Microbiological Quality of Farmed Tropical Freshwater Prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii de Man)

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to determine the microbiological quality of farmed giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) collected from four freshwater farms located in Kerala (India). Microbiological counts on whole, deheaded, and deheaded and deveined prawn as well as on head and intestine were determined. Average counts (log₁₀ cfu g^?1) on whole prawn were 6.9 (total mesophilic counts (TPC) at 37°C) and 4.1 (psychrotrophic count at 7°C). The results indicated that the aerobic counts were within the acceptable limit. The levels of enterococci and faecal coliforms in farmed M. rosenbergii were high. There was an increase in the numbers of enterococci and Staphylococcus aureus after deheading. The major groups of bacteria comprising the flora of M. rosenbergii were Aeromonadaceae, Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas. Farmed M. rosenbergii carried pathogenic bacteria such as Enterococcus spp., S. aureus, Aeromonas hydrophila, A. veronii biovar sobria and Clostridium perfringens. The results of the study suggest adoption of good farming and post harvest practices to improve the microbiological quality of farmed freshwater prawn.     

Chemical and Thermal Properties of Freshwater Prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) Meat

Chemical compositions and thermal properties of cultured freshwater prawn meat (FPM) were studied. FPM contained 83.2% protein (dry basis), 62.7% of which was myofibrillar protein. Pepsin-soluble collagen (PSC) and insoluble collagen (ISC) contents were 0.63 and 0.32%, respectively. Both collagens were similar to type V collagen from porcine placenta. Glutamic acid/glutamine, arginine, aspartic acid/?asparagine, and lysine were abundant amino acids in FPM. Glycine, proline, hydroxyproline, and aspartic acid/?asparagine were predominant in both collagens. FPM exhibited thermal transition temperatures (T_max) of 48.3 and 64.7°C, whereas T_max of PSC and ISC were 43.0 and 46.0°C, respectively. Textural changes in FPM during post-mortem storage on ice are plausibly dependent upon its compositional and thermal properties.     

Effects of Stocking Density on Nursery Production and Economics of the Freshwater Prawn,Macrobrachium rosenbergii

ABSTRACT

In temperate regions, post-larvae freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, are grown to more advanced sizes in tanks prior to pond stocking. This intermediate stage of culture is referred to as the nursery period. Little research has been conducted on different management practices on juvenile prawn growth and survival during this 30-60 day period. Survival during the nursery stage has been highly variable and may be related to the cannibalistic behavior of juvenile freshwater prawn when cultured at high densities in the nursery. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of stocking density, relative to the provision of artificial substrate (number of prawns/m² of substrate), on growth, survival, and economic variables for freshwater prawn juveniles during nursery production. Post-larvae (0.01%0.00 g, n = 300) were stocked into nine 1900 L tanks, each provided with 20.5 m² of artificial substrate in the form of horizontal layers of black plastic mesh (10 mm) spaced 5 cm apart. Tanks were randomly assigned one of three prawn densities (215, 430, or 860 post-larvae/m² of substrate), which equated to 2.3,4.6 and 9.2 prawn/L, respectively. Juvenile prawn were fed a commercial trout diet (42% protein) at a percentage of body weight according to a feed rate table. Water quality was maintained using a flow rate of 8 L/min in each tank from a reservoir pond. Temperature was maintained at approximately 28°C using heat pumps. After 56 days there was no significant difference (P >0.05) in average weight of juvenile prawn stocked at the three densities (0 = 0.58%0.12 g, n = 9). Survival was significantly lower (P <0.05) for prawn stocked at 860 m² (62%) than in those stocked at 430/m² (78%) and 215/m² (94%), which were not statistically different (P >0.05). Even with reduced survival, the highest stocking density produced the greatest number of nursed juveniles based on both tank volume (5.5/l) and surface area (530/m²), at the lowest average cost.     

