Effects of Potassium Diformate (KDF) on Growth Performance and Some Physiological Parameters of Cultured Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in Commercial–Scaled Net Cages

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the feed utilization and protein effect ratios of combined and single diet administration of potassium di formate (KDF) in juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). 600.000 trout fry were stocked as 50.000 in each cage and were fed 3 meals a day in the range of 25-80 grams and two meals a day up to 80-250 grams (until harvest time) and fed with commercial feeds until satiation. 3 kg/ton (T1), 5kg/ton (T2) and 7 kg/ton (T3) KDF were added to the diets and given to fish for 11 months. In the study, when the specific growth rates (SGR) of fish were compared, the results obtained in the T1, T2 and T3 groups were generally higher than in the control group. While no significant difference was found between T1 and T2 groups (p>0.05), there is a significant difference between T3, the other experimental groups and the control (p<0.05). In the study, a significant difference was found between the feed conversion rate (FCR of all groups, (p<0.05)). When the protein efficiency ratio (PER) was compared to the control group and the other groups, a significant difference was detected, while the same situation was found among the KDF supplemented groups (p<0.05). While the survival rate (SR) was significantly different between the control and experimental groups (p<0.05), there was no statistical difference between the experimental groups (p>0.05). The results of the study showed that the application of 7 kg/ton KDF can be considered a useful feed additive and a growth promoter for rainbow trout juveniles.