Potentiel de valorisation d’Azolla en agriculture africaine

After a brief recall of the biology and traditional uses of the aquatic fern Azolla in agriculture, the present report describes the highlights of the researchs realized on this plant in the framework of a collaborative program between the West Africa Rice Development Association (WARDA) and the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium.

Laboratory researchs bears on the development of an international reference of Azolla, with the view of selecting strains adapted to various environments, the criteria of fixing N₂ in presence of combined nitrogen, appetency…

In the field, adaptation trials followed by on farm introductions are performed in various african (and carribean) écologies ; three concrete cases are presented with emphasis on the positive results as well as on the major limiting factors restricting Azolla valorization. The report concludes with some proposals for future action.