LIVESTOCK RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL

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REVIEW ARTICLE

A Review on Potential Livestock Feed: Azolla

Shrikant B. Katole1, Shweta R. Lende2 and S.S. Patil3
1
Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat, India.
2
Nagpur Veterinary College, Maharashtra Animal and Fisheries University, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.
3
Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, Gujarat, India.

Abstract
Azolla is a floating fern also known as duck weed is belongs to the
family Salviniaceae. Azolla is a good source of protein and contains almost
*Corresponding Author:
all essential amino acids and minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium,
Shrikant B. Katole potassium, phosphorus, manganese etc. apart from appreciable quantities of
β-carotene (vitamin A precursor) and vitamin B12. Azolla is considered to
Email: shrikantkatole@rediffmail.com be the most promising because of the ease of cultivation, high productivity
and good nutritive value. For that, cultural practices, seasonal availability
and manure requirements need to be established for more production. Thus,
Received: 03/03/2017 Azolla appears to be a potential source of nutrients and has a considerably
Accepted: 24/03/2017 high feeding value to the animals. Moreover, this is a strong case for more
systematic research on long duration feeding trials with Azolla. A review of
some nutritional experiments with Azolla as a cattle feed is described.

Keywords: Azolla, Chemical composition, Livestock feeds, Nutrition.

1. Introduction Due to easy cultivation and high biomass yield, Azolla

Azolla is a small floating fern also known as can be an ideal feed substitute for cattle, buffalo, sheep,
duck weed is genus of seven species of aquatic ferns goat, pigs, poultry and fish (Becerra et al., 1995;
belongs to the family Salviniaceae. Azolla grows in Hossiny et al., 2008; Indira et al., 2009; Leterme et al.,
waterways in dense patches, which can look like a 2010). Apart from animal feed, Azolla is also used as a
green or red carpet. Generally it grows in stagnated bio-fertilizer for paddy cultivation, in poultry and fish
water, streams, canals, ponds etc. where water is feed, as a mosquito repellent and bio-scavenger as it
present for longer period under sunlight or shade of takes away all heavy metals (Moore, 1969; Cassani,
tree is widely distributed throughout the India 1981; Lumpkin, 1984; Van Hove, 1989; Pabby et al.,
(Masoodi and Khan, 2012). Roots of Azolla plants 2004; Bhuvaneshwari and Singh, 2012;
remain suspended in water. Shape of Azolla is Bhuvaneshwari, 2012). In fact, it is being used in some
triangular with 1.5-3 cm length and 1-3 cm breadth. Asian countries like China, Thailand, Korea, Vietnam
Azolla grows with blue green algae Anabaena azollae. and the Philippines, as a bio-fertilizer (Prasanna et al.,
Symbiotic relationship exists between Azolla and algae 2008). However, in India its cultivation is limited to the
(Becking, 1979; Reynaud and Franche, 1987; Aber et southern part of country, but recently gaining adoption
al., 2016). Some strains of Azolla can fix as much as 2- in other parts of the country. Azolla enhances the
3 kg of nitrogen/ha/day. Azolla provides carbon and growth of rice as it releases the plant growth regulators
favorable environment for growth of blue green algae and vitamins (Bhuvaneshwari and Kumar, 2013).
which fixes and assimilates the atmospheric nitrogen Being bio-fertilizer it can substitute for chemical
and decomposes it by enzymatic activity and further fertilizers to certain extent and increases the nutrient
converted into soluble ammonia (Van Hove, 1989). utilization efficiency which increases the crop yield as
The use of Azolla also increases organic matter and well as quality of produce (Pabby et al., 2004;
potassium contents of the soil (Bhuvaneshwari and Bhuvaneshwari and Singh, 2012). Azolla helps to
Singh, 2015). This symbiotic relationship makes Azolla reduce the evaporation rate from rice field.
rich in protein content. Azolla is promising plant Azolla contains around 23-27 % crude protein
having good nutritive contents and easy to cultivate and 10 % carbohydrates on a dry weight basis (Pullin
(Lumpkin, 1984; Kathirvelan et al., 2015) and above and Almazan 1983; Cherryl et al., 2014; Kathirvelan et
all cost of production is very low. In vermi-composting al., 2015). Apart from this Pillai et al. (2002) reported
Azolla can also be used for feeding to the earthworms. that Azolla contain probiotics and biopolymers.

