Comparative analysis of feed conversion ratio in Indian major carps: Traditional vs formulated feeding regimens

Introduction

Aquaculture has become a vital component of global food production, contributing significantly to food security, nutritional requirements, and economic development [4]. In India, aquaculture plays a crucial role in the rural economy, with Indian major carps, particularly Rohu (Labeo rohita) and Catla (Catla catla), being predominant species in freshwater fish culture. Efficient feed management practices are essential for sustainable aquaculture, as feed constitutes a substantial portion of the total production costs [3].

Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) is a critical measure of feed efficiency, representing the amount of feed required to produce a unit of fish biomass. Lower FCR values indicate better feed utilization, leading to cost savings and enhanced profitability [1]. Traditional feeding methods in Indian aquaculture, such as using De-oiled Rice Bran (DORB), Groundnut Oil Cake (GNOC), and Cottonseed Cake (CSC), have been widely practiced due to their local availability and cost-effectiveness [2]. However, the emergence of formulated commercial feeds, which are nutritionally balanced with specific protein and fat content, promises improved growth performance and feed efficiency [5].

This study was conducted in the West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, India, to compare the FCR of Indian major carps under traditional and formulated feeding regimens. The research aimed to evaluate the efficacy of various feeding strategies, including DORB, GNOC, CSC, commercial sinking feed, and commercial floating feed, each with a protein content of 22% and fat content of 5%. Additionally, the study assessed the average cost of production per kilogram of fish and the total protein requirement for producing one kilogram of fish.

By providing a comparative analysis of different feeding regimes, this study seeks to offer valuable insights into optimizing feed management practices in aquaculture, thereby enhancing production efficiency and economic viability. The findings are expected to contribute to the development of more sustainable and profitable aquaculture practices, benefiting both small-scale and commercial fish farmers in India and beyond.

Literature Review

The Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) is a key metric in aquaculture that assesses the efficiency of fish in converting feed into body mass, with lower values indicating higher feed efficiency. Indian major carps, such as Catla (Catla catla), Rohu (Labeo rohita), and Mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala), are vital species in Indian aquaculture due to their rapid growth and market demand [14]. Traditional feeding practices, using locally available ingredients like rice bran and oil cakes, are cost-effective but often result in higher FCR values due to imbalanced nutrition [13]. Studies, such as Jhingran (1991) [6] and Nandeesha et al. (2002) [7], have reported FCR values of 2.5 to 3.5 for traditional feeding, reflecting moderate feed efficiency. In contrast, formulated feeds, which are nutritionally balanced and commercially produced, have shown significantly better FCR values, ranging from 1.5 to 2.0, as noted by De Silva and Anderson (1995) [8] and Ali et al. (2016) [9]. Comparative analyses, including Kumar et al. (2014) [10] and Das et al. (2018) [11], have demonstrated that formulated feeds not only lower FCR (1.7 to 1.8) but also improve growth rates and overall cost-effectiveness. Additionally, Singh et al. (2020) [12] highlighted the environmental benefits of formulated feeding, as it resulted in better water quality by reducing organic waste. Overall, formulated feeds have proven superior in terms of efficiency, economic viability, and sustainability in Indian major carp culture [15]. The reviewed literature consistently indicates that formulated feeding regimens result in lower FCR values and better growth performance in Indian major carps compared to traditional feeding practices. While traditional feeds may be more cost-effective upfront, the long-term benefits of formulated feeds, including better growth, improved feed efficiency, and enhanced water quality, make them a more sustainable option for aquaculture.

Methodology

A study was conducted in West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, India, involving nine ponds, each covering an area of 10 acres. Before stocking, ideal pond preparation techniques were employed. Quick lime at 80 kg per acre was spread on the pond bottom 15 days before stocking fish fingerlings. Following this, dried cattle dung at 500 kg per acre and dried poultry manure at 200 kg per acre were applied. Subsequently, approximately 3 kg per acre of urea and 1.5 kg per acre of superphosphate were added. The ponds were then dried, and water was infused to a depth of 4 feet from nearby creeks. Fingerlings were stocked at a density of 2500 Rohu (Labeo rohita) at 200 grams each and 250 Catla (Catla catla) at 300 grams each.

