Uropygial gland in birds

Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing food industries and plays a crucial role in the supply of protein worldwide. Providing nutrient rich feed is an important driving factor behind aquaculture sector growth and development. Traditionally, fishmeal was the primary source of protein supply in aquaculture practice for its growth. However, the aquaculture industry is shifting its focus to an alternative source of protein due to the increasing cost of fish meal and the depletion of wild stock. Plan based protein like azolla is one of the cheapest protein sources for aquafeed. Azolla is a aquatic weed which grows easily in aquaculture ponds. It is a great source of all the nutrients needed to stimulate growth and resist disease in aquatic organisms. Hence, this article emphasizes the cultural practice of Azolla, nutritional profiling, and its application in aquaculture.