高位池养殖罗氏沼虾试验报告

在黄河三角洲地区对高位海水对虾养殖池进行改造,利用低盐度水源进行罗氏沼虾养殖试验, 获得成功。经116天养殖,亩产罗氏沼虾50.1 kg,平均体长7.86cm,平均体重15.2 g,投入产出比1:2.4, 亩获纯利润1 205元。     

The Effect of Biomass Density,Temperature, and Substrate on Transport Survival of Market-Size Freshwater Prawn,Macrobrachium rosenbergii

Abstract

After harvest, adult prawn are often transported for sales to live markets, such as ethnic Asian outlets, in major urban centers. Poor survival during transportation has hindered development and expansion of these markets. Methodologies to increase survival during transport could contribute to industry viability. Three independent trials were conducted. In the first trial, three biomass densities (25, 50 and 100 g/L) were evaluated in 100-L, open plastic containers aerated with pure oxygen and compressed air. Water quality analyses were performed prior to stocking. After 24 hours in the model transport containers, water quality analysis was conducted and all prawn were removed, determined to be alive or dead, and each group weighed and counted. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) for prawn survival (overall mean 98%) among the three densities. Concentrations of dissolved oxygen and nitrite were not effected by hauling density (P < 0.05). Total ammonia-nitrogen and un-ionized ammonia-nitrogen concentrations increased (P < 0.05) as biomass densities increased, though values remained within what are considered tolerable ranges. In the second trial, the effect of added substrate and temperature on transport survival was evaluated with prawns stocked at the high density (100 g/L). Two water temperatures (21°C and 26°C) with and without substrate were evaluated in a 2 × 2 factorial with three replicate, 100-L model transport containers per treatment combination (12 containers total). Factorial analysis indicated no significant statistical interaction (P > 0.05) between the presence of substrate and water temperature on any measured variable. The main effects of substrate and temperature were then analyzed separately. The presence or absence of substrate had no significant impact (P > 0.05) on prawn survival. However, temperature had a highly significantly impact (P < 0.01) on survival; prawn survival at 21°C averaged 97% compared to 24% at 26°C. The third trial was a commercial verification trial in which 500 kg of live prawn were transported to New York from Kentucky. These data indicate prawn can be successfully transported at 100 g/L for 24 hours when temperatures are maintained near 21°C. Adding substrate to the transport tank appears to provide no benefit.     

患铁虾综合征罗氏沼虾眼柄转录组研究

为探索罗氏沼虾(Macrobrachium rosenbergii)铁虾综合征(IPS)的分子机制,采用高通量测序平台(Illumina Hiseq-2500)分别对患IPS罗氏沼虾(IPS虾)和正常罗氏沼虾开展转录组测序,进行生物信息学分析。结果显示,高通量测序共获得56.42 G高质量数据,拼接后得到221 901条单基因序列(unigene),长度范围为201~30 985 bp,平均长度为1572 bp,N50长度为2867 bp,N90长度为646 bp。将单基因序列分别在Nr、Nt、Swissprot、KEGG、KOG、GO、PFAM数据库进行序列比对及功能注释,103 570条得到注释,其中,GO数据库注释到的单基因序列最多。差异表达分析显示,2003个基因在IPS虾眼柄中差异表达,包括1209个上调基因和794个下调基因,516个基因被注释到242条KEGG通路中,翻译、信号转导和免疫系统富集的差异基因数目最多。催乳素、雌激素、胰岛素、促性腺激素释放激素、胰高血糖素、催产素、谷氨酸能突触、血清素能突触等与生殖调控相关激素的代谢过程在IPS虾与正常虾眼柄之间存在差异。此外,一些已被证明在免疫反应中起重要作用的基因在IPS虾眼柄中显著上调,如血管内皮生长因子受体1、丝氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂6、C型凝集素、芳基硫酸酯酶B、酚氧化酶原激活酶2a、组织蛋白酶B、组织蛋白酶L、甲壳类抗菌肽4等。同时,注释到溶酶体、吞噬体、抗原处理与呈递、细胞凋亡、内吞作用等多条与免疫相关的途径,支持近期研究得出的罗氏沼虾IPS与病原感染相关的结论。本研究为解析罗氏沼虾IPS的成因和分子机制提供了数据支撑。     

