Vakhob Rakhmonov 1,2, Shavkat Shernazarov 3, Khabiba Rakhmonova 4, Istam Pulatov 1, Zafar Nurmurzaev 5, Akhtam Nurniyozov 3, Sevara Mukhammadova 3, Khusan Niyozov 6, Manzura Ataqulova 7, Kurbangul Aytbayeva 8,2, Kydyrbay Kaipov 8, Nodirjon Bobokandov 1* and Yigitali Tashpulatov 1
1Samarkand Agroinnovations and Research University, Samarkand, Uzbekistan; 2Samarkand State University, Samarkand, Uzbekistan; 3Samarkand State University of Veterinary Medicine, Livestock and Biotechnologies, Samarkand, Uzbekistan; 4Kimyo International University in Tashkent branch Samarkand, Samarkand, Uzbekistan; 5Samarkand State Medical University, Samarkand, Uzbekistan; 6Tashkent Institute of Chemical Technology (TICT), Tashkent, Uzbekistan; 7Navoi State University, Navoi, Uzbekistan; 8Berdakh Karakalpak State University, Nukus, Uzbekistan
*Corresponding author: nboboqandov@gmail.com
This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with Azolla caroliniana and Lemna minor on the growth performance, feed utilization, and survival of juvenile fish. A total of 120 juveniles were randomly assigned to four treatments: T0 (control), T1 (A. caroliniana), T2 (L. minor), and T3 (combined A. caroliniana + L. minor). Fish were fed for 60 days, and growth parameters, including weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), feed efficiency (FE), and survival, were recorded. Results showed that all supplemented groups exhibited significantly higher growth than the control group. The combined supplementation group (T3) achieved the highest WG (27.4 ± 1.1 g), SGR (2.41 ± 0.06%/day), and FE (0.70 ± 0.02), while displaying the lowest FCR (1.42 ± 0.04) and highest survival (97.8 ± 1.2%). Correlation and regression analyses confirmed strong positive relationships between aquatic plant biomass and WG, SGR, and FE (r = 0.91–0.96, P<0.01; R² = 0.94 for Azolla), as well as a negative correlation with FCR (r = ?0.88 to ?0.95), indicating enhanced nutrient utilization. Statistical analyses (ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test) revealed significant differences among treatments (P<0.05), and the effect size (?² = 0.68) indicated that a substantial proportion of growth variation was attributable to dietary treatment. The observed improvements in growth performance and feed utilization can be attributed to the high protein content (30–45%) and essential amino acid profile of A. caroliniana and L. minor, suggesting that these aquatic macrophytes are effective natural feed supplements. Maintenance of optimal water quality ensured reliable experimental conditions. Overall, the findings indicate that incorporation of A. caroliniana and L. minor, particularly in combination, provides a sustainable and practical strategy for enhancing growth and feed efficiency in juvenile fish aquaculture.