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 raft-grown population of Perna viridis. The asymptotic length (L(infinity)) and weight (W(infinity)) were computed to be 85 mm and 34.37 g respectively. Theoretical length and weight computed by applying Von Bertalanffy's equation did not show significant deviation from the observed values. Specific growth rate (SGR) was calculated, by using the values of shell length, varied from 0.74 to 138.52%. SGR maxima was observed during the initial phase of growth implying that it was mainly due to high rate of metabolism. Growth expressed in terms of shell length showed 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 influenced by chl-a and DO. It was also observed that chl-a either singly or in combination with particulate organic matter had significant effect on growth.