WATER QUALITY AND PHYTOPLANKTON ASSESSMENT OF SURYAPOKHRA POND; GAYA, INDIA

Introduction: In pond ecosystem, the basis of life and the resulting food web is photosynthesis. Without the primary production, there would be no new biomass produced within the ecosystem to support other life forms. The greater the primary production within pond the more living biomass that can be supported within the food web. Ponds are good candidates of intensive fishery. Each pond has to be characterized thoroughly and its deficiencies should be corrected before it can be used for fish culture. Local conditions and economic considerations should eventually be required for aquaculture practices. The economics of input and output can be studied only after measuring the productivity and limnological characteristics of each pond. The total carrying capacity of the pond has to be estimated and the application of inputs stopped at the determined level. Any sustained input beyond the harvest period would be a loss and cut down the profit of fish farmer.

Suryapokhra is a healthy pond in Gaya district (Bihar). Based on data of seasonal variations, it has been observed to cultivate various types of bony fishes like Labeo rohita, Catla catla etc.

Methodology: Pond water and Phytoplanktons diversity of the pond have been analysed on regular basis at a particular time. Various physic-chemical parameters are recoded in terms of pH, DO etc.

Results and Conclusion: The condition of fish productivity in general is good; particularly during the winter and pre- monsoon months. The reason is that the food environment is favourable during the pre-monsoon period. The adult fishes are sexually matured. There are deposition of fats in the body. Various ecological conditions also play an important role for increase in the weight of fishes. Pond water is also observed as clear, transparent and less polluted. Abundance of phytoplanktons also provide the improved feeding conditions, as a number of phytoplanktons are observed.