Introduction
 The demand for milk and meat has been increasing and animal husbandry, as a profitable occupation, is expanding. However, there is a substantial decline in fodder production, owing to the decreasing area under forest and grasslands. The fodder availability from various crops has also decreased largely due to the introduction of high yielding dwarf varieties.
The shortage of fodder is, therefore, being compensated with commercial feed, resulting in increased cost of production of meat and milk. Moreover, as commercial feed is mixed with urea and other artificial milk boosters, it has a deleterious effect on the quality of milk produced and the longevity of the livestock, which in turn leads to degenerative diseases like cancer and coronary ailments in human beings.
Cultural Practices for Optimum Bio-mass
1. It is important to keep Azolla at the rapid multiplication growth phase with the minimum doubling time.
2. Periodic application of cow-dung slurry, super phosphate and other macro and micronutrients except nitrogen, prevents plants from reaching sporulation stage.
3. The temperature should be retained below 250C. In case the temperature goes up, the light intensity should be maintained below 40 Klux by providing shade.
4. Biomass should be removed every day or on alternate days to avoid over crowding.
5. pH should be tested periodically and should be maintained between 5.5 and 7.
Search for an alternative took us to a wonderful plant, “Azolla”, which holds the promise as a sustainable feed substitute for livestock.
Important for Azolla
What is Azolla?
Azolla is a floating fern and belongs to the family of Azollaceae. The fern Azolla, hots a symbiotic blue green algae anabaena azollae, which is responsible for the fixation and assimilation of atmospheric nitrogen. Azolla, in turn, provides the carbon source and favourable environment for the growth and development of the BGA symbiont. In Azolla, the endo-symbiont, the BGA is even carried through the sexual reproductive phase, perhaps the only one of this kind in this plant kingdom. It is this unique symbiotic relationship, which makes Azolla, a wonderful plant.
Azolla is very rich in proteins, essential amino acids, vitamins (vitamin A, vitamin B12, Beta Carotene), growth promoter intermediaries and minerals like calcium, phosphorous, potassium, ferrous, copper, magnesium etc. Azolla, on a dry weight basis, is constituted of 25 – 35% protein content 10 – 15% mineral content and 7 – 10%, a combination of amino acids, bio-active substances and bio-polymers. Carbohydrate and oil content in Azolla is very low. Thus the bio-composition of Azolla, makes It one of the most economic and efficient feed substitutes for livestock. More over, Azolla can be easily digested by livestock, owing to its high protein and low lignin content.
Trials were carried out by Natural Resources Development Project (NARDEP), Vivekananda Kendra, with Azolla as a feed substitute in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Trials on dairy animals showed an overall increase of milk yield by 15 – 20 % when 1.5 – 2 Kg of Azolla was combined with regular feed. 15 – 20% of commercial feed, especially oil cake, can be replaced with the same quantity of Azolla on dry weight basis, without affecting milk production. It was also found that Azolla feeding improves the quality of milk and the health and longevity of livestock.
What is Azolla
the family of Azollaceae. The fern Azolla, hots a symbiotic blue green algae anabaena azollae, which is responsible for the fixation and assimilation of atmospheric nitrogen. Azolla, in turn, provides the carbon source and favourable environment for the growth and development of the BGA symbiont. In Azolla, the endo-symbiont, the BGA is even carried through the sexual reproductive phase, perhaps the only one of this kind in this plant kingdom. It is this unique symbiotic relationship, which makes Azolla, a wonderful plant.
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Dr.P.Kamalasanan Pillai, S.Premalatha and S.Rajamony
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