A research team led by scientists at the RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science has successfully generated larger strains of zooplankton, crucial in fish nurseries, using heavy ion beam irradiation. This breakthrough holds significant promise for improving the survival rate and optimizing the growth of juvenile fish in aquaculture.
The traditional use of rotifers as initial live food for economically important fish species often leads to challenges as the fish grow larger, risking cannibalism or growth abnormalities. Seeking to address this issue, the research team utilized heavy ion beam irradiation, a technique known for creating mutations more effectively than natural processes. By exposing proliferating rotifers to beams of argon and carbon ions at the RIKEN RI Beam Factory, the team successfully induced mutations that resulted in larger rotifers.
The bred rotifers, approximately 1.2 times larger than other strains, are considered an ideal size for supporting the growth of juvenile fish. Notably, some strains not only grew larger but also exhibited faster growth rates. This breakthrough could play a pivotal role in enhancing aquaculture productivity by providing a stable supply of larger rotifers at a lower cost.
The research team, in collaboration with the Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency and Nagasaki University, plans to conduct field tests using the larger rotifers to assess their impact on improved survival rates, marking a crucial step toward revolutionizing aquaculture practices. This advancement holds promise for contributing to global food production solutions amid concerns about food shortages and increasing consumption.
Source: RIKEN
