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Pond Fertilization: Initiating an Algal Bloom

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Pond Fertilization: Initiating an Algal Bloom Western Regional Aquaculture Center Alaska . Arizona . California . Colorado . Idaho . Montana . Nevada . New Mexico . Oregon . Utah . Washington . Wyoming POND FERTILIZATION: INITIATING AN ALGAL BLOOM Introduction the proper temperature undergo rapid population growth. Algae are the population of microscopic single and multiple-celled aquatic plants that live in water. Algal blooms are encouraged for a number of While most individual algal cells can only be viewed reasons, including increasing the pond's primary using an instrument such as a microscope, algal productivity. As microscopic "grass", the bloom is blooms give color to the pond water. When food for microscopic animals (zooplankton) and populations of algal cells multiply, thereby clouding forms the base of the food chain that supports or giving color to a pond, it is called an algal bloom. larger forms of life such as insects and fish. By Another term used to describe algae is increasing the base of the food chain, the total phytoplankton. The word phytoplankton is derived productivity of the pond is increased. Blooms are from the Greek language (phyto = plant; plankton = also initiated as a means of controlling initial growth wanderer). It is a term used to describe plants that of larger aquatic plants (macrophytes) by increasing are so small that their movement is primarily turbidity, blocking sunlight and reducing the young controlled by the motion of the water. In this plant’s photosynthesis. Fertilizer applications to publication we will use the term “pond” to describe establish algal blooms to shade older, established all bodies of water, including lakes. aquatic plants are not as effective because the fertilizer more often stimulates growth of the larger Algae produce oxygen through photosynthetic macrophytes. Although benefits can be derived action and are the primary source of oxygen in a body of water. Other sources of oxygen include other aquatic plants and oxygen interchange at the CONTENTS air-water interface, especially caused by wind- Introduction.......................................................................1 driven wave action. Oxygen is also continuously Why Fertilize a Pond ........................................................1 being removed from the pond. It is removed by Choosing Organic or Inorganic Fertilizers.........................2 Organic Fertilizer Basics.....................................2 respiration of aquatic animals, by the biological Inorganic Fertilizer Basics...................................3 oxygen demand (BOD) of organisms such as Granular and Liquid Inorganic Fertilizers............3 bacteria that break down non-living organic Example Calculation ..........................................3 material, and even by a chemical oxygen demand Fertilizers and the Environment........................................4 When to Apply Fertilizers....................................4 (COD) caused by chemical processes such as When to Avoid Applying Fertilizers.....................4 decay of dead plants and animals. The presence of Does Feeding Fish Affect Pond Environment .....4 algae for the production of oxygen and as a base Pond Fertilization and Monitoring Pond Conditions ..........4 resource is essential for any healthy body of water. Secchi Disk.........................................................5 Secchi Disk for Recording Algal Density.............5 Taking a Secchi Disk Reading ............................5 Why Fertilize a Pond? Hand Monitoring .................................................6 Application of Inorganic Fertilizer......................................6 Fertilizing a pond with organic or inorganic fertilizer Example Applications of Inorganic Fertilizer.......6 Application by Hand and Sprayer.......................6 is often done to initiate an algal bloom, which is Application by Platform.......................................6 another term for an increased population of algae. Application by Raft..............................................7 The natural and artificial fertilizers provide principal Applying Liquid Fertilizers...................................7 chemical nutrients necessary for algal growth and Applying Organic Fertilizers..............................................7 Applying a Mix of Inorganic and Organic Fertilizers..........8 reproduction. The principal nutrients are nitrogen Liming Ponds....................................................................8 (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). The Common Precautions When Applying Fertilizers..............8 microscopic plants that make up the phytoplankton References and Suggested Reading................................9 population take up these chemical nutrients and at WRAC-104 02-2000 WRAC Publication No. 104 02-2000 from any proper approach to pond fertilization, the states is to use vegetative material as organic application of fertilizer and creation of the bloom fertilizer. must be controlled, or it can lead to oxygen depletion in the pond and loss of fish and other Organic fertilizers, including manure, serve as algal aquatic animals. nutrients and stimulate production of zooplankton (microscopic animals) that feed on the growing Choosing Organic or Inorganic Fertilizers algal population. This technique is often used to prepare new ponds for fry (young fish) such as Ponds are fertilized with either organic or inorganic striped bass that depend on zooplankton in their fertilizers, or a combination of both. Each has its early life stages. Aquaculturists have not developed own advantage or particular use. Applications of an artificial ration suitable for the early life stages of inorganic fertilizers are more exacting as they are striped bass, so the fish are spawned and fry are applied by formula. They produce more consistent stocked into ponds within three days of hatch. The results in the production of algal blooms. Organic zooplankton serves as the primary food source for fertilizers are less consistent in producing algal about the first 45 days of production. blooms because the formulations of organic materials vary. However, they are cheaper and may Popular vegetative organic fertilizers used by be used in fish production for the organic food organic farmers and to initiate phytoplankton and markets, meaning the end products have no zooplankton blooms for fry production in western exposure to manufactured chemicals. In the states include alfalfa pellets, cottonseed meal, rice strictest application, the organic fertilizer also has bran and old hay (Table 1). no prehistory of exposure to manufactured chemicals. The growing popularity of organic Table 1. Organic fertilizers commonly used in the farming in the western states has created renewed Western States and their approximate percent of crude interest in the use of organic fertilizers in protein. aquaculture. Organic farmers sacrifice consistency for the use of natural products to achieve the Organic Fertilizer Approximate % Crude Protein higher-priced product, whereas large-scale Cottonseed Meal 36 to 43 aquaculture production often requires more Alfalfa Pellets 17 to 24 consistent production of algal blooms afforded by Rice Bran 12 to 15 the use of inorganic fertilizers. Some western fish Old Hay Low and variable producers use a combination of inorganic and organic fertilizers not only to reduce cost, but also Fine Catfish Mash 32 to assure more consistent production of the algal bloom. Organic fertilizers with a higher percentage of crude protein break down to produce higher levels of Organic Fertilizer Basics: Natural or organic nitrogen that will be available as fertilizer. They are fertilizers such as hay, straw, and manure are a good choice as initiators of algal blooms in newer among the earliest sources of fertilizers and are ponds with little or no organic buildup in the commonly used throughout the world to initiate sediment. Organic fertilizers with lower levels of algal blooms in pond aquaculture. As the organic crude protein are cheaper and considered good material decomposes in the water, varying amounts fertilizers for older ponds requiring less nitrogen to of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium (N, P, K) initiate algal blooms. are released and serve as primary nutrients for the phytoplankton community. Once organic fertilizers are applied, the pond should be monitored carefully to see that the algal Animal manure is used extensively throughout Asia bloom is established and that no associated oxygen and Southeast Asia as a source of pond fertilizer. A depletion problems are created. Oxygen depletion common practice is to house pigs or chickens in often occurs when excessive amounts of organic cages above a pond and allow the manure to fall fertilizers are applied. As the organic material directly into the water. To date, this has not been an breaks down (decay) and provides the nutrients that acceptable practice in the United States, and raw stimulate production of the algal bloom, it also animal manure is not often recommended as a removes oxygen from the water during the chemical source of organic fertilizer for ponds. In addition, process of decay. Oxygen depletion can occur if the excess manure applied to a pond can stimulate decay process removes more oxygen than can be production of unwanted filamentous and blue-green replaced by the developing phytoplankton. algae. A more common practice in the western 2 WRAC Publication No. 104 02-2000 Inorganic Fertilizer Basics: Traditional agriculture Table 3. Nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium
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