Sugarcane bagasse biochar-amended sediment improves growth, survival, and physiological profiles of white-leg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) reared in inland saline water

Many parts of globe are confronted with salinization of inland agricultural land and inland saline aquaculture (ISA) pave the way for sustainable production using these resources. Recently, biochar has shown its potential for remediating array of problem related to agriculture; however, studies related to use of biochar in aquaculture is still scarce. Keeping this in prelude, the present study aimed at elucidating the effects of biochar (9 t/ha) amended sediment on overall growth performance and physiological responses on Litopenaeus vannamei reared in inland saline water. A 49-day experiment was performed to evaluate the effects of sugarcane bagasse biochar (SBB) and activated sugarcane bagasse biochar (A-SBB) on water and sediment quality along with growth and health status of L. vannamei. The results of water quality parameters showed a significant increase in K⁺ and Mg⁺⁺ with reduction in ammonia-N value in biochar treatments groups. Among the sediment properties, there was a substantially higher water holding capacity, soil organic carbon, pH, and cation exchange capacity in biochar-added treatments in comparison to control. Growth parameters showed a significant increase in weight gain percent, SGR, PER with reduced FCR in biochar-treated groups. Furthermore, the activity of digestive enzymes (protease and amylase), metabolic enzymes (AST, ALT in hepatopancreas), and oxidative stress enzymes (SOD in gills and hepatopancreas; CAT in gills) were significantly higher in biochar-amended treatment groups. The results of the present study revealed biochar-amended sediment has potential to improve vital water and sediment parameters, physiological profiles and growth of L. vannamei juveniles reared in inland saline water; however, future research is needed to demonstrate under usual farming condition.