Effect of garlic (Allium sativum) on growth performance of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) under cage culture conditions

In this study, the effects of garlic (Allium sativum) supplementation on the fattening performance of the trout fed for 120 days in cage units placed in the pond in winter conditions of Çukurova were investigated. In the experiment, 240 rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fry with an average live weight of 7.5 g were used The experimental groups were prepared as G1 (group fed with garlic supplemented feed), G2 (group fed with 1% garlic supplemented feed), G3 (group fed 1.5% garlic fed diet) and G4 (group fed with 2% garlic fed diet). At the end of the experiment, groups fed with garlic supplemented feed grew better than control group. The best growth was obtained from the G4 group (186.45 ± 2.5 g) supplemented with high-level added insulin, while the control group reached 171.35 ± 1.52 g weight. The results of the analyzes revealed that the difference in feed evaluation ratios, specific growth rates, protein efficiency ratios and economic conversion rates of the groups was not statistically significant, whereas the G3 and G4 groups were found to be significantly higher than the other groups in terms of economic profit index. As a result, it has been found out that feeding with garlic supplemented feeds can be recommended for trout breeding in winter conditions in Çukurova because both growth and some economic inputs are positively influenced.