The Potential Effects of Azolla as a Growth Promoter for Labeo rohita Fingerlings

Abstract

Non-conventional aqua feeds are crucial for promoting sustainability, reducing costs, and minimizing environmental impact in aquaculture, fostering industry growth and addressing environmental concerns. The 60 days experiment was conducted for the introduction of Azolla into the diet of Labeo rohita fingerlings resulted in significant variations (p<0.05) in several growth parameters, including percentage weight gain, percentage length gain, specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and survival rate. While no significant difference in FCR was observed among treatments during the initial 0 to 45-day interval, a notable disparity emerged between 45 to 60 days, with the highest FCR recorded in T3 and the lowest in T3. Similarly, although there were no significant differences in SGR among treatments at various intervals, the highest SGR was observed in T3, while the lowest was in T1. Furthermore, percentages of weight increment were significantly different between the intervals of 15-30 days and 30-45 days, with the highest percentage gain observed in T3 and the lowest in T1. Likewise, percentages of length increment showed significant differences between the intervals of 15-30 days, with T1 exhibiting the highest percentage gain and T1 the lowest. The survival rate % of different treatments at the end of the experiment varied, with T3 showing the highest survival rate and T0 the lowest. Statistical analysis confirmed significant differences in percent length gain, percent weight gain, SGR, and FCR among the treatments. These findings underscore the complex interplay between fish species, feed nutrients, additives, and rearing conditions on the growth process of Labeo rohita fingerlings. The observed variations in growth parameters highlight the potential of Azolla as a growth promoter in aquaculture practices. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms driving these effects and to optimize Azolla supplementation protocols for enhanced growth performance and sustainability in Labeo rohita aquaculture.