Effects of microalgae and alfalfa meal on population growth and production of a freshwater rotifer Euchlanis dilatata (Rotifera:Mongononta)

Farhadian O., Daghighi  L. &  Ebrahimi Dorche E. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society 44: 86-95. (ISI Journal)

Abstract:

Population growth and production of the freshwater rotifer, Euchlanis dilatata, were determined
after being fed 1 of 12 diets: Scenedesmus quadricauda (S), Chlorella vulgaris (C), baker’s yeast
(Saccharomyces cerevisiae) (Y), alfalfa meal (Medicago spp.) (A), and eight combinations of S+C,
S+Y, C+Y, S+C+Y, S+A, C+A, S+C+A, and Y+A (mixture in the same ratio by equal nitrogen
weight). Results showed that both microalgal and alfalfa meal alone and in combination with Y
had a significantly higher (P < 0.05) population growth and production compared with Y alone.
The mean maximum E. dilatata population density fed on S, S+Y, C, C+Y, S+C, S+C+Y, Y, A,
S+A, C+A, S+C+A, and Y+A diets were 65±7.5 (mean±SE), 124.6±17.2, 115.8±7.9, 41.5±7.9,
131±14.1, 93.5±8.7, 14.5±7.6, 129.5±18.5, 255.0±20.5, 180±30.5, 124.5±25.4, and 61.5±24.5
individuals/mL, respectively. Correspondingly, the mean population growth rates (K) through the
16-d culture period were 0.29, 0.40, 0.45, 0.27, 0.34, 0.41, 0.26, 0.51, 0.58, 0.59, 0.39, and 0.45/d,
respectively. Results indicated that alfalfa meal in combination with microalgae and yeast could be
used as primary diets for E. dilatata culture. This may reduce the costs of rotifer production.