Azolla is a genus of seven species of aquatic ferns. They are also known as: Mosquito fern, Duckweed fern, Fairy moss, and Water fern.

Azollas live in ponds, lakes, swamps, and streams in both tropical and sub-tropical conditions. They have a short, branched, floating stem, and roots that hang down in the water. The leaves are alternately arranged, each consisting of a thick aerial dorsal lobe containing green chlorophyll and a slightly larger thin, colourless, floating ventral lobe.

Azollas are the only known pteridophyte that lives in symbiosis with a diazotrophic cyanobacterium. All the species of the genus harbor in their fronds a filamentous N2-fixing cyanobacterium until now referred as Anabaena azollae (Nostocaceae).

Azollas have been used in southern China and northern Vietnam as green manure for rice for many centuries. They can also be supplemented with regular feed of the animal @ 2-2.5 kg of azolla per animal.

Azolla is a potential livestock feed because it’s:

• Rich in protein, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants
• Easily digestible
• Can be grown in any season
• Can be fed to almost all livestock species
• Can be harvested daily
• Can be fed to livestock in fresh or dried form

Azolla can be fed to: Cows, Buffalo, Sheep, Goats, Rabbits, Poultry, Fish

Azolla can increase:

• Feed efficiency
• Average daily gain of animals
• Milk production by 15–20%
• Growth and production from livestock
• Milk quality
• Overall health condition of animals