The Possibility of Using Azolla anzali and Lemna Minor to Reduce Water Loss from Surface Water and as a Green Fertilizer in Farms

Abstract

Water scarcity and lack of soil fertility are two major problems in the agriculture sector. This study aimed to use Azolla anzali and Lemna minor as a cover for a free surface of the water since not only do they have the potential to reduce evaporation, but they can also produce green fertilizer. Therefore, a completely randomized design experiment with 4 treatments (Azolla anzali, Lemna minor, combination of Azolla anzali+ Lemna minor and control) was performed with three replications. The surface of the reservoirs was covered with the mentioned plants and the changes in water height were measured every other day and the amount of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) of the plant tissue was measured three times at the beginning, middle, and end of the period. Eventually, water loss in tanks containing Lemna, Azolla, and Lemna+ Azolla, was 39, 33.2, and 28.7% less than the control tank. The highest amount of nutrients in plant tissue was observed in Lemna, Azolla+ Lemna, and Azolla treatments, respectively. Although the amount of nutrients in the combined treatment was not higher than that of Lemna more biomass was produced, which means it can provide more fertilizer. Finally, the combined treatment of the two plants is a more suitable option to be used.