This document discusses the production and use of Azolla, a small free-floating aquatic fern. It notes that Azolla fixes nitrogen through a symbiotic relationship with cyanobacteria, requires partial shade and adequate water levels to grow, and is rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals. It then provides details on establishing Azolla production ponds, harvesting, and applying Azolla to rice fields as green manure or in dual cropping systems. The dual cropping method provides higher yields and profits compared to traditional fertilizer use alone. Over six months, a farmer can earn additional profits of nearly 4 lakh rupees from selling harvested Azolla.
1. Objective :– Doubling farmer’s income
Presentation on :-
Azolla Production and its application
Presented by:-
Churamani kumar
14044
B.Sc.(Ag.) 4th yr
Presented to:-
Prof. O.P. Mishra
Dr. B. Jirli
2. Nitrogen efficiency is only 20-30 % in traditional
method of nutrient management in rice field.
Deterioration in soil health.
Loss of nitrogen from soil due to-
Denitrification, N2-volatilization, High solubility,
by leaching etc.
High cost of fertilizers.
Cost of weed control
high cost of animal feed
3. Azolla spp. are free-floating freshwater ferns.
Live symbiotically with Anabaena azollae, a nitrogen-
fixing blue-green algae.
A main stem growing at the surface of the water, with
alternate leaves and adventitious roots at regular intervals
along the stem.
Azolla fronds are triangular or polygonal
Float on the water surface individually or in mats.
Also known as duckweed ferns.
Size(dia.)- ranges from 1/3 to 1 inch (1-2.5 cm) to 6 inches
(15 cm) or more.
5. Rich in crude protein(19-30%)
Rich in Essential amino acid
High ash content(14-20%)
Contain several vitamins(Vit. A,B-12 & β-carotene)
Rich in minerals(Ca,Zn,Cu,Mg,K,P etc.)
Nitrogen fixation
Maintain soil health when applied in field
Bioremediation
Provide different nutrients
Rapid multiplication rate
Weed control
7. Azolla is naturally found in ponds, ditches and
wetlands of warm temperate and tropical regions
throughout the world.
It requires light for photosynthesis and grows well
in partial shade.
Generally, Azolla needs 25 to 50 per cent of full
sunlight for its normal growth.
Water is the basic requirement for the growth and
multiplication of Azolla and is extremely sensitive
to lack of water.
Maintenance of adequate water level (at least 4
inches in the pond) is essential.
8. The species vary in their requirement of ideal
temperature. In general, the optimum is 20⁰ C to
30⁰ C. Temperatures above 37 ⁰ C will seriously
affect the multiplication of Azolla.
The optimum relative humidity is 85 to 90 per cent.
The optimum pH is 5 to 7. Too acidic or alkaline pH
has an adverse effect on this fern.
Azolla absorbs the nutrients from water. Though all
elements are essential, phosphorus is the most
common limiting element for its growth. About 20
ppm of phosphorus in the water is optimum.
Micronutrient application improves the multiplication
and growth.
Contd......
9. Select an area near to the house to ensure regular
upkeep and monitoring of the pond.
A suitable water source should be nearby for
regular water supply.
The site under partial shade
The floor area of the pond should be free of
pointed stones, roots and thorns
Land should thoroughly prepared and levelled
uniformly.
10. Plastic sheet (21 x 3 m2)
Healthy Azolla culture (8-10 Kg.)
Soil (80-100 Kg.)
fresh dung (10 Kg. In 20 Ltr. Water)
Net (1 m2)
SSP(100 gm.)
Carbofuran 3G(100 gm.)
11. For One Hectare of land, prepare 4 pits having size 20 m x
2 m x 0.25 m and cover it with plastic sheet and press the
edge by the soil.
Lay 80-100 kg soil per pit uniformly on the floor.
Make a solution of fresh cow dung and put it on the soil
surface with the help of sieve.
Fill the plot with 5-10 cm of water.
Inoculated with Azolla (8-10 Kg).
Sprinkle with 1-2 litres of water so that the roots get
settled.
Single super phosphate (100 g) in 2-3 split doses is applied
at an interval of 4 days to each plot.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18. Maintain 5-10 cm water level in the pit.
Keep fertile soil at 30 days intervals.
Put dung solution at a 15-day interval.
When the problem of pest appears, add 100 grams
of Carbofuran 3G per pit after 7-8 days.
Any litter or aquatic weeds seen in the pond should
be removed regularly.
The pond needs to be emptied once in six months
and cultivation has to be restarted with fresh
Azolla culture and soil.
19. After15-20 days, the thick layer of
Azolla will develop having weight about
100-150 Kg.
Harvest the two-third of Azolla and use
it in the rice field.
Leave for one-third of Azolla's part for
reproduction in the pit.
After 15 days,one can harvest 3 Kg. of
Azolla per day.
20. In rice field as dual cropping and green
manuring.
Used as cattle feed.
Used as bio-fertilizer in Organic farming.
Food for fishes.
Food for pig, goat, poultry and other
livestock.
Note:- In case of livestock feed, Azolla should
washed 4-5 time with fresh water.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25. The most common mode of application of Azolla in the field
is as green manure or as a dual crop along with rice.
As green manure :-
Azolla collected directly from ponds/ditches is applied in the
field. A thick mat of Azolla will be formed after application in
about 2-3 weeks time and can be incorporated in the soil. Rice
can also be transplanted in the field subsequently. Single super
phosphate (25-50 kg ha₋1) is applied in split doses. Azolla
application by this mode contributes around 20-40 kg N ha₋1.
26. In dual cropping :-
Azolla is grown along with rice and each crop of Azolla
contributes on an average 30 kg N ha₋1.
After 7-10 days of transplantation fresh inoculums of
Azolla is applied in the field at the rate of 0.50-1.0 ton ha₋1.
Single super phosphate is applied at the rate of 20 kg ha₋1
in split doses.
In about 15-20 days time a thick mat of Azolla is formed
weighing 10-20 tonnes.
Azolla thus incorporated decomposes in about 8-10 days
time and release the fixed nitrogen.
31. S. No. Materials req. Traditional method Dual cropping with
Azolla
1. Fertilizer(150:60:60)
a) Urea(₹ 5.5/ Kg.) 326 Kg. 260 Kg.
b) SSP(₹ 7.2/Kg.) 333 Kg. 278 Kg.
c) MOP(₹ 16.8/Kg.) 100 Kg. 100 Kg.
2. Yield
a) Grain (₹ 1470/Qtl.) 48 Qtl. 60 Qtl.
b) Straw(₹ 50/Qtl.) 96 Qtl. 120 Qtl.
3. Total expenses ₹ 5871 ₹ 5112+ ₹4691=
₹9803
6. Total income ₹ 75360 ₹ 94200
7. Net profit ₹ 69489 ₹ 84397
8. Additional Profit --------- ₹ 14908
32. Again after 15-20 days we can harvest 3 Kg. Per day Azolla
from each pond. So farmer can harvest 12 Kg. Per day.
Hence, Farmer can harvest ----
12 x 150 Kg. = 1800 Kg. From one culture because after 6
months old one is discarded and new culture required.
If we take an account loss due to weather condition is 15%
then farmer at least harvest 1530 Kg. Of azolla.
Cost of Azolla for 1 Kg. = ₹ 250
Cost of Azolla for 1530 Kg. = ₹ 250 x 1530 = ₹ 382500
Therefore, total profit in six month is,
₹ 382500+ ₹ 14908 = ₹ 397408
Additional benefits of azolla such as improving soil health
which is invaluable.
