Studies on the adaptation of Azolla mexicana in the Aegean and the Mediterranean regions

Abstract

Azolla (Azolla anabaena) is an aquatic fern plant that can be used as a green manure and organic matter resource in many countries where irrigation water is not a problem. A. mexicana is one of the azolla species adapted to the environmental conditions of Izmir (Turkey). The objective of this research was to determine the adaptation and agronomic potential of azolla plants to the Mediterranean climate regions. The research was conducted at three locations (Izmir and Aydin located in the Aegean region and Antalya located in the Mediterranean region of Turkey) in 1999, 2000 and 2001. Fresh azolla was planted in April, May, June and October at the rate of 300 g m-2 at each application. The growing azolla plants were harvested 15 days after planting. The highest fresh yield (1481 g m-2) was obtained in April at Izmir. The total N, P, and K values were between 2.93-3.31 %, 0.43-0.54 % and 1.10-1.37 % at Izmir, Aydin, and Antalya, respectively. The shortest time to reach a two-fold increase was 3.53 days at Izmir based on the average of three years.