Background
The outbreak of diseases is a major constraint to rapidly growing aquaculture industry. The occurrence of frequent disease outbreaks have become a major problem and leads to massive financial loss to the farmers. The chemical characteristics of inland saline water are unique and, therefore, it is possible that the microbial agents in inland saline water could be considerably different and there could be new and hitherto unidentified microbial agents of disease in inland saline water.
Key Activities
Determination of Physico-chemical parameters of water and soil.
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To isolate and characterize microbial community and pathogens associated with P. vannamei farmed in inland saline waters using conventional and molecular methods (microbiology, PCR, histopathology).
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Periodic sampling of water, soil sediment and animals.
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Analysis of the physico-chemical conditions of the water histo-pathological and PCR-based screening of selected shrimp samples for potential pathogens.
Molecular Screening and Characterization of Shrimp Pathogens
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Isolation, phenotypic characterization and molecular identification of total heterotrophic bacteria and pathogenic vibrios from different samples.
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Testing of virulence of selected bacterial isolates through infection experiments.
Characterization and Standardisation of Microbial Community
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To characterize the microbial flora in inland saline shrimp culture systems by metagenomics approach
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Standardisation of DNA extraction protocols from animal and environmental samples.
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Characterization of microbiome community structure and pathogen content in the shrimp and shrimp ponds using metagenomic tools.
Identification of Bioindicators of Disease Risk
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To identify potential bioindicators of disease risk in inland saline shrimp culture systems.
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Analysis of the diversity and abundance of microbial communities in the systems to correlate with the health conditions and variations in environmental parameters.
Microbial Assessment
Physico-Chemical Parameters
Various physico-chemical parameters were determined for 3 inland saline farms on a regular basis. Shrimp samples were collected and analyzed using standard microbiological techniques.
DNA Extraction
DNA extracted from post-larvae collected before stocking and shrimp samples collected during grow-out phase were subjected to metagenomic sequencing.
Pathogen Detection
Absence of shrimp viruses, WSSV and IHHNV in shrimp farmed in ISA. Presence of EHP-a microsporidian parasite responsible for chronic disease conditions.
Detection of potentially pathogenic marine bacterium, Vibrio parahaemolyticus.
Skill Development Training Program
A five day Skill Development Training Program on “Breeding, Culture & Health Management of Ornamental Fishes” was organized by Aquatic Animal Health Division, CIFE, Mumbai, in collaboration with ICAR-CIFE Kolkata Centre under the aegis of National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP) for women fish Farmers of Bengal State during 27.6.2019 to 1.7.2019. This programme was attended by 28 Women fish farmers.
Meet The Team
Principal Scientist
