Studies on the growth, nitrogen fixation, chlorophyll content and photosynthesis in Azolla

Eleven Azolla cultures were grown in soil water medium under outdoor conditions. Growth, nitrogenase, chlorophyll content, photosynthesis, respiration and C, H, N contents, were estimated after 8 weeks period. A. sp-ST-SI recorded maximum biomass followed by A. micro-BR-GI and A. fil-BR-H. A. mex-BRGL and A. sp-ST-SI which sporulated in 6 weeks period while sporulation was recorded after 14 weeks in A. pin-SK-I, A, pin-SK-CI and A. pin-GP-BT. Azolla cultures A. micro-BR-GI, A. fil-BR-H have recorded higher nitrogenase activity. A. pin-SK-CI, A. pin-BRM. A. mex-BR-GL, car-WTV, A. fil-BR-H and A. sp-ST-SI have accumulated more total chlorohyll than other cultures tested. Photosynthetic rate was higher in A. pin-SK-I. A. pin-BRM and A. pin-SK-CI. Nitrogen content was relatively more in A. pin-BRM, A. mex-BRGL and A, fil-BR-H.