Study on the optimal levels of energy, crude protein and essential amino acid model of diets for growing turtle

Using two- factor, f ive- level, orthogonal regression rotational combination design, 170 turtles with an average initial weight of 150g, were randomly divided into 17 groups ( one control and 16 treatments) in feeding trial for 60d to study the optimal levels of energy , crude protein ( CP) and essential amino acid ( EAA) model. Average daily gain ( ADG) of group 9- 16 ( 2. 22g/ d) was signif icantly higher ( p< 0. 01) than those of the others, and 60. 87% higher ( p< 0. 01) than the control ( 1. 38g/ d) . Compared w ith the control and other treatments, FCR of group 9- 16 was 1. 43, 27. 41% and 12. 27% - 45. 00% lower, respectively . It is concluded that the levels of energy ( 16. 28MJ/ kg) , CP ( 42. 49%) and EAA model of the ninth diet were suitable to nutrient requirement of grow ing turtle. There was a strongly positive correlation between RNA to DNA ratio of turt le muscle and nutrient level and daily gain.