Functions of Duckweed as a Natural Water Purifying Agent and as a Feed Source for Laying Hens

Duckweed plants have been seen to grow naturally in Jordan’s irrigation ponds. Their massive reproductive capacity causes the formation of a dense cover of these plants, and raises the attention towards studying their functions as a natural water purifying agent, and as a feed source for laying hens. Therefore, this paper examined the average percentages of nutrients’ removal by duckweed, and the production performance of laying hens. The results showed that the growth of duckweed in irrigation ponds serves as a purifier for irrigation water. These plants remove an average of 20% Ca, 33% Mg, 21% K, 13% Cl, 25% SO4, 35% PO4, 1.5% Na, and 40% NO3. The analysis of the water source in irrigation ponds showed that the heavy metals (Zn, Cd, Pb, and Cu), are within Ideal Detection Limits. The analyzed duckweed samples contain 26% protein, 2913 Kcal/Kg metabolizable energy, 5.2 fiber, 3.1% fat, 4.3% Ca and 0.86% P. A feeding trial was conducted on laying hens by replacing part of soybean with percentage of duckweed, and proved its efficiency on laying hens egg production. The results highlight the importance of this research to undergo further studies as to the utilization of these plants as a water purifier, and as the future promising feed source for livestock sector.