An overview of underutilized benefits derived from as a promising biofertilizer in lowland rice production.

Currently, there is no doubt that can compensate for the nitrogen requirements of rice in different agroecological zones. Compared to synthetic N-fertilizers, Azolla has various positive impacts on lowland rice production, including improving soil fertility, minimizing weeds, increasing soil organic carbon, improving microbial biomass, and thus nutrient cycling and enhancing rice growth and yield. However, has not been accepted globally by rice farmers for field use and so far, farmers are relying on increasing rates of synthetic N fertilizers instead of taking advantage of which will improve long-term soil fertility and health.

Soil NO emission from organic and conventional cotton farming in Northern Tanzania.

The effort to increase the sustainable supply of food and fibre is challenged by the potential for increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from farming systems with intensified production systems. This study aimed at quantifying soil NO emissions from smallholder organic and conventional cotton production practices in a semi-arid area, Meatu, Northern Tanzania. Field experiments were conducted to quantify NO emissions under (i) current practices with organic (3 Mg ha farmyard manure (FYM)) and conventional (30 kg mineral N ha) cultivation; (ii) a high input practice with organic (5 Mg ha FYM) and conventional (60 kg mineral N ha) cultivation; and (iii) an integrated practice with organic (3 Mg FYM + legume intercropping) and conventional (30 kg N + 3 Mg ha FYM) cultivation.