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Utilisation of Aquatic Plants in Natural Wetland (Thalae-Noi) as Animal Feed

Thaksin University, Faculty of Technology and Community Development, Agricultural Technology Department, Thailand

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the utilisation possibility of the aquatic plants in the natural wet land (Thalae–Noi) as animal feed. The aquatic plant samples were collected in November 2006 for identification and pending for chemical analysis. 16 aquatic plant samples were taken and classified by the location in the water they grow, and separated into 4 groups.
1) Marginal plants: The collected samples were Hymenachne pseudointerrupta C.Muell, Leersia hexandra, Eragrostis tenella (L.) and Hanguana malayana (Jack) Merr.
2) Floating plants: The collected samples were Eichornia crassipes (Mart) Solms, Salvinia cucullata Roxb. and Pistia stratiotes L.
3) Emerged plants: The collected samples were Nymphoides parvifolia (Griseb.) O. Kuntze, Nymphaea lotus L. and Nymphaea stellata Wild.
4) Submerged plants: The collected samples were Vallisneria spiralis L., Najas graminea Del., Chara zeylanica Kl. ex Wild., Ceratophyllum demersum Linn., Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle. and Utricularia aurea Lour.
The chemical composition was determined by proximate analysis and Van Soest method. The result showed that the aquatic plants had high moisture content, which ranged from 64.36-96.43%. The crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, ash, NDF and ADF content were 7.18-19.12% DM, 1.04-3.49% DM, 13.70-44.96% DM, 6.31-24.56% DM, 31.82-83.16% DM and 23.01-62.93% DM; respectively. The NFE ranged from 25.85-53.52%. Ca and P content were 0.14-1.54% DM and 0.11-0.46% DM; respectively.
According to the high crude fiber content, the utilisation of these aquatic plants as feed for monogastric animals is limited compared to the ruminant. However the reduction of moisture and appropriate processing is needed for efficient utilisation for animal feed.

Keywords: Animal feed, aquatic plants, Thailand

Contact Address: Aporn Songsang, Thaksin University, Faculty of Technology and Community Development, Agricultural Technology Department, 222 Ban Prao, Pa Payom District, Phatthalung 93110, Thailand, e-mail: asongsanghotmail.com