Home | | Science 9th std | Prawn Culture

Chapter: 9th Science : Economic Biology

Prawn Culture

One of the most economically important shell fish resources of India are prawns. They are crustaceans which inhabit freshwater, marine water, estuaries, backwaters and shallow waters of temperate and tropical countries.

Prawn Culture

One of the most economically important shell fish resources of India are prawns. They are crustaceans which inhabit freshwater, marine water, estuaries, backwaters and shallow waters of temperate and tropical countries. They are of great demand both in the local and international market. Due to their great taste, they are a cherished delicacy to be served as food.

In view of their popularity and marketing avenues in foreign countries there is a need for developing advanced technology and intensify prawn culture in India. The export earning from prawn and prawn products has increased tremendously during the last 25 years.

 

1. Commercially important prawns of India

Marine prawns

They occur in coastal waters. Penaeus indicus (Indian prawn) and Penaeus monodon (Giant tiger prawn) are the important species of Indian coast. The marine penaeid prawns are also called as shrimps. The mature shrimp breeds in deep sea. Most of the developmental stages are spent in estuaries and backwaters.


Freshwater prawns

They inhabit rivers and lakes. They migrate to brackish water for breeding. Macrobrachium rosenbergii (Giant river prawn) and Macrobrachium malcomsonii (small prawns) are the common freshwater prawns.


 

2.  Types of Prawn culture

A number of species of prawns of different sizes are found distributed in water resources. Only those prawns which are good in size, weight, available in plenty and easily cultivable are commonly selected for prawn culture on commercial basis.

Marine water prawn culture

The rearing of marine penaied prawn is called marine prawn culture or shrimp culture. Penaeus indicus can attain a maximum length of upto 20 cms and Penaeus monodon upto 30 cms when fully grown.

Freshwater prawn culture

The rearing of freshwater prawn is called fresh water prawn culture. Macrobrachium rosenbergii and Macrobrachium malcomsonii can attain a maximum length of 20 and 15 cms respectively when fully grown.

 

3.  Methods of prawn culture

In our country different localized methods of prawn culture are being followed. The methods employed for prawn culture are given below.

a. Seed collection and hatchery method

b. Paddy cum prawn culture method

Seed collection and hatchery method

The larvae and juveniles obtained by collection from natural resources (estuaries, lagoons and backwaters) or by hatchery methods (controlled breeding) are reared and grown into adults with supplementary feeding.


Paddy cum prawn culture

It is also called Pokkali culture. It is the oldest and traditional method of prawn culture practiced in Kerala. The low lying paddy fields along the coastal areas serve as suitable grounds for prawn culture. It is the practice of rearing prawns as ‘secondary crop’ in paddy fields. Prawns are cultured in these fields after the harvest of paddy. Both freshwater and marine prawns are cultured by this method based on their required salinity conditions.


 

4. Nutritional value of prawns

Apart from being a delicacy, prawns are a rich nutritive source of protein, vitamin A and D, glycogen and amino acids. They contain less amount of fat. Cultured prawns also provide polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) which plays an important role in health and weight maintenance.


Study Material, Lecturing Notes, Assignment, Reference, Wiki description explanation, brief detail
9th Science : Economic Biology : Prawn Culture |


Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions, DMCA Policy and Compliant

Copyright © 2018-2024 BrainKart.com; All Rights Reserved. Developed by Therithal info, Chennai.