Isolation and characterization of biological soil crust forming algae from Malaysia

Abstract

Soil erosion permanently reduces the quality of physicochemical and biological properties, soil fertility, and land productivity, all of which have a significant impact on cultivated areas. Communities that live on the top few centimetres of soil surfaces, are known as “biological soil crust” (BSC). This microorganism is essential for soil stabilisation, water retention, and soil fertility. A case study of a Japanese company that uses these organisms to combat soil erosion has inspired this study. Ground covers, slope drains, silt fences, blankets, and plastic covers are currently used to reduce soil erosion which are expensive and less environmentally friendly. An artificially induced BSC can be created on the specific targeted area. The first step in implementing this strategy in Malaysia is to collect, isolate, and identify the BSC-forming algae species. Our findings show that the isolated algae (C3 strain), based on its morphology, has been identified as the Tribonema species and has a yellow-green filament under a microscope. The C3 strain therefore, has been chosen as the potential native BSC forming algae. This research aims to provide information on isolated strains of Malaysian algae for application as BSC in tropical settings.