脂肪酸组成的季节性变化特征。结果显示,硅藻、褐藻、多种异养细菌及鞭毛藻或原生动物为底泥的主要组成生物,且各类生物组成的季节变化显著,其中硅藻的特征脂肪酸16:1(n-7)/16:0及EPA最高值出现在冬季,褐藻的特征脂肪酸20:4(n-6)含量为秋季最高,细菌的特征脂肪酸18:1(n-7)及(oddbr FAs)最高值出现在夏季,鞭毛藻或原生动物的特征脂肪酸DHA含量为冬季最高。相关性分析显示,刺参食物中的硅藻、鞭毛藻或原生动物和细菌主要来源于底泥。研究表明,刺参养殖池塘底泥中主要生物组成季节性变化显著,进而引起刺参食物来源的季节性变化。     

DNA fragmentation in blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) sperm: aquaculture and fisheries implications

The objective of this study was to assess sperm DNA longevity in blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) using a dynamic assessment of sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) after sperm activation. Mature blue mussels (n = 57) in Vigo (Galicia, Spain) were obtained, specifically rope farmed blue mussels (n = 38) and wild blue mussels (n = 19). After the sperm collection, a subsample was assessed for SDF (0 h), while the rest of the sample was incubated for 6, 9, 12, 24 and 48 h at 15°C, assessing each time point using the Sperm‐Halomax kit (Halotech DNA, Madrid, Spain). The Kaplan–Meier estimator, log‐rank (Mantel–Cox) test and Mann–Whitney U‐test were used for statistical analyses (spss v. 16.0), α = 0.05. The rate of SDF (r‐SDF) between rope farmed and wild blue mussels over 0–6 h incubation was not significantly different (P = 0.278), but was for 6–24 h (P = 0.004). Differences in r‐SDF were observed when comparing the means between the two groups (P < 0.0001). Individual differences in r‐SDF existed among the rope farmed (P < 0.0001) and wild blue mussels (P < 0.0001). Wild blue mussels presented a higher DNA longevity than the farmed blue mussels. Selection of blue mussel males with a low level of sperm DNA damage and greater sperm DNA longevity may result in better fertilization and seed production.     

Phytoplankton community structure and diversity in the indoor industrial aquaculture system for Litopenaeus vannamei revealed by high‐throughput sequencing and morphological identification

The explosive multiplication of phytoplankton caused by water eutrophication often occur in the intensive shrimp aquaculture. To comprehensively assess the diversity and community structure of phytoplankton in the waters of typical indoor industrial aquaculture system for Litopenaeus vannamei, a combination of high‐throughput sequencing and morphological identification methods were used in the present study. A total of 41 genera belong to nine phyla were detected by both methods. Chlorophyta, Cyanophyta and Bacillariophyta were found to be three dominant phyla. The high‐throughput sequencing revealed that green algae and cyanobacteria were the most dominant phytoplankton; however, diatoms were the first dominant phytoplankton by using the morphological identification. At the genus level, Picochlorum and Synechococcus were dominant, accounting for 20.94%–97.19% and 0.01%–52.81% of total phytoplankton, revealed by the high‐throughput sequencing. Therefore, more attention should be paid to their ecological impacts on the surrounding sea areas or potential toxicity to shrimp. Cyclotella was the most dominant genus revealed by the morphological identification. High‐throughput sequencing revealed a high diversity and small‐sized phytoplankton which were undetected by microscopy. Both methods provide similar information on the environmental drivers of phytoplankton community. NO₃^?, NH₄⁺, DIP, DSi, DON and DOP concentrations were the main factors influencing the phytoplankton community structure and diversity.     

Effect of stocking biomass on solids,phytoplankton communities,common off‐flavors,and production parameters in a channel catfish biofloc technology production system

The effect of initial channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus, Rafinesque, 1818) fingerling biomass (1.4, 1.8, or 2.3 kg m^?3) on phytoplankton communities, common off‐flavours and stocker catfish production parameters was evaluated in biofloc technology production tanks. Stocker catfish size (145.5–172.6 g fish^?1) at harvest did not differ among treatments, but net yield increased linearly as initial biomass increased (R² = 0.633). Mean total feed consumption increased linearly with initial catfish biomass (R² = 0.656) and ranged from 10.7 to 15.8 kg m^?3. Total suspended solids (TSS) in all treatments increased linearly with total feed addition, and high TSS appeared to impact negatively daily feed consumption. Initial phytoplankton populations were dominated by small colonial green algae and diatoms, and later transitioned to populations dominated by a small, filamentous cyanobacteria and diatoms. Low, variable concentrations of 2‐methylisoborneol and geosmin were present in biofloc tank water during most of the study and two tanks yielded catfish with 2‐methylisoborneol or geosmin concentrations that might be classified as off‐flavour. One isolate of actinomycete was isolated sporadically from some biofloc tanks, but its abundance was not correlated with 2‐methylisoborneol concentration in tank waters. The microbial sources of 2‐methylisoborneol and geosmin in biofloc tanks remain unidentified.     

