Economic Impacts of Soybean Substitution by Guarkorma in Tilapia Ration

Abstract

This study was carried-out to study the growth performance, feed utilization and economic efficiency of Nile tilapia fingerlings fed on different levels of Guar Korma meal replacement in tilapia ration instead of soybean meal. Fish of 10 g initial body weight were classified into 4 groups (25fingerlings /group) with 3 replicates for each. Group 1 was control group and fed on commercial diet (0% guar korma diet); group 2 fed on treated diet supplemented with 25% Guar korma meal instead of soybean meal; group 3 fed on 50% guar korma diet, and group 4 fed on 100% guar korma diet. All groups fed twice daily on the rate of about 5 % from the total weight for 10 weeks. Performance were evaluated in terms of body weight, body weight gain, specific growth rate, condition factor, total feed intake and feed conversion ratio, returns and costs due to different levels of guar korma substitution instead of soybean. The results showed significant reduction (P < 0.01) in all performance parameters as the level of guar korma increase in the three treated groups compared with control group. Significant difference in feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) was detected among treatment groups where feed intake decrease and (FCR) increase as the level of guar korma increase. Also, there was significant difference in economic efficiency parameters, where 25% guar korma group is higher in net returns than other 50% and 100% guar korma treated group, whereas, 0% guar korma (control group) is the highest compared with other groups. Further studies could use guar korma as a replacement with enzymes to improve its performance and feed utilization.