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Prospect of Using Azolla as Bio-fertilizer for Rice Cultivation

Harun-Ar-Rashid,
Agronony Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur

S.A. Satter,
Agronomy Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur

M. A. Mazid
Agronomy Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur

M. B. Rahman
Agronomy Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur

A.J.M.A.Islarn
Agronomy Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Climatic constraints limit year around growth of azolla in Bangladesh. Maximum biomass of about 23 t/ha was produced in a period of one month during August and October and started to decline thereafter with the decrease in temperature. The optimum time for azolla multiplication was from early July to mid-November. No- azolla survived during the cool season under natural conditions. To maintain the inoculum, repeated application of phosphorus at 4 to 8 kg P₂0₅/ha/week was essential. Grain yield obtained with 46.5 kg N/ha from fresh azolla was similar to that with 61.5 kg Nlha from urea. At Joydebpur incorporation of azolla alone before or after planting of rice gave grain yield similar to that obtained with 90 kg N/ha from urea. Combination of azolla-N and urea-N in the ratio of 1:1 gave significantly the highest grain yield in boro season, while in wet season a ratio of 5 : 1 appeared better in this respect.

Keywords: Azolla, Bio-fertilizer, Rice cultivation

Location: BRRI Gazipur-1701

Start Date: 01-03-1980

End Date: 30-11-1981

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Bio fertilizer

Objectives:

Banglanesh farmers usually remove azolla from paddy field considering it as weed. Based on some preliminary work at BRRI, some farmers around Joydebpur learned to use them as fertilizer for lowland rice but still the usefulness of Azolla is not widely known. This paper is a summary of work done during 1978 to 1981 at BRRI on the possibility of using azolla as bio-fertilizer for rice cultivation in Bangladesh.

Methodology:

Effect of air temperature and solar radiation on multiplication. Three strains of Azolla pinnate were collected from India, Malaysia and Norshingdi (Bangladesh) and were grown in one square meter plot arranged in RCB with three replications from March to November during 1980 and 1981. Azolla inoculum at 25 g/m² was applied in the plots and the total biomass produced during one month was recorded. Effect of phosphorus, Azolla (Norshingdi) was grown in 2.5x2m plot in August, 1980 and July 1981 and 1982. Azolla was inoculated at 300 g/m². Phosphorus in the form of powdered TSP was applied on the Azolla as solution at 0, 4 and 8 kg P₂0₅/ha once a week. The plots were arranged in RCB with ^-three replications. Green biomass produced in each week was recorded and the total green biomass produced in two weeks was presented. Azolla as a source of nitrogen. Nitrogen at 20, 40 and 60 kg/ha was supplied from either fresh azolla or prilled urea. These treatments were compared with checks involving no-added N and 80 kg N/ha from prilled urea. Nitrogen from urea was applied in three equal splits as per recommended practices. Rice variety BR4 was planted in August, 1978. All treatments were arranged in RCB with three replications. Proportion of N from urea and azolla. Nitrogen at 80 kg/ha was applied from fresh Azolla (green manure) and urea in the ratios of 1:1, 1:3 and 3:1. The variety BR4 in aman, (wet and warm season), 1978 and BR3 in boro (dry and cold season), 1979 were used for the trial. In another treatment only 20 kg N/ha each from azolla and urea totalling 40 kg N/ha was applied. The treatments were compared with a control involving no added nitrogen. All treatments were replicated thrice and were arranged in RCB design.

Source of Information: Bangladesh Agron. J. 1(1) : 1-13, 1986

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1. Government

Budget: 50000/-

Total Budget (Tk.) : 50000/-

Achievement/Findings:

Growth of azolla started to increase with the increase in air temperature during March to August and started declining thereafter with the decrease in temperature. The maximum biomass Norshingdi strain (about 23 t/ha) was harvested during August and the same amount was harvested from Malaysia strain during October. The optimum time for Azolla multiplication was from July to November. As the ferns grew older its green color changed to pink or reddish which was exactly similar to that of phosphorus-deficient azolla plants. During October or November these became pinkish under full sunlight and remained green under shade and sporulation took place during February-March. Though light is required for photosynthetic activity of azolla, its growth rate was reported to be higher in 25% sunlight during midday in the tropics.

Knowledge Management: Journal