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 Katole et al…A Review on Potential Livestock Feed: Azolla

Literature suggests that Azolla has the potential to be a weather. Places with direct and adequate sunlight
source of nutrients due to its considerably high feeding should be preferred. A shady place should be preferred
value. where sunlight is extreme. Azolla plants require
sunlight but prefer to grow slightly in acidic pH of soil
2. Taxonomy at 5.3-5.8 in shade. Azolla require phosphorus for their
regular growth and propagation in acidic soil. Apart
Class Pteridophyta from phosphorus suitable nutrients such as cow dung
Order Salvinales slurry, micronutrients should be supplemented at
Family Azollaceae/Salviniaceae frequent intervals.
Genus Azolla
Sub Genus Eu-Azolla 5. Benefits of Azolla
There are numerous benefits of Azolla which are
3. Cultivation of Azolla useful to the aquatic environment in many ways. Some
a) Small ponds of 320 meter size should be made in of the benefits are as:
low land field. a) Low input cost.
b) Add sufficient water and 10-15 cm standing water b) This is easy to grow in wild and also can grow
should be there in the ponds. under controlled condition at farm.
c) Culture of green Azolla 50-200 g/sqm along with c) Within short period of time it can easily be
single super phosphate (20 kg/ha) as a phosphorus produced a large quantity as green manure
source should be mixed and release into the pond required in both Kharif as well as Rabi season.
containing water level of 15 cm. d) It can fix atmospheric nitrogen and CO2 to form
d) Rapid multiplication of Azolla plants forms a carbohydrates and ammonia, respectively, and
green color mat just like carpet in the ponds after decomposition it adds available nitrogen for
within 14-21 days. crop uptake and organic carbon content to the
e) This green mat then can be harvested and released soil.
in the rice field or can be used after through e) The oxygen released due to oxygenic
washing and drying as an animal feed. photosynthesis, helps the respiration of root
f) This Azolla can be used as a bio-fertilizer by system of the crops as well as other soil
converting it into compost. microorganisms.
g) During hot season (summer) Azolla can be f) It makes Zn, Fe and Mn to soluble form and
harvested at regular interval of 21 days. incorporates to the crops such as paddy.
h) However, during winter season growth rate of g) Azolla suppresses tender weeds such as Chara
Azolla plant slow down due to moisture stress and (water fern) and Nitella (stonewort) in a paddy
low temperature. Therefore, Azolla should be field.
harvested after 30 days of interval during this h) Azolla releases plant growth regulators and
season. vitamins which enhance the growth of the rice
plant.
i) A potential bio-fertilizer Azolla can be substituted
4. Environmental Conditions that Required for chemical nitrogenous fertilizers to a certain
for Higher Yield of Azolla extent (20 kg/ha) and it increases the crop yield
Some favorable conditions should be there for and quality and thus reduced cost of production.
proper growth of Azolla that should be otherwise made j) It increases the utilization efficiency of chemical
available so that prolific growth can be achieved. fertilizers, if any used.
Water should always be there in pond for k) It reduces evaporation rate from the irrigated rice
multiplication of the Azolla branches. Maintenance of field.
pure culture free from contamination is essential for l) It is a food source for waterfowl, fish, shrimp,
higher yield. Azolla should be harvested regularly to insects, worms, snails, crustaceans etc. and
avoid overcrowding in pond. Temperature is an provides habitat to them.
important factor for good growth. Mean temperature of m) Mats of Azolla can actually discourage blue-green
25-35ºC is most favorable for maximum growth. This algal blooms. They restrict the penetration of
optimum environmental temperature should be sunlight into the water, which is essential for algal
maintained within this range by using green nets. The growth and take up nutrients from the water,
Azolla pond should be covered with a plastic sheet in limiting the availability of this food source for the
cold seasons so as to reduce the impact of cold algae.

