Zootechnical and economic performance of juveniles from Nile tilapia fed on sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) in replacement of corn bran

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance and economic viability of the partial replacement of corn bran with sweet potato flour, in order to determine whether the inclusion of this food in tilapia diets is feasible or not. The experiment lasted 30 days with a completely randomized design, with 4 treatments and 5 replications, in which 300 fish were needed with an approximate initial weight of 9.1±1.48 g, with the experimental unit represented by 15 fish in a 100 liter aquarium. The treatments corresponded to levels of substitution or not by sweet potato flour in the experimental diets, which were 0.0%; 5.0%; 10.0% and the fourth treatment being represented by commercial feed. As a result, it was observed that corn bran can be replaced by sweet potato flour up to the highest level evaluated, which was 10% replacement in the experimental diet for Nile Tilapias, as it surpassed the commercial ration, presenting lower cost without affecting animal performance.