Index >> Applications of Microbial Interactions >> Aquatic Fern (Azolla) as a Bio-fertiliser

Aquatic Fern (Azolla) as a Bio-fertiliser
Azolla is a tiny water fern common in ponds, ditches and rice fields. It has been used as a bio-fertiliser for rice in all major rice growing countries including India, Thailand, Korea, Philippines, Brazil and West Africa. The nitrogen accumulated in the Azalla is made available to the rice crop when the fern decomposes.

The nitrogen fixing work is accomplished by the symbiotic relationship between the fern and a BGA, Anabaena azollae. The alga inhabits some of the cells on the underside of the Azaolla frond and fixes atmospheric nitrogen.