Abstract: A thirty days growth trial was conducted to evaluate the growth characteristics and proximate composition of duckweed (Lemna minor) cultured in poultry (T1), pig(T2) and cattle dungs(T3) with a 9 fiber glass tanks of 1m x 0.5m x 0.5m square that is already enriched with the organic manure in triplicates. Observation revealed that biomass increase occurred every day. Harvesting was carried out every four days for five times successfully and total yield was 18.20 kg for poultry media, 11.30kg for pig dung media and 19,30kg respectively. The growth of duckweed harvested from various media were air-dried and representative samples taken for proximate analysis. The proximate composition of the three samples were compared, the results obtained showed that crude protein recorded (7.50% in T1, 10.18% in T2 and 9.55% in T3), crude fibre (12.24% in T1, 10.52% in T2 and 11.78% in T3), ash (13.14% in T1, 11.75% in T2 and 13.95% in T3), dry matter (9.89% in T1, 7.53% in T2 and 8.15% in T3), nitrogen free extract (1.20%% in T1, 1.63 in T2 and 1.52 in T3), moisture conten (9.89% in T1, 7.53% in T2 and 8.15% in T3), fat (2.24% in T1, 1.95% in T2 and 2.28% in T3), and carbohydrate (55.00% in T1, 58.07% in T2 and 54.00% in T3) fractions respectively. The proximate composition of the cultured duckweed appeared higher in all fractions beside the crude protein. However, irrespective of the medium where the duckweed was harvested, the crude protein value obtained suggested that duckweed can be incorporated into livestock feeds as a protein supplement, particularly when grown on nutrient rich mediums and in livestocks that does not require much protein like in tilapia.

| DOI: 10.17148/IARJSET.2021.81202