Abstract: The main pond bottom soil management practices used in semi-intensive culture are pond dryout and liming between crops. These practices accelerate organic matter decomposition, neutralize soil acidity and destroy unwanted organisms. Since most soils become too dry for microbial decomposition of organic matter within three weeks, there is little need to dry pond bottoms more than that period. Where bottom sediment is deep, remove it to facilitate dryout. Ponds with soil pHs below 7.5 should be limed to enhance decomposition