泼洒糖蜜对池塘养殖罗氏沼虾生长和水质的影响

将单口面积1.33~2.33hm~2、环境相似的6口罗氏沼虾养殖池塘分为2组,3口池塘投喂蛋白质水平为35.4%的饲料,且每日适量泼洒糖蜜(试验组),3口池塘投喂蛋白质水平为41.9%的饲料,不泼洒糖蜜(对照组),常规管理。养殖期间,每隔15d取水样检测氨氮和亚硝态氮含量。156d的饲养结果表明,对照组和试验组罗氏沼虾的产量分别为6600kg/hm~2和6427.5kg/hm~2,降低饲料中的蛋白水平结合泼洒糖蜜不影响罗氏沼虾的生长(P0.05),养殖效益亦无显著差异(P0.05)。但试验组池塘水中氨氮较对照组低54.0%,亚硝态氮低21.0%,泼洒糖蜜显著降低了池塘氨氮和亚硝态氮含量(P0.05)。     

Effects of Nitrate Concentration on Larval Development of the Giant River Prawn,Macrobrachium rosenbergii

Abstract

The effect of nitrate concentration on giant river prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, larvae was investigated. Survival rate, weight gain, and larval development were evaluated for different concentrations of nitrate in three experiments. The experiments were divided in to two phases. In the first phase, larvae from stages I through VIII were analysed, while in the second phase larvae from stage VIII through post-larvae metamorphosis were analysed. Oxygen consumption was also determined for zoea I, II, and VIII exposed to 0, 700, and 1,000 mg/L of nitrate-N. No effect was observed for concentrations up to 180 mg/L NO₃-N (experiments I and II), and nitrate levels as 1,000 mg/L NO₃-N did not affect survival in the first phase of the third experiment. On the other hand, larval stage index (LSI) and weight gain decreased as nitrate-N concentration increased from 0 to 1,000 mg/L. In the second phase, survival and metamorphosis rate decreased as nitrate concentration increased, according to a linear model. The effect of nitrate levels on weight gain followed a curvilinear pattern. Larval respiration decreased in the water where nitrate was added, but only during stage II. The results demonstrated that nitrate presents extremely low toxicity for giant river prawn larvae, and data were related to the levels of nitrate that usually occur in larviculture systems also discussed. Therefore, nitrate is not a limiting factor for giant river prawn larviculture.     

Effects of Diet and Organic Fertilization on Water Quality and Benthic Macroinvertebrate Populations in Ponds Used to Culture Freshwater Prawn,Macrobrachium rosenbergii

ABSTRACT

Effects of three diets: (1) complete diet; (2) supplemental diet (vitamin and mineral supplements not added); and (3) the supplemental diet with an adjunct organic fertilization regimen (using distiller's dried grains with solubles [DDGS]) on benthic macroinvertebrate populations and water quality in experimental ponds used to culture freshwater prawns, Macrobrachium rosenbergii were investigated. Benthic samples were taken from deep (1.5 m) and shallow (1.0 m) areas of each of nine 0.02-ha ponds every three weeks, using a 0.09-m² Ekman dredge. The abundance of gastro-pods, oligochaetes, total non-insects, chironomids, total dipterans, total insects, and total macroinvertebrates was significantly higher (P <0.05) in ponds receiving the complete diet, possibly due to lower predatory pressure by prawns or direct benefits of micronutri-ents. Total macroinvertebrate abundance was significantly decreased (P <0.05) in ponds receiving supplemental diet (with and without organic fertilization), possibly due to increased predation by prawns to supplement the nutrition not provided by the lower quality diet. Organic fertilization significantly increased (P <0.05) the abundance of oligochaetes and total macroinvertebrates. These data suggest that M. rosenbergii can adjust to reduced feed quality by increasing consumption of benthic fauna.     

Effects of salinity on standard metabolic rate and critical oxygen tension in the giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii)

The extensively farmed giant freshwater shrimp, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, can survive salinities up to 26 g L^?1, but the commercially important grow‐out occurs exclusively in freshwater areas. Recent studies suggest the shrimp equally capable of growing in brackish as fresh water and a better understanding of how this species responds to changing salinity could significantly impact freshwater prawn farming in deltas and coastal areas. Here, the effect of salinity (0 and 15 g L^?1) on standard metabolic rate (SMR) and critical oxygen tension (P_crit) was measured in adult M. rosenbergii using intermittent closed respirometry. SMR was 79.8 ± 3.1 and 72.7 ± 2.9 μmol kg^?1 min^?1 in fresh and brackish water, respectively, with no significant difference between the two salinities (P = 0.122). During hypoxia M. rosenbergii maintained oxygen uptake down to a P_crit of 26.3 ± 1.4 mmHg in fresh and 27.2 ± 2.0 mmHg in brackish water (P = 0.682), showing that salinity had no overall effect on oxygen conductance in the animals. These findings are in agreement with recent growth studies and provide further evidence that grow‐out phase could be accomplished in brackish water areas. Thus, the predicted intrusions of brackish water in tropical deltas as a consequence of future global warming may not impact this important production.     

