NONI, <i>MORINDA CITRIFOLIA<i/> LEAF EXTRACT IMPROVES GROWTH PERFORMANCE IN NILE TILAPIA, <i>OREOCHROMIS NILOTICUS<i/>

Abstract

Noni, Morinda citrifolia is a tropical shrub known to contain appetite-enhancing and growth-promoting compounds that aid in the growth of organisms.  For this reason, this study was carried out to observe the effect of Noni leaf extract (NLE) on the growth parameters such as Weight gain (WG), Feed conversion ratio (FCR), Specific growth rate (SGR), Condition factor (K), Hepatosomatic index (HSI) and Viscero somatic index (VSI) of Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Tilapia fingerlings of about 6 ± 2 g were placed in five concrete ponds assigned and fed with a control diet and NLE at 1%, 2%, 3% and 4% for eight weeks. Upon termination of the feeding trial period, the results indicated that NLE significantly increased the WG, FCR and SGR in fish fed 1% NLE compared to all other tested diets (p < 0.05) but showed no effect on K, HSI and VSI among all tested fish (p > 0.05). The authors of the present study suggest that the inclusion of 1 % NLE in Tilapia fish diets might improve their growth. 

Keywords: Herbs, Growth, Fish Weight, Hepatosomatic