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<p>Sustainable livestock feeding strategies are imperative in the northwestern Himalayan region, where the rising costs and limited availability of conventional concentrates highlights the need for nutritionally rich and locally available alternatives. Replacing conventional concentrates with tree leaf meals offers a cost-effective and nutritionally viable option for sustaining milk production. This study assessed the nutritive value of <i>Azolla pinnata</i> and its potential as a sustainable feed supplement, either alone (20% <i>Azolla</i>) or in combination with <i>Leucaena leucocephala</i> leaf meal (10% <i>Azolla</i> + 10% <i>Leucaena</i>) for partial replacement of conventional concentrates in crossbred dairy cows. Twelve crossbred cows were divided into three groups (C, T1, and T2), with four animals in each group. The feeding trial lasted for 90&#xa0;days. Animals in the control group were maintained on standard farm feeding practices (concentrate @ 4&#xa0;kg/day, wheat straw @ 5&#xa0;kg/day and green fodder @ 15&#xa0;kg/day). In T1, 20% of the concentrates were replaced with <i>Azolla</i> meal, while in T2, the same proportion was replaced with a mixture of 10% <i>Azolla</i> and 10% <i>Leucaena</i> leaf meal. Milk yield and composition, including protein, fat, solid-not-fat, and total solids, were recorded throughout the study. The nutritional quality of <i>Azolla</i> varied significantly (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) across different months. Winter months showed higher fiber fractions (15.62%) and dry matter (22.11%). In contrast, spring months recorded significantly (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) higher values of crude protein, nitrogen-free extract, organic matter, calcium, and phosphorus. Although milk yield remained statistically similar across treatments, supplementation with <i>Azolla</i> and <i>Leucaena</i> significantly (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) improved milk composition. The combined supplementation produced higher fat, protein, solid-not-fat, and total solids compared to the control. In conclusion, <i>Azolla</i>, particularly in combination with <i>Leucaena</i>, is a protein-rich and effective partial substitute for conventional concentrates. This strategy sustains milk yield, enhances milk quality, and provides a resilient solution to seasonal feed shortages in hill farming systems.</p>

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Nutritional evaluation of Azolla Pinnata and Its Integration with Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal in dairy cattle diet for improving milk characteristics in Northwestern Himalayas

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月8日

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  • Krishna Priya Biswal,
  • Rohit Bishist,
  • Prem Prakash,
  • Prashant Sharma,
  • Ngahanyui Kengoo,
  • Kamal Kishore,
  • Iqbal Singh

摘要

Sustainable livestock feeding strategies are imperative in the northwestern Himalayan region, where the rising costs and limited availability of conventional concentrates highlights the need for nutritionally rich and locally available alternatives. Replacing conventional concentrates with tree leaf meals offers a cost-effective and nutritionally viable option for sustaining milk production. This study assessed the nutritive value of Azolla pinnata and its potential as a sustainable feed supplement, either alone (20% Azolla) or in combination with Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal (10% Azolla + 10% Leucaena) for partial replacement of conventional concentrates in crossbred dairy cows. Twelve crossbred cows were divided into three groups (C, T1, and T2), with four animals in each group. The feeding trial lasted for 90 days. Animals in the control group were maintained on standard farm feeding practices (concentrate @ 4 kg/day, wheat straw @ 5 kg/day and green fodder @ 15 kg/day). In T1, 20% of the concentrates were replaced with Azolla meal, while in T2, the same proportion was replaced with a mixture of 10% Azolla and 10% Leucaena leaf meal. Milk yield and composition, including protein, fat, solid-not-fat, and total solids, were recorded throughout the study. The nutritional quality of Azolla varied significantly (p < 0.05) across different months. Winter months showed higher fiber fractions (15.62%) and dry matter (22.11%). In contrast, spring months recorded significantly (p < 0.05) higher values of crude protein, nitrogen-free extract, organic matter, calcium, and phosphorus. Although milk yield remained statistically similar across treatments, supplementation with Azolla and Leucaena significantly (p < 0.05) improved milk composition. The combined supplementation produced higher fat, protein, solid-not-fat, and total solids compared to the control. In conclusion, Azolla, particularly in combination with Leucaena, is a protein-rich and effective partial substitute for conventional concentrates. This strategy sustains milk yield, enhances milk quality, and provides a resilient solution to seasonal feed shortages in hill farming systems.