Efecto de la aplicación de Azolla sp. en el cultivo de lechuga en la Estación Agropecuaria UTPL

Abstract

Abstract: Azolla is an aquatic fern capable of fixing nitrogen in symbiosis with the cyanobacterium Anabaena, as a possible solution to enrich the soil with nutrients. In this study, the effect of the application of Azolla sp. on lettuce (Lactuca sativa) was evaluated in comparison with conventional fertilization treatments. Three treatment groups were established: Control (25 g of chicken manure), Azolla (25 g of chicken manure + 150 g of Azolla) and Conventional (25 g of chicken manure + 14 g of urea + 13 g of muriate of potash + 12 g of rock phosphate), applied per plant. Data were collected on plant height, final weight, yield, nutritional content of Azolla (NitroAgua) and an economic analysis was performed. The results showed that there were no significant differences between the Azolla treatment and the conventional treatment in one production cycle, reaching an average of 468g and 470g respectively, but there were significant differences with the control. In addition, a positive B/C ratio is shown. In summary, the use of Azolla biomass is presented as an effective biofertilizer due to the benefit of nitrogen supply to the lettuce crop.