Growth performance of juvenile snail (Archachatina marginata) fed different plant leaves | Growth performance of juvenile snail (Archachatina marginata) fed different plant leaves

البلغارية. To assess the growth performance of juvenile snail (Archachatina marginata) fed different plant leaves, 180 juvenile snails of one month old were divided into 4 treatments (T1, T2, T3 and T4), of 15 snails and 3 replicates in pens equipped with feeders and drinkers. T1 received pawpaw leaves, T2 received cassava leaves, T3 received sweet potato leaves and T4 received blood root leaves. Feed and fresh leaves were measured and served daily, and the leftover also quantified, using an electronic weighing scale (0.01 g precision) to evaluate the feed intake. The results showed that the highest value of feed intake was recorded in animals that received blood root leaves, while the lowest value is registered in the treatment receiving pawpaw leaves. The highest value of leave intake was recorded in the treatment that received pawpaw leaves. The highest values for weight shell length, shell diameter, shell lip width, shell lip height and carcass characteristics of Archachatina marginata fed with different plant leaves were recorded for snails fed with blood root leaves. The lowest value of triglycerides (1.44±0.5) and total cholesterol (4.11±2.66) in the hemolymph was registered in animals receiving blood root leaves compared to other treatments. The lowest value of total protein (26.44±3.28) in the hemolymph was registered in the treatment receiving blood root leaves compared to the treatment that received pawpaw, cassava, and sweet potatoes leaves. In conclusion, blood root leaves can be used as staple diet to improve the productivity of Archachatina marginata.

إنجليزي. To assess the growth performance of juvenile snail (Archachatina marginata) fed different plant leaves, 180 juvenile snails of one month old were divided into 4 treatments (T1, T2, T3 and T4), of 15 snails and 3 replicates in pens equipped with feeders and drinkers. T1 received pawpaw leaves, T2 received cassava leaves, T3 received sweet potato leaves and T4 received blood root leaves. Feed and fresh leaves were measured and served daily, and the leftover also quantified, using an electronic weighing scale (0.01 g precision) to evaluate the feed intake. The results showed that the highest value of feed intake was recorded in animals that received blood root leaves, while the lowest value is registered in the treatment receiving pawpaw leaves. The highest value of leave intake was recorded in the treatment that received pawpaw leaves. The highest values for weight shell length, shell diameter, shell lip width, shell lip height and carcass characteristics of Archachatina marginata fed with different plant leaves were recorded for snails fed with blood root leaves. The lowest value of triglycerides (1.44±0.5) and total cholesterol (4.11±2.66) in the hemolymph was registered in animals receiving blood root leaves compared to other treatments. The lowest value of total protein (26.44±3.28) in the hemolymph was registered in the treatment receiving blood root leaves compared to the treatment that received pawpaw, cassava, and sweet potatoes leaves. In conclusion, blood root leaves can be used as staple diet to improve the productivity of Archachatina marginata.