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 Katole et al…A Review on Potential Livestock Feed: Azolla

n) The mats of Azolla acts as a biological mosquito 1989; Kumar et al., 2012; Kathirvelan et al., 2015).
control, preventing mosquito larvae surfacing for However, the digestible protein of the Azolla is 56.6 %
air. (Tamany et al., 1992; Kumar et al., 2012) which limits
o) The presence of Azolla can also restrict the the inclusion of higher level of Azolla in poultry diets.
growth of exotic aquatic plants, including Salvinia The chemical score index showed the potential of
and water hyacinth by limiting the availability of Azolla meal as a good source of protein. Azolla
nutrients to these plants. contains 0.47-0.53 % leucine and lysine, 0.11-0.17 %
methionine, 0.53-0.55 % threonine, 0.14-0.15 %
6. Azolla Have Detrimental Effects? tryptophan. Apart from this arginine and valine are the
Actually the presence of Azolla in water way is predominant essential amino acids while tryptophan
beneficial. However, in certain circumstances where and the sulphur-containing amino acids were deficient
water bodies are rich in nutrients, prolific growth of (Alalade and Iyayi, 2006; Leterme et al., 2009). Azolla
Azolla may be a problem. It may be possible that thick, contains 0.8-6.7 % crude fat (Fujiwara et al., 1947;
complete coverings of water surface by Azolla can Subudhi and Singh, 1977; Buckingham et al., 1978;
cause de-oxygenation of the water. This can affect Querubin et al., 1986a, b; Sreemannaryana et al., 1993;
presence of fish and other aquatic plants and the decay Ali and Lesson, 1995), out of which 13-27 % are
of the latter can lead to a strong odour. However, reported to have polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA),
situations like this are rare because coverage of the omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids which are classed as
water surface by the Azolla needs to be almost total for an essential fatty acids. Crude fibre in Azolla is 14-16
it to have a negative impact on the ecosystem which % (Querubin et al., 1986b; Basack et al., 2002; Cherryl
seldom happens. et al., 2014) and 46-62 % NDF. Nitrogen free extract in
Azolla is reported to be 31 % (Bhuyan et al., 1998; Ali
7. Azolla and Soil Health and Leeson, 1995; Querubin et al., 1986a, b; Basak et
a) Basal application on green Azolla manure @ 10- al., 2002). Ash content is 15-16 % (Buckingham et al.,
12 t/ha increases soil nitrogen by 50-60 kg/ha 1978; Basak et al., 2002). Lower acid detergent fibre
and reduces 30-35 kg of nitrogenous fertilizer (ADF) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) in Azolla
requirement of rice crop thus reduces cost of indicate a better efficiency of utilization by non-
cultivation. ruminant animals. The concentrations of calcium,
b) Release of green Azolla twice as dual cropping phosphorus, potassium and magnesium were 1.16,
in rice crop @ 500 kg/ha enriches soil nitrogen 1.29, 1.25 and 0.25 %, respectively, while those of
by 50 kg/ha and reduces N requirement by 20- sodium, manganese, iron, copper and zinc were 23.79,
30 kg/ha. 174.42, 755.73, 16.74 and 87.59 ppm, respectively.
c) Increases rice yield by 20 to 30 %. Azolla also contains 3.4-3.5 % sugar, 6.5 % starch,
d) Rice varieties like DR-92, RCPL-1-87-8, 0.34-0.55 % chlorophyll and iron content is 0.26 % on
Mendri, H.-2850 and Manipuri produced more dry matter basis. Apart from a good source of plant
than 30 q/ha rice yield when grown with Azolla proteins, fresh Azolla is good a source of pro-vitamin
as dual cropping under natural soil fertility. A, β-carotenes (Lejeune et al., 2000; Kathirvelan et al.,
e) Under low land condition a thick Azolla mat 2015). Azolla can be ranked among carotene rich plants
does not allow the weeds to grow in rice field as it is rich in carotene content which ranged from 300-
thus, Azolla suppresses the weed growth and 600 ppm. A gross energy value of 2039 kcal/kg is
creates congenial condition for increased rice present in Azolla. Nutrients composition present in
production. different Azolla species (on dry mater basis) are given
f) Azolla reduces evaporation from water surface in table 1. Comparison in terms of dry matter (%),
and increases water use efficiency in rice. metabolisable energy (MJ), crude protein (%) and
g) Dry Azolla flakes can be used as poultry feed neutral detergent fibre is presented in table 2.
and green Azolla is also a good feed for fish and A major advantage of water plants is that they
ruminants. are higher in protein than most of the high yielding
tropical forages (Gaffer, 1981). Once cultivated, Azolla
is double in its weight within 8-10 days and can
8. Chemical Composition produce 300-350 tonne of protein in one acre of pond
Azolla is high producing aquatic plant in a year (Table 3).
containing 20-37 % protein (Fujiwara et al., 1947; Due to its nutritional composition it can be an
Singh, 1980; Subudhi and Singh, 1977; Singh and excellent substitute for costly protein ingredients for
Subudhi, 78; Sreemannaryana et al., 1993; Van Hove, livestock feeding. Faster rate of fermentation and high-

