Growth performance and nutrient digestibility of azolla pinnata feeding in sahiwal calves (Bos indiens) by replacing protein content of concentrate with Azolla pinnata during winter season

Globally, human population in increasing at a very fast rate which is decreasing the land coverage with time. It was found that only 4% of the area is left for cultivating fodder. As a consequence, livestock is dependent on crop residues that are poor in dietary quality, crude protein with high fibre. Also the concentrate, most vital element in animal diet is very expensive and responsible for reducing the income. It is the need of the hour to develop cheap protein sources to promote adequate growth along with raising income. Under this context, Azolla pinnata can act as the best source for protein substitution. The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of protein replacement through Azolla pinnata on performance of Sahiwal female calves.

The experiment were conducted in 18 growing Sahiwal female calves distributed into three groups (T₀, T₁ and T₂) for 90 days. The animals in (T₀) group were fed as per ICAR 2013 feeding standards, while (T₁) and T₂ group was fed by replacing 15%, 30% protein content of concentrate with Azolla pinnata on DM basis respectively.

Proximate analysis of Azolla pinnata revealed that it has higher CP value (26.50% on DM basis) and there was no significant difference in total dry matter intake, CP intake and TDN intake in all the treatment groups. The average daily live-weight gain (ADG) was higher in T₂ followed by T₁ group. Thus, it can be concluded that Azolla pinnata can be used as a novel initiative for protein replacement in Sahiwal female calves.