EFFECT OF USING DIFFERENT LEVELS OF AZOLLA AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR SOYBEAN MEAL IN THE PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE OF FISH CARP

Abstract

Abstract Soybeans meal are important sources of proteins, which account for 50% of the cost of fish diet and because of the need to import them from outside the country will increase the cost of the diet. So, it was necessary the use of inexpensive, available sources that can be produced as a protein source to reduce the cost of the diet and the cost of production. The study was conducted at the Fish Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Anbar University, Republic of Iraq, included this study three experiments: The first experiment: Planting Azolla in city Al-Baghdadi, Anbar province, Iraq. The first experiment was aimed at growing Azolla. The planting period was 9 months. The second experiment: Included Procedure Azolla analysis according to A.O.A.C. The results of the analysis were protein43.6%, ash 26.9%, fat 1.27%, moisture 92.47%, fiber 22.66%) and were classified by the Center for Desert Studies - Anbar University, Iraq. The third experiment: Field Experiment: The experiment was conducted at the Fish Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Anbar University, Republic of Iraq. The trial duration (10 weeks) was carried out, where productivity traits were calculated. The results of the statistical analysis of the productivity traits of the basic weight and the percentage of losses showed no statistically significant differences between the coefficients at a significant level (P0.05). The results showed that the second treatment (5% Azolla) at a significant difference (P0.05) was superior to control treatment and treatments (15% Azolla and 25% Azolla) respectively for final weight, weight gain, daily weight gain, relative growth rate, specific growth rate, feed consumption, feed efficiency and protein efficiency. There were no statistically significant differences between control treatment and 15% and 25% Azolla respectively in the same traits. The results showed a significant Improved (P0.05) in the feed conversion ratio treatment in favor of the second treatment compared to the control treatment and other treatments. The dietary conversion ratio for the second treatment was 2.13, while the feeding conversion ratio for the control and third and fourth treatments was 2.54, 2.71 and 2.59, respectively. At the same time, there was no significant difference (15% and 25% Azolla) compared with control treatment. The first and second treatments of the protein intake were superior compared to the third and fourth treatments. There were also no significant difference between the first and second treatments, while there were no significant difference between the third treatment and the fourth treatment