Location: Small Grains and Potato Germplasm Research
Project Number: 2050-21310-006-023-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Aug 19, 2023
End Date: Aug 18, 2027
Objective:
The overall objective of this collaborative research is to improve competitiveness of rainbow trout production. This will involve evaluation of gene expression, proteomic and metabolomic differences, microbiota differences and performance of trout fed various alternate protein and lipid sources, direct fed microbials, and immunostimulants, while also phenotypic and physiological differences between trout strains and selected/non-selected lines.
The collaborative research between ARS and the Cooperator will focus on the following three objectives:
1) Identify rainbow trout families with improved phenotypes for growth, fillet fatty acid composition, and utilization of a grain-based fish feed through dietary modification and genetic selection
2) Conduct feeding trials in support of optimizing feed formulations to develop commercial trout feeds based on oilseed and grain products without inclusion of marine protein and/or oil
3) Conduct physiological studies with direct fed microbials and immunostimulants in support of optimizing mucosal health, immune function, and functionality for improved trout performance.
Approach:
Collaborative research with the cooperator will focus on obtaining information to better identify differences in physiological and biochemical mechanisms driving production traits of trout from selected and non-selected lines fed conventional or all-plant protein/oil diets and to characterize the mucosal microbial community using non-culture dependent techniques (new generation high-throughput technologies). Through development of a better understanding of the effects of specific ingredients, diet formulations, direct fed microbials, and immunostimulants on the mucosal microbial community and fish physiology, strategies can be developed to optimize fish health and performance.
