Academic Achievements in Ecological Farming of Rice Field Eels and Loaches, Detailed Explanation by Dr. Zhou Wenzong

Dr. Zhou Wenzong is a researcher at the Institute of Biotechnology, Nanjing University, a specially appointed researcher under the Shanghai program for attracting outstanding domestic talent to work in Shanghai, and a member of the Geographical Society of China and the Ecological Society of China. His specialty: ecological engineering and aquatic biology. His research directions: animal ecology and ecological aquaculture (mainly targeting rice field eels, loaches and red swamp crayfish), ecological engineering and water body restoration. In July 1990, he graduated from university and returned to his hometown to explore artificial breeding of rice field eels. In June 1996, he obtained a master's degree in ecology from Shenyang Agricultural University. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the Institute of Geography, Henan Academy of Sciences to engage in ecological engineering research and was appointed director of the Ecological Environment Research Center of the Henan Academy of Sciences. In 2001, in order to further improve his theoretical level, Zhou Wenzong simultaneously pursued doctoral degrees in ecological engineering at the School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University (advisor: Professor Qin Pei of Nanjing University) and in aquatic biology at the Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (advisor: Academician Liu Jiankang of the Chinese Academy of Sciences), and obtained dual doctoral degrees in 2006.
Zhou Wenzong has successively led and completed 24 research topics (projects), and successively led provincial-level science and technology tackling projects "Research on the Development and Application of Rice Field Eel Ecological Engineering", "Comprehensive Research on Large-Scale Breeding Technology of Rice Field Eels" and "Research on Comprehensive Prevention and Control Technology of Rice Field Eel Diseases and Pests", and participated in 12 projects including the "Tenth Five-Year Plan" National Major Science and Technology Special Project, the National Science and Technology Tackling Program, the 863 Program and provincial-level projects; he has published more than 80 academic papers at home and abroad, and served as editor-in-chief of 2 works; he won one each of the Second Prize of the Science and Technology Progress Award of the Ministry of Education in 2009, the Second Prize of the Science and Technology Progress Award of Shandong Province in 2010, and the Second Prize of the Science and Technology Progress Award of Henan Province in 2010; as the first inventor, he holds 7 national invention patents, and invented and mass-produced the "Duoyishan" series of drugs and feed additives, achieving relatively good social and economic benefits.
Zhou Wenzong successfully achieved a breakthrough in shallow-water soilless semi-artificial breeding technology for rice field eels. He established ecological farming demonstration and extension bases in Hong Kong, China, Jiangsu, Henan, Hubei, Shandong, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Anhui, Hunan, Sichuan, Liaoning and other provinces and regions; he was the first to carry out systematic research on the technology of decomposing and treating municipal sludge with earthworms, proposed the ecological engineering of livestock and poultry manure treatment and utilization, and pioneered the "Three Yellow (namely yellow cattle, rice field eels and cucumber) Economic Model", establishing demonstration engineering bases in Xuchang, Zhengzhou, Zhumadian, Nanjing, Fuyang and other places, with a total investment of more than 80 million yuan.
I. Major Academic Innovations of Zhou Wenzong in Ecological Aquaculture
1. He was the first to propose a new model of still-water soilless ecological farming of rice field eels, pioneering the history of using plastic film to farm rice field eels and successfully farming rice field eels in the north, overcoming the drawbacks of cage farming (it cannot be promoted and applied in water-scarce areas; the water surface is deep, making it difficult to domesticate young eel fry; the water surface is large, so fish diseases are easily transmitted and difficult to disinfect; the mesh is easily clogged and needs frequent cleaning, otherwise it affects the exchange of water inside and outside the cage; feed waste is common and water pollution is serious; management and operation are inconvenient and labor intensity is high; the farming season is concentrated, the farming time is too short, and farming costs increase; water rats bite through the nets, causing large-scale loss of rice field eels), and it has the characteristics of "low pond construction cost, no impact on reclamation, farming possible in all four seasons, water saving and labor saving, high economic benefit, no pollution and wide adaptability". An invention patent "A Method for Constructing an Ecological Farming Pond for Rice Field Eels" has been applied for (200910227390.5).
2. He invented a new soilless farming technology and cage farming technology for loaches, overcoming the drawbacks of pond seine-based soil farming of loaches and the current soilless farming of loaches, and it has the characteristics of easy water quality regulation, feed saving, fewer loach diseases and pests, fast growth speed and improved comprehensive benefits of loach farming. Related technology has been submitted for invention patent "A New Soilless Farming Method for Loaches" (application number: 201010572535.8).
