Azolla Compost as an Approach for Enhancing Growth, Productivity and Nutrient Uptake of Oryza sativa L.

The excessive application of synthetic fertilizers can result in severe environmental risks, while composting green and fresh feedstocks can provide slow-release nutrients. Therefore, the aim of the current investigation was to study the effects of eight individual and combination treatments of azolla compost and NPK synthetic fertilizers (control = no fertilizer and compost; 100% NPK = full recommended dose of synthetic fertilizers as follows: 165 kg N ha−1, 37 kg P2O5 ha−1 and 50 kg K2O ha−1; 70% NPK; 40% NPK; 100% azolla compost (5 t DM ha−1); 50% NPK + 50% azolla compost; 70% NPK + 30% azolla compost and 40% NPK + 60% azolla compost) on rice growth, productivity and nutrient uptake in semi-arid agro-ecosystems. The results indicated that the combination of 40% NPK + 60% azolla compost or 50% NPK + 50% azolla compost resulted in the most optimal growth and the highest yield components. In addition, the application of 40% NPK + 60% azolla compost exhibited similar rice grain yields (10.76 t ha−1) as well as N, P, and K content and uptake compared with the full recommended dose of NPK fertilizer (100% NPK). This study declared that the utilization of azolla compost as an individual or combination application can reduce usage of synthetic fertilizers by up to 60% without significant reduction in the growth and grain productivity of rice.