Production features of duckweed (Lemna L.) as an object of cultivation in integrated technologies

Abstract

The issues of exploitation of duckweed communities, selection of the most promising species from the genus duckweed and determination of its productivity in the second zone of fish farming are considered. Duckweed is an aquatic, free-floating or submerged, mostly perennial higher plants, distributed throughout the Earth, with the exception of hot dry deserts and cold polar regions. Duckweed can withstand a large temperature range, from heat to frost, light-loving. It contains (in terms of dry matter): 20–38% protein, up to 5% fat, fiber, vitamins A, C and group B, anthocyanins, triterpene compounds, as well as iodine, iron, biogens, calcium, silicon, magnesium, heavy metals, trace elements. The experiments were carried out at the experimental production base of VNIIR in fiberglass baths of 6.0×0.7×0.6 m in the period from June 6 to the end of August, and observations of the state of the duckweed biotope in a reservoir with an area of 60 acres and an average depth of 1.6 m from the end of April to the third decade of September, The results obtained during the research allow us to conclude that the exploitation of duckweed biotopes (Lemna minor L.) in the second zone of fish farming has good prospects, which is expressed in obtaining about 50 tons/ha or more of biomass in raw form during the growing season. This makes it possible to create a raw material base for the production of duckweed feed and feed additives in the form of flour, powder, granulate, pastes, etc.