Various feeding regimes were

implemented, including De-oiled Rice Bran (DORB), Groundnut Oil Cake (GNOC), Cottonseed Cake (CSC), commercial sinking feed with 22% protein and 5% fat, and commercial floating feed with 22% protein and 5% fat. The study analyzed the feed conversion ratios (FCR) under pure traditional feeding and commercial feeding regimes, as detailed in Table 1. The Average cost of production of fish per Kg and the total protein requirement for the production of per kg fish were also determined.

Results

The study revealed significant differences in the Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) and feed production costs among various traditional and formulated feeding regimens for Indian major carps. Traditional feeding with 80% De-oiled Rice Bran (DORB), 10% Groundnut Oil Cake (GNOC), and 10% Cottonseed Cake (CSC), providing a total protein content of 17.3 g/kg, resulted in an FCR of 3.5 and a feed production cost of Rs 84.7 per kilogram of fish. Another traditional regimen comprising 90% DORB and 10% GNOC, with a protein content of 16.1 g/kg, showed a higher FCR of 4 and a feed production cost of Rs 87.6 per kilogram of fish.

Integrating commercial sinking feed with traditional diets improved feed efficiency. A mix of 80% DORB and 20% commercial sinking feed with 22% protein and 5% fat, yielding a total protein content of 15.6 g/kg, achieved an FCR of 3.8 and a feed production cost of Rs 85.88 per kilogram of fish. Increasing the proportion of commercial sinking feed to 30% (total protein 16.4 g/kg) lowered the FCR to 3, reducing the feed production cost to Rs 73.2 per kilogram of fish. Further increasing the commercial feed to 40% (total protein 17.2 g/kg) improved the FCR to 2.8, with a cost of Rs 73.36 per kilogram of fish. The optimal combination of 50% DORB and 50% commercial sinking feed (total protein 18 g/kg) achieved the lowest FCR of 2.3 and the most cost-effective feed production at Rs 64.4 per kilogram of fish.

Additional regimens combining traditional and commercial feeds also demonstrated improved FCR and cost efficiency. A mix of 70% DORB, 10% GNOC, and 20% commercial sinking feed (total protein 17.7 g/kg) resulted in an FCR of 2.7 and a cost of Rs 68.85 per kilogram of fish. Using 70% DORB, 10% commercial concentrate feed and 20% commercial sinking feed (total protein 18.4 g/kg) achieved an FCR of 2.5 with a cost of Rs 65.69 per kilogram of fish. The combination of 70% DORB, 10% GNOC, and 20% commercial floating feed (total protein 18.9 g/kg) yielded the best FCR of 2.2 and the lowest feed production cost of Rs 57.82 per kilogram of fish.

These results demonstrate that incorporating commercial feeds, particularly those with higher protein content, significantly enhances feed efficiency and reduces production costs in Indian major carp aquaculture.

Comparative analysis of feed conversion ratio in Indian major carps: Traditional vs formulated feeding regimens - Image 1

Fig 1: Traditional Feeding Methods of Indian Major Carps

Comparative analysis of feed conversion ratio in Indian major carps: Traditional vs formulated feeding regimens - Image 2

Fig 2: Commercial feeding methods of Indian Major Carps

Comparative analysis of feed conversion ratio in Indian major carps: Traditional vs formulated feeding regimens - Image 3

Fig 3: Commercial feed for Indian Major Carps

Comparative analysis of feed conversion ratio in Indian major carps: Traditional vs formulated feeding regimens - Image 4

Fig 4: Traditional feed De-Oiled Rice Bran for Indian Major Carps

Comparative analysis of feed conversion ratio in Indian major carps: Traditional vs formulated feeding regimens - Image 5

Fig 5: Traditional feed Ground Nut Oil Cake for Indian Major Carps

Comparative analysis of feed conversion ratio in Indian major carps: Traditional vs formulated feeding regimens - Image 6

Fig 6: Traditional feed Cotton Seed Cake for Indian Major Carps

Table 1: Combination and comparative analysis of commercial feeding and traditional feeding concerning protein content, FCR, and cost of production per Kg.

