Abstract
ABSTRACT Water lentils (Duckweed [DW])(Lemna gibba), in irrigation ponds, was evaluated by replacing two levels of soybean meal (SBM) on performance and egg quality of laying hens of 54 weeks of age. A total of 72 white Lohmann laying hens were randomly allocated into 3 treatments with 6 replicates/treatment, 4 hens/replicate in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were: control group (DW0%) with (SBM) as the main source of protein, T1 (DW10%) and T2 (DW20%), where duckweed replaced 10% and 20% of SBM for 9 weeks. No significant differences were observed among the dietary treatments in body weight change, feed conversion ratio, egg weight and mortality rate. Replacement with (DW20%) decreased (p<0.05) feed intake, egg laying rate and egg mass. The dry albuminin (DW10%) decreased (p<0.05) from 7 to 9 weeks and in the total period. Yolk pigmentation was highly (p<0.001) improved by the replacement. Blood spots were increased (p<0.05) with (DW20%). Duckweed grown in good quality irrigation water can replace up to 10% of the SBM as a source of protein without adverse effects on hen performance and egg quality in addition to profitability.
Highlights
Duckweed (Lemna gibba), called water lentil, is one of four species of plants that are monocotyledons belonging to the botanical family Lemnaceae, classified as higher plants, or macrophytes (Hilman & Culley, 1978)
Haustein et al, (1990b) suggested that higher quality duckweed could substitute most of the soybean meal of up to 15% of the total intake and fish meal in diets of laying hens for good egg production, high yolk pigmentation and improved protein content of the egg, when duckweed is dehydrated to a dry meal
The nutritional values of the duckweed plants were determined according to the standard methods of AOAC (2005)
Summary
Duckweed (Lemna gibba), called water lentil, is one of four species of plants that are monocotyledons belonging to the botanical family Lemnaceae, classified as higher plants, or macrophytes (Hilman & Culley, 1978). Shammout & Zakaria (2014) reported that these plants have an important role in purifying the irrigation water. Shammout & Zakaria (2014) reported that these plants have an important role in purifying the irrigation water. It was used in water treatment as a natural bioremediation agent (Shammout et al, 2008). Haustein et al, (1990b) suggested that higher quality duckweed (from 30% to 40 % protein, low ash, high carbohydrate) could substitute most of the soybean meal of up to 15% of the total intake and fish meal in diets of laying hens for good egg production, high yolk pigmentation and improved protein content of the egg, when duckweed is dehydrated to a dry meal. Duckweed has a high concentration of trace minerals, such as potassium and phosphorus, and pigments, such as carotene and xanthophylls, which
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