Comparison of genetically
improved and domesticated Colombian postlarva L. vannamei with wild
Guatemalan postlarva L. vannamei in Guatemalan production ponds
A.M.
de Beausset, E.E. Moss, I. Quinteros, F. Morales
Abstract :
Shrimp cultivation in Guatemala has been affected by
increased mortalities since 1994, principally due to Taura Syndrome Virus.
The genetic improvement and domestication program being carried out in
Colombia with Litopenaeus
vannamei has
resulted in post larvae that have given good results in Guatemala. The
purpose of this study was to compare the production and economical results
of this post larvae with the wild caught post larvae in Guatemala under the
same conditions A total of 12 semi-intensive grow out production ponds were
stocked in the months of June and July, and harvested in September and
October, which corresponds to the rainy season in Guatemala. Three ponds
were stocked out with post larvae from Colombia, which was sent as nauplii
to a hatchery in El Salvador and grown out to post larvae. Another nine
ponds were stocked with wild caught post larvae from Guatemala, and stocked
under the same conditions, The Colombian postlarvae were stocked at an
average density of 25.3/ml, and the wild post larvae were stocked at an
average density of 52.8/ml. The wild caught seed was stocked at a higher
density to compensate the heavy mortalities it traditionally experiences
between day 20 and 35 of the growout period, which in previous trial has not
been observed with the Colombian post larvae. Final results did result in
the same harvest densities (Colombian 16.89/m2, and wild
Guatemalan 16.03/ml), resulting in a good comparison of the two types of
postlarvae. The post larvae originating from Colombia resulted in better
survival (66.89% vs. 32.70%), in better growth (0.87g/ wk vs. 0.64g/wk), in
better harvest size (11.58 g vs. 10.78 g) in less grow out days (93.3 days
vs. 119.3 days), in better feed conversion (1.61:1 vs 2.00:1) in better
production (4308 lbs/ha vs. 3586 lbs./ha) and also in better net income
($5,155/ ha. vs. $4,419ha net profit) in spite of the much higher seed
costs.
(Mayasal S.A., 7a Avenida 3-74, Zona #9, Oficina #
301, Guatemala, Guatemala City, C.A., e-mail: maysal@intelnet.net.gt)