EFFECT OF MANGIFERA INDICA LEAVES EXTRACT ON GROWTH RESPONSE OF OREOCHROMIS NILOTICUS

‘Obaroh, I.O and *G.C Achionye-Nzeh

‘Department of Biological Sciences, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero, Nigeria

*Department of Zoology, University of Ilorin, Nigeria

 E-mail: princeobaroh@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Effect of Mangifera indica leaves extracts on growth response of Oreochromis niloticus was evaluated for 42 days. 5 diets at approximately 40% crude protein containing varying levels of the extracts at 0%, 5%, 15% and 25% were formulated. These were fed to fingerlings of O. niloticus (mean weight, 5.25 – 6.05g) that were randomly distributed into 45 litres of waters in plastic basins at 5% of their body weight (2.5% in the morning and 2.5% in the evening). Feed 0% and 5% inclusion levels shows best growth with no significant difference (P>0.05) between them. The lowest feed conversion ratio of 1.96±1.05 was observed in diet with 5% inclusion level of the leaves extract. Decrease in growth was observed as the inclusion level increases, fish mortality was also observed to increase as the inclusion levels increases. Mangifera indica leaves which are widely available and easily assessable throughout the country, could serve as growth promoter especially when incorporated at a very low level into fish feed.

Keywords: Mangifera indica, growth promoter, weight, inclusion, leafs extract.