EFFECT OF THE SUBSTITUTION OF CORN FLOUR WITH COMMON DUCKWEED FLOUR Lemna minor IN BALANCED DIETS ON THE PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF THE PACO Piaractus brachypomus

Napuchi‑Linares J.; Cubas Corrales D.; Valles Torres S.; Paredes Rios F.; Acosta‑Mendoza L.; Reyes Bedrin͂ Ana M.; Chu‑Koo F. · Folia Amazonica (2024) · DOI: 10.24841/fa.v33i2.791

Resumen

Due to the importance of diversifying the feed input matrix for aquaculture through low‑impact local biomass, the effect of replacing corn flour with Lemna minor flour in diets for juvenile Piaractus brachypomus was evaluated. Four isoprotein diets (26% CP) with 0% (T0), 25% (T1), 50% (T2) and 100% (T3) replacement were formulated and fed to 240 fish (17.1±0.2g) grown at 10 fish m3 for 75 days. Animals were fed at 5% of their body weight, twice daily. Weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), apparent feed conversion (AFC), protein efficiency (PE), hepatosomatic index (HSI) and survival were recorded. The results show that partial replacement (T1–T2) maintained final biomass (2.45 ± 0.09 kg), EGR (2.60 ± 0.11% d), AAC (1.81 ± 0.06), and PE (2.24 ± 0.05) without differences compared to the control. In contrast, total replacement (T3) reduced biomass by 24%, apparent intake by 20%, and increased SHI by 11% (p < 0.05), indicating a higher metabolic load; survival decreased to 90%. It is concluded that replacing up to 50% of corn meal with L. minor meal is zootechnically viable and economically attractive for P. brachypomus grow‑out, as it maintains productive performance and takes advantage of local biomass with low environmental impact. Higher replacements require processing or formulation adjustments to avoid growth and welfare penalties.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Alto Amazonas