Effect of Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and Freshwater Mussel Elliptio complanata Filtration on the Phytoplankton Community of Partitioned Aquaculture System Units

Growers produce over 2.8 million kg of catfish (over $350 million wholesale revenue) annually in the United States. The microbiology of the phytoplankton community in culture water affects the growth and flavor of the catfish and is a consideration for growers. Filter feeders, like silver carp and freshwater mussels, in controlled growth systems are used to adjust the phytoplankton species. Our goal was to successfully control the algal populations with filter feeders in catfish production. We used silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix as a filter feeder in Partitioned Aquaculture System (PAS) water. Silver carp completely eliminated the cyanobacteria Microcystis by size and biovolume reduction. This created the desired effect of small green algae dominating the algal community. A significant but opposite change was observed when freshwater mussels Elliptio complanata filtered PAS water resulting in Microcystis biovolume and size dominance in the PAS; a less desirable algal community. This study also showed an immediate shift in the phytoplankton community when silver carp and mussels were interchanged between PAS waters. The size-selective filtration by the two filter-feeding taxa was important in determining the composition of the PAS phytoplankton community, and it was apparent that filtration with silver carp successfully depleted undesirable algae.     

Phytoplankton Community Structure, Biomass, and Off-flavor: Pond Size Relationships in Louisiana Catfish Ponds

Abstract.— Many aquaculture studies are conducted in relatively small research ponds and the results are then extrapolated to larger commercial ponds. Implicit in this research is the assumption that there is no relationship between pond size and phytoplankton composition. Study objectives were to assess phytoplankton composition and biomass by several methods in 17 channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus ponds at the Aqua‐culture Research Station, Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA. Pond size ranged from 0.04–0.60 ha. Sampling occurred weekly from 10 September – 1 October 1997. Water temperatures coincided with a transition from summer to fall‐winter conditions. Biomass was assessed by cell counts and quantification of photopigments. Concentrations of dissolved off‐flavor compounds (2‐methylisoborneol and geosmin) were assessed by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy of water column samples. Cell count data showed differences in dominant species, biovolume, and diagnostic pigment signatures among ponds. The smaller ponds had more diverse phytoplankton composition compared to the larger ponds, whereas chlorophyll levels were nearly an order of magnitude lower in the smaller ponds. Ultraplanktonic (2–20 μm) unicellular cyanobacteria dominated the numerical counts on most sampling dates; however, biovolume transformations of cell count data reduced the dominance of this component relative to cryptophytes, diatoms, and filamentous cyanobacteria. Pigment and microscopic analyses were well correlated. Unialgal isolates of dominant taxa from these samples indicated the presence of at least five genera of off‐flavor producers in these ponds; these taxa included Anabaena, Aphanizomenon, Pseudanabaena, as well as two species of Oscillatoria. Care in extrapolating results from smaller‐sized research ponds to larger commercial ponds is warranted, as is the potential for taxa other than Oscillatoria and Anabaena in forming off‐flavor compounds.     

High Drift Rate Effects of Propanil and Basis Gold on the Plankton Communities and Water Quality of a Prestocking Sunshine Bass,Morone chrysops × M. saxatilis,Fry Pond

