The links on this page represent only a fraction of the technical literature, little of which is available on-line.   If you know of other papers available on-line, please send me the URL address.
 

General Information

Duckweed Nutritional Composition.  - Tables of nutrients and links to sources.

Duckweed -a Potential High-Protein Feed Resource for Domestic Animals and Fish.
R A Leng, J H Stambolie and R Bell. (1995) Livestock Research for Rural Development  Volume 7 Number 1 (36Kb)

In the hands of this group, "...duckweeds yield 10-30 ton DM/ha/year containing up to 43% crude protein, 5% lipids and a highly digestible dry matter."

This is a practical how-to manual with plenty of color photos illustrating the construction and maintenance of their facility.

Duckweed - Not just for Ducks
Research from the Tropical Ecological Farm, College of Agriculture and Forestry -CAF, Thu Duc, Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam.

"Duckweed is probably the fastest growing multi-cellular plant. It grows naturally on waste water and can double its weight in 24 hours.   It is unique amongst plants in that its protein content can be manipulated according the nitrogen content of the water in which it is growing. This is important because it integrates with the biodigester. It is the ideal water plant to introduce into an integrated farming system because it can use the nitrogen in the effluent coming from the biodigester to enrich its protein content to a level only slightly lower than Soya Bean, approaching 35%. In terms of protein production, grown under ideal conditions in can produce 10 tonnes of protein per hectare per year. This compares with Soya bean which produces less than 1 tonne per year.

Duckweed is good for the environment because it doesn’t require artificial fertilizers, on the contrary it cleans up waste by removing organic and inorganic nitrogen coming from decomposition of organic matter, contributing to the fight against eutrophication. It doesn’t need fungicides and has no significant natural pests.

Duckweed can be eaten by chickens, ducks and pigs and can supply all of the protein needs for locally adapted breeds."

Construction of duckweed ponds in sandy soils.

"The trials have been very successful with both ducks and chickens. A bonus is that duckweed contains high amounts of carotene, which makes a strong yellow yolk without the need for synthetic colouring. There are also good prospects for trials being undertaken on sheep, pigs and even cattle."  - This article refers to work done together with Bio-Tech Waste Management.

Lawson, T.B. 1973. Methods of drying duckweed (Lemnaceae) and their effects on the crude protein
     content, M.S. Thesis, La. St. Univ.
LA. Lawson, T.B., H.J. Braud and F.T. Wratten. 1974. Methods of drying duckweed and their
     effects on the crude protein content. ASAE Paper No. 74-3531, Chicago, IL.

Cattle

S. O'Bryan*, T. F. Brown, and R. D. Wittie, Tarleton State University, Stephenville, TX. Utilization of phosphorus by Holstein steers fed duckweed (Lemna minor) grown on dairy wastewater. Abstract from the American Dairy Science Association American Society of Animal Science Joint Meeting, 1998 [ PDF link ]  "It appears that nitrogen and phosphorus in duckweed are used with at least the same degree of eciency as nitrogen and phosphorus from conventional feedstuffs."

Dr. Khan Shahidul Huque & Dr. Sharif Ahmed Chowdhury, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI), "Demonstration of integrated livestock-biogas-duckweed production" (photo right)

Swine

P L Domínguez, Yamilet Molinet and J Ly
Ileal and in vitro digestibility in the pig of three floating aquatic macrophytes.
Livestock Research for Rural Development Volume 8, Number 4, November 1996

Le thi Men, Bui Hong Van, Mai Thi Chinh and T R Preston
Effect of dietary protein level and duckweed (Lemna spp) on reproductive performance of pigs fed a diet of ensiled cassava root or cassava root meal.
Livestock Research for Rural Development Volume 9, Number 1, January 1997

Bui Hong Van, Le thi Men,Vo van Son and T R Preston
Duckweed (Lemna spp) as protein supplement in an ensiled cassava root diet for fattening pigs.
Livestock Research for Rural Development Volume 9, Number 1, January 1997

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Ducks

M Becerra, B Ogle, and T R Preston
Effect of Replacing Whole Boiled Soybeans with Duckweed (Lemna sp.) in the Diets of Growing Ducks.
Livestock Research for Rural Development 1996 Vol. 7 No. 3 (21Kb)

Bui Xuan Men, Brian Ogle, T R Preston
Use of Duckweed (Lemna spp) as Replacement for Soya Bean Meal in a Basal Diet of Broken Rice for Fattening Ducks.
Livestock Research for Rural Development 1996 Vol. 7 No. 3 (13Kb)

Nguyen Duc Anh and T R Preston
Evaluation of protein quality in duckweed (Lemna spp.) using a duckling growth assay.
Livestock Research for Rural Development 1997, Volume 9, Number 2.

Bui Xuan Men
The Role of Scavenging Ducks, Duckweed and Fish in Integrated Farming Systems in Vietnam.
Second FAO Electronic Conference on Tropical Feeds Livestock Feed Resources within Integrated Farming Systems, 1996.

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Revised:  July 8, 2005