GROWTH RESPONSE AND NUTRIENT UTILIZATION OF Clarias gariepinus JUVENILES FED TROPICAL KUDZU (Pueraria phaseoloides) LEAF MEAL INCLUSION DIETS

Abstract

A 10-week feeding experiment was conducted to evaluate the growth response and nutrient utilization of Clarias
gariepinus juveniles fed Pueraria phaseoloides leaf meal (PLM) inclusion diets. Five isonitrogenous diets (D1
D5) were formulated to contain 40% crude protein with inclusion of PLM at 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% levels,
respectively. D1 (0% PLM) served as the control diet. One hundred and fifty C. gariepinus juveniles of initial
mean weight of 79.87 ± 5.85 g were randomly allocated to five dietary groups (D1-D5) and three replicates each
and fed with the five PLM formulated diets, respectively, at 5% biomass daily. Fifteen concrete tanks of 1m3
volume each were used for the experiment at ARAC. Each tank was stocked with 10 juveniles. Results showed no
significant differences (p>0.05) in the mean weight gain, percentage weight gain, specific growth rate, feed
conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, and nitrogen metabolism in all the dietary groups at the end of the
feeding experiment. The present findings showed that PLM has good potentials for inclusion as a protein
ingredient in C. gariepinus feed up to 20% level without reducing feed quality, nutrient utilization, and growth of
fish.