Effect of dietary cellulose level on specific dynamic action and ammonia excretion of the prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man 1879)

The feeding energetics of the prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man 1879) were examined with respect to the effect of dietary fibre. Adult animals were fed semi‐purified diets with 0%, 5%, 10% and 15%α‐cellulose to determine the maximum aerobic scope that could be elicited by the increase in metabolism as specific dynamic action (SDA). The excretion rates of ammonia were also measured. Prawns fed all diets had significantly higher respiration rates after feeding due to SDA. Feed intake was not related to metabolism rate. Both oxygen uptake and ammonia excretion were affected by feed intake, dietary cellulose and time after feeding. SDA was related to dietary fibre, indicated by increments varying from 37% to 386%. O:N ratios were influenced by feed intake, dietary cellulose levels and time after feeding. O:N ratios of between 10 and 49 indicate that the prawns predominately metabolize carbohydrate.     

The Combined Efficacy of Superchilling and High CO2 Modified Atmosphere Packaging on Shelf Life and Quality of Swimming Crab (Portunus trituberculatus)

The combined effect of superchilling and modi?ed atmosphere packaging (MAP) treatment on the quality of swimming crab during storage was investigated. As a result, signi?cantly (p < 0.05) higher inhibitor effects on total aerobic plate counts (TPCs) were observed in MAP treatments than in control (air package). Additionally, chemical analysis results showed that MAP treatments with 40–80% carbon dioxide (CO₂) were highly effective in maintaining lower total volatile basic-nitrogen (TVB-N), trimethylamine-nitrogen (TMA-N), pH, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values in swimming crab (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the brightness (L*) results also con?rmed that this combined treatment showed a positive effect on the stability of color during storage. Results also indicated that the combination of superchilling and 60% CO₂ MAP treatment prolonged the shelf life of swimming crab to 15–20 days. However, 100% CO₂ MAP treatment showed a negative effect on the drip loss and overall acceptability, indicating CO₂ content should be considered as a critical factor in this promising technology.     

Effect of Modified Atmosphere Packaging on Quality and Shelf Life of Salted Bonito (Sarda sarda)

In this study, the fresh meat of bonito (Sarda sarda) was used to make lakerda, which is a type of salted fish (Turkish traditional product). The lakerda was packaged in plastic film (A), vacuumed (VP), placed in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP; M1 = 80%/20% CO₂/N₂, M2 = 65%/35% CO₂/N₂, M3 = 30%/60%/10% CO₂/N₂/O₂), and stored at 2 ± 1°C. Microbiological, chemical, sensory, and color analyses were conducted to determine the changes in quality. Total viable bacteria counts did not exceed the limit of consumption (7 log cfu/g) for all groups on Day 31. Total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) and trimethylamine- nitrogen (TMA-N) values of M1, M2, and M3 remained lower than the proposed acceptability limits of 35 and 12 mg N/100 g, respectively, up to 31 days of storage. However, VP lakerda samples exceeded TVB-N limits after 31 days of storage, whereas A lakerda samples exceeded after 8 days of storage. In our study, sensory analysis determined the shelf life of modified atmosphere packaged lakerda. When Group A is compared with the other groups, MAP and VP lengthened the shelf life of lakerda by 23 days.     

Effect of Shelters,Densities, and Weight Groups on Survival,Growth and Limb Loss in the Freshwater Prawn,Macrobrachium nobilii (Henderson and Matthai, 1910)

Abstract

Three weight groups of juvenile prawn, M. nobilii, were raised at three stocking densities (22,38, and 77 prawns/m²) under three substrate conditions (sand, pebbles, and pebbles with shelter in the form of PVC pipe). Stocking density had a significant (P < 0.001) influence on the survival and growth of the prawn. A higher incidence of limb autotomy was recorded at the higher stocking density. Provision of pebbles and PVC pipe increased the survival, and mean growth rates, and reduced the percentage of limb loss.     

