Crushed chili refers to dried red chili peppers that have been crushed or ground into small, coarse flakes. These flakes are commonly used as a spice to add heat and flavor to a variety of dishes. The level of spiciness can vary depending on the type of chili peppers used and whether the seeds are included. Crushed chili is a popular ingredient in many cuisines around the world, including Mexican, Italian, and Asian cuisines. It is often sprinkled on pizzas, pasta, soups, stews, and various other dishes to enhance their taste and provide a fiery kick. Additionally, crushed chili can be a key component in spice blends and rubs for meat or vegetable preparations.
Crushed chili is a fiery and versatile spice made by crushing or grinding dried chili peppers into coarse flakes. This form of chili offers a spectrum of heat levels, depending on the type of peppers used and whether seeds are included.
Known for its ability to add both heat and flavor, crushed chili is a popular choice in various cuisines worldwide, including Mexican, Italian, and Asian dishes. It serves as a go-to spice for sprinkling over pizzas, pasta, soups, stews, and a myriad of other culinary creations to elevate their taste with a fiery punch.
Its coarse texture and intense heat make crushed chili an ideal addition to spice blends, marinades, and rubs for meats or vegetables. Whether used sparingly for a touch of warmth or generously for a spicy kick, crushed chili brings a distinctive zest to dishes, making it a staple in many kitchens seeking to amplify flavor with a hint of heat.
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Artificial Breeding of Loach in the North and Ecological Cultivation of Paddy Field
Mudworms, also known as loach, are classified under the family Cobitidae. They are commonly found in freshwater environments such as rivers, ditches, rice paddies, ponds, and lakes. These fish are a popular and economically valuable species in many regions due to their widespread availability and high market demand.
The meat of the loach is tender, flavorful, and highly nutritious, often referred to as "the ginseng of water." It not only offers significant nutritional benefits but also has medicinal properties that help improve vitality, reduce dampness, and treat conditions like diabetes, acne, and night sweats in children. Regular consumption of loach can also enhance beauty and boost immunity, helping to prevent colds and other common illnesses.
In the domestic market, loach is priced between 10 to 16 yuan per kilogram, while on the international market, it commands higher prices—around 30 yuan per kilogram in port areas and up to 70 yuan per kilogram in the Korean market. With growing demand both domestically and globally, the prospects for artificial breeding of loach are very promising.
This article aims to provide practical techniques for loach farming, especially for farmers interested in sustainable and profitable aquaculture practices.
**First, Artificial Breeding and Seedling Cultivation**
**(i) Artificial Propagation**
1. **Source of Broodstock**
It's best to select healthy loach from natural waters or hatchery-bred stocks. The selected broodstock should be strong, disease-free, and aged between 2 to 3 years. Female loach should weigh at least 15–25 grams, while males should be over 12 grams.
2. **Breeding Stock Preparation**
In early April, breeders should stock the pond with a ratio of 1:2 to 1:1.5 male to female loach. The pond area should be around 80–120 square meters with a depth of 70–80 cm. Stocking density should be 0.5–1 kg per square meter. Before stocking, the pond must be disinfected, and fish should be dipped in 3%–5% saline solution for about 5 minutes.
3. **Broodstock Feeding**
After stocking, feed them full-coverage compound feed with a protein content of at least 35%, along with some animal minced meat. Feed should be fresh, non-spoiled, and free from contamination. The feeding amount should be 5%–8% of the fish weight, divided into two daily feedings—30% in the morning and 70% in the evening. Post-spawning, feed once in the evening.
4. **Artificial Induction**
When the water temperature reaches about 22°C, select females with soft, full abdomens and visible ovaries. Males should be identified by their pectoral fins. Oxytocin drugs such as HCG, LHRH-A2, and DOM are used for induction. The dosage varies depending on the drug type, and injections are done into the back muscle at a 45-degree angle.
5. **Spawning Facilities**
Spawning boxes made from 40-mesh sieves are prepared. The broodstock is placed in the box at a ratio of 1:1.2 to 1:1.5. The environment should remain quiet during spawning, which typically lasts 7–8 hours after oxytocin injection.
6. **Hatching**
Eggs can be hatched using incubation cylinders, loops, or cages. Optimal water temperature is 20–28°C, and hatching takes 30–35 hours. After hatching, fry are fed rotifers and egg yolk before being moved to the larval stage.
**(ii) Seedling Cultivation**
Ponds for seedlings should be 30–100 square meters with a depth of 40–60 cm. A layer of 15–20 cm mud is ideal for bottom substrate. Duckweed covers 1/4 of the pond area. Organic fertilizer is applied before stocking, and fry are released at a rate of 800–1000 per square meter.
During cultivation, fresh water is added periodically, and natural food organisms are encouraged. If necessary, supplementary feeds like egg yolk and fish meal are provided. Fry grow quickly and can be transferred to larger ponds when they reach 2.5–3 cm in length.
**Second, Ecological Breeding in Rice Fields**
Rice field aquaculture is an eco-friendly method that integrates fish farming with rice cultivation. This system allows for dual use of water resources without harming the ecosystem. Farmers can harvest 70–100 kg of loach per mu of land, while maintaining rice yields and increasing economic returns.
Loach helps control pests naturally, reducing the need for pesticides. Their movement in the fields also aerates the soil, promoting better rice growth. Additionally, this method reduces feed costs and improves overall farm efficiency.
**(A) Selection of Rice Fields**
Choose fields with good water sources, clean water quality, and efficient drainage and irrigation systems. The field should have strong water retention capacity.
**(B) Preparations Before Breeding**
1. **Ridge Reinforcement**
Field ridges should be raised to 50–100 cm high to prevent water leakage.
2. **Anti-Escape Nets**
Install nets at the base of the field to prevent loach from escaping.
3. **Fish Ditches and Pits**
Dig fish ditches (50–60 cm wide, 40–50 cm deep) and small pits (3–5 m²) for easier harvesting.
4. **Inlet and Outlet Settings**
Install fish-proof nets at the inlet and outlet to prevent escape and ensure smooth water flow.
5. **Fertilizing Fish Ditches**
Apply fermented organic fertilizer to fish ditches and pits before stocking to support natural food organisms.
**(C) Breeding Methods**
There are different planting methods, such as single-row and double-line planting, which optimize light exposure and increase rice yield.
**(D) Loach Stocking**
Stock fingerlings 10 days after transplanting rice. Soak fish in 3%–5% saltwater for 5–10 minutes before releasing them. Stocking density varies based on size—30–40 fish per square meter for 3–4 cm fish, and 20–30 for 5–8 cm.
**(E) Feeding and Management**
Loach have a broad diet, including insects, plant matter, and commercial feed. Feeding should be balanced and frequent, with two meals per day. Water quality must be maintained, and diseases should be prevented through regular cleaning and disinfection.
Common diseases include Saprolegnia, Print Disease, Fin Rot, and Trichodiasis. Each requires specific treatments, such as salt dips, bleach solutions, or copper sulfate mixtures.
Additionally, natural predators like snakes, birds, and rats must be controlled to avoid losses.
**(F) Harvesting Loach**
Various methods are used, including cage trapping, netting, and dry pond catching. Cage trapping is the most effective, using bait like fried rice bran or silkworm cocoons. Cages are placed in ditches and checked every 2–3 hours, achieving a catch rate of up to 80%.
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