Azolla production and its application

Azolla Technology

1. Objective :– Doubling farmer’s income Presentation on :- Azolla P roduction and its application Presented by:- Churamani kumar 14044 B.Sc.(Ag.) 4 th yr Presented to:- Prof. O.P. Mishra Dr. B. Jirli

2. Problems :- 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 , N 2 -volatilization, High solubility, by leaching etc. High cost of fertilizers. Cost of weed control high cost of animal feed

3. WHAT IS AZOLLA? 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.

4. Species of Azolla found:- A . filiculoides A . caroliniana A . mexicana A . microphylla (U.P.) A. nilotica A . pinnata (TN,AP)

5. Characteristics 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

6. S. no. Constituents Dry matter(%) 1. Crude protein 24-30 2. Crude fat 3.3-3.6 3. Nitrogen 4-5 4. Phosphorous 0.5-0.9 5. Calcium 0.4-1.0 6. Potassium 2-4.5 7. Magnesium 0.5-0.65 8. Manganese 0.11-0.16 9. Iron 0.06 - 0.26 10. Soluble sugars 3.5 11. Crude fire 9.1 12. Starch 6.54 Chemical composition of Azolla Source: Singh and Subudhi (1978a)

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. Requirements for growth :-

8. The species vary in their requirement of ideal temperature . In general, the optimum is 20⁰ C to 30 ⁰ 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. Selection of location for the pond :- 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. Material required for preparation of one pit :- Plastic sheet (21 x 3 m 2 ) Healthy Azolla culture (8-10 Kg.) Soil (80-100 Kg.) fresh dung (10 Kg. In 20 Ltr . Water) Net (1 m 2 ) SSP(100 gm.) Carbofuran 3G(100 gm.)

11. Method of production of Azolla :- 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. Maintenance of Azolla :- 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.

13. Harvesting of Azolla :- 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.

14. Uses of A zolla :- 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.

15. Application of Azolla in rice field :- 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 .

16. 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.

17. Economic analysis of pit preparation :- S. No. Materials Quantity Rate( ₹ ) Value( ₹ ) 1. Plastic sheet (21 x 3 m 2 ) 4 ₹ 12/m 2 ₹ 3024 2. Labour 4 ₹ 290 ₹ 1160 3. SSP 400 gm. ₹ 10/Kg. ₹ 4 4. Azolla Culture 1 Kg. ₹ 250/Kg. ₹ 250 5. Carbofuran 3G 400 gm. ₹ 70/Kg. ₹ 28 6. Nylon net 1 m 2 ₹ 25/m 2 ₹ 25 7. Additional expenses ₹ 200 Total Expenditure ₹ 4691

18. Economic Analysis :- S. No. Materials req. Traditional method Dual cropping with Azolla 1. Fertilizer(150:60:60) Urea( ₹ 5.5/ Kg. ) 326 Kg. 260 Kg. SSP( ₹ 7.2/Kg. ) 333 Kg. 278 Kg. MOP( ₹ 16.8/Kg. ) 100 Kg. 100 Kg. 2. Yield a) Grain ( ₹ 1470/ Qtl . ) 48 Qtl . 60 Qtl . 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

19. 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.

20. Thank You