Table 11a. Fertilization (kg/ha/week) with inorganic fertilizers based on secchi disk reading
Secchi disc (cm) Nitrogen Phosphorus1 Urea Triple super phosphate (50%)
20�25 0 0 0 0
25�30 0 0 0 0
30�354 5 2 11 4
35�40 10 2 22 4
>403 20 2 44 4
Source: Adapted from, Boyd and Tucker (1998); Boyd (2005); Fox (2008b)
1P as P2O5 (Boyd, 2003c). Phosphorus is generally limiting in algae production.
2Maximum theoretical photosynthesis: 8 kg N and 0.8 kg P/ha/d (Fox, 2008b).
3Fertilization may be suspended below 35 cm, especially where feed rates are higher.
Table 11b. Some inorganic and organic fertilizers used in shrimp aquaculture.
Inorganic Fertilizer Nitrogen % Phosphorus % (as P2O5) Kg4,5 to get 20 kg N/ha Kg4,5 to get 1 kg P/ha (as P2O5) Fertilization1 in kg/ha to add based on available nitrogen in the soil (12.5 mg/100 g soil) Fertilization in kg/ha to add based on available nitrogen in the soil (25 mg/100 g soil) Fertilization in kg/ha to add based on available nitrogen in the soil (50 mg/100 g soil) Fertilization in kg/ha to add based on available phosphorus in soil (1.5 mg/100 g soil) Fertilization in kg/ha to add based on available phosphorus in soil (3 mg/100 g soil) Fertilization in kg/ha to add based on available phosphorus in soil (6 mg/100 g soil)
Urea 45 0 44   100 50 25
Ammonium nitrate 33�35 0 59   132 66 33
Ammonium sulfate 20�21 0 95   214 107 54
Ammonium phosphate 11 48 182 2 409 205 102 40 20 10
Diammonium phosphate 18 48 111 2 250 125 63 40 20 10
Calcium nitrate 15 0 133   300 150 75
Sodium nitrate 16 0 125   281 141 70
Super phosphate 0 18�20   5 100 50 25
Triple super phosphate 0 44�54   2 38 19 10
Gypsum 0 0    
NPK(S)6 (e.g. 15�15�15) Variable (15) Variable (15) 133 7 300 150 75 127 63 32
Mono ammonium phosphate 11 48 182 2 409 205 102 40 20 10
  Nutrient content (%)  Organic carbon in soil (1 000 mg/100 g soil)7  Organic carbon in soil (500 mg/100 g soil)7  Organic carbon in soil (250 mg/100 g soil)7
Organic fertilizer Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium Sulphur Moisture Amount of organic manure (kg/ha) to add Amount of organic manure (kg/ha) to add Amount of organic manure (kg/ha) to add
Cow dung (fresh) 0.5 0.15 0.5 60 500 1000 2000
Cow dung (decomposed, dry) 1.2 1 1.6 0.13 35 208 417 833
Poultry manure 1.9 0.56 0.75 1.1 55 167 333 666
Sheep, fresh 1.4 0.2     77 179 357 714
Compost 0.75 0.6 1 40 333 667 1333
Adapted from Knud�Hansen et al. (1998); CIBA (1994, 2003)
See also FAO (1987a) for a more detailed table on inorganic fertilizers (http://www.fao.org/docrep/field/003/ab468e/AB468E03.htm)
1Available nitrogen in soil at 250 to 750 mg/kg (ppm) is good for aquaculture (Boyd, 2003b).
2Available phosphorus above 60 ppm in the soils is good for aquaculture (Boyd, 2003b).
3Organic carbon of 1.5 to 2.5 % is good (Boyd, 2003b).
4Minimum nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations to stimulate eutrophication are 0.01 to 0.1 mg P/Iitre and 0.08 to 0.8 mg N/litre (Boyd, 2003b).
5Fox (2008b), "Typical ratio (N:P) for brackishwater ponds is around 12-20:1"; Phytoplankton:  50 % C, 9 % N, 1 % P.
6N, nitrogen, P, phosphorus, K, potassium, S, sulphur. In 100 kg of 15-15-5, you�ll have 15 kg N, 15 kg P2O5 and  5 kg of K2O.
7For example, if the soil organic  carbon level is 500 mg/100 grams of soil sample, 417 kg of decomposed dry cow dung is sufficient as an organic matter application.