3. He adopted the technical route of shallow-water soilless semi-artificial breeding, namely artificially selecting parent eels, putting them into breeding ponds at the appropriate time, feeding with a combination of compound feed and live bait, using drugs, especially Chinese herbal medicines, to promote maturation and spawning of parent eels, and after natural spawning and fertilization, promptly removing them for artificial drip incubation, so as to achieve the goal of large-scale breeding. He explored the relationship between the breeding behavior of rice field eels and gonadal development and ecological factors, discovered their territory area, and found that rice field eels that had not hibernated in winter could also successfully undergo semi-artificial breeding.
4. He innovatively extracted active ingredients from aquatic plants (especially alligator weed) for drug prevention and control, comprehensively utilized resources, adopted ecological technology for integrated prevention and control of diseases and pests, increased biodiversity, fully tapped the potential of Chinese herbal medicines, used food chain amplification and biological carriers to transfer drugs, improved drug efficacy, and realized environmentally friendly aquaculture. An invention patent "A Drug for Preventing and Controlling Aquatic Animal Diseases and Its Preparation Method" has been applied for (200410041674.2), and the authorized invention patent "Medicated Bait for Wild Rice Field Eel Seedlings and Feeding Method" was obtained (ZL 200410066032.8).
5. He invented a new type of rice field eel nest that facilitates the free entry and exit of eels, making soilless farming and factory farming of rice field eels possible. An invention patent "Fish Nest for Soilless Farming of Rice Field Eels and Its Setting Method" has been applied for (200410066031.3).
6. He systematically studied the epidemiological characteristics of important diseases and pests of rice field eels in the Yangtze River Basin and the Yellow River Basin. Using self-developed drugs to soak eel seedlings for several consecutive days not only gave the eels high-density training, but also relatively well solved a series of problems caused by the common partial shedding of mucus and tail rot disease in market rice field eels. The authorized invention patent "A Quantitative Method for Screening Wild Rice Field Eel Seedlings" was obtained (200410066033.2).
7. He was the first to study feed formulas and quality-improving additives for different seasons and different growth stages. The compound feed developed for rice field eels and loaches has a low feed conversion ratio, and a relatively good phagostimulant was discovered. The technical achievements were transformed by Zhengzhou Saike Biotechnology Co., Ltd., and the products were welcomed by farmers.
8. He systematically studied the feeding ecology and behavioral ecology of rice field eels. By studying the food selectivity of rice field eels and the patterns of cannibalism among rice field eels, a basis was provided for rational polyculture; he systematically studied the effects of ecological factors and body weight on the feeding of rice field eels, and a certain equation can be used to predict the maximum feeding rate of rice field eels under different body weights and different temperature conditions; it was confirmed that rice field eels from different sources and domesticated by different methods all exhibit obvious diel feeding rhythms; he studied the homing behavior of rice field eels and their selectivity for fish nests under different body weights and different water depth conditions; and it was found that water exchange and feeding extremely significantly stimulate the defecation activity of rice field eels.
9. He analyzed the material and energy flow patterns of typical artificial food chains, providing a theoretical basis for the rational design and utilization of rice field eel food chains (webs) and for reducing farming costs.
10. He creatively introduced earthworm ecological filter technology and bioremediation, especially animal remediation technology, into aquaculture, established a new bioremediation model of combined microbial-plant-animal remediation, and achieved the efficient goal of integrating eel (loach)-vegetable symbiosis, bait cultivation and water quality purification. An invention patent "A Method for Controlling Water Eutrophication Using a Special Food Chain" has been applied for (201010576887.0).
11. He was the first to successfully farm rice field eels, loaches and red swamp crayfish in saline-alkali land.
12. He invented automatic separation technology for earthworms and yellow mealworms. He studied the cannibalism characteristics of yellow mealworms, the diel patterns of pupation and eclosion, and their selenium enrichment capacity, and determined the effects of feed type and rearing density on the growth rate, mortality, pupation rate and nutritional composition of yellow mealworm larvae. The authorized invention patent "A New Method for Harvesting Eisenia fetida" was obtained (ZL 200410066030.9).
13. He was the first to carry out systematic research on the technology of decomposing and treating municipal sludge with earthworms, and established demonstration engineering bases. He studied the optimal ecological conditions for earthworms to decompose municipal sludge and achieved relatively good treatment results. Experiments showed that 1 kg of earthworms can convert at least 2 kg of vermicompost per day, reducing sludge by more than 30%; after enrichment by earthworms, heavy metal content was reduced by between 3% and 44%, and the order of earthworm enrichment coefficients for various heavy metals was: Mn>Zn>Ni>As>Cu>Cr>Cd>Hg>Pb.
14. He used apple snails to effectively control outbreaks of alligator weed. He proposed an ecological engineering model for the resource utilization of alligator weed, and found that different proportions of alligator weed and wheat bran extremely significantly affect the specific growth rate and material-energy conversion efficiency of yellow mealworm larvae, and can significantly prolong the developmental duration of yellow mealworm pupae. A certain equation can be used to predict the maximum feeding rate of apple snails on alligator weed under different body weights and temperature conditions.
