Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #420294
Research Project: Improving the Productivity and Quality of Catfish Aquaculture

Location: Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit

Title: Development of an automated application system to apply copper sulfate pentahydrate using precision dry fertilizer application technology

Author
item LOWE, JOHN - Mississippi State University
item WISE, KEVIN - Mississippi State University
item Richardson, Bradley
item CHESSER, GARY - Mississippi State University
item GRIFFIN, MATT - Mississippi State University
item Beck, Benjamin
item Waldbieser, Geoffrey
item MISCHKE, CHARLES - Mississippi State University
item WISE, DAVID - Mississippi State University

Submitted to: Applied Engineering in Agriculture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/2/2025
Publication Date: 10/1/2025
Citation: Lowe, J.W., Wise, K.C., Richardson, B.M., Chesser, G.D., Griffin, M.J., Beck, B.H., Waldbieser, G.C., Mischke, C.C., Wise, D.J. 2025. Development of an automated application system to apply copper sulfate pentahydrate using precision dry fertilizer application technology. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 141(5)489-496. https://doi.org/10.13031/aea.16250.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.13031/aea.16250

Interpretive Summary: Management options for controlling trematode parasites in catfish aquaculture are limited. The most common method works by disrupting the parasite lifecycle through the removal of the snail intermediate host using copper sulfate pond treatments. On-farm practices include granular and liquid copper sulfate application without precise measures of application rates across ponds, leading to inaccuracies and potential harm to the catfish. This projected aimed to develop an automated precision applicator for granular copper sulfate that could be mounted on current farm equipment and be used at a commercial scale. The device uses an on-board computer to calculate the application rate required to apply a target dose of copper sulfate in a single pass around a given pond. The machine can be mounted on the back of a farm tractor and the on-board computer can easily adjust to apply an array of target doses.

Technical Abstract: The emergence of trematode infestations in commercially raised catfish has led to increased efforts in developing safe and effective measures to disrupt the parasite's life cycle by targeting the snail intermediate host in pond environments. Copper sulfate pentahydrate (CSP) is widely used in catfish aquaculture due to its phytotoxic, parasiticidal, and molluscicidal properties. Traditional methods of CSP application involve preparing near-saturation solutions and pumping the solution without metering across multiple ponds. On a farm level, this approach is time-consuming and can lead to inaccuracies in treatment levels. To address these challenges, this project aimed to develop a CSP delivery system capable of precisely delivering copper sulfate granules around pond littoral zones, where snail densities are highest. The research involved modifying a Gandy multi-purpose fertilizer applicator, integrating precision application technology to regulate granular CSP distribution rates in relation to ground speed. Performance evaluations of the CSP metering and application system were conducted under both static and dynamic conditions. Application rates were measured as a function of copper sulfate discharged from metering wheels relative to the rotational speed of the controlling driveshaft, with metering regulated by varying the voltage applied to a DC gear motor. Static and dynamic analyses were performed at simulated ground speeds between 3.2 and 8.0 kph across target dosages of 1, 2, and 3 ppm. Static evaluations demonstrated a slight under CSP application, particularly with small crystals at lower dosages. Conversely, dynamic evaluations showed a slight over-application of CSP, with discharge rates exceeding target dosages. Comparative analysis against theoretical discharge rates revealed consistent performance in both particle types, with deviations becoming more pronounced at higher ground speeds and target dosages. Despite some observed variations between static and dynamic conditions, the system's precision and accuracy were deemed acceptable for practical use. The system's adaptability and consistent performance suggest it is a valuable tool for improving snail control in aquaculture settings while minimizing environmental risks.