Azolla Cultivation
Azolla Cultivation
Azolla is a genus of seven species of aquatic ferns in the family Salviniaceae. It is a wonderful plant and it is a branched free-floating aquatic fern, and it rapidly grows on the surface of the water.it is easily on every conditions, it is no need any special climate. Many farmers face a big problem due to Limited resources cattle feed they often struggle to produce sufficient feed for that animals. But Azolla is the right option in front of them. Azolla is ideal sustainable feed for cattle, fish, pig. Azolla is a highly productive plant. It doubles its biomass in 1.9 days or more, and this all depending on conditions. Azolla also used as bio fertilizer in the farm, it is show best result as use fertilizer .so many farmers attract the Azolla ferns and cultivate it. Azolla cultivation is most popular in some countries like China, Vietnam, and the Philippines, etc. Azolla fixes environmental nitrogen to the plant and it is help to reduce the consumption of chemical fertilizer (urea) in agriculture .it is an excellent source of nitrogen also it to has high nutrient value.
Important tips to grow Azolla
- Azolla rapidly grows so maintain Azolla biomass 300 gms – 350 gms /sq.meterhence harvest daily to avoid overcrowding.
- In azollaproduction pondAdd once in 5 days mixture of Super Phosphate, and cow dung also add mixture containing magnesium, iron, copper,Sulfur etc. at weekly intervals to enhance the mineral content of Azolla.
- Replace 25 to 30% old water with fresh water, once in 10 days; it helps to preventnitrogen build up in the pond.
- Replace complete water and soil, at least once in six months and thenadd Fresh Azolla seeds.
- Maintain the water level of at least 10 cm, so Azolla root doesn’t grow in the soil bykeeping the roots floating it becomes easy to harvest.
- Harvested Azolla wash thoroughly, so it removes dirt and smell of cow dung and thenfeeds them to animals.