Optimizing Nutritional Composition and Protein Productivity of Lemna minor Through Organic Manure Fertilization for Sustainable Livestock Feed Production
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Poultry and livestock production in developing countries like Ethiopia is hindered by the high cost and scarcity of quality feed. Duckweed ( Lemna minor ) has emerged as a sustainable, protein-rich alternative, but optimizing its nutritional value through effective fertilization is crucial. Anaerobic digested poultry manure (PM), poultry-cattle mixed manure (PCM), and cattle manure (CM) were applied at three ammonium nitrogen (NH 4 ) levels (16, 24, and 32 mg N L -1 ), alongside an inorganic fertilizer (IF 16 mg N L -1 ) and no fertilizer as controls in mesocosm ponds according to completely randomized design. Treatments were applied initially and weekly for 56 days. Media water was sampled bi-weekly. Regularly harvested biomass was analyzed for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), ash, and fat content. Manure type and nitrogen levels significantly influenced nutritional composition, protein yield, nitrogen uptake rate and efficiency of L. minor . CP content ranged from 35.4% to 41.6% DM. Increasing nitrogen levels increase CP while reducing CF. PM and PCM treatments outperformed CM, yielding up to 9.82 tons of protein per hectare annually. Nitrogen uptake rate increased with the concentration of N in the cultivation medium, while an opposite trend was observed for nitrogen uptake efficiency. Strong correlations between water quality parameters (pH, electrical conductivity, NH 4 , and phosphate) and nutrient content and yield signified importance of optimizing growth conditions. Polynomial regression models further supported the predictive potential of these parameters. Weekly optimum application at 24 mg NH 4 -N L -1 , supported high protein yield, nutrient uptake, and nutritional values of L. minor with desirable growth media water qualities. Lemna minor can enhance nutrient recycling while providing a sustainable, high-protein feed source. Further research is needed to validate its potential as a substitute for conventional protein sources and explore advanced technologies for broader application.
Source: Research Square
Institutions: Wolaita Sodo University, Arba Minch University
Language: English
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7202389751