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Genetic management of Indian major carps

Genetics in aquaculture: a case study

Year of publication 2023

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 36 p.

Author Lal, K.K.; Kumar, A.; Kumar, S.; Charan, R.; Mohindra, V.; Lucente, D.; Singh, R.K.; Basheer, V.S.; Kathirvelpandian, A.; Singh, R.; Sarma, D.; Jena, J.K.; Mair, G.C.;

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Booklet

Synopsis (short abstract) Collectively carps represent the largest global aquaculture sector, contributing over 20 percent of global aquaculture production. The Indian major carps including catla (Catla catla), rohu (Labeo rohita) and mrigal (Cirhinnus mrigala) are cultured widely across the Indian sub-continent with the main culture system being a multi-species polyculture in ponds, often including other carp species such as common carp (Cyprinus carpio). This production sector is supported by major seed supply systems producing over 50 billion seed per annum. This case study analyses genetic management of Indian major carps since they were first domesticated with the development of hypophysation techniques in the 1950s. A review of literature and a survey of common hatchery practices identifies significant problems prevalent in the sector brought about by a lack of application of best practices in genetic management resulting in loss of genetic diversity, inbreeding and uncontrolled hybrid introgression. These practices are likely to be impacting negatively on the productivity of the cultured farmed types and will represent a significant challenge to the sector in the long term. This case study identifies some of the root causes of poor genetic management and identifies some of the practices that could bring about an improvement in hatchery management to ensure more sustainable use of these globally important aquaculture species.

Cite this content as:

Lal, K.K., Kumar, A., Kumar, S., Charan, R., Mohindra, V., Lucente, D., Singh, R.K., Basheer, V.S., Kathirvelpandian, A., Singh, R., Sarma, D., Jena, J.K. & Mair G.C. 2023. Genetic management of Indian major carps – Genetics in aquaculture: a case study. Rome, FAO.

https://doi.org/10.4060/cc5193en

Language English

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    Aquaculture has emerged as a prominent sector contributing to global nutritional security. It has been recording a growth rate of over 5 percent per year in recent decades. Asia contributes nearly 90 percent of global aquaculture production. Indian major carps (IMCs), cultured primarily in polyculture, are the dominant farmed species in South Asia, with 75 percent produced in India. The majority of this output comes from three species of IMCs: catla (Catla catla), rohu (Labeo rohita) and (Cirrhinus mrigala). These three species occupy mutually compatible ecological niches within water bodies and are grown together in specific ratios; this optimally harnesses pond biological resources. The IMCs are consumed domestically and are a key to national nutritional security.
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    The genetic resources of common carp maintained at the Fish Culture Research Institute in Szarvas, Hungary, are described. Eighteen Hungarian strains (landraces) and 13 strains from outside Hungary (primarily former Soviet Republics, Eastern Europe and Asia) are maintained in a living gene bank at the Institute. The genetic improvement of common carp in Hungary started in 1962 at the Fish Culture Research Institute. Traditional selection (family and mass selection), other types of genetic mani pulations, such as inbreeding, gynogenesis and hormonal sex-reversion, and intra-specific hybridization have resulted in the production and testing of more than 150 combinations of common carp strains. Five main features were evaluated that determined the economical value of the resulting strains: survival, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, slaughter value and fat content of the meat. These research efforts produced three outstanding hybrids of common carp: the Sz215 mirror, the SzP31 and SzP3 4 scaly hybrids, which now represent 80 percent of the total carp production in Hungary. The Fish Culture Research Institute is a key part of a national breeding programme in Hungary that provides fish farms and fish seed production units with parental lines of hybrid common carp.
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    Observations on the efficacy of carbonic acid as anesthetic for Indian major carps
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    Various anaesthetics have been in use in culture fishery operations. The present communication describes the efficacy of carbonic acid as anaesthesis for Indian major carps. Different dose levels were tried and the results discussed. It was observed that at lower concentrations the fish were anaesthetized slowly and less deeply whereas at higher concentrations the effect was rapid with greater sedation. The duration for which the fish could be safely held in the anaesthetizing bath also varied a ccording to the concentra tion of carbonic acid and size of the fish. For smaller fry, the safe dose range of carbonic acid was rather very narrow. No significent differences could be observed between the three species of Indian major carps in their response towards the carbonic acid anaesthesia.
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