S.R. Lende’s scientific contributions

This study aimed to assess the conservation status and diversity of fishes in Tapi District, Gujarat, India. The study was conducted from Jan. to Dec. 2023. During exploration, a total of 25 species of fishes belonging to different 13 families and 11 orders were identified and specimens were preserved in the laboratory. The details being Siluriformes 5 species (Pangasiidae - Pangasius bocourti, Siluridae - Wallago attu, Bagridae - Sperata seenghala, Mystus nigriceps, Mystus cavasius), Beloniformes 1 (Belonidae - Strongylura strongylura), Cichliformes 1 (Cichlidae - Oreochromis niloticus), Cypriniformes 10 (Cyprinidae - Cirrhinus mrigala, Cyprinus bata, Ctenopharyngodon idella, Amblypharyngodon mola, Systomus sarana, Puntius sophore, Pethia ticto, Labeo rohita, Labeo bata, Catla catla), Osteoglossiformes 1 (Notopteridae - Chitala chitala), Gobiiformes 1 (Gobiidae - Glossogobius giuris), Perciformes 2 (Ambassidae - Chanda nama, Parambassis ranga ) Anabantiformes 1 (Channidae - Channa punctata) Synbranchiformes 1 (Mastacembelidae - Mastacembelus armatus) Atheriniformes 1 (Atherinopsidae - Poblana ferdebueni) and Clupeiformes 1 (Alosidae - Alosa alosa). As per species wise fish diversity of Tapi District of Gujarat, India is concerned, Cypriniformes dominated with 10 species, followed by Siluriformes 5, Beloniformes 1, Cichliformes 1, Osteoglossiformes 1, Gobiiformes 1, Perciformes 2, Anabantiformes 1, Synbranchiformes 1, Atheriniformes 1 and Clupeiformes 1. Present conservation status of these fishes being out of 25 species of fishes identified, 1 species Critically Endangered (CR), 1 species come under Not evaluated (NE), 2 species come under Lower risk-near threatened (LR-NT), and 21 under least concern (LC) so far.

A ninety days feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the use of a roasted guar korma as an alternativeprotein source to replacement the expensive fish meal in diets for ticto barb (Puntius ticto). The fiveisonitrogenous experimental diets consisted of a control diet (100% fish meal) and four treatment diets inwhich fish meal replaced with roasted guar korma (25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of dietary protein) wereprepared. The diets were formulated to provide 40% crude protein on a dry weight basis. Total 225 numbersof ticto barb (P. ticto) advanced fry were randomly distributed into five treatments (control + treatment),each in three replicate. They were fed ad libitum during the experimental duration. The daily ration wasdivided into three equal parts and was fed at 08:00 hr, 14:00 hr and 20:00 hr. Based on the results recordedfrom the present experiment, it was found that higher growth, SGR, PER, survival and lowest FCR wereobtained by feeding the fish with the diet (T1) containing 25% roasted guar korma. Proximate compositionof carcass shown negative effect on crude protein and crude lipid decrease with more than 25% of roastedguar korma based diet. Thus, it was revealed that the roasted guar kormareplacing 25% of fish meal in thediet of P. tictoadvance fry gave better growth. Further research on used different plant based proteinsource with addition of essential amino acid, attractant and pigment effect on growth performance of fish.

Present study was undertaken to study the effects of partial replacement of fish meal with Roasted Guar Korma on growth, feed utilization and survival of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Advanced fry diet was examined. The experiments were conducted for 60 days in plastic tanks. Triplicates were maintained for each of the treatment. The five experimental diets were prepared which included a control diet (100% fish meal) and four treatment diets viz. fish meal replaced with Roasted guar korma at 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of dietary protein levels respectively. The diets were formulated to provide 40% crude protein on a dry weight basis. Fish were fed with experimental dietsfor 60 days. The water quality parameters were found in the permissible range during entire experimental period. At the end of experiment it was found that the T2 treatment lead to higher weight gain (9.56 ± 0.49), SGR (1.57 ± 0.01) and PER (1.89 ± 0.02) and lowest FCR (1.65 ± 0.02) Thus, it can be concluded from the study thatRoasted guar korma is a potential protein source and can be used to substitute fish meal in the diets of Tilapia (O. niloticus) advance fry.