Effect of duckweed as alternate protein source on rumen fermentation and health status of beetal goats

“Duckweed” to refer to members of the aquatic plant family Lemnaceae. A duckweed feeding trial was carried out at the Goat Farm of the Department of Livestock Production and Management, GADVASU, Ludhiana with 20 male goats fed four different diets. The objective of the trial was to evaluate the use of duckweed (Spirodela polyrhiza) and duckweed-based TMRs and use as a protein supplement for ruminants. The hypothesis was that duckweed is a suitable protein source for goats and will behave in a similar fashion to soybean meal. The diets included a control group (all supplemental protein from soybean meal), 1/3 duckweed, 2/3 duckweed, and 100% duckweed (corresponding to 1/3, 2/3, and 100% of the supplemental protein from duckweed, respectively). The goats were fed equal amounts of fodder and concentrate ration in 50: 50 R:C at 4% of body weight (as fed). Duckweed supplementation in male goats significantly increased blood cholesterol and creatinine levels as compared to the control group, but the values were within the physiological range. Duckweed supplementation did not have any adverse effects on rumen fermentation parameters (pH, TN, NPN, NH₃, TVFA and TCA-pptN). Based on the above results concluded that duckweed can be used as alternate protein source in goats' feeding without any adverse effects.