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 Katole et al…A Review on Potential Livestock Feed: Azolla

Table 1: Nutrients composition of different Azolla species (Kathirvelan et al., 2015)

Nutritional Content A. caroliniana A. microphylla A. pinnata

Crude protein (%) 23.07 23.69 17.59
Crude fiber (%) 13.19 15.02 16.54
Total Ash (%) 29.17 28.71 25.28
Calcium (%) 2.07 2.07 1.67
Phosphors (%) 0.59 0.77 0.46
Iron (%) 0.269 0.249 0.231
Manganese (%) 0.238 0.274 0.205
Sodium (%) 1.240 0.488 0.777
Potassium (%) 2.44 4.93 2.19
Copper (ppm) 16.37 17.55 15.90
Zinc (ppm) 64.51 71.75 46.77
Magnesium (ppm) 0.15 0.173 0.155
Moisture (%) 5 5 5

Table 2: Comparison of different feeds with Azolla

Sr. No. Feed Dry matter (%) Metabolisable energy Crude protein Neutral detergent fibre (%)
(MJ) (%)
1 Canola meal 90 12.0 38 20
2 Wheat grain 90 12.7 12 12
3 Lucerne hay 88 10.0 23 44
4 Summer pasture 20 10.0 23 44
5 Quality pasture 15 11.0 22 39
6 Azolla 5.7 9.0 18.4 46

Table 3: Relative biomass production and protein content of different fodders

Sr. No. Name of fodder Annual Production of Dry matter content Protein content
biomass (MT/ha) (MT/ha) (%)
1 Hybrid Napier (CO-3) 250 50 4
2 Kolakattao grass 40 8 0.8
3 Lucerne (Medicago sativa) 80 16 3.2
4 Cowpea (Vigna sinensis) 35 7 1.4
5 Subabul (Leucaena leucocephala) 80 16 3.2
6 Sorghum (Sorghum vulgare) 40 3.2 0.6
7 Azolla 1000 80 24

