Azolla is a genus of aquatic ferns that offers solutions in two variations: as a bio-fertilizer or as a nutritive organic feed substitute. It is a nutrient-rich plant, containing proteins, essential amino acids, vitamins, growth promoter intermediaries, and minerals. Azolla plants perform well since they can be grown at low labor costs, on small plots of land, and for a variety of purposes including animal feed/livestock, poultry and fish production, environmental remediation, biofertilizer and biocontrol for mosquito repellents, carbon sequestration of CO2, and bioenergy effectiveness all year. The purpose of this review is to provide evidence of Azolla plant production and its potential role in cow feed for a greener, more sustainable and cost-effective approach.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Azolla, a plant-based feed additive, on milk production quantity and composition in four experimental groups of cows. The experimental groups included Control C cows, Low Eating LE cows, High Milking HM cows, and Low Milking LM cows. Azolla was introduced as an addition to the feed of all groups, except for the control group. The cows gradually consumed increasing quantities of Azolla, starting from 5 kg every three weeks. Throughout the entire experiment, various parameters such as milk production quantity, protein content, pH, fat, solids, and lactose were monitored and analyzed. The results provide insights into the potential benefits of Azolla as a feed additive for improving milk production and composition in different cow groups.

Two greenhouses were set up in Arcenciel in December 2022 measuring 24x8 m each with a total pond area of around 270 sqm divided into 8 separate ponds. Shading nets were installed in both greenhouses to limit sun exposure in summer months. The ponds were lined with a 500 microns HDPE membrane to hold water. The pond bedding used was a mix of composted manure (3kg per sqm), top soil (1 kg per sqm) and an addition of 20g of superphosphate per sqm. The ponds were inoculated with around 50 kg of fresh Azolla on December 16th, 2023.

IZRAA’s team developed a data capture protocol that was delivered to the farm manager so data can be collected and analyzed later in the study phase. The collected data included pond yield, GH temperature, water temperature, water depth and other relevant data.

A drying tent measuring 3m x 2m was set up In June to experiment with drying Azolla for storage of excess Azolla as the yield of the two greenhouses surpasses the needed amounts for the experiment.

Key results:

Yield: yield of Azolla of all ponds combined for the duration ranging from July 1st to September 25th was 4108 Kg. It was reported that yield dropped during summer time which might be contributed to weather but also to the need to refill the pond bedding with fresh compost. It was observed that the ponds that were underperforming in comparison to others bounced back once it was emptied and new compost was added along with the recommended amount of fertilizers. All in all Azolla showed good tolerance to harsh weather conditions ranging from snow to extreme heat waves experienced in summer times. Two samples of Azolla were tested at the Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute (LARI), the results indicated a high tolerance to Azolla with a slight increase in milk production, at a lower cost.

Study of Azolla impact on milk production:

Starting July 1st an experimentation within the Taanayel farm was performed which involved the critical evaluation of the phase termed the substitution phase. The experimental design covered four distinct groups: the Control C cows, which serve as the baseline reference; the Low Eating LE cows, the High Milking HM cows, and the Low Milking LM. This delineation ensures a structured examination of the impact of Azolla feed substitution across the various groups, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the experiment’s outcomes. During the experiment 8% of Azolla was introduced as a replacement for Soja across all experimental groups, barring the control group.