UTILIZATION OF KOCHIA Kochia indica IN BLUE TILAPIA (Oreochromis aureus) DIETS.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Animal and Fish Production, Faculty of Agric. (Saba Bacha), Alex. Univ. Alex., Egypt.

2 Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agric. (Oamanhour), Alex. Univ. Alex., Egypt.

3 Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agric., Alex. Univ. Alex., Egypt.

Abstract

A 14-week feeding experiment was conducted in enclosure nets (each of 100
X 100 X 100 cm in diameter) in Merghem region from 1"t August to 15th November.
Five isonitrogenous diets (22.75 % protein) with different levels of Kochie indica dried
leafs and soft branches (KDLS) being 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 % instead of the dietary
protein were prepared and their effects on growth performance, feed utilization and
carcass composition were evaluated for blue tilapia Oreocllromis aureus (11.5 g).
Each of the experimental diets was fed to duplicate groups of fish at a feeding rate of
2.5 % of body weight. The results revealed that fish groups fed on the diet contained
15 % KDLS had significantly higher growth perfonnance and feed utilization compared
to the fish fed on other KDLS substitution levels. Carcass composition affected with
different KDLS substitution levels. Economically, with increasing the KDLS
substitution level the cost of one Kg fish gain decreased. The study demonstrated that
KDLS could replace 15 % of blue tilapia diet to improve growth perfonnance and feed
utilization.

Keywords

Journal of Animal and Poultry Production
Volume 29, Issue 1
January 2004
Pages 63-72

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