Microalgae as Bio-fertilizers for Rice Growth and Seed Yield Productivity

The use of nitrogen and phosphorus in the agricultural field has led to a number of environmental problems and reduces the crop yields. Synthetic fertilizer usage is credited with increased soil erosion and degrading local ecosystem. To save the natural environment, use of organic fertilizer has become a best option and also reported as cost effective. Microalgae are considered as potential bio-fertilizers for rice cultivation as these are directly related with their nitrogen fixation ability and other positive effects for plants and soil. As a result of variability in data and N-2 levels applied, significant differences between treatment and control groups were not found relative to farm. Hence, Microalgae species were recommended to be used as bio-fertilizer as an alternative to mainstream synthetic fertilizers. This is because of the increased cost of chemical fertilizer that cause soil and water pollution. In comparison, microalgae are a cheap source of N, which does not cause pollution. For this reason, the aim of the microalgae experiment as bio-fertilizer was to minimize the aggressive synthetic fertilizer use in the paddy field and to determine the potentiality of bio-fertilizer application in order to have maximum yield as well as for ensuring eco-friendly environment by avoiding chemical pollution.