Food security is a pressing global issue as the human population is projected to reach between 7.5 and 10.5 billion by 2050 34. With capture fisheries becoming increasingly unsustainable due to overfishing, aquaculture is expected to overtake capture 2 fisheries in supplying the world’s protein requirements in the future 17. Indeed, aquaculture is the fastest growing food production sector in the world, with an average annual growth rate of 6.3% since the year 2000 (average 8.8% per year between1980 and 2010) and currently accounts for approximately 47% of the world’s fish supply 17. During the same period, total aquaculture production in Africa increased at a rate of 11% per annum. Ponds remain the most common tilapia production system in Africa, contributing about 38– 93% of total tilapia production from aquaculture in many Africa countries 14. Tilapia is a hardy prolific, fast growing tropical fish, and it can survive on a diversity of food. Algae are probably their most common food in the wild. On fish farms they are fed a highprotein pelleted feed. They can be fed by hand or with sprinkler mechanism, and generally fed twice per day 18. Sudan has often been described as the largest country in Africa and at present the population is about 40 million people. The Sudanese consume a substantial amount of meat in their diet, but the country demand for fish is not yet satisfied the present per capita consumption at 1.38 kg/year 36.This level is low when compared to the neighboring countries. Aquaculture is the fastest growing sector of world human food production and has an annual increase of about 10% 15. To sustain such a high rate of growth a matching increase in fish feed production is imperative 2. The feed is the most expensive component in the intensive aquaculture where it represents over 50% of the operating cost, moreover protein itself represents about 50% of feed cost , therefore the selection o f proper quality of dietary protein is a necessity for successful fish culture practices 12 . Fish meal is considered the most desirable animal protein ingredient in aquaculture feeds because of its high protein content, balance amino acid profile, high digestibility and palatability, and as a source of essential fatty acid 20. Fish nutritionists have made several attempts to partially or totally replace fish meal with less expensive and locally available protein sources. In this aspect, several feed ingredients have been investigated in an attempt to find substitutes for fish meal in the diets of tilapia. These include animal protein sources such as, the fishery byproducts, shrimps meal, and feather, bone meal and blood meal. Plant protein sources including soy bean meal cotton seed meal, ground nut meal, wheat bran meal, sunflower cake and Pigeon peas plants 311013. Cotton seed, groundnut and sun flower cakes are one of the best plant protein sources for tilapia in developing countries due to its high availability, relatively low price, good protein content not less than 26.54% depending on processing methods and amino acid 3 profile 16. Replacement of fishmeal by cheaper ingredients of either animal or vegetable origin in aquatic animal feed is necessary because of the rising cost and uncertain availability of fishmeal 2521.These feeds are not only considerably cheaper than fish meal but also enjoy high availability and accessibility in certain regions of the world. Soy bean meal and wheat bran meal has been used as a protein source in diets of various fish species 2235. Nevertheless the use of Pigeon peas is limited by the presence of ant- nutritional factors such as protease inhibitors, Amylase inhibitors, Oligosaccharides and poly phenol; the current study was designed to assess the growth performance and feed utilization of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed diets containing Pigeon pea 4 as replacer of fishmeal.

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of adding pigeon pea seeds of four experimental diets (0%, 25%, 50% and 75%) containing socked pigeon peas seed meal, as replacement of fish meal on the growth Performance and carcass composition of Oreochromisniloticus under culture conditions. The different physic-chemical parameters of the surface water were within the accepted range where tilapia can achieve maximum growth 9. They were also comparable with the previous study 18 in Lake Kuriftu. Moreover, no significant variation was detected between the two sites. This suggested that the dietary crude protein does not negatively affect the water quality at experimental scale 2326. most tilapia utilize starch efficiently from 22 to 46% dietary starch while 22% considered as optimum level for juvenile tilapia 34.Processing of Pigeon peas using cold water led to the reduction of nutrients due to Nutritional change which caused losses of water soluble components such as carbohydrates and nitrogen. 33 Detailed decrease in dry matter of beans after soaking. The present result showed the Low crude protein in soaked Pigeon peas than in raw Pigeon peas with agree that was reported by 24 due to leaching during soaking. but contrasting these results is 3 who detailed that protein content of Jack Bean Carnavalia ensiformis Seeds increased from 88-92% after 96 hours of soaking in water. Badifu attributed increased protein when kernels were soaked in cold water for 48 hours. However crude protein obtained in this study was not contrary to results reported by 31 who reported decreased crude protein as a result of soaking sorghum cultivars in cold water. Moreover, processing of Pigeon peas by using cold water led to the reduction of crude lipid. Nevertheless it is within the value reported by 30 when two groups (A and B) of Mucuna seeds were soaked in water for 12 and 24 hours. Low content a of ash in the soaked Pigeon peas could be explained by leaching of minerals despite the fact that it is still within the values reported by 284 studies Pigeon peas are known to contain mineral such Iron, Calcium, Manganese, magnesium and Zinc which tend to dissolve and hence leaching into soaking medium during the whole process of soaking. Results in Table 4.shaw Growth performance and feed utilization of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Juvenile fed diets containing soaked Pigeon peas seed meal as replacement of fish meal. The lower significant value of feed intake (5.88±0.00 and 6.79±0.00) was obtained by fish diet T0 (gave low FCR), and T2 (which gave high FCR). The highest (p<0.01) value of the specific growth was (2.93±0.73 and 2.40±0.53) in T0 and T1. The highest survival rate was in T2 and T1. But generally the growth was not optimum in T2 and T3 fed diets containing (50% and 75%) soaked Pigeon peas seed meal. Poor palatability accounts for feed rejection and or poor feed intake. 727 explained that Poor feed intake led to starvation of Chinook salmon fed diets reached in ant nutritional. 18 reported poor intake in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed diets containing tannin while 6 reported similar phenomenon, which has occurred in common, carps. Results in Table 5. indicated that mean ± SD of the initial length (cm) and final length (cm) of Mono-sex Nile tilapia (Oreochromisniloticus) fed control, 25%, 50% and 75% diets showed no significant differences (P>0.05) initial length and showed the significance (P<0.05) in final length. Fish fed soaked Pigeon peas seed meal 25% diets recorded high growth and feed intake next to those fed the control diet. And significantly different from those fed soaked Pigeon peas seed meal 50% and 75% diets. fish fed diets containing soaked 25% conferred better growth and feed utilization (feed intake) than those fed diets the control diet.

Based on the results obtained from replacement of fish meal, by processing of Pigeon peas in cold water (1:3w/v) for 24 hours under room temperature has significant influence on the nutritive value of Pigeon peas. However slight reduction in dry matter, crude lipid and ash content has occurred. The results of this study show that processed Pigeon peas seed can be included in Nile tilapia diets at 25% level without harmful effect in terms of growth performance and feed utilization of Nile tilapia fingerlings. It is therefore concluded that whenever the cost of Pigeon peas is than fish meal, fish farmers can use soaked Pigeon peas to replace up to 25% fish meal in Nile tilapia diets as a way of reducing the current demand pressure on fish meal.