organic Fertilizer - Azolla

 Azolla cultivation and its applications

Azolla, popularly known as 'Kammal moss' by the rural people, is an organism that should be present in every farmer's garden. That said, Azolla can be said to be an adjunct to organic farming. It does not just do the job of enriching the soil. Azolla also plays an important role in sheep, cow, poultry, and fish farming. Also, giving Azolla will reduce the cost of feed by 25%. Giving to chickens may increase egg-laying capacity. The weight of the egg will also increase. Grows faster than fish. The weight of the goat also increases when it is fed to the goats. Sheep are threatened by bluetongue diseases. Just like you can make snacks with drumstick spinach, with Azolla. Dietitians recommend eating this protein-rich diet.

Once Azolla begins to grow, it will continue to grow and bear fruit many times over. Azolla can be grown simply, at a low cost. For this, store water in a tank 7 cm to 10 cm high. You can also build the tank on the floor using polythene sheets and bricks. The tank must be in a place where it is exposed to sunlight. Azolla will have grown tenfold in the next single week. If you want Azolla again, just put it in the dung and rock dust bin. It will start to swell. Azolla can be applied at the rate of 20 kg/acre in paddy crops. The paddy field is spread out like a green blanket. Thus, water evaporation will be prevented. Weeds in paddy are also controlled. Yields are higher than usual.

picking the second weed

Do not keep Azolla in the field until paddy harvest as it does good. When picking the second weed, the Azolla should be trampled in the field. This provides important nutrients to the crop such as foliage, manure, and ash. In the case of paddy cultivation, good yields can be obtained in the field if the three begums Azolla are used continuously as an input. The soil will also multiply. Whichever crop is cultivated in the next course, good yields will be obtained. Farmers need to make use of this wonderful bio-fertilizer. Some people do not grow properly when growing Azolla for the first time. The next time you use the right amount of dung, rock ... etc., it will definitely grow better and bear fruit. So do not hesitate to block the first attempt. "

Green fodder

Azolla is a wonderful green fodder and it is a floating aquatic organism. It can grow on the surface of the water. Many farmers are struggling to produce enough fodder for their livestock due to the shortage of fodder and rising prices. Azolla is a perfect solution for them. Azolla is a stable fodder for livestock, fish, pigs, and poultry and is also used as a bio-fertilizer on farms. So many farmers are attracted to Azolla cultivation. Azolla cultivation is very popular in countries like China, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Azolla is the best source of nitrogen. A small investment is sufficient for Azolla cultivation. It is a low-cost alternative solution for good fodder and bio-fertilizer.

Azolla Cultivation Methods:

Need to create a pond for growing Azolla. To create an Azolla cultivation pond, it is best to choose a slightly shady area as Azolla requires 30% sunlight. Excessive sunlight can affect growth. The area under the tree is ideal. If you decide to grow Azolla on a large scale, you can create small concrete pots, otherwise, you can create a pond of any size you want. After digging the soil into the pond and leveling the soil, spread plastic sheeting around the ground to prevent water loss. The pond should be at least 20 cm deep. Spread the soil evenly on the plastic sheet in the pond. Add 10-15 kg of soil to a 2 m x 2 m pond. Azolla needs humus to grow well, for which cow dung + superphosphate can be used. Next, fill the pond with water to a depth of about 10 cm. Then leave the pond for 2 to 3 days. After 2-3 days add Azolla seeds to the pond. Harvest can start after 2 weeks. From a 2m x 2m pond, you can harvest 1 kg of Azolla every day.

Fodder for cattle

   Azolla is high in protein, amino acids, vitamins (vitamin A, vitamin B12, beta carotene), and minerals, so it is an excellent nutritional food for livestock. Also, Azolla has low lignin. Therefore Easily digested by cattle. Feeding Azolla to chickens increases weight and egg production. Milk production can be increased by 15-20% when 1.5 - 2 kg of Azolla is fed to livestock in combination with regular fodder. Azolla can be fed to goats, pigs, rabbits, and fish. ‘I can’t buy livestock and feed them Azolla and raise and sell them. The investments for that are nowhere to be found. Anyway, I grow Azolla and clean the harvest and give it to the dairy farm next door. I sell 3 to 5 kg of harvested cinnamon daily for 30 rupees a kg. This brings in 100 to 150 daily income, ”said a woman from Thoothukudi.

Bio-fertilizer

Azolla absorbs atmospheric nitrogen and stores it in leaves. Paddy cultivation increases the yield by 20% when grown in the field.

Weed control

In paddy fields, Azolla forms a thick layer and controls weeds. This reduces the rate of water evaporation and maintains soil moisture for long days.

Mosquito control

Azolla has another ability to control the mosquito breeding process.

One kilo of Azolla = one kilo of Oil cake

‘Lack of fodder is one of the major problems faced by cattle breeders like me. Up to 70% of the cost of feed is for dairy cows. Such costly red asymmetric fodder reduces milk production. Giving Azolla significantly reduces the cost of feed. Azolla contains amino acids that are essential for growth in livestock and are easily digested. The cost of producing one kg of Azolla is less than one rupee. But, its value is equivalent to one kilogram of cake. Milk production is available at 10 to 20 percent more

Other links - Build your own home garden part - 1