Nutritional Evaluation of Azolla pinnata and Azolla microphylla as Feed Supplements for Dairy Ruminants

Azolla is an aquatic plant that has the potential to be used as animal feed due its high nutritive value and very productive plant. Thus, objectives of this study are determine compare nutrient mineral composition pinnata microphylla. A. microphylla plants have a introduced new alternative supplement ruminants. Samples were collected at Ladang Lembah Kaprima Hulu Seladang, Tenox Agribusiness (M) Sdn Bhd, Kampung Setiu, Terengganu. The samples dried ground before analysed by using proximate analysis microwave digestion for Induced Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES). Six parameters measured analyses which dry matter, ash, crude protein, ether extract, fibre nitrogen-free extract. compositions analyzed contents copper, zinc, iron, calcium manganese ICP-OES. result shows contains highest protein extract content compared pinnata. As in composition, showed there significant differences (p < 0.05) between two plants. This revealed more suitable dairy ruminants it terms higher essential ruminant diet.