Vol. 10, Issue 2, Part A (2025)

Author(s): Papori Talukdar, Robin Bhuyan, Lakhya Jyoti Borah and Jakir Hussain

Abstract: To obtain round the year fodder availability there is need to exploit underutilized high biomass aquatic plants. As from the available literature it was found that aquatic plants are rich in some nutrients and minerals and are relish by ruminant livestock. Proper processing and fortification can enhance its better utilization and nutritive value for using it as livestock feed. The present study was conducted to identify the various aquatic plants suitable for livestock feeding during fodder scarcity period. A survey was conducted through a questionnaire on availability, consumption pattern, livestock feeding practices of different aquatic plants in Kamrup (M) and Kamrup district of Assam. For this ten most suitable aquatic plants (hydrophites) preferred by ruminant livestock were documented and identified based on a survey questionnaire obtained from local livestock rearer. Identification of selected aquatic plants was done in the Department of Botany, Gauhati University. From this survey it has been observed that among the aquatic plants Ipomoea aquatica, Eichhornia crassipes, Monochoria hastata, Pistia stratiotes and Ludwigia adscandens are highly preferred by ruminant livestock.