Vol. 11, Special Issue 7 (2022)

Author(s):
Dr. Devi Lal, Dr. Dhwani Sharma, Saurabh Rathore and Dr. Gajendra Kumar Mathur

Abstract:
Azolla is a well-known aquatic fern belongs to the family of Azollaceae, consisting of a short, branched, floating stem, bearing roots which hang down in the water. The biomass gets doubled within 4-5 days, depending on conditions, and yield can rich 8-10 t fresh matter/ ha in Asian rice fields. In India yields of 37.8 t fresh weight/ha (2.78 t DM/ ha) have been reported for Azolla pinnata. It is an excellent source of proteins, essential amino acids, vitamins (vitamin A, vitamin B12, Beta Carotene), growth promoter and minerals like calcium, potassium, phosphorous, ferrous, magnesium, copper etc. Based on proximate analysis of Azolla it contains 7% dry matter and on a dry matter basis it is constituted of 23.75% protein content, Crude fibre 11.5%, Ether extract 3.01%, 24.91% ash and 6-8%, a combination of amino acids, bio-active substances and biopolymers. Thus, the bio composition of Azolla makes it one of the most economic and efficient feed substitutes for ruminants and poultry. Moreover, Azolla can be easily digested by ruminants and poultry. Research and promotion of Azolla as a livestock feed has been increasing in recent few years because of higher protein content than most green forage crops and aquatic macrophytes. In present study two bulls were selected and feeded with 2Kg Azolla per day up to 3 months. A continuous feeding of Azolla give rise to 15 to 16% increase in biomass of bulls.