justify how cyanobacteria enriches the nutrient level in the soil
Answers
Cyanobacteria or blue-green algae is a popular Gram negative bacterium which acts as a bio-fertilizer and helps in harnessing of solar energy, nitrogen and water to ensure soil fertility and plant growth.
Besides this Cyanobacteria is nitrogen fixing bacteria which helps in biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) which is conversion of atmospheric N2 to NH3, (nitrogen to ammonia) a form which plants can absorb. It contains the enzyme complex- nitrogenase which is essential for catalyzing conversion of nitrogen to ammonia. Thus, Cyanobacteria present in the root nodules of leguminous plants helps in enriching the nutrient quality of the soil thereby making it more fertile.
Since cyanobacteria enters into symbiotic associations with higher plants, they in turn get better access to other nutrients and also protection against oxygen for the nitrogenase complex is oxygen- sensitive.
Hope this helps!
Cyanobacteria are autotrophic microbes found in aquatic and Terrestrial environment .Most of these fix atmospheric nitrogen .
example :- nostoc ,oscillatoria and anaebena.
In paddy fields cyanobacteria serve as an important biofertilizer as they enrich the nitrogen content in the soil. They also add organic matter to the soil. Thus increasing the fertility .
Thus the application of cyanobacteria helps in improving agricultural output .