Soil and Sub Aerial Blue Green algae (Cyanoprokaryotes) of Burdwan, West Bengal, India

Soil and Sub Aerial Blue Green algae (Cyanoprokaryotes) of Burdwan, West Bengal, India

During the systematic and ecological investigations on the soil and sub aerial algae of a village locality of Burdwan the authors have encountered 22 taxa of bluegreen algae. Fourteen members are non- heterocystous and remaining eight are heterocystous forms. All the forms were recorded on wet soil or on the sides of drains or irrigation canals. Forms like Porphyrosiphon notarissi Kütz. ex Gomont, Microcoleus paludosus Gomont ex Gomont, Microcoleus sociatus West et West, Aphanocapsa roseana de Bary, Aphanocapsa biformis A. Br., Aphanothece naegeli Wartm, Phormidium subincrustatum Fritsch et Rich, Phormidium ambiguum Gomont, Oscillatoria subbrevis Schmidle have been found as dominant enduring representatives among the non-heterocystous forms, while Nostoc commune Vaucher, Aulosira fertilissima Ghosh var. tenuis Rao, C.B, Scytonema stuposum (Kütz.) Bornet ex Born. et Flah. are dominant forms among heterocystous taxa although heterocystous forms are found more prone to water stress. Porphyrosiphon notarissi, Phormidium subincrustatum, Nostoc commune, Aulosira fertilissima & Scytonema stuposum are among the most common inhabitants of Indian soil flora as evident in this study and from literature survey and need to be utilized properly for all utilitarian perspectives. Since summer is unfavourable for most blue green algae and rainy season for the favourable of many more species the distribution pattern was check after rainy season and before the arrival of summer to note the period of species richness, nature of algal community that can survive more period of time in Indian soils. The above mentioned data also indicate that November-December is the period of most species richness and occurrence of the taxa mentioned above could be supported by Indian soils for their growth and survival.