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Research and Reviews : Journal of Crop science and Technology Review Article

Algae as Bio-Fertilizer

  1. Vaishnavi Joshi Department of Botany, School of Basic and applied Sciences, Shri Guru Ram Rai University, Patel Nagar, Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

Abstract

Bio-fertilization represents a sustainable agricultural practice that leverages bio-fertilizers to enhance soil nutrient levels, thereby increasing agricultural productivity eco-friendly and feasible substitute for pollution-free agricultural applications, soil microflora has been used to increase biomass production and improve soil fertility. Numerous cyanobacteria, including species like Oscillatoria angustissima, Nostoc sp., and Anabaena sp., are known to be efficient nitrogen-fixing biofertilizers. Acuteodesmus dimorphus, Spirulina platensis, Chlorella vulgaris, Scenedesmus dimorphus, Anabaena azolla, and Nostoc sp. are other microalgae. Have been successfully employed to enhance crop growth, with Chlorella vulgaris being one of the most extensively studied species in bio-fertilizer research. Furthermore, the integration of seaweed species such as Sargassum sp. And Gracilaria verrucosa into soil has been shown to induce beneficial chemical changes, serving as indicators of soil fertility in clay and sandy soils. Seaweed conditioners enhance soil organic content, stabilize pH, and decrease the carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio, improving soil quality across various soil types. This review highlights the potential of environmentally friendly bio-based fertilizers, including microalgae and macroalgae, as effective strategies for enhancing soil fertility. These bio-fertilizers provide a sustainable alternative to inorganic and organic fertilizers, which are associated with negative environmental impacts, such as heavy metal accumulation and potential carcinogenic effects on human health.

Keywords

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