ARTICLE FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE June 2023 65 depending on the pond's condition, stocking density, and culture duration. Benefits of soil probiotics: Soil probiotics play a crucial role in improving various aspects of aquaculture. These include: • Accelerating the decomposition of organic waste in the pond. • Reducing the occurrence of black soil problems by oxidizing organic matter. • Preventing the formation of toxic gases such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. • Promoting the development and stabilization of a healthy algal bloom. • Stabilizing pH levels, which helps to balance the pond's ecosystem. • Inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria through substrate competition. • Reducing the occurrence of white faeces and white gut problems. • Creating a stress-free environment for aquatic species, which ultimately leads to an increase in production. Potential drawbacks of soil probiotics: There is limited scientific evidence on the potential disadvantages of using soil probiotics in aquaculture. However, some concerns have been raised, including: • Possible introduction of non-native microorganisms into the aquatic environment, which could potentially alter the existing ecosystem and affect the native species. • Risk of contamination of the aquaculture products with pathogenic microorganisms if the probiotics are not properly managed. • Overuse of probiotics can lead to microbial imbalances and resistance to antibiotics, which could be harmful to the aquatic animals and human health. • High cost of some commercial soil probiotics, which may not be feasible for small-scale aquaculture operations. CONCLUSION Soil probiotics play an important role in aquaculture by improving water and soil quality, enhancing survival rates, and promoting growth of cultured species. Fish and shrimp farmers must have knowledge of the available probiotics in the market and make a well-informed decision based on available evidence before making a purchase. Overall, the use of soil probiotics in aquaculture can lead to more sustainable and profitable operations, while also reducing the environmental impact of aquaculture activities. References: 1. Boyd, C. E., & Gross, A. (1998). Use of probiotics for improving soil and water quality in aquaculture ponds. Advances in Shrimp Biotechnology, 101-105. 2. Boyd, C. E., Wood, C. W., & Thunjai, T. (2002). Aquaculture pond bottom soil quality management. Pond Dynamics/Aquaculture Collaborative Research Support Program, Oregon State University. 3. Gatesoupe, F. J. (1999). The use of probiotics in aquaculture. Aquaculture, 180(1-2), 147-165. 4. Ninawe, A. S., & Selvin, J. (2009). Probiotics in shrimp aquaculture: avenues and challenges. Critical Reviews in Microbiology, 35(1), 43-66. 5. Pantjara, B., & Kristanto, A. H. (2020). Pond bottom management and probiotic application in extensive Tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon) culture on acid sulfate soil. AACL Bioflux, 13(2). 6. Qi, Z., Zhang, X. H., Boon, N., & Bossier, P. (2009). Probiotics in aquaculture of China—current state, problems and prospect. Aquaculture, 290(1-2), 15-21. About Dr. Amit Ranjan Dr. Amit Ranjan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Fish Nutrition & Feed Technology at the Institute of Fisheries Post Graduate Studies of Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University (TNJFU), India. His research focus is on fish and shrimp nutrition, where he conducts both strategic and applied research. With his extensive experience in commercial culture of shrimp and freshwater fish, he has published several research papers in international peer-reviewed journals and serves as a reviewer for over 30 international peer-reviewed journals.
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