HARNESSING AZOLLA : A GAME CHANGER FOR INDIA’S VETERINARY SECTOR
ABSTRACT
The article introduces Azolla(‘PUNI’ in Assamese) an aquatic fern, as an alternative to conventional feeds. Azolla’s high protein content, rapid biomass production, and ease of cultivation make it a viable supplement fodder. The article discusses successful trials in Tamil Nadu & Kerala, showcasing increased milk yield in dairy animals and faster growth in poultry. Additionally, it outlines Azolla’s multifaceted benefits, including nitrogen fixation, weed control, and bioremediation. The abstract emphasizes the potential of Azolla to address challenges faced in livestock feed and encourages farmers to adopt its use for sustainable livestock production and environmental benefits.
INTRODUCTION
Azolla, an aquatic floating fern renowned for its nutritional value and rapid biomass production. Commonly known as mosquito fern or duckweed fern, Azolla forms symbiotic relationship with filamentous cyanobacteria like Nostoc and Anabaena, which then act as nitrogen fixers. These aquatic macrophytes, azolla can normally be found in natural water habitats such as lakes, paddy fields, freshwater pond areas, slow-moving rivers or irrigation channels. Furthermore, in the paddy field, azolla is grown either as a monocrop or as an intercrop and incorporated into the mud or soil to increase soil humus and nutrient content. Protein content in azolla species is in a range of 21–26% dry matter, while fatty acids ranged from 41% to 66% dry matter.
Trials conducted in various regions of India have demonstrated Azolla’s efficacy in enhancing milk yield in dairy animals and promoting faster growth in poultry. These aquatic fern have been used as alternative protein feed for various animal industries i.e chicken, duck, quail, and aquaculture industries i.e prawn, fish. Further, it has been also used in monogastric herbivore such as horses and rabbits. Thus by harnessing Azolla, farmers not only address the pressing need for nutritious livestock feed but also unlock a range of ecological benefits, including nitrogen fixation, weed control, mosquito control, and bioremediation. With proper cultivation techniques, Azolla holds the potential to revolutionize India’s agricultural & veterinary landscape, offering sustainable solutions to feed the nation’s growing population while mitigating environmental challenges.
VETERINARY IMPORTANCE
- High Protein Content: Azolla contains over 20% protein, making it an excellent source of nutrition for livestock.
- Essential Amino Acids: It contains essential amino acids like lysine, crucial for the growth and health of animals.
3.Rich in Minerals: Azolla is rich in minerals like calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, copper and zinc necessary for animal health, contributing to their overall well-being.
- Low in Carbohydrates and Fat: Its low carbohydrate and fat content make it suitable for animals needing controlled diets, such as those with metabolic disorders.
- High Digestibility: Animals can easily digest Azolla due to its high protein and low lignin content, leading to improved nutrient absorption and utilization.
- Increased Milk Yield: The Natural Resource Development Project, Vivekananda Kendra, did trails in Tamilnadu and Kerala using Azolla as a feed substitute. The trails on dairy animals showed an increase of milk yield of about 15% when 1.5-2kg Azolla is fed per day. Feeding Azolla to dairy animals has been shown to increase milk yield by about 15%, enhancing dairy productivity.
- Enhanced Growth Rate: Poultry fed with Azolla exhibit faster growth rates, resulting in increased body weight and improved production efficiency.
- Improved Egg Quality: Birds fed with Azolla produce eggs with increased yolk content and glossy eggshell appearance, indicating improved nutritional value.
- Iron Uptake: Azolla has a high affinity for iron uptake, potentially aiding in the prevention of iron deficiency-related disorders in animals.
- Biofertilizer: Azolla can also serve as an organic biofertilizer, enriching paddy fields with nitrogen and promoting healthier rice crops.
- Bioremediation: Azolla’s ability to accumulate pollutants makes it beneficial for bioremediation, helping to clean up water bodies contaminated with heavy metals, pesticides, and other pollutants.
- Weed Control: Azolla’s thick mat formation suppresses the growth of aquatic weeds, providing natural weed control in rice fields and other water bodies.
- Phytochemical properties of azolla: Phytochemical analysis in azolla revealed the presence of antioxidant derivatives like caffeoylquinic acid derivatives, which has been reported in Azolla mexicana and in Azolla imbricata. Caffeoylquinic acid, are the main antioxidant derivative in plant extraction, it helps in treating hyperuricemia and acute gouty arthritis in mice. Another
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Biju Borah, PhD Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension Education, Lakhimpur College of Veterinary Science for providing me with the invaluable opportunity to publish this article. Your encouragement and support have been instrumental in shaping my academic journey. I am deeply appreciate of your mentorship and guidance. Thank you sir for believing in me.
WRITTEN BY
Uddipta Talukdar
Third proffessional year, BVSc & AH
Lakhimpur College of Veterinary Science
Joy Hing, North Lakhimpur, 787051
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