How do blue-green algae add organic matter to the soil and increase fertility and which blue-green algae are used as biofertilizers in the crop?
Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, add organic matter to the soil and increase fertility through nitrogen fixation. Certain species, like Anabaena, Nostoc, and Tolypothrix, are used as biofertilizers in crops. These algae convert atmospheric nitrogen into forms that plants can use, improving soil fertility and reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. They also enhance soil structure, nutrient availability, water-holding capacity, and promote beneficial microbial activity.
Blue green algae can fix atmospheric nitrogen into usable compounds. So, they are used as fertilisers. They are also primary producers of energy, which is done by the process of photosynthesis. Addition of blue green algae to soils with poor fertility increases the nitrogen and humus contents of soil. The blue-green algae have the ability to process atmospheric nitrogen and render it into an organic form. This process is called nitrogen fixing. It helps to enhance the fertility of the soil and is very important for the growth of plants. The organisms like blue-green algae and bacteria are extensively used to fix nitrogen in the soil for agriculture. This will improve the fertility of the soil. Nitrogen fixing blue green algae or cyanobacteria converts nitrogen into nitrites and nitrates in the soil, that can be then absorbed by the plants. Algae are responsible for half of all photosynthesis on the globe. Algae may greatly enhance soil organic carbon content by assimilating carbon dioxide. Heterocyst cells in cyanobacteria may fix atmospheric nitrogen and thereby meet the needs of soil micro and macrofauna, flora, and plants. They are important in agriculture as they can metabolize molecular nitrogen, solubilise insoluble phosphates, improve physical and chemical nature of soil and also add organic matter to the soil. They also produce certain Plant Growth Regulators which has a positive effect on crop growth and crop yield. Fertilizers such as nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus are added to the soil to make it fertile. These are also added to the potted plants in gardens to enhance plant growth. NPK and urea are the most common fertilizers required by the soil.Blue-green algae generally grow in lakes, ponds, and slow-moving streams when the water is warm and enriched with nutrients like phosphorus or nitrogen. Soil organic matter significantly improves the soil's capacity to store and supply essential nutrients, and to retain toxic elements. It allows the soil to cope with changes in soil acidity, and helps soil minerals to decompose faster. The propagation of blue green algae will not only enrich the nitrogen status of the soil by their fixation process but also provide organic matter and biologically potent substances for plant growth. These algae form a living constituent of the soil biotype and continue their activity year after year. Some of the examples of blue green algae are Anabaena and Nostoc. As it is used for fixing atmospheric nitrogen in plants with the absence of end symbiotic bacteria, it is referred to as a biofertilizer which helps plants to make use of ammonia for its growth and development. People use blue-green algae for treating high blood pressure and as a protein supplement. It's also used for high levels of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood, diabetes, obesity, and many other conditions. But there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.
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