​Comparative Evaluation of Dietary Raw and Solid-state Fermented Sesbania Leaf Meal in Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822)

Abstract

Background: Sesbania aculeata leaf are rich in nutrients which makes it a potential ingredient in fish feed preparation. Solid-state fermentation (SSF) process of leaf enhanced nutrient content and reduced antinutritional factors. This experiment was conducted to optimize inclusion of raw and fermented S. aculeata leaf meal (RSLM and FSLM) in the diet of Labeo rohita at fingerling stage at different level. Methods: Nine isonitrogenous (30% CP) diet for rohu fingerlings were prepared using RSLM and FSLM. SSF of the leaf meals were carried out using Bacillus subtilis. Feeding trail was conducted for 60 days at RSLM inclusion level of 10, 20, 30 and 40% (T1, T2, T3, T4) and FSLM (T5, T6, T7, T8) in triplicate treatments with 0% inclusion as control (C). Result: The fish fed with FSLM based diet had higher weight gain (%), SGR (%) and lower FCR when compared to RSLM and Control. S. aculeata can be incorporated in rohu fingerling’s diet upto 20% RSLM and 40% FSLM level without any adverse effect on the growth of the fish.