Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology

Evaluation of the efficacy of select plant-based attractants in the diets of Labeo rohita fingerlings (av. weight 3.63±0.06g) was carried out for a period of 90d. The formulated feed contained mustard cake, soyabean meal, rice bran, vegetable oil, vitamin and mineral mixture without or with 1% feed attractants. The five different attractants used included viz. Ekangi (Kampferia galanga), Kharboj (Cucumis melo), Chotokakla (Piper cubeba), Tambul (Zanthoxylum acanthopodium) and Latakasturi (Abelmoschus moschatus) designated as A1, A2, A3, A4 and A%, respectively, in addition to a control diet with no added attractant (A0). The net weight gain (g) was 1.09±0.31, 2.05±0.05, 2.58±0.08, 0.95±0.55, 1.17±0.03 and 0.56±0.04, respectively, in dietary groups F0 to F6. The growth performance revealed that the net weight gain and specific growth rate were significantly higher (P<0.05) in rohu fingerlings fed A3 (Kharboj) vis-à-vis other groups. Carcass proximate composition did not differ significantly (P>0.05) among the feed treatments. It is concluded from the study that supplementation of Kharboj (Cucumis melo) at 1% level can be incorporated as an effective plant attractant in the feed of rohu fingerlings.