Effect of moringa petiole meal as a growth promoter on growth performance and feed nutrient assimilation of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of feeding moringa petiole meal (MPM) on growth performance, feed utilization and economic efficiency of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Four experimental diets were prepared by four levels of MPM, T1 (control, 0%), T2 (2.5%), T3 (5%) and T4 (7.5%). Fish were fed at 3% of live body weight daily for 60 days. The obtained results revealed that growth performance parameters were increased significantly (P<0.05) at fish fed diet (T3) containing (5%) MPM, compared with T2 (2.5%) and control diet (0%).The best value of feed conversion ratio (FCR) was obtained in fish fed T3 (5%) (2.82) which, followed by T4 (7.5%) (3.17) compared with T2 (2.5%)(3.33) and T1 (0%)(3.65). Also, feed utilization parameters were higher significantly (P<0.05) with fish fed T3 (5%) and T4 (7.5%) than those fed T2 (2.5%) and control diets (0%). Results showed that, feed cost/Kg body weight gain were lower for fish feed diets T3 (19.10 L.E./kg) and T4 (21.21 L.E./kg) than those in control (25.25 L. E./kg). Total feed cost during the whole feeding trial to produce one Kg body weight gain decreased with increase MPM levels in Nile tilapia diets. It could be concluded that the possibility of using moringa petiole meal (MPM) as a growth promoter in Nile tilapia diets, whereas improved body weight gain, feed utilization and economic efficiency without any adverse effect.