What is Microbial Maturation?
Vibrio bacteria cause several diseases that result in wide-spread losses to the shrimp culture industry, including Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS) and White Feces Disease (WFD). For the past several years, the strategy used to combat Vibrio has been to disinfect pond bottoms and water. This pond management strategy has not been successful. It is now believed that total disinfection of pond bottoms and water may be contributing to the epidemic of EMS and WFD (De Schryver, et al 2014).
After disinfection, ponds generally have a destabilized and impoverished microbial community. This environment combines with high nutrient availability from organic waste to favor fast-growing bacteria such as Vibrio. The lack of competition from beneficial, slow-growing bacteria results in rapid Vibrio recolonization (Attramadal et al 2012). Microbially matured water systems minimize the presence of pathogens that can grow fast and invade unpopulated niches (De Schryver, et al 2014).
Why is Microbial Maturation Important
If shrimp are stocked in microbially matured water, the probability of Vibrio infection is diminished.
Existing farms can establish a microbially matured population of biologically diverse beneficial organisms in the water column before the ponds are stocked. You can use portable submersible pumps to move water as required for this process. Use larger ponds as reservoirs and smaller ponds for water treatment. You can also establish nursery systems on existing farms that do not have them. Each farm needs to be assessed independently to determine which ponds will be used for a given purpose.
For additional information about Microbial Maturation and how to acclimate pond water please review our Technical Bulletin: Microbial Maturation for Shrimp Ponds.