er in vitro digestibility of Azolla is reported as suggests the utility of these plants for livestock feeding.
compared to alkali treated straw (Juul-Nielsen, 1981). Water plants are very useful in combinations with poor
Higher digestibility is attributed to the digestible quality feeds. Combinations improve the nutritional
cellulose present in Azolla which is important starting value. However, the feeding trials are of short period
substrate of cellulose degrading bacteria. Moreover, and the results need to be confirmed with feeding trials
mixing Azolla with some agricultural by-products such over longer periods of time. For all the water plants,
as rice bran (Aban, 1989) and the use of fermentable standard culture practices, seasonal availability and
by-products such as yeasts or the addition of purified manure requirements need to be established.
enzymes can improve ingestion and digestibility.
Azolla alone may not be accepted by animals, but when 9. Azolla and Ruminants
combined with other ingredients such as ground nut In southern India, farmers’ having insufficient
cake, soybean meal, rice straw etc. animals may be lands for fodder production thus they have started
adopted after some time. A short review of some water cultivating Azolla as cost of production is low with
plants in animal feeding (Dolberg et al., 1981) also - better output. Dairy farmers in South Kerala and

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 Katole et al…A Review on Potential Livestock Feed: Azolla

Kanyakumari, have also started adopting this low-cost 1978; Khatun, 1996) but it can be used in combination
production technology and it is believed that this of other feed ingredients such as rice bran, wheat bran,
technology will be taken-up more widely by dairy maize etc. It is reported to have a potential as a
farmers, in particular those with insufficient land for feedstuff for egg type chicks and no mortality was
fodder production (Pillai et al., 2005). Azolla increases observed in layers fed on Azolla pinnata (Alalade and
the milk yield in cattle and feed conversion ratio. Iyayi, 2006). Carcass characteristics of broiler chicken
Reduced intake, increased digestibility and more body fed Azolla based diets showed non-significant
weight gain was reported in crossbred heifers (Singh, difference in the percentage of cut-up parts of birds
1980). Use of Azolla as a feed substitute nearly saved (Dhumal et al., 2009; Ara et al., 2015). Cambel (1984)
20-25 % of cost feeding for concentrate mixtures. reported the better results at 10 and 15 % of
replacement by Azolla on growth performance of the
10. Azolla and Non-Ruminants broilers. Addition of Azolla does not affect feed
Azolla as a feed resource for fish, swine and consumption in broiler ration (Castillo et al., 1981;
poultry had been tested with encouraging results Querubin et al., 1986a; Sreemannryana et al., 1993;
(Castillo et al., 1981; Alcantara and Querubin, 1985; Bhuyan et al., 1998; Alalade and Iyayi, 2006).
Ara et al., 2015). Inclusion of water plants at low levels In layers egg production is increased while in
in poultry diets have shown better performance when broilers body weight is improved fed on Azolla
they supply part of the total protein or when included supplemented diets. Azolla meal reported to have no
as a source of pigment for egg yolk and broiler skin deleterious effect on palatability in broilers (Paulraj
(Maurice et al., 1984). Azolla is a potential feed and Kutty, 1984; Basak et al., 2002; Sithara and
