Abstract:

The trial to compare the effects on the growth and development of soft-shelled turtle ( Trionyx sinensis) with and without artificial shell break assistant (ASBA) before natural hatching were conducted. Results showed that the hatching rate and the growth rate of juvenile soft-shelled turtle were not affected significantly ( P < 0.01) by the ASBA at the first 30 days. The survival rate of the ASBA turtle was 100% and the physical quality of the majority young soft-shelled turtles with ASBA were in category one according to the evaluation standard. The suitable accumulated temperature for the implementation of ASBA during incubation is 28800-30000℃ and the total time for turtle eggs hatching is about 40-50 days. To get the eggs wet by watering on the day before ASBA could get the best result . The ASBA could shorten the hatching period for about 10 days and earn more time for the growth of turtle before winter. . So the turtle could intake more feed and increase its resistance to the environmental stress. The growth indexes of turtles with ASBA were better than those without ASBA. In conclusion, one of the ways for improving the economic benefit of soft-shelled turtle culture is to breed juvenile soft-shelled turtles in large scale and shorten the incubation period by artificial shell break assistant.