Discussion

The study provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of different feeding regimens on the Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) and feed production costs in Indian major carp aquaculture. Traditional feeding methods, while cost-effective and locally accessible, showed higher FCR values, indicating less efficient feed utilization. For instance, the regimen with 80% De-oiled Rice Bran (DORB), 10% Groundnut Oil Cake (GNOC), and 10% Cottonseed Cake (CSC) achieved an FCR of 3.5, whereas a diet of 90% DORB and 10% GNOC resulted in an even higher FCR of 4. These results underscore the limitations of traditional feeds in optimizing growth and feed efficiency.

The introduction of commercial feeds, particularly those with balanced protein and fat content, significantly enhanced feed efficiency. Diets incorporating commercial sinking feed showed progressively better FCRs with increasing proportions of commercial feed. For example, the combination of 80% DORB and 20% commercial sinking feed achieved an FCR of 3.8, which improved to an FCR of 2.3 when the proportion of commercial feed was increased to 50%. This trend highlights the critical role of higher protein content in commercial feeds in promoting better growth performance and feed utilization in carps.

Moreover, the cost analysis reveals that higher feed efficiency translates to lower feed production costs. The regimen with 50% DORB and 50% commercial sinking feed not only resulted in a lower FCR of 2.3 but also had a reduced feed production cost of Rs 64.4 per kilogram of fish, demonstrating the economic benefits of integrating formulated feeds. This cost-efficiency is further exemplified by the combination of 70% DORB, 10% GNOC, and 20% commercial floating feed, which yielded the best FCR of 2.2 and the lowest feed production cost of Rs 57.82 per kilogram of fish.

These findings are consistent with other studies indicating that formulated feeds, particularly those with higher protein and fat content, enhance growth performance and feed efficiency in aquaculture species [3,5]. The protein content in feeds plays a pivotal role in the growth and health of fish, and diets with optimized protein levels can significantly improve FCR and reduce production costs [1].

The implications of this study are significant for the aquaculture industry, particularly for small-scale and commercial fish farmers in India. By adopting feeding regimens that incorporate a higher proportion of formulated commercial feeds, farmers can achieve better growth performance, lower FCRs, and reduced production costs, thereby enhancing overall profitability. Additionally, the study underscores the importance of continuing research and development in feed formulations to further optimize feed efficiency and sustainability in aquaculture practices.

Conclusion

The study highlights the significant benefits of integrating commercial feeds with traditional feeding regimens for Indian carp. Formulated feeds, especially those with higher protein content, markedly improve Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) and reduce feed production costs. The optimal regimen combining 70% De-oiled Rice Bran (DORB) and 20% commercial floating feed yielded the best results, achieving an FCR of 2.2 and the lowest cost of Rs 57.82 per kilogram of fish. These findings underscore the potential for enhanced efficiency and profitability in carp aquaculture through the strategic use of formulated feeds. The integration of commercial feeds with traditional feeding methods offers a promising strategy for improving the efficiency and economic viability of Indian major carp aquaculture. Future research could focus on the long-term impacts of these feeding regimens on fish health, environmental sustainability, and the potential benefits of incorporating alternative protein sources to further enhance the sustainability of aquaculture operations.

This article was originally published in International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies 2024; 12(6): 97-102. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/fish.2024.v12.i6b.2999.

Comparative analysis of feed conversion ratio in Indian major carps: Traditional vs formulated feeding regimens

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