Azolla plant an environmental problem or an appropriate growth medium of ornamental plants

Climatic conditions of Guilan have caused to develope Azolla growth in wetland and ponds. Regarding environmental problems of Azolla accumulation, a study was conducted to investigate impact of composted Azolla with nutrient solution on the growth of Dracaena in replacement of peat in Ornamental Plants and Flower Research Station, Lahijan, Iran. The control treatment was a 2:1 ration of peat: perlite and peat was replaced by composted Azolla amounted 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% v/v. The research was conduced by factorial experiment based on a compeletely randomized design in three replicates with 90 plants. Substrate properties including bulk density, porosity, electrical conductivity, pH, C/N ratio and phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc and manganese concentrations were measured. Plant growth Indexes including leaf and stem dry weight, leaf and stem fresh weight, plant height, stem diameter and number of leaves were measured. The results showed that the highest growth was observed at 75% and 100% Azolla compost with nutrient solution and the lowest growth obtained at control and 25% composted Azolla. Azolla compost without nutrient solution had a greater effect on plant growth as compared with control even with the consumption of nutrient solution.