REPRODUCTION, GROWTH-RATE AND CULTURE POTENTIAL OF THE GREEN MUSSEL, PERNA-VIRIDIS (L.) IN EDAIYUR BACKWATERS, EAST-COAST OF INDIA

The green mussel Perna viridis is an edible moilusc with enormous cult ure potential. This paper presents data on the reproduction, spat sett lement and growth rate of P, viridis in Edaiyur backwaters on the east coast of India. The mussels exhibit two spawning periods and temperat ure appears to regulate the onset of reproductive events. Spat settlem ent densities are greater in the adjacent coastal waters as compared t o the backwaters. Growth rate data show that the mussels reach an aver age shell length of 83 mm in 1 year. The results also show that shell and meat weight exhibit different seasonal patterns of growth in Edaiy ur backwaters. In rope culture, marketable size (50-60 mm shell length ) was achieved in about 6 months with an annual production of 47 kg m( -1) and biomass (wet meat weight) of 22 kg m(-1). The annual productio n values in Edaiyur backwaters are relatively higher than those report ed from other parts of India. The present study suggests that Edaiyur backwaters represent a potential site for successful cultivation of P, viridis considering the availability of sustainable wild stocks of P, viridis and abundance of seed along with favourable environmental con ditions. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.