Azolla is an aquatic plant of algae species. It is used as a supplementary feed for animals. It is an aquatic plant which grows freely in water and it fixes atmospheric Nitrogen symbiotically. Azolla consists of converted floating stem and compound with very small leaves and roots. If Azolla is used as a bio-fertilizer in paddy farming, Nitrogen fixation is done @40-60 kg/hectare. Azolla is a green manure as well and a useful feed for milch animals, pigs and ducks. • Azolla has very essential amino acids, minerals, vitamins, B carotene and 35% proteins based on dry weight. • Azolla has chlorophyll A and B as well as Carotene. • Symbiotic plant anabaena has chlorophyll A and Carotenoid. • Due to qualities like high nutritious value and rapid biomass production, Azolla is becoming famous as a sustainable feed. Nutritive value of Azolla: • Proteins: 25-30% • Essential amino acids: 7-10% • Vitamins: 10-15% • Minerals (Calcium, Phosphorus, Potash, Iron, Copper): 10-15% • Azolla has contents which are beneficial for food digestion. So the animals can easily digest high quality proteins and lignin. Production of azolla • Make a 3m x 3m size pit of 12 inches depth under a tree shade or using 50% shade net. Make a layer of bricks from all the sides. Azolla does not survive in temperatures beyond 31 degrees celsius. So take special care regarding the temperature. • Spread a plastic sheet of 3.5 meter size in the pit. • Add soil on the plastic sheet which will form a sediment of approximately 8 to 10 kg. Add 2 kg FYM and 30 gms of Super Phosphate. • Add water in the pit up to level of 5 to 6 inches. • Add 500 gm Azolla culture to the pit. You can observe that Azolla grows in approximately 10 to 15 days on the water in the pit. • We get approximately 500 gms of azolla per day from this pit. Sift it using sieve. • Replace water and soil in the pit after approximately 2 to 3 months. Benefits: • Milk production increases by 15-20%. The quality of milk improves. • The expenses on traditional feeds decrease by 20-25%. • Along with milch animals , if Azolla is given in right proportion to the broiler as well as layer chicks, the production increases. If Azolla is fed to goats, sheep and pigs too, they grow well. • The production cost of Azolla is very less and the yield is more as compared to it. • There is significant physical growth of animals and yield. • No side effects on the bodies of animals. • More production can be achieved in less land. The initial investment for starting the project is also less. Method and proportion of giving Azolla: Azolla can be given to the animals as it is or by mixing it with other feeds. Give 2 to 3 kgs of Azolla to Milch animals in every day diet as per the advice of veterinary doctor. Clean Azolla properly before feeding it to animals. Obstacles in Azolla production: • The place should be in the shade but should have good sunlight. • Replace 5% soil in the pit by fresh black soil after every 25-30 days. Protect Azolla from termites, ants and insects. • Replace 25-30% of pit water with fresh water after every 5 days. • The water level in the pit should be 8-10 cms always. • During summer, due to high temperature, the colour of Azolla turns to greenish red or brown and it affects the yield. • Some animals might create problems in the pit. • Cover the azolla pit because if the pit is under tree, leaves may fall in it and get decomposed. • Do not use dung in large quantity for Azolla. The ammonia created from excess dung is dangerous for Azolla. • Protect Azolla from rain in parts with heavy rains. (Using 50% shade net proves to be beneficial.) Ajay Gawali Reference- Agrowon 20th September17