Nutritional efficacy of processed pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) in practical feeds for fingerling Labeo rohita

2023 has been recognized as the “International Year of Millets” by The United Nations General Assembly in acknowledgement of the importance of millets. This global initiative enhanced to increase the awareness about the nutritional benefits of millets and promote the efforts for enhancement of their production and utilization. Millets are known to get through harsh climatic circumstances and are extremely tolerant to drought. Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum), the largest produced type of millet, is a robust cereal grain that can grow in harsh conditions. It is an excellent source of energy and rich in proteins, fiber, and minerals like iron and zinc. It also contains phytochemicals that have antioxidant properties. The experiment was conducted for 8 weeks. Experimental diets were formulated by incorporating germinated and fermented pearl millet flour at the place of wheat flour in the control diet at 7 different levels i.e., D0 (control, i.e., without pearl millet), D1 (5% dietary level), D2 (10%), D3 (15%), D4 (20%), D5 (25%), and D6 (30%). The fish were fed to apparent satiation twice in a day. Labeo rohita, showed improve growth performance and conversion efficiencies on the addition of pearl millet in the diet. The pearl millet incorporated feed did not show any detrimental effects on the fish survival, growth and other parameters. The highest weight gain was noticed in fish fed diet D4 at 20% inclusion of germinated and fermented pearl millet, and the lowest was in D0. The lowest FCR was in fish fed D4 diet and the highest in D0. Incorporation of processed P. glaucum in the diets also showed improved results in terms of antioxidant and hematological parameters. The results of the experiment demonstrated that adding pearl millet to fish diets at the rate of 20% had a positive impact on growth, hematology and antioxidant status of L. rohita fingerlings without compromising the health status of fish.