TO SET AZOLLA BED

Need of project :

Work has been done on Azolla in Vigyan Ashram. Azolla needs 25°C temperature .This summer temp rises to much around 40°C , Azolla got burned and decompose so we decided to set up new azolla bed.

INTRODUCTION :

Azolla spp. are free -floating freshwater ferns .
Live symbiotically with Anabaena azollae ‘a nitrogen -fixingblue -green algae .
A main stem growing at the surface of the water ,with alternate leaves and adventitious root at regular intervals along the stem .
azolla fronds are triangular or polygonal .
floats on the water surface individually or in mats .

Azolla bed

CHARACTERITICS :

Rich crude protein (19 -30% )
Rich in essential amino acids ,
Rapid multiplication rate .
Contain several vitamins (vit .A ,B-12 &B-Carotene )
Rich in minerals (ca ,zn ,cu ,mg ,k,p etc .)

REQUIREMENTS FOR GROWTH :

Azolla is naturally found in ponds ,ditches and wetlands of warm temparature and tropical regions throughout the world .
Generally , azolla needs 25 to 50 % of full sunlight for its normal growth .
Maintenance of adequate water level .
Water is the basic requirement for the growth and multiplication of azolla and is extremely sensitive to lack of water.

Material required for preparation :

Azolla bed ( 12x4x1)
Healthy azolla (1 -2 kg )
Fertile soil (10 kg)
Fresh cow dung (10 kg )
SSP (50 gm )

Methods of production of azolla :

Took a bed of 12 x 4 x 1 m is a first step. All corners of the bed should be at the same level so that a uniform water level can be maintained.
About 10 – 15 kg of sieved fertile soil is uniformly spread over the silpauline sheet.
Slurry made of 10 kg cow dung and 50g of Super Phosphate mixed in 10 litres of water, is poured onto the sheet.
More water is poured on to raise the water level to about 10 cm.
About 1 – 1.5 kg of fresh and pure culture of azolla is placed in the water.
This will grow rapidly and fill the pit within 10 – 15 days. Slurry made of 5 kg cow dung and 50 g of Super Phosphate mixed in 10 litres of water, is poured onto the sheet.
More water is poured on to raise the water level to about 10 cm.
From then on, 500 – 600 g of azolla can be harvested daily.
A micronutrient mix containing magnesium, iron, copper ,sulphur etc., mixture of 50 g of Super Phosphate and about 5 kg of cow dung should be added once every 5 days in order to maintain rapid multiplication of the azolla and to maintain the daily yield of 1 -2 kg .
A micronutrient mix containing magnesium, iron, copper ,sulphur etc., can also be added at weekly intervals to enhance the mineral content of azolla .

PH MAINTAINING

PH READING :

PH should be maintained at 6.5 .

DAY	Bed 1	Bed 2	Bed 3
1	9.5	9.1	9.3
2	9.8	8.3	8.4
3	7.5	8.1	8.2
4	7.1	7.4	7.6
5	7.5	7.1	7.3

Reading of pH of Azolla

Importance Of Azolla :

1 .It is important to keep azolla at the rapid multiplication growth phase with the minimum doubling time. Therefore biomass (around 200 per square meter) should be removed every day or on alternate days to avoid overcrowding.

2 .Periodic application of cow-dung slurry, phosphate and other macro and micronutrients except nitrogen, will keep the fern multiplying rapidly.

3.The temperature should be kept below 25 °C. If the temperature goes up the light intensity should be reduced by providing shade.If possible, it is best to place the production unit where it is shady.

4. The pH should be tested periodically and should be maintained between 5.5 and 7. 5. About 5 kg of bed soil should be replaced with fresh soil, once in 30 days,to avoid nitrogen build up and prevent micro-nutrient deficiency.

5. 25 to 30 percent of the water also needs to be replaced with freshwater, once every 10 days, to prevent nitrogen build up in the bed.

6 .The bed should be cleaned, the water and soil replaced and new azolla inoculated once every six months.

7 . A fresh bed has to be prepared and inoculated with pure culture of azolla, when contaminated by pest and diseases.

8 . The azolla should be washed in fresh water before use to remove the smell of cow dung.

Harvesting of Azolla :

After 15-20 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 .
Leaves for one-third of Azolla’s part for reproduction in pit .
After 15 days , One can harvest 3 kg of Azolla per day .