Effects of Azolla microphylla and Effective Microorganisms on Rice Production in Cement Pots for Small-Scale Farming
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Abstract
Azolla is a nitrogen-fixing aquatic fern that can potentially reduce the use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer in rice production, while effective microorganisms (EM) are widely promoted to enhance crop growth. This study evaluated the effects of Azolla microphylla and EM on rice production in 1-m- diameter cement pots under chemical fertilizer (CF) and chicken manure (CM) fertilization systems. Two experiments were conducted using glutinous rice cultivar ‘Sakhon Nakhon’ in Loei Province, Thailand. Treatments included A. microphylla grown before transplanting (BA) or after transplanting (A), with or without EM application. Results showed that A. microphylla grown in BA significantly increased tiller number, plant height, and panicle number in both CF and CM experiments. Grain weight/hill and yield/pot tended to be highest in treatments with A. microphylla grown BA, although differences were not always statistically significant. One crop of A. microphylla grown A and two crops grown BA reduced the requirement for chemical nitrogen fertilizer. EM application to the water showed no positive effects on rice growth or yield. These results indicate that integrating A. microphylla, particularly when grown prior to transplanting, is a practical and beneficial strategy for small-scale rice production in cement pots, whereas EM application under these conditions is not recommended.
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