15. In livestock and poultry manure treatment, he integrated environmental engineering and ecological engineering technologies, and integrated and matched anaerobic fermentation technology, biogas slurry technology for cultivating loach seedlings, loach-eel-vegetable symbiosis systems, earthworm biological decomposition treatment technology and environmental deodorization technology, constructing a composite ecological engineering and circular economy model for livestock and poultry breeding manure treatment. The project "Demonstration Research on Ecological Engineering and Circular Economy for Livestock and Poultry Breeding Manure Treatment" that he undertook passed the appraisal on November 6, 2008 by an appraisal committee composed of well-known domestic experts headed by Academician Jin Jianming.

II. Patent Sequence
(1) "A Multi-Period Intermittent Switching Device" (Patent No.: ZL 98 2 19385.8); (2) "Automatic Correction Method for delta15N and delta13C Values of Biological and Soil Samples" (Patent No.: ZL 2003132046.5); (3) "A New Method for Harvesting Eisenia fetida" (Patent No.: ZL 200410066030.9); (4) "A Drug for Preventing and Controlling Aquatic Animal Diseases and Its Preparation Method" (Application No.: 200410041674.2); (5) "A Quantitative Method for Screening Wild Rice Field Eel Seedlings" (Patent No.: ZL 200410066033.2); (6) "Medicated Bait for Wild Rice Field Eel Seedlings and Feeding Method" (Patent No.: ZL 200410066032.8); (7) "Fish Nest for Soilless Farming of Rice Field Eels and Its Setting Method" (Application No.: 200410066031.3); (8) "A High-Density Ecological Transport Method for Earthworms" (Patent No.: ZL 20051017239.X); (9) "A Method for Prolonging the Developmental Duration of Yellow Mealworm Pupae" (Patent No.: ZL 200510107240.2); (10) "A Method for Transporting Live Yellow Mealworm Larvae" (Patent No.: ZL 200510107238.5); (11) "A Method for Constructing an Ecological Farming Pond for Rice Field Eels" (Application No.: 200910227390.5); (12) "A New Soilless Farming Method for Loaches" (Application No.: 201010572535.8), exclusive; (13) "A Method for Controlling Water Eutrophication Using a Special Food Chain" (Application No.: 201010576887.0).

III. Paper Sequence
1. "Should Hormone Drugs Be Given to Rice Field Eels?" Zhou Wenzong, Chinese Journal of Nature, 2003, 25(4);
2. "Key Technologies for Still-Water Soilless Farming of Rice Field Eels" Zhou Wenzong, Beijing Fisheries, 2003, (4);
3. "A Brief Analysis of the Industrialization of Rice Field Eel Production in China" Zhou Wenzong, Agricultural Industrialization, 2003, (11);
4. "A Preliminary Study on the Feeding of Live Bait by Rice Field Eels" Zhou Wenzong, Li Peiyu. Fisheries Science & Technology Information, 2004, 31(4);
5. "Effects of Body Weight and Temperature on the Maximum Feeding Rate of Rice Field Eels" Zhou Wenzong, Li Hongtao, Zhang Ge, Gao Hongli  Acta Hydrobiologica Sinica, 2008, 32(6);
6. "Study on the Feeding Rhythm of Red Swamp Crayfish" Zhou Wenzong, Zhao Fenglan, Fisheries Science, 2007, 26(5);
7. "Effects of Salinity on the Feeding Rhythm and Defecation Time of Rice Field Eels" Zhou Wenzong, Qin Pei, Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2007, 18(5);
8. "Diel Patterns of Pupation and Eclosion of Yellow Mealworms" Zhou Wenzong, Wang Guang, Journal of Economic Animal, 2003, 7(4);
9. "Effects of PVC Pipes on the Maximum Feeding Rate of Rice Field Eels" Zhou Wenzong, Li Hongtao, Water Conservancy Fisheries, 2006, 26(2);
10. "A Preliminary Study on the Defecation Activity of Rice Field Eels" Zhou Wenzong, Zhang Ge, Gao Hongli, Li Hongtao, Acta Hydrobiologica Sinica, 2008, 32(3);
11. "Study on the Material Flow and Energy Flow Conversion Efficiency of the Substrate-Earthworm-Rice Field Eel Food Chain" Zhou Wenzong, Bai Yu, Qin Pei, Chinese Journal of Eco-Agriculture, 2004, (3);
12. "Analysis of Material Flow and Energy Flow of the 'Wheat Bran-Yellow Mealworm-Rice Field Eel' Food Chain" Zhou Wenzong, Bai Yu, Cai Qinghua, Jiangsu Agricultural Sciences, 2004, (2);
