The Role of Cyanobacteria on Agriculture

Abstract

Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) are a diverse group of prokaryotes, having oxygenic Photo synthesis and the most successful and oldest life forms present on the planet earth and  play an important role in maintenance and build up of soil fertility, consequently increasing plant growth and yield as a natural bio fertilizer (reduced input cost), nutrient cycling, N₂-fixation, bioavailability of phosphorus, water storage and movement, environmental protection and prevention of pollution and land degradation especially through reducing the use of agro-chemicals, and recycling of nutrients and restoration of soil fertility through reclamation.

Key words: Cyanobacteria, Agriculture, biofertilizer, biocontrole, nitrogen fixation