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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #282934

Title: Management strategy 3: fixed rate fertilizer applications

Author
item MISCHKE, CHARLES - Mississippi State University

Submitted to: Aquaculture Pond Fertilization: Impacts of nutrient input on production
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/20/2011
Publication Date: 5/21/2012
Citation: Mischke, C.C. 2012. Management strategy 3: Fixed-rate fertilizer applications. Aquaculture Pond Fertilization: Impacts of nutrient input on production. P. 129-134.

Interpretive Summary: Previous chapters outlined management strategies for pond fertilization that take into account specific individual pond nutrient needs. Those methods would most likely be more ecologically efficient than a pre-determined fixed-rate nutrient addition strategy. However, the vast majority of available fertilization recommendations are fixed-rate recipes. The major advantage of using a fixed-rate fertilization recipe is it is simple, routine, and does not require additional labor and equipment for water testing or bioassays. There is no single fertilization strategy best for all circumstances. This chapter will address weaknesses of using a fixed-rate fertilization strategy and describe situations when fixed-rate strategies may be better than individual pond fertilization strategies.

Technical Abstract: Previous chapters outlined management strategies for pond fertilization that take into account specific individual pond nutrient needs. Those methods would most likely be more ecologically efficient than a pre-determined fixed-rate nutrient addition strategy. However, the vast majority of available fertilization recommendations are fixed-rate recipes. The major advantage of using a fixed-rate fertilization recipe is it is simple, routine, and does not require additional labor and equipment for water testing or bioassays. There is no single fertilization strategy best for all circumstances. This chapter will address weaknesses of using a fixed-rate fertilization strategy and describe situations when fixed-rate strategies may be better than individual pond fertilization strategies.