Die Bodenkultur - Journal for Land Management, Food and Environment

J. M. Munguti, D. M. Liti, H. Waidbacher, M. Straif and W. Zollitsch:

Proximate composition of selected potential feedstuffs for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus Linnaeus) production in Kenya

Summary

Agricultural by-products were sampled depending on their local availability in three regions of Kenya. Proximate analysis was performed on 4 and 23 samples of animal and plant origin, respectively, to estimate their potential nutritive value for utilization as feedstuffs for tilapia grown in a low-input pond culture system, which greatly relies on local resources. Based on their availability, potential competition with other uses, content of protein and fibre and the feasibility of removal of antinutritional factors, feather meal, boiled tea leaves residues, leaves of Ipomoea batatus, Manihot esculenta and Papaya carica were identified as most promising potential feedstuffs. In addition, different seed cakes and cereal brans may be utilized where available and grain husks may serve as organic fertilizers in low-intensity aquacultures. Key words: Tilapia, fish, nutrient, by-product, feed.