Organic Manure Tests on the Yield and Nutritional Content of the Duckweed (Lemna minor L.) Cultivated in the Geothermal Waters in Southeastern Algeria

Et Al., Merah

doi:10.21608/ejabf.2025.428016

Organic Manure Tests on the Yield and Nutritional Content of the Duckweed (Lemna minor L.) Cultivated in the Geothermal Waters in Southeastern Algeria

Author

Merah et al.

10.21608/ejabf.2025.428016

Abstract

The growth of duckweed (Lemna minor) was studied between June 3 and July 2, 2022, in an outdoor, semi-shaded, discontinuous system consisting of nine basins (1.2 × 0.5 × 0.12m³). These basins were divided into three different organic manure treatments: M1 (goat manure), M2 (pigeon droppings), and M3 (a 1:1 mixture of M1 and M2). The experiment was conducted under an initial average conductivity of 3.4μS cm⁻¹, corresponding to a salinity of 1.6 ppt, and an average daylight intensity of 4,590 lux. L. minor was evaluated for its growth performance and nutritional composition. The highest biomass production was recorded in treatment M3, ranging from 0.21 to 0.3 kg m⁻² month⁻¹, with a relative growth rate (RGR) between 0.09 and 0.41 g g⁻¹ day⁻¹. Protein and essential amino acid contents were significantly higher (P< 0.05) in duckweed grown under M3 and M1 treatments. Given its high nutritional value and production potential, L. minor could serve as an alternative protein source in livestock feed, particularly in aquafeed.

Keywords