Utilization of Paku Uban (Nephrolepis biserrata) Extract as a Molting Stimulant of Mud Crabs (Scylla spp.) in Traditional Ponds

Highlights The Paku Uban ( Nephrolepis biserrata ) was identified and analyzed The ability of paku uban to stimulated molting process of Scylla sp was analyzed The paku uban ( Nephrolepis biserrata ) could increase the presentation of molting and accelerate molting process Abstract Mud crab ( Scylla  spp.) is a fishery commodity with high economic value. For this reason, efforts to increase production are required with a more effective applicative technology. This study aims to determine the molting response and survival rate of mud crabs injected with paku uban leaf  extract ( N. biserrata ) at different doses. The study was conducted for 30 days, located in Tibi Island, Tanah Lia District, Tanah Tidung. The design used in this study was a completely randomized design (CRD) with five treatments and eight replicates. Mud crabs weighing 80 - 150 g were tested in K1 (without injection), K2 (controlled injection), P1 (100 ppm extract), P2 (125 ppm extract) and P3 (150 ppm extract). The effectivity of paku uban ( N. biserrata ) extract with the highest percentage of molting of 50% took place at P3, 37.5% at P2, and 25% at P1. The lowest levels of molting percentage were at K1 and K2 by 0%. The fastest molting period was ten days at P2, and the longest was 29 days at P1. The highest weight growth reached 33.75 g at P3, followed by P2 and P1 with 31 and 18.75 g, respectively. The survival rate of mud crabs for all treatments reached 100%. The results of the analysis of variance indicated a significant bet effect (P < 0.05) on the molting and weight growth percentage. The BNT test suggested that a dose of 150 ppm was the optimum treatment.