ingredient for chickens (Singh and Subudhi, 1978; Kamalaveni, 2008). Improved performance of broilers
Lumpkin, 1984). Studies in India as early as in 1978 was reported when Azolla meal was added at the rate of
concluded that fresh Azolla could replace 20 % of 5 % dry matter which is established as a safe. Nutrient
commercial feed in diets of growing chickens (Singh digestibility of crude protein, crude fibre and crude fat
and Subudhi, 1978). Water plants do not accumulate were not influenced by the level of Azolla in broiler
any plant secondary compounds due to their growth ration and broilers are reported to digest the crude fibre
pattern and habit. Therefore, water plants such as readily (Alcantara and Querubin, 1985).
Azolla have greater prospects as a protein substitute for Azolla can replace 20 % of CP of soybeans in
non-ruminants as compared to the tree leaves which diets of ducks without any adverse effect on growth
contents one or more anti-nutritional factors. Azolla and health. Feed conversion ratio was also better and
tested clear for organophosphates and organochlorides. net profit was reported to be highest in Azolla fed
Azolla plant also tested clear of mycotoxin activity in a ducks (Becerra et al., 1995). Becerra et al. (1995)
fresh as well as in one week old sample. So Azolla can further concluded that fresh Azolla can partially replace
be efficiently used as a feed for non-ruminants. Azolla whole soybeans up to a level of about 20 % of the total
is a good source of minerals and essential amino acids crude protein in diets of fattening ducks based on sugar
for pigs but reported to be low in digestible energy for cane juice, without any problems and no adverse
growing pigs (Leterme et al., 2009). However it can be effects on growth rate or health. Cost of feed per kg
used as partial replacement of protein source for gain was lowest and net profit per bird highest for this
growing-fattening pigs (Becerra et al., 1995). Recently treatment. However, at levels of replacement above
Ara et al. (2015) indicated that Azolla at 5 % inclusion this, rate of gain and feed conversion efficiency were
level in broiler chicken ration is highly economical. significantly poorer.
Reasonable cost and availability of quality feed All strains of Azolla reported to have a well
is a key to successful poultry farming. Chickens and balanced of essential amino acids and high quality
ducks can be raised successfully on diet containing protein cultivated under good conditions (Table 1).
Azolla. In USA, Azolla has been used as a wildfowl These are good for the duck farming. No obvious
feed from long time. In China it is used as a duck feed. health problems or deficiency symptoms were observed
In Vietnam it is reported to be used as feed for in ducks indicating that the Azolla was supplying
domestic fowl (Kha and Thuyet, 1970). No mortality in essential nutrients (Becerra et al., 1995). This suggests
birds is reported during experimentation on broilers fed that Azolla supply vitamins as well as minerals to the
Azolla meal (Basak et al., 2002). Reports indicate that ducks and chickens which are of added advantage as in
Azolla does not have any deleterious effect on broilers rural areas as mineral mixtures are rarely used or is
(Castillo et al., 1981; Basak et al., 2002). Low expensive to be used in diet. Fresh Azolla at the rate of
digestibility of Azolla may make unfit as the sole 0, 20, 30 and 40 % replacement of traditional paddy
source of feed for poultry birds (Buckingham et al., rice-snail-shrimp does not compromise the production

