The response of nitrogen biofertilizer Azolla to herbicides

Neta Okon-Levy, Baruch Rubin, Elisha Tel-Or

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

The water fern Azolla used as rice nitrogen biofertilizer was tested to characterize its sensitivity, to common herbicides used for rice farming in Central America. Experiments with Azolla filiculoides and A. caroliniana were conducted under controlled growth conditions of temperature and day-night regime and in outdoor ponds. Azolla was grown in nitrogen free medium and tested after one week for the effects of the herbicides. We analyzed plant growth, N 2-fixation, tested by acetylene reduction assay (ARA), protein, chlorophyll and sugar content. The hormonal herbicide 2-methyl-4-chloro- phenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) was found compatible at the concentration of 1-3 mg/l. Pendimethalin (inhibitor of cell division) and fenoxaprop-p-ethyl (inhibitor of fatty acid biosynthesis) were compatible for both A. filiculoides and A. caroliniana at the concentration of 3 mg/l in experiments conducted indoors and outdoors. Fenoxaprop-p-ethyl was most favorable for N2-fixation. These results indicate that the standing crop and biomass of Azolla as a potential nitrogen biofertilizer is compatible with pendimethalin and fenoxaprop, as practical weed control agents for rice farming.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)175-185
Number of pages11
JournalSymbiosis
Volume38
Issue number2
StatePublished - 2005

Keywords

  • 2-methyl-4-chloro-phenoxy- acetic acid (MCPA)
  • Ariabaena azollae
  • Azolla caroliniana
  • Azolla filiculoides
  • Fenoxaprop-p-ethyl
  • Herbicides
  • Nitrogen fixation
  • Pendimethalin

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