14 Continental J. Fisheries and Aquatic Science 5 (3): 14 - 18, 2011 ISSN: 2141 – 4246 © Wilolud Journals, 2011 http://www.wiloludjournal.com Printed in Nigeria EFFECT OF COTTONSEED MEAL INCLUSION IN DIETS OF Catla catla (HAMILTON, 1822) B. Pavan Kumar 1 , B. Chamundeswari Devi 1 , D. Ravindra Kumar Reddy 1 and A.Balasubramanian 2 1 Department of Aquaculture, College of Fishery Science, Muthukur, SPSR Nellore District, 524 344. Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati. 2 Department of Fishery Engineering, College of Fishery Science, Muthukur, SPSR Nellore District, 524 344. Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati. ABSTRACT Five diets designated as CSM0, CSM5, CSM10, CSM15 and CSM20 with 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% of cottonseed meal inclusion levels respectively were fed to Catla catla (Hamilton, 1822) for 3 months and the effect studied. All the formulated diets were isonitrogenous with 30% crude protein. Feed was given at the rate of 5% of the body weight and animals were fed twice a day throughout the 3-month duration. Significant difference was observed in the Growth, Protein Efficiency Ratio and Condition Factor of the fishes. Better growth performance was observed at 5% inclusion of CSM. However, no significant differences (P >0.05) were observed in the growth, survival and condition factor at inclusion levels of 5% and 10% CSM in the diet. Hence, it is recommended that CSM can be included upto10% level in the diets of catla. Further inclusion of CSM results in growth depression. KEYWORDS: Cottonseed meal, Catla catla, Growth, Survival INTRODUCTION Indian major carp (IMC), Catla catla is the major cultivable freshwater fish raised in India on supplementary dietary combinations of plant and animal feed stuffs (Jhingran, 1991). Animal feed stuffs have high nutritional value and palatability but are expensive and may not always be readily available. There is therefore, an urgent need to develop low cost, nutritionally balanced IMC diets that can support increased production levels. Thus, the replacement of animal protein with plant protein sources which are more consistently available and cheaper to produce have been extensively used in aqua feeds. Cottonseed meal (CSM) is the third largest oil seed meal product in world production after soybean meal and rapeseed meal (USDA, 2000). It has an immense potential for incorporation in aqua feeds since it has high protein value, palatability and as well as low market price in comparison to other high plant proteins sources and fish meal. The earlier experiments on cottonseed meal were mainly done on cultivable fishes like trouts, salmons, tilapia and channel catfish. Limited studies have been conducted on the use of cottonseed meal-based diets on carps. However, the presence of gossypol, an anti-nutritional factor, is the main constraint that limits the use of CSM in diets of fishes. Thus the present study evaluates the possibility of utilizing CSM in diets for IMC, Catla catla using the parameters of growth and survival at different levels of CSM in the diet. MATERIALS AND METHODS Experimental setup Catla catla fingerlings (mean wt. 5.45g) were obtained from fish farmers in Somarajupalli, Nellore District. Before starting the experiment, fishes were acclimated in rectangular tanks to laboratory conditions for a period of 15 days. Ten fishes were stocked in each aquarium and triplicates were maintained for all four treatments and the control. The feeding experiments were carried out for a period of 90 days. The experimental treatments designated as CSM5, CSM10, CSM15 and CSM20 had 5, 10, 15 and 20% levels of cottonseed meal respectively. The control group received the diet with same ingredients but devoid of cottonseed meal which was designated as CSM0. The five experimental diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous (30% crude protein). Feed Preparation Feed formulation was done using the Pearson’s Square Method. Feed was prepared with locally available feed ingredients such as soybean meal (SBM), de-oiled rice bran (DOB), groundnut cake (GNC), cottonseed meal (CSM) and vitamin & mineral premix. The ingredient composition of the various test diets is presented in Table 1.