Effects of Liquid
Cow Manure Compost Content in Azolla Cultivation on Water Quality, Yield, Chemical
Properties and Nutritional Contents
Theerak W., Senkwankaew C., Chainam J. and Atiganyanun S.
Res. J. Biotech.; Vol. 20(9); 200-205;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/209rjbt2000205; (2025)
Abstract
Azolla, a fast-growing aquatic fern, is an inexpensive source of biomass for biofertilizer,
livestock feed, phytoremediation and biofuel production applications. The use of
compost-based fertilizer to improve the cultivation of azolla can reduce production
costs and enhance sustainability. While previous studies investigated the use of
organic fertilizers for azolla growth, little work has been done to compare such
use with chemical fertilizer use. In this work, the effects of liquid cow manure
compost fertilizer, compared to urea fertilizer, on azolla growth, yield, chemical
and nutritional compositions and water quality were studied.
The results revealed that the optimal application of compost fertilizer enhanced
azolla growth and yield greater than that of urea fertilizer. The compost also improved
nitrogen, phosphate, potash and protein content in azolla. Azolla treated with the
liquid compost fertilizer could effectively remove phosphate from water, but the
addition of the compost increased both phosphate and ammonia content and reduced
dissolved oxygen. Thus, the liquid cow manure compost fertilizer was suitable for
promoting azolla growth for livestock feed and biofuel applications rather than
water treatment.