中华绒螯蟹和罗氏沼虾cyclin B蛋白的原核表达、抗体制备及其鉴定

从中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)和罗氏沼虾(Macrobrachium rosenbergii)卵巢cDNA中克隆了cyclin B基因的开放阅读框,分别连接到pGEX-2T和pET-32a表达载体,转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3),经IPTG诱导表达重组蛋白GST-EsCB和Trx-MrCB.通过优化培养温度、IPTG浓度以及诱导时间,得出重组蛋白的最佳表达条件分别为:0.1mmol/L IPTG、37℃、4h和0.1 mmol/L IPTG、30℃、6h.重组蛋白主要以包涵体形式存在.亲和层析纯化重组蛋白,作为抗原免疫家兔,制备GST-EsCB和Trx-MrCB多克隆抗体.ELISA检测抗体效价均高达1:80 000,Western blot鉴定该抗体能特异性识别重组蛋白,而且均能够从卵巢总蛋白中检测到cyclin B蛋白.在中华绒螯蟹未成熟卵巢中cyclin B蛋白出现2种亚型,在罗氏沼虾未成熟卵巢中只有1种亚型,推测虾和蟹cyclin B蛋白调控卵母细胞成熟的分子机制不同.本研究制备了cyclin B抗体,旨为在蛋白水平研究cyclin B在卵母细胞成熟过程中的作用机制提供基础条件.     

Impact of Different Management Technologies on the Production, Population Structure, and Economics of Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii Culture in Temperate Climates

In temperate zone ponds, maximization of total production without decreasing average harvest weight is of increased importance due to the relatively short growing season. Recent research on the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii has shown that techniques such as size grading juveniles and adding artificial substrate to the ponds can accomplish these goals, and their impacts appear to be cumulative. However, due to the greater investments required, private producers have been reluctant to adopt these practices. The studies involved in developing these independent technologies have been conducted over a number of growing seasons with their different environmental conditions. It is important that different production technologies being utilized by commercial producers be directly compared under standardized conditions. The objective of this study was to compare the previously recommended and widely used technology (39,200/ha; ungraded juveniles; no substrate) (Low Input) with an intensified version of that technology used by some producers (54,340/ha; ungraded juveniles; no substrate) (Medium Input) with a technology package developed through a series of research trials to maximize production (69,160/ha; graded juveniles; with substrate; phase feeding) (High Input) under standardized conditions. Each of the seven 0.04-ha ponds were randomly assigned to either the Low Input, Medium Input, or High Input treatment with two, three, and two replicate ponds per treatment, respectively. Juvenile prawns (ungraded 0.6 ± 0.3 g; graded 0.9 ± 0.3 g) were stocked at one of the three densities according to its randomly assigned treatment. Low and Medium Input ponds received no added substrate while artificial substrate was added to the High Input ponds a rate sufficient to increase available surface area by 50%. Low and Medium Input Treatments were fed a 32% protein sinking pellet according to a feeding table. High Input ponds were fed at rates 20% above the feed table recommendations. After 104 d, survival was significantly higher (P± 0.05) in the High Input treatment (92%) than in the Medium Input treatment (83%), with Low Input ponds being intermediate (88%). Compared to the Low Input technology, the Medium Input technology significantly increased (P± 0.05) total production but significantly reduced average weight, so that Production Stock Index (PSI) and production of marketable size animals (> 20 g) or premium size animals (> 30 g) was not significantly increased (P > 0.05). Compared to the original Low Input technology, the High Input treatment significantly increased (P < 0.05) production (92%), average weight (6%), Production Stock Index (PSI) (102%), market-able production (> 20 g) (140%), production of premium size animals (> 30 g) (130%), and feed efficiency (32%). The move from the Low Input technology to the High Input technology reduced breakeven costs by 13% based on operating costs and 22% based on total cost figures. In summary, adoption of the High Input technology appears to be biologically and economically justified if similar results can be obtained in commercial scale ponds.     

