Azolla Biofertilizer – The Nature’s Miracle Gift for Sustainable Rice Production

Abstract

Azolla is a fast growing free floating freshwater fern which fixes atmospheric nitrogen by forming a symbiotic association with a prokaryotic cyanobacterium -Anabaena azollae. It is a cost-effective, eco-friendly biofertilizer in lowland rice fields. As green manure in water logged soil, it enhances the rapid mineralization of nitrogen, improves the physical and chemical properties of the soil and increases soil microbial activities. It increases the rice yield equivalent to that produced by 30-60 kg N/ha. Azolla application is considered as a good practice for sustaining soil fertility and crop productivity.