ABSTRACT

Mesocosm-testing of aerially applied herbicides propanil and Basis Gold (86.8% atrazine) and indicated high drift rates (10–20% of field rates) resulted in adverse impacts on aquaculture production-pond phytoplankton, zooplankton, and critical water-quality variables. Effects on fry pond phytoplankton, zooplankton, and water quality from these herbicides were evaluated at 30% of field application rates, equal to the worst-case scenario from drift to these smaller ponds with consequent higher concentrations. The study was conducted in 12 outdoor pool mesocosms of 500 L volume, filled with pond water from an adjacent 0.1 ha pond fertilized and prepared as recommended for sunshine bass, Morone chrysops × M. saxatilis, fry stocking. Plankton and water quality samples were taken just prior to herbicide application (day 0) and on days 1,2,3,4-zooplankton only, and on day 7 after application. Field application rates for Basis Gold and propanil were 0.8 kg active ingredient and 1.80 kg/ha, respectively. Significant changes from control treatment values were found for several parameters in both herbicide treatments. Following application on June 20, net primary productivity was significantly depressed on day 1 in the propanil treatments, but increased on days 2 and 3. Morning dissolved oxygen (DO) was lower on days 1–3, but not to critical levels. Also, in the presence of propanil, pH and consequently UIA were lower from day 1 to 3. Basis Gold reduced morning DO on days 2 and 3, but not net primary productivity. Nitrite-N, however, was significantly higher on day 1. Phytoplankton total numbers, and the cyanobacterium Chroococcus sp. which dominated, were reduced by propanil on days 1 -3; and similarly affected by Basis Gold on days 2 and 3. Numbers of green algae, Scenedesmus sp. and Coelastrum sp., and diatoms were, however, stimulated by propanil and diatoms by Basis Gold. Zooplankton were little affected by either herbicide. Thus, high levels of drift from propanil and Basis Gold should not result in negative impacts on fry production.     

Dietary map of Nile tilapia using stable isotopes in three tropical lakes,Ethiopia

Comprehensive analysis of food webs requires identifying dietary sources that support the production of all major organisms within the food web/food chain. Here, we use stable isotope ratios (δ¹³C, δ³⁴S and δ¹⁵N) to assess the relative contribution of different basal carbon sources to the diet of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) in three tropical lakes Hawassa (also Awasa in literature), Ziway and Koka (Ethiopia). Computations were carried out with Stable Isotope Analysis in R (SIAR) model to quantify the dietary proportion of each prey for the tilapia fish. Basal food sources were distinguishable based on their δ¹³C, δ³⁴S and δ¹⁵N values. In Lake Ziway, macrophytes (64%) were the dominant assimilated diet of tilapia while particulate organic matter (POM) and zooplankton contributed only 20% and 16%, respectively. In parallel, Nile tilapia in Lake Hawassa assimilated macrophytes (35%), POM (33%) and zooplankton (32%) at comparatively equal proportion. The dietary sources of the fish in Lake Koka were POM (49%) and zooplankton (51%). In contrast with earlier studies based on gut content analysis, the present results reveal that macrophytes contributed more and phytoplankton less than previously reported especially in macrophyte‐dominated lakes Ziway and Hawassa. The ecological condition of the lakes might have been predominantly accountable for the diet change of the tilapia. As dietary data are prerequisite for food web/food chain analysis and aquaculture industry, re‐evaluating the diet of aquatic organisms appear relevant.     

Impact of Copper Sulfate on Plankton in Channel Catfish Nursery Ponds

Many fish culturists are interested in applying copper sulfate pentahydrate (CSP) to channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, nursery ponds as a prophylactic treatment for trematode infection and proliferative gill disease by killing snails and Dero sp., respectively, before stocking fry. However, copper is an algaecide and may adversely affect phytoplankton and zooplankton populations. We evaluated the effects of prophylactic use of copper sulfate in catfish nursery ponds on water quality and phytoplankton and zooplankton populations. In 2006, treatments of 0 mg/L CSP, 3 mg/L CSP (0.77 mg/L Cu), and 6 mg/L CSP (1.54 mg/L Cu) were randomly assigned to 0.04‐ha ponds. In 2007, only treatments of 0 and 3 mg/L CSP were randomly assigned to the 16 ponds. Ponds treated with CSP had significantly higher pH and significantly lower total ammonia concentrations. Treatment of both CSP rates increased total algal concentrations but reduced desirable zooplankton groups for catfish culture. CSP has been shown to be effective in reducing snail populations at the rate used in this study. CSP treatment also appears to be beneficial to the algal bloom, shifting the algal population to green algae and increasing total algal biomass within 1 wk after CSP treatment. Although zooplankton populations were adversely affected, populations of important zooplankton to catfish fry began rebounding 6–12 d after CSP treatment. Therefore, if CSP is used to treat catfish fry ponds of similar water composition used in this study, fry should not be stocked for about 2 wk after CSP application to allow time for the desirable zooplankton densities to begin increasing.     

Trophic relationships and ecosystem characteristics in a newly-impounded man-made lake in Thailand

Abstract  The trophic dynamics of a newly-impounded south east Asian reservoir, Pasak Jolasid, Thailand, monitored from its creation, were constructed using ecopath , a mass-balanced model. The trophic levels (TLs) of 36 ecological groups varied between 1.0 and 3.2. The majority of fish biomass was at the second TL, where the fishery is concentrated. Some food resources (benthic organisms and zooplankton) were not fully used, whereas phytoplankton and benthic algae were important components of the food web, which is based on phytoplankton and detritus. The implications of these findings are discussed in terms of ecological maturity of the ecosystem and possible fishery management of this multi-purpose reservoir.     

