Friday 31 October 2008

AZOLA PREPARATION

Azolla

Azolla is a floating fern which resembles algae. It is rich in proteins, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Mass multiplication “Normally azolla is grown in paddy fields or shallow water bodies. In some places it is grown in concrete tanks. The soil is first cleared of weeds and levelled. Bricks with a length of about 10 cm are lined horizontally in a rectangular fashion. A UV stabilised silpauline sheet of 2.5 x 1.8 mt size with 150 gm thickness is uniformly spread over the bricks in such a way as to cover the margin of the rectangle made by the bricks. About 30-35 kg of sieved soil is uniformly spread over the silpauline pit, which will provide the primary nutrient base for Azolla. Carbon source About 4-5 kg of two days old cow dung is made into a slurry (fresh biogas slurry may also be used) after mixing it in 15-20 lts of water, which provides the carbon source for Azolla. About 40 gms of macro-nutrient mix (mixing 10kg of rock phosphate, 1.5 kg of magnesium and 20-50 gm of muriate of potash) are mixed in the slurry before pouring it into the azolla bed. Level of water Water level is maintained at about 7-10 cm in the pit. Wastewater from bathroom and cattle shed can also be used to fill the pit. Where there is a problem of fresh water availability, the water left after washing clothes (after the second rinsing) can also be used. About 1-1.5kg of pure mother azolla culture seed material is spread uniformly over the water, after mild stirring of soil and water in the azolla bed. Fresh water should be sprinkled over the azolla immediately after inoculation to make the azolla plants upright. In a week’s time, the azolla spreads all over the bed and develops a thick mat like appearance. Harvesting can be done every day from the 7th day onwards with the help of a plastic sieve or tray with holes at the bottom. Cowdung and minerals removed by the azolla biomass have to be supplemented at least once in seven days. The harvested azolla should be washed in fresh water to get rid of the cow dung smell. Mixing ratio Fresh azolla thus collected can be mixed with commercial feed in the ratio 1:1 or given directly to livestock. It was found that the milk production in cattle increased by 10-12 per cent when they were fed with azolla and there was 20-25 per cent savings on buying commercial feeds. USES OF AZOLLA Azolla increase the body weight of pouldry birds. About 2kg of soil in the azolla bed is almost equal to about 1 kg of commercial NPK fertilizer after six months.

1 comment:

dhayanithi said...

Hello,thanks for your useful valuable info about azola,now I am looking to buy azola mother seeds,kindly direct me where I can get it?How much it will cost?