中国对虾瞬时耗氧速率与海水比重及溶氧水平的相关

以中国对虾(7.30±0.32g/p,8.12±0.14cm/p)为测试对象,在海水比重d_1=1.0015至d_7=1.0305之间7个梯度组中分别饲养10天,于32±1℃水温条件下测定对虾的瞬时耗氧速率(V.mg/g·h);遂将瞬时耗氧速率与时间、溶氧量(DO,mg/L)和水的比重作相关分析。结果是耗氧速率随时间延长、溶氧下降而递减;当比重在1.0030～1.0185范围内。耗氧速率随比重增加而增大。7个比重组虾的昏迷点为0.61～1.48mg/L,窒息点为0.61～1.06mg/L。     

４种微生态制剂对虾池水质及青虾生长性能的影响

在测定养殖水体pH值、溶解氧、氨态氮、亚硝态氮等水质指标和养殖青虾肥满度、平均规格、饲料系数等生长性能指标的基础上,比较研究了全池泼洒复合芽孢杆菌、EM菌、类球红细菌、超浓缩光合细菌微生态制剂对养殖水质的改善情况及提高杂交青虾"太湖1号"生长性能的效果。结果表明,4种微生态制剂均可改善水质;其中,芽孢杆菌与EM菌具有较强的降亚硝态氮功能,类球红细菌和EM菌具有较强的降氨态氮作用。4种试验菌剂的调水效果排序为:类球红细菌>EM菌>复合芽孢杆菌>超浓缩光合细菌。4种菌剂不同程度提高了青虾的生长性能;其中,类球红细菌效果最为显著,其次为EM菌、复合芽孢杆菌,而光合细菌的效果不显著。     

Essential oil of Lippia alba in the diet of Macrobrachium rosenbergii: Effects on antioxidant enzymes and growth parameters

The juveniles of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (0.060 ± 0.004 g and 2.018 ± 0.071 cm) were fed during 60 days with diets containing different doses of Lippia alba essential oil (EOLA) (0.0—control, 1.0, or 2.0 ml EOLA/kg diet; in triplicate, with 20 prawns/replicate). After the experimental period, were verified the survival, growth parameters and the antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation and Na/K‐ATPase activities in hepatopancreas and gills, respectively, of the animals. There were no significant differences on survival, growth parameters and gill Na/K‐ATPase activity. However, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione‐S‐transferase activities were lower in hepatopancreas of prawns fed with 1.0 ml EOLA/kg diet compared to the control. Moreover, the activity of the enzyme superoxide dismutase was higher in hepatopancreas of prawns that received 2.0 ml EOLA/kg diet compared to those fed with 1.0 ml EOLA/kg diet. Although the addition of both EOLA doses has not improved the survival and growth parameters of M. rosenbergii, these doses contributed to decrease lipid peroxidation. Additionally, the dose of 2.0 ml EOLA/kg diet contributed for increasing the antioxidant enzymes activities in the hepatopancreas, improving antioxidant status, and therefore, it can be recommended as diet supplementation for M. rosenbergii.     

Effects of different fertilization and feeding regimes on the production of integrated farming of rice and prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man)

An experiment was conducted in rice field plots each of 30 m² to determine the appropriate combination of feeding and fertilization regimes for the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man, 1879) cultured along with rice in rice fields. There were four treatments: rice culture only with regular fertilization (A, control); rice–prawn integrated culture with regular fertilization (B); rice–prawn integrated culture with basal fertilization and commercial feed (C) and rice–prawn integrated culture with regular fertilization and commercial feed (D). Juvenile prawns of 1.5‐g size were stocked on the third day after rice transplantation at a density of 2 prawns m^?2 and fed twice daily at 5% reducing to 2% of body weight during the experiment. The rice yield in treatment D (0.42 kg m^?2) was significantly higher than that in other treatments (0.34, 0.36, 0.34 kg m^?2 in treatments A, B, C respectively). Prawns grew significantly faster (P<0.05) in treatments C and D (23.8±0.9 and 22.0±1.7 g prawn^?1 respectively) than in treatment B (14.7±1.6 g prawn^?1). Prawn production in treatment C (347±13 kg ha^?1 crop^?1) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that (234±30 kg ha^?1 crop^?1) in treatment B, while in treatment D (296±53 kg ha^?1 crop^?1) it was not significantly different from that in treatments B and C (P>0.05). Treatment C gave the highest economic returns among all treatments, followed by treatments D and B, indicating that the combination of basal fertilization and commercial feed is the most appropriate nutrient input regime for the rice–prawn integrated culture system.