Abstract: In order to understand the effects of Bacillus preparation on the metabolic function of microbial communities in tilapia ponds at early stock stage, Biolog ECO microplate was used to examine the changes of the metabolic function of microbial communities in the waters and sediments from four tilapia ponds, of which, two trial ponds were applied with Bacillus preparation at early stock stage. For the microbial communities in sediments, Bacillus preparation had obvious promotion effects on the metabolic activity, functional diversity, and utilization of six kinds of carbon sources; while for those in waters, Bacillus preparation had little effects on their metabolic activity and functional diversity, but promoted their utilization of six kinds of carbon sources. Our study indicated that putting Bacillus preparation into tilapia ponds at early stock stage could improve the metabolic function of microbial communities in the ponds, especially in sediments.

Key words: Plutella xylostella, Low temperature, Development time, Survival, Fecundity