Effects of Feeding Rate on Habitat Quality in Fish Rearing Ponds

Manufactured feeds are commonly added to earthen ponds to enhance growth and survival of juvenile fish. However, excessive feeding may decrease fish production efficiency and yields by causing hypoxia (dissolved oxygen, DO < 2 mg/L) and stimulating excessive phytoplankton, filamentous green algae, and vascular plant growth. In this study, we quantified the effects of manufactured feed addition (no feeding, 1%, or 3% body‐weight/day, BW/d) on DO and inorganic phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) concentrations, plant abundance, and invertebrate prey production in ponds stocked with age‐0 channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus. We found that the 3% BW/d ponds had lower DO concentrations and greater infestation by filamentous green algae (Rhizoclonium spp.) as compared to the 1% BW/d and no‐feeding ponds. Using stable N and carbon (C) isotopes to trace the fate of feed‐derived N and C in ponds, as well as analysis of zooplankton abundance, we determined that the supplied feed did not support or enhance production of natural invertebrate prey. To improve fish production efficiency, we recommend that managers leverage natural prey support of growth during early life, then adjust feeding levels to enhance growth of older fish and maintain suitable habitat quality.     

First report of signs of infection by Coccomyxa-like algae in wild blue mussels,Mytilus spp., in the Gulf of Maine (USA,Maine)

In August 2019, visual inspection of intertidal zones of the Gulf of Maine (ME, USA) revealed young and adult wild blue mussels, Mytilus spp., in Alley Bay (Jonesport area) with the distinctive L-shaped shell deformity (LSSD) and green spots (GS) in the mantle and adductor muscle. LSSD is a characteristic sign of current or previous mussel infection by photosynthetic unicellular alga from the group Coccomyxa, while GS are algal colonies. Based on these findings, this study represents the first report of infection signs by pathogenic Coccomyxa-like algae in mussels from the coastal waters of the Northeastern United States, providing a base for future large scale monitoring of the alga in the region.     

Feeding behaviour of green mussels,Perna viridis farmed in Marudu Bay,Malaysia

The green mussel, Perna viridis is known to have the ability to selectively ingest certain suspended particles from water. However, the preferential ingestion of specific phytoplankton taxa by P. viridis under different environmental conditions is not well understood. A study was undertaken to identify the phytoplankton taxa that are preferentially ingested and rejected by P. viridis in different environmental conditions at Marudu Bay, Malaysia. Phytoplankton abundance and composition in stomach and surrounding waters were determined microscopically. The gonad development stages of P. viridis and various environmental parameters of the bay including temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, current speed, pH, visibility, chlorophyll a, nutrients concentration and suspended particles were also determined. Results of current study demonstrated that selective ingestion in P. viridis was mainly influenced by seston concentration, phytoplankton abundance and composition. At high seston concentration with low phytoplankton abundance, P. viridis selectively ingested Coscinodiscus spp. In contrast, P. viridis was found to ingest wider range of phytoplankton at low seston concentration and high phytoplankton abundance. Interestingly, Chaetoceros spp. and Bacteriastrum spp. were selectively rejected by P. viridis in both high and low seston conditions. Nevertheless, no selective ingestion behaviour was evidenced in low seston with low phytoplankton conditions. Besides phytoplankton, zooplankton has also contributed significantly in the diet of P. viridis, where high numbers of copepod and bivalve larvae were found in the stomach. The findings of current study can be useful in determining potential farming sites for green mussel in future.     

Effect of temperature and phytoplankton concentration on Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (L.) filtration rate

Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (L.) held in timed‐pulse feeding chambers, were provided with algal‐rich water dominated by either green algae (Scenedesmus, Ankistrodesmus, Chlorella and Tetraedron) or cyanobacteria (Microcystis) to determine the effect of temperature and phytoplankton concentration on filtration rates. Green algae and cyanobacteria filtration rates were measured as suspended particulate organic carbon (POC) kg^?1 wet fish weight h^?1. Ivlev's filter‐feeding model described the relationships between filtration rates and suspended POC concentration of green algae and cyanobacteria. Filtration rates of both green algae and cyanobacteria increased linearly as water temperature increased from 17 °C to 32 °C and were significantly higher in the warm‐water regime (26–32 °C) than in the cool‐water regime (17–23 °C). Filtration rates at 95% saturation POC (FR₉₅) in green algal and cyanobacterial waters were 700 mg C kg^?1 h^?1 and 851 mg C kg^?1 h^?1 in the warm‐water regime and 369 mg C kg^?1 h^?1 and 439 mg C kg^?1 h^?1 in the cool‐water regime respectively. The FR₉₅ in warm water were achieved at lower POC concentrations than in cool water.     

