It is very rich in protein and almost all essential amino acids, vitamins A, B complex, B- carotene, several growth promoter intermediaries, minerals like calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, copper, magnesium etc.,

The protein content is almost 40- 50 per cent protein on dry weight basis. It is also found to contain almost all of the essential amino acids, many probiotics, and bio-polymers.

The above mentioned bio-chemical constitution along with the rapid multiplication rate makes azolla an ideal organic feed substitute for livestock apart from its utility as bio-fertiliser for wetland paddy.

It can be easily digested by livestock due to its high protein and low lignin content of plant body.

Hence it is one of the most economic and efficient feed substitutes for livestock.

In this context, in coconut based mixed farming system involving dairy as one of the components with Azolla grown in small ponds were tried in CPCRI, RS, Kayamkulam.

Azolla can be raised in an artificial water body by making pits lined with silpauline sheets.

A pit size of 2 m length, 1 m width and 20 cm depth should be dug as a first step. About 10-15 kg of sieved fertile soil is uniformly spread over the silpauline sheets.

About 3-5 kg cow dung is mixed with about 10 litres of water and made into a slurry. This is poured into the sheet. About 10-20 gm of superphosphate or rock phosphate is also added.

More water is poured to make the water level at about 10 cm. 500g to 1 kg of fresh and pure culture of Azolla is inoculated in the pit.

Azolla will fill the pit within 10-15 days and about 500g to 1 kg azolla can be harvested daily thereafter.

Azolla after harvest should be washed and and fed to the cows and it was observed that, there was increase in the milk yield of cows after feeding with Azolla.

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