Effect of Azolla on flooded rice production

Abstract

A field experiment with Azolla and flooded rice (Oryza sativa L.) was conducted at the Estação Experimental  Palmital of the Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Arroz e Feijão, in Goiânia - GO, Brazil. The treatments included: control (no added nitrogen), Azolla, 60 kg of N/ha, and Azolla + 60 kg of N/ha. An increase of 15% in the grain yield of rice was observed with the Azolla treatment. Additions of 60 kg N/ha and Azolla + 60 kg N/ha resulted in rice grain yield increase of 46 and 56%, respectively, in relation to the control. The results indicate that it is possible to use Azolla as a source of N for flooded rice culture.