Incorporation of garlic meal (Allium sativum) as natural additive to enhance performance, immunity, gonad and larval survival of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) broodstock

A 60 dyes feeding trial was performed to detect  the growth and production indices of broodstock Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), which fed 4 diets comprised different levels of garlic meal (0 , 1, 2 , and 3%). Four iso-protenic and iso-lipidic diets were formulated to be containing 30.25% CP and 19.25MJ/Kg diet and each diet was assimilated in three replicates. Sixteen broodstock fish with an (initial body weight=221.0±1.31g) were indiscriminately selected from the stock acclimatized fish and distributed through 12 circular cement pound 2m³ in equal number (n=4) as 3 female (♀):1 male (♂). The water quality values were in the optimal recommended ranges for this species, where dissolved oxygen (5.5±1.2 mg dL^-1), temperature (26 ±1.5°C) and pH (7.8±0.5. The current results showed significant differences (p<0.05) in growth performance parameters, with the group fed 2% garlic powder diet, followed with 3%, 1% and control groups, respectively. Improved in feed using in terms of (FCR, PER and NPU%) were obtained with 2% garlic meal diet compared to the rest of diets. The fish immunological parameters represented a significance differences in total protein, glucose and lysozyme activity between tested diets. However, insignificance results wereevident in albumin values. The highest significance values (p<0.05) in total protein, glucose and lysozyme activity between tested diets were obtained with the group of fish fed 2% garlic powder. In the same manner, the highest productive performance from Relative fecundity, Absolute fecundity and Hatchability rate were recorded in 2% diet. The proximate composition of fish include Dry matter, Crude protein, Crude lipid and Ash % showed no significance different (P>0 .05) between different dietary levels of garlic powder. The present results indicated that dietary implication of 2% garlic powder improve growth performance, nutrient using, immune activity, productivity indices and larval rearing rate of Nile tilapia (O. niloticus) broodstock.