13. "Effects of Salinity on the Feeding and Starvation of Rice Field Eels" Zhou Wenzong, Li Hongtao, Chen Yang, Water Conservancy Fisheries, 2006, 26(5) 8;
14. "Effects of Spartina alterniflora Biological Mineral Liquid on the Growth and Nutritional Composition of Yellow Mealworm Larvae" Gao Hongli, Zhou Wenzong, Zhang Ge, Hubei Agricultural Sciences, 2009, 48(9);
15. "Study on Shallow-Water Soilless Semi-Artificial Breeding of Rice Field Eels" Zhou Wenzong, Zhang Ge, Gao Hongli, Li Hongtao, Acta Agriculturae Universitatis Jiangxiensis, 2007, 29(1);
16. "Patterns of Predation by Rice Field Eels on Several Small Aquatic Animals" Zhou Wenzong, Li Hongtao, Gao Hongli, Zhang Ge, Jiangsu Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2007, 23(2);
17. "Study on the Daily Feeding Rhythm of Rice Field Eels with Nervous Disorder Syndrome" Zhou Wenzong, Zhang Ge, Gao Hongli, Li Hongtao, Acta Agriculturae Universitatis Jiangxiensis, 2007, 29(2);
18. "Effects of pH on the Maximum Feeding Rate of Rice Field Eels" Zhou Wenzong, Li Hongtao, Zhang Ge, Gao Hongli, Jiangsu Agricultural Sciences, 2007, (1);
19. "Analysis of Material Flow and Energy Flow of the 'Alligator Weed and Wheat Bran-Yellow Mealworm-Rice Field Eel' Food Chain" Zhou Wenzong, Qin Pei, Zhang Ge, Gao Hongli, Hubei Agricultural Sciences, 2007, 46(1);
20. "Effects of Body Weight on the Feeding Rhythm of Rice Field Eels" Zhou Wenzong, Zhang Ge, Gao Hongli, Li Hongtao, Water Conservancy Fisheries, 2007, 27(1);
21. "Effects of Water Depth on the Maximum Feeding Rate and Feed Selectivity of Rice Field Eels" Zhou Wenzong, Li Hongtao, Zhang Ge, Gao Hongli, Water Conservancy Fisheries, 2007, 27(3);
22. "A Preliminary Study on the Feeding of Apple Snails and Red Swamp Crayfish on Alligator Weed and Water Hyacinth" Zhou Wenzong, Qin Pei, Zhang Ge, Gao Hongli, Hubei Agricultural Sciences, 2006, 45(5);
23. "Current Status and Development Trends of Resource Utilization of Alligator Weed in China" Zhou Wenzong, Zhang Ge, Gao Hongli, Li Hongtao, Areal Research and Development, 2005, 24(7);
24. "Bioaccumulation of Selenium by Yellow Mealworm Larvae" Gao Hongli, Zhou Wenzong, Zhang Ge, Li Hongtao, Entomological Knowledge, 2007, 44(6);
25. "Using the Uniform Design Method to Test the Joint Toxic Effects of Salinity and Alkalinity on Loaches" Li Hongtao, Zhou Wenzong, Gao Hongli, Zhang Ge, Fisheries Science, 2006, 25(11);
26. "Effects of Feed Type and Rearing Density on the Growth and Development of Yellow Mealworm Larvae" Gao Hongli, Zhou Wenzong, Zhang Ge, Li Hongtao, Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2006, 26(10);
27. "Research Progress on Earthworm Decomposition Treatment Technology for Municipal Sludge" Gao Hongli, Zhou Wenzong, Zhang Ge, Li Hongtao, Chinese Journal of Eco-Agriculture, 2008, 16(3);
28. Papers published in foreign-language journals (omitted).

IV. Book Sequence
Editor-in-chief works: "Ecological Industry and Industrial Ecology", "Ecological Engineering of Special Aquaculture".
Deputy editor-in-chief works: the "Industrial Ecological Engineering" series, including: "Biomass Energy Industrial Ecological Engineering", "Fermentation Ecological Engineering", "Ecological Engineering for Biological Treatment of Polluted Water Bodies", "Ecological Engineering of Special Aquaculture", "Tidal Flat Industrial Ecological Engineering", "Organic Agriculture Technology and Organic Food Quality", "Soil Microbial Ecological Engineering", "Ecological Engineering of Special Economic Plants" and "Textile Industrial Ecological Engineering";
Participated in writing works: the "Hot Topics in Ecology Research Series", including "Global Change and Regional Response", "Restoration Ecology", "Biodiversity and Conservation Biology", "Information Agricultural Ecology", "Landscape Ecology", "Coastal Systems Ecology", "Ecological Economics", "Plant Stress Physiological Ecology", "Microbial Ecology" and "Plant Molecular Ecology". "Xinyang Tea - The Forging and Development of the Green Food Industry".