GROWTH-PARAMETERS IN THE CULTURED GREEN MUSSEL PERNA-VIRIDIS L FROM THE ZUARI ESTUARY, GOA

Growth parameters for both length and weight were estimated in the raf t-grown population of Perna viridis. The asymptotic length (L(infinity )) and weight (W(infinity)) were computed to be 85 mm and 34.37 g resp ectively. Theoretical length and weight computed by applying Von Berta lanffy's equation did not show significant deviation from the observed values. Specific growth rate (SGR) was calculated, by using the value s of shell length, varied from 0.74 to 138.52%. SGR maxima was observe d during the initial phase of growth implying that it was mainly due t o high rate of metabolism. Growth expressed in terms of shell length s howed significant positive correlation with chl-a and dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration, whereas, salinity showed inverse relationship. In contrast, growth expressed in terms of weight was significantly influ enced by chl-a and DO. It was also observed that chl-a either singly o r in combination with particulate organic matter had significant effec t on growth.