Production of Azolla for livestock feed and plant fertilizer

 

Production of Azolla for livestock feed and plant fertilizer

 Introduction

          Azolla is a free-floating , rapidly growing aquatic fern on the water surface.       It is useful to feed supplements for livestock , poultry , and fish. It floats like a small , flat , compact green mass. Under ideal conditions , the Azolla plant grows exponentially , doubling its biomass every three days. There are at least eight species of azolla worldwide; Azolla caroliniana , Azolla circinata , Azolla japonica , Azolla Mexicana , Azolla microphylla , Azolla nilotoca , Azolla pinnata and Azolla rubra.

          Among different species of the genus Azolla , Azolla pinnata is popular. The higher CP content (above 20%) and presence of essential amino acids (high lysine content)vitamins like A & B and minerals like calcium , phosphorous , potassium , and magnesium made Azolla useful feed supplement for livestock , poultry , and fish. Also same way use to cultivate Azolla for the plant fertilizer. Azolla has high nitrogen amount , it helps to growing plants.

Requirements for growth

1.    Light for photosynthesis  (25 to 50% of full sunlight for its normal growth)

2.    Water for growth and multiplication (at least 4 inches in the pond)

3.    Temperature (20 to 30 ⁰C)

4.    RH (85 to 90%)

5.    PH(5 to 7)

6.    Phosphorous  (about 20ppm of phosphorous in the water is optimum. Micronutrient application improves multiplication and growth.)

Azolla cultivation

          For the azolla cultivation , a shallow freshwater pond is ideal.

Maintenance of pond

          Application of about one kilogram of cow dung and about 100 grams of superphosphate once in two weeks will ensure better growth of Azolla.

          Any litter or aquatic weeds are seen in the pond should be removed regularly.

          The pond needs to be emptied once in six months and cultivation must be restarted with fresh Azolla culture.

Azolla production

          Sieved fertile soil mixed with cow dung and water needs to be spread uniformly in the pond.

          About one kilogram of fresh Azolla culture is needed for a pond of 6 Í 4 feet size.

          It must be applied uniformly in the pond. Biogas slurry can also be used instead of dung. The depth of water should be four to six inches.

Selection of site

          It is better to select an area near the house to ensure regular upkeep and monitoring of the pond.

          A suitable water source should be nearby for a regular water supply.

          The site under partial shade is ideal or else , shade must be created to reduce the evaporation of water and , for better growth of Azolla.

          The floor area of the pond should be free of pointed stones , roots , and thorns that can puncture the sheet and cause leakage of water.

Pond size and construction

          The size of the pond depends on factors like the number of animals , the quantity of supplemental feed required , and the availability of resources.

          For smallholders , an area of 6 Í 4 feet for Azolla cultivation can produce about one kilogram of supplemental feed per day.

          The selected area should be cleaned and leveled. The sidewalls of the pond can be of either brick or raised embankment with the excavated soil.

          After spreading the durable plastic sheet ( in the pond , all the sides must be secured properly by placing bricks over the side walls.

          After the inoculation of culture , the pond needs to be covered with a net to provide partial shade and , to prevent the fall of leaves and other debris into the pond.

          Thin wooden poles or bamboo sticks are to be placed over the pond walls to support the shade net.

          Bricks or stones can be used as weights on the edges for securing the plastic sheet and , the net over the pond area.

Harvesting and Feeding of Azolla

          Depending on the initial quantity of culture added , environmental conditions , and nutrition , Azolla’s growth in the pond will be completed in about two to three weeks.

          It can be harvested daily after full growth. Plastic sieves can be used to harvest the biomass from the pond’s surface.

          About 800 to 900 grams of fresh Azolla (mean yield per day in a season) can be produced from an area of 6Í4 feet. Azolla can be fed to the livestock either in fresh or dried form.

          It can be given directly or mixed with concentrates to cattle, poultry, sheep, goat, pigs, and rabbits.

          In the studies with over 100 dairy farmers done in India, feeding of Azolla at 800g (fresh weight) on an average per day , improved the monthly milk yield by at least 10 liters per cow. It takes a few days for the animals to get used to the taste of Azolla.

          Azolla must be washed thoroughly with fresh water to remove the smell of dung. Firstly mix with other foods and provide it to animals after few days wen provide Azolla alone for animals.

          For plants, harvested Azolla dry well and make dust and it is put to the near of plant stem soil.

 

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