3.1 Plans for the remainder of 1989 were ammended to focus on Digestibility Coefficients (DC) of the most promising feedstuffs identified in the National Survey and then to use these materials in diet formulation and diet testing at FARS.
Section NDD. B. was originally organized to concentrate on protein utilization in target species of fishes for agriculture in Bangladesh. This program B did not include DC measurements for other major nutrient components of the feedstuff. Therefore a major new proposal proforma for NDD. D was developed to cover DC measurements for lipid and energy components of the feedstuffs. It was planned to test DC for S species: Tilapia, an omnivor, Rohu and Mrigal, herbivors, Clarius, a carnivor, and Machrobrachium, an omnivor. For the first phase of NDD.D 5 feedstuffs would be tested for each species. Trials would take 2 weeks for each test, 3–5 days acclumation to the test diets, then 7 days feeding trial followed by collection of representative fecal samples at necropsy. The completed PP was submitted to CSO, FARS on 27 May 89 for review and adoption. A copy of the PP can be seen in Annex C.
3.2 Work units for NDD.B1 protein DC of 5 selected feedstuffs for Tilapia were done.
3.3 Work units for NDD.B2 for DC of 5 feedstuffs for
Rohu were done. Trials to collect fecal samples
marked with chromic oxide are underway in tanks in
the hatchery. RF samples are collected dried, and
saved for chromium assay. Fecal sample collects
of TD containing 50 parts RF and 50 parts
feedstuff will continue through June 89. As soon
as the fume hood and spectrophotometer are
delivered the chromium assays will be done and DC
of feedstuff will be made. Until these items are
delivered all fecal samples and diet samples will
be saved under desicator until used for assay.
Measurements of gross feedstuff digestibility can
be made be contracting chromium assays with BCSIR
in Dhaka. Trials will be rerun with larger feed
samples and marked fecal samples saved for
nitrogen assay as soon as the micro-Kjeldahl
apparatus is delivered. DC of crude protein of
feedstuff can then be calculated by:
3.4 Work unit NDD.B3, protein DC for 5 feedstuffs for Mrigal is scheduled for submission to CSO, FARS on 1 July 89.
3.5 Work unit NDD.B4, protein DC for 5 feedstuffs for Clarius is scheduled for submission to CSO, FARS on 1 August 1989.
3.6 Proforma for research and diet development for Section C, Formulation and Testing of Practical diets for aquaculture were developed and scheduled for 1989–1991. These and other research plans can be found in the outline plan for activities in NDD 1989–1991 in Annex D.
3.7 NDD. C - 1 Development and testing of fry to fingeling diets for Rohu has been designed, practical diets formulated and the work unit will be submitted to CSO, FARS on 1 June 1989.
3.8 NDD.C - 2, Development and testing of fry to fingerling feed Puntia has been planned and the work unit scheduled to be submitted to CSO, FARS on 15 June 1989.
3.9 Work unit NDD. C - 3 development and testing of fry to fingerling feed for Clarius has been planned and will be submitted to CSO, FARS on 15 July 1989.
3.10 Work unit NDD.C-4 Development and testing of supplementary feed for pond production of Clarius is scheduled for submission to CSO, FARS on 1 September 1989. Feeding trials are scheduled for the off-season fall and winter growing season when other warm water fishes do not grow well and when 0.25ha ponds are available.
3.11 Work unit NDD.C-5, Utilization of blood cockle meats in semi-moist complete diets for freshwater shrimp can be done with equipment available in the laboratory for small scale tank type rearing experiments. This work unit has been discussed and the details of WU C-5, will be submitted to CSO, FARS on 1 August 89. This WU involves the MFRS personnel to collect and process the blood cockles fresh and dried meat added to NDD.A, the National Feedstuffs Survey, and the work details and experimental results shared by FARS and MFRS.
It will also be applicable to BFRS in their freshwater shrimp programme. The marine fish culture consultant, Dr. Cheney, estimates blood cockles could be developed into a major artisanal industry in the Cox's Bazar and Chittagong litoral belt areas to supply high grade animal protein for shrimp and marine fish aquaculture. Production of 10 metric tons of blood cockles per ha per year are a conservstive estimate. Planned production should constitute an important local industry in the near future.
3.12 A proforma for work unit NDD.C-6, was developed to test supplementory feeds for poly culture husbandry using standarized polyculture fish loading in 0.25ha ponds and a 4–6 months rearing period. This work unit considers the question of energy or protein the most limiting factor in pond production of fishes in Bangladesh. The diet preparations can be made with equipment on hand at FARS although a much more reliable and consistant supplementary feed would be made when experimental feed mill equipment is received. Diet treatments to be tested were:
(1) Control with standard loading densities of major carps and chinese carps for pond culture. (2) control plus added fertilizers at standard levels. (3) control plus high energy: low protein supplementary mash feed fed at 1 % of fish biomass body weight per day. (4) Control plus medium energy medium protein supplementary feed fed at 1% of body weight per day. (5) Control plus low energy high protein supplementary feed fed at 1% of body weight per day. Feeding trials are scheduled for the current growing season using 8– 10gm fingerlings of omnivorous fish in the polyculture pond density loadings. The work unit is scheduled for submission to CSO, FARS by 1 September 89. General design of the diet treatments can be seen in Annex E.
