ISSN: 2577-4050
Authors: Abdullahi AI*, Mohammed T, Haruna MY and Aliyu M
This study evaluated digestibility, growth and hepatosomatic index of Oreochromis niloticus fed diets containing blanched Lemna paucicostata as a replacement for toasted soybean meal. Five iso-proteinous diets were formulated using feed solution software, blanched Lemna paucicostata was used to replace toasted soybean meal progressively at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% respectively. Fifteen Hapa nets of 1m2 each were used. Ten Oreochromis niloticus juveniles were introduced into each of the nets. The fish were fed at 5% body weight three times daily for a period of six months. There was significant difference (P≤0.05) in the apparent protein digestibility coefficient among the treatments and the control. Highest apparent protein digestibility coefficient of 92.94% was recorded in the diet containing 75% blanched L. paucicostata meal while the least value of 86.86% was obtained in the diet with 100% L. paucicostata meal. The fish fed diet containing 75% blanched L. paucicostata meal recorded significantly highest (P≤0.05) mean final weight of 468.01g followed by the fish fed with 50% blanched L. paucicostata meal with 453.68g, the fish fed 100% blanched L. paucicostata meal recorded significantly lowest (P≤0.05) value of 401.54g. The fish fed diet containing 75% inclusion level of blanched L. paucicostata meal gave the best protein, lipid, ash and carbohydrate digestibility of 92.94%, 90.62%, 52.29% and 80.56%, respectively and also gave the best growth performance and hepatosomatic index.
Keywords: Hepatosomatic Index; Digestibility; Oreochromis Niloticus; Lemna paucicostata; Growth Performance
