Abstract
The shortage of conventional feedstuff is one of the rising issues faced by the developing countries of the world. To bridge the gap between supply and demand of the major feedstuff it is desirable to practice the use of non-conventional feed resources. Duckweeds are the aquatic macrophytes growing in stagnant water bodies that offer a choice to be used as an alternate feed. Before the use of any alternate feed, it is vital to know the nutritional composition of the feed under diverse environmental conditions. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of salinity, abiotic stress, on the proximate composition of duckweed (Lemna minor L.). The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 3 repeats. Data was collected on protein, lipid, carbohydrate, and mineral contents. In the laboratory trial plants were grown under the saline condition of different concentrations ranging from 2 g NaCl L−1 to 12 g NaCl L−1 for a growing period of 20 days. The biomasses obtained were tested for proximate composition. ANOVA of the result exhibited a significant effect of salinity on the proximate composition of the plant. Protein residues of the plant started declining above the concentration of 4 g NaCl L−1 until the lowest value was obtained at 12 g NaCl L−1. Lipid composition showed more sensitivity to the stress with a sharp decline above 2 g NaCl L−1 having a minimum value at 12 g NaCl L−1. Carbohydrate contents increased with increasing salinity up to 6 g NaCl L−1 above which a decrease was observed. The highest accumulation of the macronutrients i.e., Ca, Mg, took place in the lower range of concentration of the salt. The percentage compositions of micronutrients such as Fe, Mn, and Zn percentage were reduced at a higher range of salinity while the optimum level was recorded in plants treated with 2 g NaCl L−1, followed by control. The total accumulation of both macro and micronutrients was higher in the plant material treated with a lower level of salt concentration, concluding a significant effect of salinity on proximate composition. As for the Indus water salinity level, the plant has the capacity of tolerance and can be grown without affecting its proximate composition.
Highlights
In a developing country like Pakistan, the foremost limitation in raising livestock and poultry is the fragile availability of nutrients
Ayala-Astorga and Alcaraz-Melendez (2010) demonstrated reduced protein content for Paulownia imperialis grown in high sodium chloride concentration
One of the metabolic constraints established by higher salt concentration is nitrogen metabolism, a significant factor in protein synthesis
Summary
In a developing country like Pakistan, the foremost limitation in raising livestock and poultry is the fragile availability of nutrients. Rangelands and pastures which could serve as a reservoir for nutrients are subjected to deformation due to overuse and lack of strategies for sustainable productivity. There is a limited knowledge of the use of nonconventional feed resources to improve livestock nutrition. The unit area serving the purpose of fodder production has shrunk in the recent past because of growing infrastructure. Livestock raising policies in Pakistan do not support vertical expansion of the livestock sector. Pakistan annually requires about 10.9 and 90.36 million tons of crude protein (CP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) to feed animals. The availability of these two nutrients is 6.7 and 69.0 million tons
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