Azolla is a free-floating aquatic
plant, and it rapidly grows on the surface of the water. It is the best low cost alternative feed to livestock
& It contains very high
proteins, amino acids, vitamins, minerals & essential nutrients for
livestock. Yield of Azolla per acre is 300 tonnes of green biomass per year under optimum conditions, which is equal to 800kg of Nitrogen & is equal to 1600kg of Urea. Average yield of Azolla per square feet is 30-40 gms per day.
Nutrient Composition (Dry Weight) :
Requirements :
Cultivation Procedure :
Nitrogen : 5.0 %
Phosphorous
: 0.5 %
Potassium
: 2.0-4.5 %
Calcium : 0.1-1.0 %
Magnesium
: 0.65 %
Manganese
: 0.16 %
Iron : 0.26 %
Crude
Fat : 3.0-3.3 %
Sugar : 3.4-3.5 %
Starch : 6.5 %
Chlorophyll
: 0.34-0.55 %
Ash : 10.0
%
Water : Fresh Water, 12cm Height
Temperature : 20-32 Degree
Light : Partial Shade
Soil pH : 5.2 to 5.8 pH
Cultivation Procedure :
- Select
partially shaded area because Azolla needs 30% sunlight too much sunlight
will destroy the plant. The area under the tree is preferable or use green
net with 50% shade.
- If you
decide to grow an Azolla for the large scale you can make concrete tanks or
alternatively you may use readily available tarpaulin azolla bed or dig
out the soil for pond and level the soil after that spread the tarpaulin /
HDPE sheet around the ground to prevent water loss. Make sure the
pond is at least 1 feet Deep.
- Add some
soil uniformly on the plastic sheet in the pond.
For 2M x 1M size pond add 5 kg soil. - Azolla
needs Phosphorus to grow well you can use Super Phosphate along with
cow dung slurry. Cow dung increases the available nutrients. Use, one week
old cow dung. Instead of Cow dung biogas slurry can also be used & Instead of Super
Phosphate you may use Vermi Compost or PSB Bio-Fertiliser or Waste
Decomposer or Rock Phosphate.
- Next, fill
the pond with water to 6 inches height, this will allow the short route of
the Azolla Plant to float freely then leave the pond for 2 days to
settle.
- After
2-days add 1 kg of Azolla culture & spread uniformly in the pond. It helps break Azolla into smaller pieces for faster
multiplication.
- After two-week first harvesting is ready. From pond of 2M x 1M size, you can harvest 1kg Azolla each day. Leave 1/3 of the Azolla in the pond for multiplication.
Useful Tips :
- Azolla
rapidly grows so maintain daily harvest of Azolla biomass 300 gms / sq.
meter to avoid overcrowding.
- Add
mixture of 50 gms Phosphate nutrient, and 1 kg cow dung at weekly intervals to enhance
the mineral content of Azolla.
- Replace 25
% old water with fresh water, once in 2 Weeks (bi-weekly); it helps to prevent
nitrogen build up in the pond.
- Remove litter & weeds once in a week.
- Replace
complete water and soil, at least once in six months and then
add fresh Azolla seeds & repeat the initial process.
- Maintain
the water level of at least 6 inches, so Azolla root doesn’t grow in the soil.
By keeping the roots floating it
becomes easy to harvest.
- Wash thoroughly after harvesting Azolla, It removes dirt and smell of cow dung and then feed them to livestocks.
- Feed it directly (Fresh / Dry) or mix it with concentrate.
