Response of Mixed Blue Green Algal Bio fertilizer on Yield of Rice (Oryza sativa) of Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Several genera of blue green algae bio fertilizer belonging to class Cyanophyceae are the major source of nitrogenous bio fertilizer and much ecological importance for maintaining the soil fertility. The Council of Science and Technology, U.P. is producing qualitative soil based BGA bio fertilizer in large scale at their own Biotech Networking Facility Centre, Bakshi ka Talab, Lucknow. The Council is providing qualitative blue green algal bio fertilizer free of cost to the farmers for application in their paddy field demonstration to increase the rice productivity of UP farmers. The inoculation of nitrogen fixing blue green algae (BGA) in an alternative and sustainable source of nitrogen to increase the rice productivity. The mixed soil based inoculum of Nostoc, Anabaena, Scytonema, Aulosira, Tolypothrix, Westiellopsis, Oscillatoria and Plectonema was used in farmer‘s field demonstration in kharif, 2017–18. The contribution of blue green algae (BGA) is a good source for long term fertility of soil. Total one hundred twenty five field demonstrations trial of blue green algae biofertilizer were conducted in different rice cultivars of different districts of Uttar Pradesh during kharif, 2017–18. Data were collected and compiled, it was found that inoculation of BGA biofertilizer replacing 25% of chemical fertilizer and increased the average extra grain yield about 2–4 quintal per hectare over the control and saving of 30 kg chemical nitrogen may be saved.