EVALUATION OF NOVEL NON-GMO SOYBEAN CULTIVARS FOR NUTRIENT AVAILABILITY, REDUCING METABOLIC WASTE AND INCREASED ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN ATLANTIC SALMON Salmo salar

Soybean meal has had limited inclusion in aquafeeds  for marine carnivorous finfish due to the presence of anti-nutritional factors and effects on the GI tract.  The chosen varieties were selected based on relatively high protein levels, low quantities of anti-nutritional factors (ANFs),  and  agronomic performance.  For these studies, candidate soy varieties were selected based on two preliminary feeding trials conducted for 6 weeks on first feeding Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar.  In the fry study, final average weight (1.18g-1.29g) and percent increase  (225%-343%) did not significantly vary, however survival was greater for some varieties compared to others (60%-95%).  The best preforming cultivars were evaluated in a 16-week  smolt  feeding trial.  Most performance indicators were not significantly different (weight gain, specific growth rate, final average weight).  Only hepatosomatic index was significantly P < 0.05  different (1.00 to 1.45).  Based on results from this study the assertion can be made that these soy cultivars can be incorporated into the salmon diet up to 20% without significant performance differences compared to a fishmeal-based diet.