Growth and nutrient composition of Azolla pinnata R. Brown and Azolla filiculoides Lamarck as affected by water temperature, nitrogen and phosphorus supply, light intensity and pH

Cary, P. R.; Weerts, Peter G.J.

doi:10.1016/0304-3770(92)90041-g

Cited by 32 publications

(23 citation statements)

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“…Relative growth rates (RGR) calculated over the first three time points in Fig. representing the exponential growth phase were 0.337 ± 0.078 d −1 for A. filiculoides and 0.317 ± 0.034 d −1 for A. pinnata (non‐significant difference) and were within the range 0.12–0.5 d −1 previously reported . RGRs obtained compared with those from the macrophytes Salvinia natans (0.28 d −1 ) and Eichhornia crassipes (0.23 d −1 ), but were somewhat lower than those reported for duckweeds Wolffiella hyaline (0.52 d −1 ) and Lemna gibba (0.50 d −1 ) .…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 72%

“…Azolla is of interest as a protein feed due to the high protein content of its biomass, which was reported to be between 200–400 g kg −1 of the dry weight (DW) . Azolla biomass was further reported to contain 79–160 g kg −1 lipids, which may contribute to the gross energy of whole Azolla feed, while also containing up to 50 g kg −1 (poly)phenolic compounds, of which condensed tannins in particular may decrease the digestibility of Azolla feed .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Growing Azolla to produce sustainable protein feed: the effect of differing species and CO₂ concentrations on biomass productivity and chemical composition

et al. 2018

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BACKGROUNDSince available arable land is limited and nitrogen fertilizers pollute the environment, cropping systems ought to be developed that do not rely on them. Here we investigate the rapidly growing, N2‐fixing Azolla/Nostoc symbiosis for its potential productivity and chemical composition to determine its potential as protein feed.RESULTSIn a small production system, cultures of Azolla pinnata and Azolla filiculoides were continuously harvested for over 100 days, yielding an average productivity of 90.0–97.2 kg dry weight (DW) ha−1 d−1. Under ambient CO2 levels, N2 fixation by the fern's cyanobacterial symbionts accounted for all nitrogen in the biomass. Proteins made up 176–208 g kg−1 DW (4.9 × total nitrogen), depending on species and CO2 treatment, and contained more essential amino acids than protein from soybean. Elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations (800 ppm) significantly boosted biomass production by 36–47%, without decreasing protein content. Choice of species and CO2 concentrations further affected the biomass content of lipids (79–100 g kg−1 DW) and (poly)phenols (21–69 g kg−1 DW).CONCLUSIONSBy continuous harvesting, high protein yields can be obtained from Azolla cultures, without the need for nitrogen fertilization. High levels of (poly)phenols likely contribute to limitations in the inclusion rate of Azolla in animal diets and need further investigation. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 72%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Growing Azolla to produce sustainable protein feed: the effect of differing species and CO₂ concentrations on biomass productivity and chemical composition

et al. 2018

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“…Hence, Azolla could potentially grow at significantly higher rates under the elevated Eocene p CO 2 conditions than under present‐day circumstances. However, it should be noted that other environmental conditions like salinity (Rai et al ., 2001), pH (Moretti & Gigliano, 1988; Cary & Weerts, 1992) or nutrient availability (Sah et al ., 1989) also affect Azolla biomass production.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Eocene Arctic Azolla bloom: environmental conditions, productivity and carbon drawdown

et al. 2009

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Enormous quantities of the free-floating freshwater fern Azolla grew and reproduced in situ in the Arctic Ocean during the middle Eocene, as was demonstrated by microscopic analysis of microlaminated sediments recovered from the Lomonosov Ridge during Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Expedition 302. The timing of the Azolla phase (approximately 48.5 Ma) coincides with the earliest signs of onset of the transition from a greenhouse towards the modern icehouse Earth. The sustained growth of Azolla, currently ranking among the fastest growing plants on Earth, in a major anoxic oceanic basin may have contributed to decreasing atmospheric pCO2 levels via burial of Azolla-derived organic matter. The consequences of these enormous Azolla blooms for regional and global nutrient and carbon cycles are still largely unknown. Cultivation experiments have been set up to investigate the influence of elevated pCO2 on Azolla growth, showing a marked increase in Azolla productivity under elevated (760 and 1910 ppm) pCO2 conditions. The combined results of organic carbon, sulphur, nitrogen content and 15N and 13C measurements of sediments from the Azolla interval illustrate the potential contribution of nitrogen fixation in a euxinic stratified Eocene Arctic. Flux calculations were used to quantitatively reconstruct the potential storage of carbon (0.9-3.5 10(18) gC) in the Arctic during the Azolla interval. It is estimated that storing 0.9 10(18) to 3.5 10(18) g carbon would result in a 55 to 470 ppm drawdown of pCO2 under Eocene conditions, indicating that the Arctic Azolla blooms may have had a significant effect on global atmospheric pCO2 levels through enhanced burial of organic matter.

