Abstract:
Cyanobacteria are important photoautotrophic prokaryotes which are most promising
sources for new products and applications. The present study was conducted to
investigate the potential use of few selected fresh water cyanobacteria in agriculture.
The parameters namely, total nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, calcium,
copper, iron, zinc and manganese were assessed using standard methods. Ten
cyanobacteria monocultures were collected from biofuel research laboratory of the
National Institute of Fundamental Studies (NIFS), Kandy, Sri Lanka. Each cyanobacteria
strain was semi mass cultured, harvested, dried and powdered. Dried powdered sample
was used for analysis. The data were analyzed by using SAS, significant variation
between the means were evaluated by Duncan’s multiple range test. Among the tested
cyanobacteria, Limnothrix sp. (U3) had the highest amount of nitrogen and potassium
(10.192 % and 7.687 mg/g respectively). Limnothrix sp. (U67) had the highest value of
calcium, iron and zinc (27.605, 2.437 and 0.384 mg/g, respectively). Leptolyngbia sp. had
the highest value of magnesium (5.899 mg/g). Anabaena sp. had the highest value of
manganese and copper (0.0797 and 0.073 mg/g respectively). Nostoc sp. had the
highest value of phosphorous (0.998 %). Among them, Limnothrix sp. (U3 and U67),
Leptolyngbia sp., Anabaena sp. and Nostoc sp. could be recommended for agriculture as
nutrient sources based on their high levels of nutrient elements.