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 Katole et al…A Review on Potential Livestock Feed: Azolla

efficiency in egg and meat producing ducks (Escobin, the experimental fish may be due to the adequate levels
1987). Previous reports by Beckingham et al. (1978), of indispensable amino acids (Sithara and Kamalaveni,
Tamany et al. (1992) and Basak et al. (2002) have 2008). Grass carp and common carp recorded a weight
implicated high levels of ADF and lignin as the main gain of 174 and 35.8 g/fish, respectively, and utilized
factor limiting the efficient utilization of Azolla meal Azolla nitrogen to the extent of 30 % (Ayyappan,
by non-ruminant animals. The trend of the growth rate 1992). Therefore, these studies indicate that Azolla can
did corroborate previous observations. Querubin et al. be incorporated in the feed of omnivorous
(1986) and Basak et al. (2002) recorded the highest plantophagous tilapia in extensive system to reduce
weight gain in birds on diet containing 5 % Azolla meal feed cost significantly. Moreover mixing Azolla with
while Cambel (1984) found better result using 10 and some agricultural by-products such as wheat bran and
15 % Azolla meal. Variations observed in weight gain rice bran can improve the digestibility and feed quality
at different levels of Azolla meal could be attributed to (Sithara and Kamalaveni, 2008). Favorable results were
differences in the strain and nutrient composition of reported with Azolla replacing upto 45 % of control
Azolla used and the type and physiological state of the diets fed to young Oreochromis niloticus grown in a re-
experimental animals used. However, feed intake was circulating system (Fiogbe et al., 2004). Young Nile
significantly affected on the 10 and 15 % Azolla meal. tilapia utilized Azolla more efficiently than adults.
Fish require diets relatively higher in protein Studies with fish showed that growth was higher in the
than those of commercially cultured animals. As conventional feeds as compared with the Azolla based
protein represents the most expensive component in a diets. Fish died or negative growth was recorded when
formulated diet, it is considerable of practical fed exclusively with fresh Azolla. Therefore, Azolla
importance to determine the optimum level that will should always be fed either in combination or limited
support maximum growth and survival. As Azolla amount of diet.
contains optimum protein and essential amino acids it
is a better food option for the fish. In aquaculture, 11. Azolla and Agriculture
ammonia and nitrite are toxic to fish at relatively low Azolla has been used for centuries as green
levels (10 mg/L) and can cause decreased performance manure in rice fields. Atmospheric nitrogen is fixed
of fish at levels as low as 1-10 mg/L (Spotte, 1979). As and converted to ammonia which is made available as
Azolla fixes nitrogen thus it seems to be good substitute soluble nitrogen for paddy. In Asian countries, Azolla
in fish food. Similar to other water plants, aspartic acid is the most commonly used as green manure for rice
and glutamic acid are the most concentrated amino crop due to its high growth rate, nitrogen fixing
acids in Azolla. Azolla and other water plants are capacity and ability to scavenge nutrients from soil and
generally deficient in sulphur amino acids and lysine. water (Bhuvaneshwari and Singh, 2015). Now due to
Azolla is richer in cystine than other water plants thus more awareness and with scientific evidences, use of
can be a better source of lysine (Fiogbe et al., 2004) chemical fertilizers is showing declining trend.
and better food supplement for fish. The least Consequently, being cheaper and easy to cultivate,
expensive diet containing 45 % Azolla also exhibited Azolla is getting popular as a bio-fertilizer. Azolla in
growth and can be used as a complementary diet for near future will be the bio-fertilizer of choice. This
tilapia in fertilized ponds (Fiogbe et al., 2004). Azolla supplements the nitrogen to the crop for production and
as a substitute for defatted soybean meal in diets of growth and maintains the soil fertility. The results of
juvenile black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) has several studies indicate that rice-fish-Azolla integration
been reported with encouraging results (Sudaryono, increased the yield of both rice and fish compared to
2006). rice-fish culture alone. The likely reasons for the
On the contrary, some studies with fish indicate increase in rice yield are improved soil fertility
the poor growth when higher levels of Azolla are resulting from the increased production of fish faeces,
incorporated which is attributed to the excesses or decrease need for inorganic fertilizers and pesticides
deficiencies of amino acids (Fiogbe et al., 2004). and reduced weed growth and decrease in incidence of
Imbalance or inadequate levels essential amino acids pests and improvement of soil fertility. Fish yields
causes reduced food intake and growth. Deficiencies of increase through the direct consumption of Azolla.
one or more amino acids are known to limit protein However, the adoption of integrated farming (rice-fish-
synthesis, growth or both. Grass carp Azolla) depends on the attitude and capacity of the
(Ctenopharyngodon idella) fingerlings accepted well farmers, the capacity of support services, including the
finely chopped Azolla caroliniana. Improved weight Azolla inoculums availability and the overall economic
gain and more net gain for grass carp production is feasibility of the system.
reported. The significant increase in absorption rate in

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 Katole et al…A Review on Potential Livestock Feed: Azolla

Apart from used as feed ingredients, Azolla can Combination of Azolla with some agricultural by-
be used to treat waste water. As the capability of products such as wheat bran and rice bran can improve
nitrogen fixation by Azolla, the efficient removal of the digestibility and feed quality and thus production
phosphorus would be expected even after N is performance of animals. Azolla has been used for
consumed. Azolla in outdoor batch cultures actively centuries in agriculture field. Available literature
absorbed nutrients from the secondary treated effluent indicates that Azolla is an economic and efficient feed
of waste water. supplement for different species of animals, containing
substantial amounts of protein, amino acids, vitamins
12. Conclusion and minerals which significantly reduce the cost of
Azolla has a potential as a promising and feeding. Thus, Azolla has future as a potential feed
economical feed for different species of animals. ingredient for various types of animals.

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