Incidencia del peso y densidad de siembra en el crecimiento y supervivencia de litopenaeus vannamei en cultivo.

Abstract

The research analyzed the incidence of initial weight and seeding density on the growth and survival of Litopenaeus vannamei, with the objective of optimizing production in aquaculture systems. It was carried out in the province of El Oro, Machala, in a controlled culture system. A completely randomized factorial design (2×3) was used, considering three initial weights (0.25 g, 0.5 g and 1 g) and two planting densities (10 and 20 shrimp/m²), with three replicates per treatment, for a total of 18 experimental units. Iron cages with green mesh were constructed to prevent the escape of the organisms, which were strategically located in the pond to guarantee adequate water circulation. Postlarvas from the laboratory were used and a feeding protocol based on commercial tables was applied. During the research, water quality parameters such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and salinity were monitored, as well as shrimp weight and survival. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA using IBM SPSS software to determine significant differences between treatments. The results showed that organisms with lower initial weight (0.25 g) presented higher growth rates, especially at low densities (10 cam/m²), reaching a total weight increase of 4.58 g, 4.44 g and 4.28 g for initial weights of 0.25 g, 0.5 g and 1 g, respectively. Survival was greater than 90% in all treatments, with treatment T1 (0.25 g and 10 cam/m²) maintaining 100% survival. It is concluded that initial weight significantly influences shrimp growth, and that a lower planting density favors survival without compromising total biomass. These findings can be used to improve management strategies in cash crops, optimizing the productive yield of L. vannamei.