Alternative Feed Resources in Aquaculture: The Role of Underutilized Plants - A Review

Abstract

Feed plays an important role in the development and sustainability of the aquaculture industry. Feedstuffs are either of plant or animal origins. Some plants despite their potentials are underutilized in fish feed industry. The cost effectiveness, availability and sustainability potentials of these plants coupled with their nutritional composition make them fit to compete favourably well with the commonly utilized plants. Leaves and seeds of plants such as Moringaoleifera, Gliricidiasepium, Leucaenaleucocephala, alfalfa, sweet potato, velvet bean, cucumber, squash, broad bean, papaya, azolla, water hyacinth, duckweeds, etc. have been discovered to possess the requirements needed for use as a feedstuff in the fish feed industry. This paper therefore reviewed extensively; the potential use of various plant products as ingredients in fish feed industry.