Nutrient composition, In vitro methane production and digestibility of azolla (Azolla microphylla) with rumen liquor of goat

Nutrient composition and digestibility of Azolla (Azolla microphylla) was studied using in vitro technique to evaluate it as a protein supplement for goats. Among the proximate principles ash, crude protein, ether extract and crude fibre contents were 20.31, 17.3, 2.71 and 12.02%, respectively on dry matter basis. The NDF and ADF were 46.90 and 31.73%, respectively. Sodium, potassium, calcium were 0.60, 0.73, and 0.11% while copper and zinc were 16.12 and 71.47, ppm respectively. The gross energy content of (A. microphylla) was 16.86 MJ/kg. In vitro rumen fermentation parameters of Azolla were studied using in vitro gas production test. The total gas production and methane production were 78.49 ml/g DM and 11.96 ml/gDM, respectively. The dry matter and organic matter digestibilities were 83.15 and 84.03%, respectively. Microbial protein and partitioning factor were 76.57 and 5.25 mg, respectively. The study indicated that Azolla can be used as a protein supplement in the ration of goats.