Effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Powder Supplementation on Survival, Growth and Flesh Quality of an Indian Major Carp, Labeo rohita (Ham.) Fingerlings

Efficacy of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root powder (ARP) supplemented feeds on survival, growth and flesh quality of an Indian major carp, Labeo rohita (Ham.) fingerlings was evaluated through an outdoor study. Four experimental feeds, containing ARP at 0 (Control), 1 (ARP-1), 2 (ARP-2) and 3 (ARP-3) per cent levels, were fed to fingerlings at 2% of fish body weight for 180 d. In all the treatments, the water quality parameters remained well within the recommended range. In ARP fed treatments 93.75 to 95.63% fish survival was recorded as compared to 92.50% in control. Net weight gain (NWG) and specific growth rate (SGR) of fish were significantly improved (P<0.05) in all the ARP fed treatments, with significantly higher condition factor in ARP-2 and ARP-3 treatments (K-value 1.25 and 1.20, respectively) as compared to control (K-value 1.12). However, among all the treatments, fish recorded the best growth (NWG 134.16 g and SGR 1.51%) at 2% ARP inclusion level as compared to control (NWG 76.87 g and SGR 1.20%). Further, the FCR and protein efficiency ratio also improved significantly (P<0.05) in all the ARP fed treatments than control (1.80 and 2.19) and among ARP treatments, best FCR and PER were recorded in ARP-2 treatment (1.59 and 2.50, respectively). ARP supplementation also improved the flesh quality of fish significantly (P<0.05) by increasing the total protein content (wet weight basis) by 11.94% at 2% inclusion level. The overall results revealed that ashwagandha root powder can serve as a potential feed additive at 2% in the grow out feed of L. rohita for enhanced growth performance and improved flesh quality.