Effect of various levels of raw Citrullus lanatus seed meal diets on growth performance of Cyprinus carpio fingerlings

Abstract EN

The nutritional value of feeding Cyprinus carpio various levels of raw watermelon seed meal was evaluated in this study.

Five diets of 35 % crude protein were formulated with different levels of raw seed meal at 0 %, 5 %, 10 %, 15 % and 20 % inclusion.

Twenty fingerlings were randomly allocated in triplicate for each treatment in 70 liters plastic bowls, aeration was provided to culture bowls throughout the 12-week trial period.

The results revealed that the inclusion level of 10 % raw watermelon seed meal in the diet gave the best mean weight gain, feed conversion ratio, feed conversion efficiency, protein efficiency ratio, apparent net protein utilization, specific growth rate and survival rate.

The growth performance decreased with increasing the inclusion level of raw seed meal beyond 10 % (P < 0.05).

The inclusion level of 10 % raw watermelon seed meal in the diet of common carp is found to be ideal for enhancing growth and better nutrient utilization.