Question

Why are blue green algae not popular as biofertilisers?

Answer 1

Cyanobacteria as biofertiliser

Cyanobacteria like Anabaena and Nostoc have been used as biofertilizers as they can fix atmospheric nitrogen. They also add organic biomass to the soil.


Drawbacks of biofertiliser containing cyanobacteria

• They are used mainly in water logged paddy fields as these organisms require water for reproduction. This limits their uses in other areas as most of the crops do not require stagnant water for their growth.
• Furthermore, there is a possibility of algal bloom leading to a decrease in dissolved oxygen in the water bodies.