Azolla is a free floating water fern that floats in
water and fixes nitrogen in association with the nitrogen fixing blue
green algae, Anabaena azollae. Azolla is considered to be a
potential biofertilizer in terms of nitrogen contribution to rice. Long
before its cultivation as a green manure, Azolla has been used as a
fodder for domesticated animals such as pigs and ducks. In recent days,
Azolla is very much used as a sustainable feed substitute for
livestock especially dairy cattle, poultry, piggery and fish.
Azolla contains 25 – 35 per cent protein on dry
weight basis and rich in essential amino acids, minerals, vitamins and
carotenoids including the antioxidant b carotene. Cholorophyll a,
chlorophyll b and carotenoids are also present in Azolla, while the
cyanobiont Anabaena azollae contains cholorophyll a,
phycobiliproteins and carotenoids. The rare combination of high
nutritive value and rapid biomass production make Azolla a potential
and effective feed substitute for live stocks.
Inputs required
Azolla fronds, Polythene sheet, Super phosphate and Cow dung.
Methodology
The area selected for Azolla nursery should be
partially shaded. The convenient size for Azolla is 10 feet length, 2
feet breadth and 1 feet depth. The nursery plot is spread with a
polythene sheet at the bottom to prevent water loss. Soil is applied to a
depth of 2 cm and a gram of super phosphate is applied along with 2 kg
of vermicompost or cow dung in the nursery for quick growth. Azolla
mother inoculum is introduced @ 5 kg/plot.
The contents in the plot are stirred daily so that
the nutrients in the soil dissolve in water for easy uptake by Azolla.
Azolla is harvested fifteen days after inoculation at the rate of 50-80
kg / plot. One third of Azolla should be left in the plot for further
multiplication. Five kg cow dung slurry should be sprinkled in the
Azolla nursery at ten days intervals. Neem oil can be sprayed over the
Azolla at 0.5 5 level to avoid pest incidence.
| Animal |
Dosage / day
|
| Adult cow , Buffalo, Bullock |
1.5-2 kg
|
| Layer, Broiler birds |
20 – 30 grams
|
| Goat |
300 – 500 grams
|
| Pig |
1.5 – 2.0 kg
|
| Rabbit |
100 gram
|
Value of the technology
The egg yield is increased in layer birds due to
Azolla feeding. The Azolla fed birds register an overall egg
productivity of 89.0 per cent as against 83.7 per cent recorded by the
birds fed with only concentrated feed. The average daily intake of
concentrated feed is considerably low (106.0 g) for birds due to Azolla
substitution as against 122.0 g in the control birds. More impotantly
Azolla feeding shows considerable amount of savings in the consumption
of concentrated feed (13.0 %) leading to reduced operational cost. By
considering the average cost of the concentrated feed as Rs. 17/ Kg, a
13.0 % saving in the consumption ultimately leads to a feed cost
savings of 10.0 paise /day/ bird and hence a layer unit maintaining
10,000 birds could cut down its expense towards feed to a tune of
rs.1000/day.
Benefits
The Azolla feeding to layer birds increase egg weight, albumin,
globulin and carotene contents. The total protein content of the eggs
laid by the Azolla fed birds is high and the total carotene content of
Azolla eggs(440 g 100 g-1 of edible portion)is also higher than the
control. The rapid biomass production due to the high relative growth
rate, increased protein and carotene contents and good digestability of
the Azolla hybrid Rong ping favour its use as an effective feed
supplement to poultry birds.
Effect of Azolla hybrid Rong Ping on the nutritional value of egg
| Parameters |
Azolla egg |
Control |
percentage increase over control |
| Egg weight (g) |
61.20 |
57.40 |
6.62 |
| Albumin (g /100 g of edible portion) |
3.9 |
3.4 |
14.70 |
| Globulin (g /100 g of edible portion) |
10.1 |
9.5 |
6.31 |
| Total protein (g/ 100 g of edible portion) |
14.0 |
12.9 |
8.52 |
| Carotenes (µg / 100 g of edible portion) |
440 |
405 |
8.64 |
Application
In Indian conditions, agriculture is very much
coupled with poultry farming. Azolla is an important low cost input,
which plays a vital role in improving soil quantity in sustainable rice
farming. The twin potentials as biofertilizer and animal feed make the
water fern Azolla as an effective input to both the vital components
of integrated farming, agricultural and animalo husbandry.
Limitation
Azolla is a water fern and requires a growth
temperature of 35-38º C. The multiplication of Azolla is affected under
elevated temperature. Hence adopting this technology in dry zones
where the temperature exceeds 40ºc is difficult.
Achievements
Azolla hybrid Rong ping had been selected
to supply to the tribal population. Azolla mother inoculum nursery was
laid out in villages with the help of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, TNAU,
Coimbatore and Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Karamadai, women entrepreneurs
were selected and one day training was imparted to them on the
cultivation of Azolla. Wet biomass (Starter inoculm) were supplied at
free of cost @ 10 kg/women entrepreneur during the training so as to
enable them to initiate commercial Azolla cultivation in their
backyards.
Azolla multiplication plots had been laid out in
Narasipuram. Azolla mass production training was conducted to the SHG
in Narasipuram village with the help of Kalaimagal Arts and Science
College, Narasipuram, Sappanimadai (tribal village) and Avinashilingam
KVK, Karamadai. With the help of Avinashilingam KVK, Karamadai Azolla
trainings were conducted to women volunteers and we have established
Azolla village in Karamadai. The Avin milk producers union Coimbatore
and the poultry owners association, Namakkal have been contacted and
explained the importance of Azolla as feed supplement.
The Milk Producers Union also involved in the
training and marketing of Azolla. They are purchasing Azolla fronds
from the village level Azolla growers both under wet and dry
conditions. Around 400 rural women and 370 tribal people have been
trained on the cultivation of Azolla through this project.
The Azolla laboratory and the Azolla germplasm center at AC& RI,
TNAU, Coimbatore helped us in the maintenance of germplasm by providing
the mother inoculum. The Animal Husbandry Unit at AC&RI, TNAU,
Coimbatore helped us in standardizing the Azolla and concentrated feed
mixing ratio.
Azolla mass multiplication in pits
Feeding Azolla to Rabbit
Feeding Azolla to Rabbit
Feeding Azolla to Poultry
Feeding Azolla to Poultry
Feeding Azolla to Livestock
Feeding Azolla to Livestock
Inoculating Super phosphate and Cow dung in Azolla pit
6. List of Biofertilizer production units in Tamil Nadu
Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Agriculture College and Research Institute,
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
Dr. S. Anthoniraj
MADURAI-625 104
( 0452-422956 fax: 422785
e-mail:
s_anthoniraj@yahoo.com
Biofertilizer Production Unit, Department of Agriculture, Govt. of Tamil Nadu
Gundusalai Road, Sommandalam,
CUDDALORE-607 001 (TN)
Biofertilizer Production Unit, Department of Agriculture, Govt. of Tamil Nadu
Agricultural Chemist
Sakkottai,
THANTAVUR-612 401 (TN)
Biofertilizer Production Unit, Department of Agriculture, Govt. of Tamil Nadu
Jamal Mohd. College Post, Khajamalai,
TRICHY-620 020 (TN)
KRIBHCO
Sidco Garment Complex, Thiruvika Industrial Estate, Guidy,
CHENNAI-32
Regional Research Station
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University,
PIYUR-635 112
Via-Kaveripattinam
Dharmapuri District
( 04343-50043
