RT Journal
T1 EFFICACY OF WATERMELON SEED MEAL-BASED DIET ON GROWTH, DIGESTIBILITY, AND HEMATOLOGICAL INDICES OF ROHU (Labeo rohita) FINGERLINGS
A1 Muhammad Mudassar Shahzad
A1 Zawar Hussain
A1 Syed Makhdoom Hussain
A1 Rabia Gull
A1 Muhammad Yasir Zahoor
A1 S. Amin
A1 Muhammad Sabtain Khan
JF Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences
JO JAPS
SN 1018-7081
VO 36
IS 4
YR 2026
FD 2026
DO DOI https://doi.org/10.36899/JAPS.2026.4.0087
AB <p><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Rising demand for fish products and the high cost of fish meal (FM) as well as soybean meal (SBM) in aquafeeds highlight the need for alternative protein sources. In Pakistan, watermelon is widely cultivated, and its seeds are commonly discarded. In this study, watermelon seeds were used to prepare fish feed. This experiment comprised six treatments, each with three replicate tanks, containing fifteen fish per tank. Test diets (TDI-TDVI) included different levels of watermelon seed meal (WMSM) as 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%. Fingerlings with an initial average weight of 7.21 g were transferred to tanks with a 70 L water-holding capacity and were fed twice a day for 70 days. The fecal samples were obtained daily for chemical analysis. Fish fed with a 60% WMSM-based diet (TD-IV) achieved the maximum growth indices: final weight (29.27 g), weight gain (21.72 g), weight gain percentage (289%; increase from initial weight), specific growth rate (1.51), and survival rate (98%). However, nutrient digestibility varied: GE peaked at 40% WMSM, while CP and EE digestibility were highest at 60% WMSM. The highest hematological indices (RBC: 3.12&times;106 mm<sup>-3</sup>, Hb: 8.27 g/dL, PLT: 69.38&times;10&sup3; /&micro;L, Hct: 36.13%) were observed at 60% WMSM, whereas PCV peaked at 40%. From these findings, it was concluded that WMSM can replace soybean meal with an optimal inclusion level between 40% and 60%, depending on the performance parameter considered, without compromising the health of fish.</span></p>
K1 Watermelon seed meal, Soybean meal replacement, Growth performance, Nutrient digestibility, Hematological indices, Labeo rohita
PB Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum
LK https://thejaps.org.pk/AbstractView.aspx?mid=2025-JAPS-1025