- Azolla is a floating water fern that fixes atmospheric nitrogen in association with Anabaena azollae
- Fixes 25-40 kg N ha-1 and reduces application of chemical fertilizers
- For lowland paddy, can be used as green manure by inoculating 500 kg ha-1 after 7 days of transplantation
- For garden land cultivation can be used as green leaf manure @ 5 tha-1
- Releases plant nutrients and helps to improve soil physio-chemical and biological properties.
- Azolla contains 25-27% protein, 14-15% fibre, 3% fat, 45-50% carbohydrate, various minerals and micro nutrients that it can be ideally used as feed for cattle and poultry.
- About 1.5-2% can be given a day for a cattle that will result in an increase of milk yield by 10% and fat content
- About 100-200 gram is ideal for poultry that will result in increase of egg size and carotene content
- Azolla can be grown easily in silpaulin sheets and can be fed as fresh or dried
- Size of Azolla pond is 6 feet x 4 feet, 1 Kg of fresh azolla culture is required to cover the pond.
- Water depth should be 5 to 6 inches in the pond.
