Authors : Funda Turan , Mevlut Gurlek and Deniz Yadliodlu
Abstract: The effects of dietary red clover on growth and body composition were investigated in common carp Cyprinus carpio. The fish (mean body weight 2.01±0.03 g) were fed with diets supplemented with three concentrations (50, 100 and 200 mg kg-1) of red clover and a control diet without red clover, for 12 weeks. The fish fed with diet supplemented with 100 mg kg-1 red clover exhibited significantly higher growth rates than fish fed with diets supplemented with 50 and 200 mg kg-1 red clover (p<0.001). The highest values of specific growth rate and food conversion ratio were 2.35±0.07 and 1.23±0.01, respectively at 100 mg kg-1 red clover diet group. Protein efficiency ratio and apparent net protein utilization were significantly higher in 100 mg kg-1 red clover group than that with other groups (p<0.001). However, significant differences were not observed in carcass moisture and proximate protein, lipid and ash contents among the all diet groups (p>0.05). Survival rate was higher (88%) in all dietary groups. The findings of the present study suggest that 100 mg kg-1 red clover inclusion improves growth rate, feed utilization and survival of common carp.
Funda Turan , Mevlut Gurlek and Deniz Yadliodlu , 2007. Dietary Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) on Growth Performance of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio). Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 6: 1429-1433.