Scientists say common plant could help to tackle food insecurity

Scientists at Penn State University have published a new study suggesting that Azolla caroliniana, a wild edible water plant native to the eastern United States, has the potential to support agricultural systems and improve global food security.

Azolla caroliniana, also known as Carolina azolla and the Carolina mosquito fern, grows rapidly – demonstrating the ability to double its biomass in just two days – and is capable of capturing nitrogen from the air, which makes it an excellent green fertilizer. It is also rich in nutrients and can feed poultry, livestock, and – in the event of an emergency – people.

The study, which was led by Francesco Di Gioia, an assistant professor of vegetable crop science, and Daniel Winstead, a research assistant under the ecosystem scientist Michael Jacobson, compared the digestibility of Azolla caroliniana with that of other azolla varieties, and determined that the polyphenol content of the former is markedly lower, making it much more suitable for human consumption.

The research was carried out as part of a larger interdisciplinary research project entitled Food Resilience in the Face of Catastrophic Global Events, which is ongoing at the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences.

Azolla caroliniana’s minimal requirements for growth – such as low inputs, upkeep, and processing – combined with its ability to function as a fast-growing, short-season crop, position it as a promising candidate for shoring up food supplies.

Michael Jacobson, commenting on the study, noted the historical significance of Azolla species as livestock feed and green manure, and pointed out that the importance of studying lesser-known plant varieties as part of efforts to boost food system resilience.