Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Fertilization Cotton Seed Meal?

With a friend this morning who has a 2 acre pond near mine. He says when he fertilizes he adds 150 pounds of cotton seed meal which darkens the water. Anyone heard of this?

yes,

cottonseed meal is used to kick off a zooplankton bloom. it usually makes the pond look brown. I have seen it at fish hatcheries. small fish like the cotton seed as well. I have also seen guys in south georgia used cottonseed meal for baiting fish traps.

Shan if I remeber right cotton seed meal contains a flourotoxin called gossypol. I am not sure if it affects fish or not but someone else might know.

Fletch,

not sure if cotton seed contains a toxin. I talked with a buddy of mine about it several years ago. I believe they used it in a bass fry pond to give the fry something to eat by stimulating the zooplankton bloom. I guess if they use it at a fish hatchery its not too toxic if at all

i am sorri i said it was a flouro toxin but its an afla toxin read the article maybe i interpretted it wrong

http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/003/T0700E/T0700E07.htm

i still cant spell

Funny you should mention aflatoxin. I have a published paper on the subject in Journal of WIldlife Diseases (like anybody cares). I did a project where I bought corn from all around the state of GA and we tested for it. 3% had aflatoxin while in the bag. I was studying the impact on Turkeys. Problem is when corn is left in the field and moisture and heat starts the process.

This is what folks are talking about when they say the fish food is moldy, do not use it. I would not use cotton seed meal or fish food that has been exposed to moisture. Hope this helps answer your question.

Still no bloom. 35 pounds of 0-46-0 and 150 pounds of cotton seed meal goes in next Saturday!

This rain is putting alot of water down the overflow pipe.

Greg,

Where can I get a copy of your paper? I've never heard of Journal of Wildlife Disease. I would like very much to read your findings.

Ric

I just happen to have some extra copies covered with dust in the corner. Give me your email and I will send you one. Send it to my personal email, b/c I will out of town for 5 days.

Sorry address not email.