Studies in Cyanophyceaean Algae from Maize Fields in Solapur

The ecological value of soil algae is very important as they contribute to soil formation, fertigation of nutrients. Blue-green algae make a major contribution to the fertility of the soil. It has been suggested that blue-green algae (BGA) assist higher plant growth by supplying vital nutrients. There are numerous works about roles of blue-green algae on growth of maize fields. Increase in use of synthetic fertilizers in the field badly affected the fertility of the soil. These synthetic fertilizers are effecting on flora and fauna of the field responsible for productivity of the crop plants. Most of the farmers are utilizing these fertilizers blindly to increase productivity. To check proper dosage and relative abundance of the blue green algae efforts were made to evaluate abundance of blue green algae from Mohol tehsil of Solapur district. During the investigations, 19 species of blue green algae belonging to three families of heterocystous and non-heterocystous from maize fields in Mohol Tahasil of solapur district were identified, out of which seven species are new to this region.