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“…Results about decrease in pH were in agreement with Akhtar et al (2009) who also reported a decrease in solution pH when Bassica cultivars were grown with sparingly soluble Psources to estimate P-acquisition under deficiently buffered P-stress environments. Although, pH values of 4.5 to 7.5 is optimum for growth of most Azolla species (Cary and Weerts, 1992), however Azolla can survive even at pH values ranging from 3.5 to 10 (Serag et al, 2000) indicating a wide pH range for Azolla growth. More than 1-fold average decrease in solution pH by tested Azolla species indicating their adaptability for better P-uptake by adjusting pH during incubation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microcosm Investigation on Differential Potential of Free Floating Azolla Macrophytes for Phytoremediation of P-controlled Water Eutrophication

Akhtar

Oki²,

Nakashima³

et al. 2015

IJAB

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Eutrophication is caused by an over enrichment of aquatic ecosystems with nutrients, principally with chronic release of phosphorus (P) from point and non-point sources, leading to nuisance algal blooms, anoxic events, impaired water quality and stubborn environmental issues. Aquatic macrophytes display an efficient phytosequestration of inorganics in plant parts due to their non-degradable nature. Serial microcosm experiments were conducted to estimate differential phytoremdiation ability of A. japonica, A. pinnata, and A. hybrid to remove P from different P-eutrophicated solutions under different incubation periods. Azolla plants showed substantial P-removal efficiency from P-eutrophicated solutions, and removed P-amounts were significantly correlated with P-accumulated in plant biomass. About 1-fold decrease in solution pH might be ascribed to H + -efflux. Plants without P-hunger showed lower P-removal rates compared to P-hunger plants. A. japonica displayed highest Premoval efficiency in different experiments. From these kinetic experiments, it is plausible to conclude that phytoaccumulation was the possible mechanism for P-removal, and due to fast growth, high tolerance and accumulation ability, free floating Azolla might be the best candidate among macrophytes to combat P-driven eutrophication. Results obtained will not only provide information to environmental managers to mitigate P-eutrophication but will also provide data base to scientists for their future ventures.

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Growth and nutrient composition of Azolla pinnata R. Brown and Azolla filiculoides Lamarck as affected by water temperature, nitrogen and phosphorus supply, light intensity and pH

Cited by 32 publications

References 5 publications

Growing Azolla to produce sustainable protein feed: the effect of differing species and CO₂ concentrations on biomass productivity and chemical composition

Growing Azolla to produce sustainable protein feed: the effect of differing species and CO₂ concentrations on biomass productivity and chemical composition

The Eocene Arctic Azolla bloom: environmental conditions, productivity and carbon drawdown

Microcosm Investigation on Differential Potential of Free Floating Azolla Macrophytes for Phytoremediation of P-controlled Water Eutrophication

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Growth and nutrient composition of Azolla pinnata R. Brown and Azolla filiculoides Lamarck as affected by water temperature, nitrogen and phosphorus supply, light intensity and pH

Cited by 32 publications

References 5 publications

Growing Azolla to produce sustainable protein feed: the effect of differing species and CO2 concentrations on biomass productivity and chemical composition

Growing Azolla to produce sustainable protein feed: the effect of differing species and CO2 concentrations on biomass productivity and chemical composition

The Eocene Arctic Azolla bloom: environmental conditions, productivity and carbon drawdown

Microcosm Investigation on Differential Potential of Free Floating Azolla Macrophytes for Phytoremediation of P-controlled Water Eutrophication

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Growing Azolla to produce sustainable protein feed: the effect of differing species and CO₂ concentrations on biomass productivity and chemical composition

Growing Azolla to produce sustainable protein feed: the effect of differing species and CO₂ concentrations on biomass productivity and chemical composition