白洋淀养殖水域浮游植物种群结构初步分析

2009年在白洋淀6种典型水域进行试验,测定其浮游生物数量、生物量的变化。根据浮游植物各主要大类的区别,分析了不同养殖模式水域浮游植物种群结构的差异。结果表明,白洋淀浮游植物总计104种,隶属于8门38科81属;第一优势种群为绿藻,其次为硅藻和蓝藻。平均数量8月份最高,多样性指数和均匀度变化范围分别为2.38~4.78和0.45~0.91。     

绍兴市凡纳滨对虾围垦滩涂养殖池塘的理化环境和浮游植物

2016年和2017年分别调查了位于浙江省绍兴市滨海新区的12口凡纳滨对虾围垦滩涂养殖池塘内的理化环境和浮游植物。结果显示:池塘内盐度变化范围为0~2,溶氧为6.2~13.9 mg/L,pH为7.5~9.8,总氨氮(TAN)为0.00~0.72 mg/L,亚硝酸盐氮(NO_2~--N)为0.00~1.70 mg/L,硝酸盐氮(NO_3~--N)为0.18~4.77 mg/L,总氮为1.74~6.08 mg/L,总磷为0.20~2.72 mg/L,总有机碳为1.88~42.57 mg/L,C/N为10~39。池塘内浮游植物种类隶属6门、24科、42属,其中蓝藻和绿藻为优势种。浮游植物生物量为(0.15~2.30)×107cell/L,叶绿素a(Chl.a)为2.62~37.24μg/L。Chl.a与蓝藻生物量显著正相关。NO_2~--N和NO3--N均与pH显著负相关。初步分析认为高pH可能是导致2016年池塘养殖凡纳滨对虾死亡率较高的重要原因,因此采取措施控制蓝藻生物量和水体的p H应有助于提高对虾养殖的存活率。     

绿藻群体形成及其影响因子研究进展

作为淡水生态系统浮游植物的重要组成部分,绿藻是很多动物的开口饵料,其群体形成是应对外界环境压力的一种诱导型防御策略,当环境压力不存在时,会恢复单细胞形态。总结了影响绿藻单细胞-群体形态转变的外源因子及种间作用机制,包括非生物因子（营养、光照、温度）、生物因子（植食性浮游动物摄食、藻-藻竞争、沉水植物-藻竞争）以及人类活动对水生态系统的潜在压力,外源因子（低温、种间信息物质）诱导的多糖积累及胞外多糖分泌增加,可能是诱导绿藻群体聚集的重要原因;而人类活动造成的气候变暖、UVB辐射增强、微污染物增加（重金属、除草剂等）,可能会打破绿藻由单细胞向群体形态的转换,提高绿藻被小型草食性动物摄食的概率,影响水生态系统的信息流,从而引发食物网级联效应,进而影响生态系统功能。基于已有的相关研究,总结了绿藻群体形成对于水生态系统结构、藻类毒理学以及微藻收获的重要意义与研究价值。     

Initial influence of fertilizer nitrogen types on water quality

Using different sources of nitrogen as fertilizers in nursery ponds may affect water quality and plankton responses. We evaluated water quality variables and plankton population responses when using different nitrogen sources for catfish nursery pond fertilization. We compared calcium nitrate (12% N), sodium nitrite (20% N), ammonium chloride (26% N), ammonium nitrate (34% N) and urea (45% N) in 190‐L microcosms at equimolar nitrogen application rates. Sodium nitrite‐fertilized microcosms had higher nitrite and nitrate levels during the first week; no other differences in the water quality were detected among fertilizer types (P>0.05). No differences in green algae, diatoms or cyanobacteria were detected among treatments; desirable zooplankton for catfish culture was increased in urea‐fertilized microcosms. Based on these results, any form of nitrogen used for pond fertilization should perform similarly without causing substantial water quality deterioration. Ammonium nitrate and urea contain a higher percentage of nitrogen, requiring less volume to achieve dosing levels. If both urea and ammonium nitrate are available, we recommend using the one with the least cost per unit of nitrogen. If both types of fertilizer have an equal cost per unit of nitrogen, we recommend using urea because of the potential advantage of increasing desirable zooplankton concentrations.