Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

OPTIMIZATION OF ENERGY TO PROTEIN RATIO IN FEED FOR POST LARVAE OF MACROBRACHIUM ROSENBERGII

B.R. Kharatmol, N.P. Sahu. and R.K.Sadawarte

Abstract

Three semi-purified feeds having different levels of dietary proteins (27.54, 34.12 and 41.57 %) with protein energy ratio of 88.16, 109.35 and 130.58 mg Cp/ kcal were formulated. Two hundred and twenty five number of 20 days old post larvae of M. rosenbergii (de-man) was divided into 3 groups (F1, F, and F.,) with five replicates each. Prepared diets were fed to post larvae of M. rosenbergii for a period of 6 week under a temperature regime of 13 - 22cC . Other water quality parameters like pH, DO, and Total alkalinity were within the optimal range. The best growth and food conversion ratio (FCR) were obtained with an average weight of 165.61 mg and FCR 1.69 in F., group at 34.12 % protein diet (P/E 109.35 Cp/KCal). While maximum protein utilization and conversion occurred with energy levels (130.58 mg Cp/K.Cal) but high protein (41.57 %) content diet. Though the best protein efficiency ratio (1.81) was recorded in F, group followed by F2 (1.75), the difference was statistically insignificant (P> 0.05). The result indicated that with increased allowance of energy, more protein was utilized for tissue building and enhancement of growth.