2024 Vol. 30 No.2 PP 355-360

https://doi.org/10.33451/florafauna.v30i2pp355-360

Phytoplankton Composition of Mandohol Reservoir and Its Implications for Fish Culture in Ahmednagar District, Maharashtra, India

^*S. D. Dalavi and B.A. Pawar The systematic inquiry on phytoplankton from Mandohol Dam was done. Taking into account all 31 generic taxa (20 species of Chlorophyceae, 18 species of Bacillariophyceae, 7 species of Cyanophyceae, and 1 species of Euglenophyceae). Bacillariophyceae were determined to be the most prevalent and year-round present group among the examined species. The mean annual population density of phytoplankton was found to be 6.10 l-1. The summer months saw the most extreme phytoplankton density (7.61 l-1), while the wet season saw the lowest. (5.17 l-1). ANOVA was applied and observed no significant statistical difference in plankton density between the observed three sites. (f = 2.16. df = 2, p = 0.1307). Shannon diversity, Evenness, and Simpson’s Diversity Index were calculated (3.59, 0.94, and 0.97), Together these indices suggest a highly diverse and balanced ecosystem with equal distribution and a rich variety of species. The community is complex and stable. Almost all species from Bacillariophyceae show high algal diversity in the winter. The phytoplankton abundance indicates a high food potential, creating a suitable environment for a thriving population of zooplankton and fish.

KEY WORDS : Density, Diversity, Fish culture, Phytoplankton, Zooplankton.