Effect of the Biofertilizer (Azolla pinnata) in Combination with Inorganic Fertilizers on Growth and Yield of Rice

This study was conducted at Malaysia Agriculture Research and Development Institute (MARDI), Seberang Perai, Penang (Malaysia), that aims to examine the impacts of the application of Azolla pinnata on the growth and performance of rice of the MR 297 variety. The experiment consisted of five treatments: PK + Azolla (T1); NP + Azolla (T2); NK + Azolla (T3); NPK-Control (T4), and Azolla only (T5). Each treatment had four replicates. The experimental design used was a complete randomized block design (RCBD), and all data collected were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with a statistically significant 0.05% test. For the average soil analysis between the beginning and end, all soil analyses showed decreased soil properties except total N and organic carbon. There is a significant effect on the tiller, panicles, yields, plant height, and SPAD value in crop growth performance. There was no significant effect observed on N and P among plant nutrients. In contrast, there was a significant treatment effect on K. This study concluded that the soil treated with NK + Azolla showed a comparable result with soil treated with inorganic fertilizer only for the total yield.

Domestic wastewater treatment with household-scale constructed wetland system using water fern plant (Azolla pinnata)

The purpose of writing this scientific paper is to analyze more deeply the management of the quality of the aquatic environment, especially regarding the treatment of domestic wastewater on a household scale. Domestic wastewater treatment with a constructed land system using Air Fern (Azolla pinnata) is expected to reduce concentration parameters such as BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand), COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand), and Ammonia. The growth rate of Air Fern (Azolla pinnata) after acclimatization is quite good so that it can reduce BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand), COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) and Ammonia, which are a source of nutrients for plant growth so that it can be used as a promising material for plant growth. It can be used as a promising material for plant growth domestic wastewater treatment. The analysis was carried out using the blended concept, a combination of virtual, online, and laboratory/field activities (offline/outside the network) while still paying attention to health protocols. The priority of this literature study research is to provide input for the government in the form of alternative solutions for managing the quality of the aquatic environment, especially regarding domestic wastewater treatment on a household scale. In addition, this research also supports the international Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) program: Goal 6: Access to Clean Water and Sanitation” in point 3, namely “Improving water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating waste disposal, and minimizing the disposal of chemicals and hazardous materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally”. This research can contribute to appropriate technology in environmental biotechnology, namely wastewater treatment with a system that has simple technology, low cost, energy-saving and is environmentally friendly, which can create a level of hygiene and comfort for the community and maintain environmental sustainability future.

Macro and Micro-Nutrients of Azolla pinnata as a Soilless Growth Media

Azolla pinnata is a small floating fern which widely occurs in certain regions such as Southeast Asia. Azolla is utilized in the new plant research on the currently existing products for soilless growth media. Soilless growth media are an alternative component to replace soil for cultivation uses. In urbanization scenario nowadays, most of the flatten open-area soil is used for development, affecting the soil supply for plants. To introduce a new component such as the soilless growth media, it must have the same or more nutrients than soil or other existing soilless growth media. A study found that Azolla is used as a soilless growth media in the nursery for olive trees cultivation. According to the study, the nutrients obtained from Azolla are sufficient to replace soil as a growth media. In this experiment, the Single Dry Ashing, and Kjeldahl and Dummas methods were used to evaluate and compare both macro and micronutrients of Azolla to Midorie Pafcal and Jiffy-7 pallets. Based on the results, the values were 0.94 % (N), 4352.00 ppm (P), and 563.13 ppm (K); compared to 1.35% (N), 377.13 ppm (P), 1512.33 ppm (K); and 0% (N), 563.13 ppm (P), 1343.67 ppm (K), respectively. The results also showed the values of Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), and Zinc (Zn) for Azolla, Midorie Pafcal and Jiffy-7 samples were 15.33 ppm (Cu), 2579.67 ppm (Fe), 93.63 ppm (Zn); 7.53 ppm (Cu), 9988.33 ppm (Fe), 26.77 ppm (Zn); and 13.01 ppm (Cu), 1150.30 (Fe), 12.40 ppm (Zn), respectively. In conclusion, Azolla pinnata is capable of providing the nutrients required for a plant, making it suitable as a soilless growth media for all plants.

Phytoremediation of emulsion paint wastewater using Azolla Pinnata, Eichhornia Crassipes and Lemna Minor

The use of three macrophytes namely Azolla pinnata, Eichhornia crassipes and Lemna minor for the phytoremediation of emulsion paint wastewater was investigated. Samples of the paint wastewater and test plants were collected and analyzed for physicochemical characteristics and heavy metal concentrations before and after phytoremediation for six weeks. The TDS of the treated wastewater was reduced by over 80.0% by each of the test plants while the TSS increased as a result of debris from withered test plants. Dissolved oxygen reduction ranged from 12.5% to 50.0%, COD from 49.5% to 57.1%, BOD from 46.7% to 54.7, heavy metals from 11.0 to 92.5%. A. pinnata appears to have performed significantly better (P < 0.05) than the other plants followed by E. crassipies and L. minor. It can be concluded that the test plants (especially A. pinnata) can be effectively used for the preliminary treatment of paint wastewater.

Biofertilizer: Azolla pinnata in-combination with Inorganic Fertilizer on Growth and Yield of Rice

A study was conducted at MARDI Seberang Perai, Penang. This study aims to examine Azolla pinnata on the growth and performance of the MR 297 variety. The experiment consisted of five treatments; PK + Azolla (T1); NP + Azolla (T2); NK + Azolla (T3); NPK-Control (T4), and Azolla only (T5). Each treatment has four replications. The experimental design used was a complete randomized block design (RCBD), and all data collected were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with a statistically significant 0.05% test. For the average soil analysis between the beginning and end, all soil analyses showed decreased soil properties except Total N (%) and organic carbon (%). Treatment has a significant influence on the tiller number, the number of panicles, and the yield per pot. There is a significant influence on treatment on plant height and SPAD value in crop growth performance. There was no significant effect on N and P in plant nutrients. In contrast, there was a significant treatment effect on K. This study showed that Azolla could be used as an alternative fertilizer on rice fields because the soil treated with NK + Azolla shows a comparable result with soil treated with inorganic fertilizer without Azolla on the total yield.