ISSN (print) 0868-8540, (online) 2413-5984
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Algologia 2011, 21(4): 441–448
Flora and Geography

Species of Cyanophyta diversity in fly ash affected rice fields along National Thermal Plant (North Bihar, India)

Choudhary K.K.*, Shukla L.N., Shukla Ch.P.
Abstract

This study describes the Cyanophyta diversity in rice fields contaminating with fly ash along National Thermal Power Station (NTPS). Heterogeneous biomass of Cyanophyta (Cyanobacteria) appearing on soil and water surface were randomly collected between 49–51 days of rice seedlings plantation from three sites differing in distances (0–100 m, 150–250 m and 300–400 m) from National Thermal Power Station. Forty-two species belonging to 23 genera were identified from the selected fly ash affected rice fields. Out of 42, 18 species (13 genera), 29 species (20 genera) and 36 species (21 genera) were recorded from (0–100 m), 150–250 m and 300–400 m, respectively with some common forms. All three selected fields witnessed more heterocystous species over non-heterocystous. Eleven (9 genera), twenty (14 genera) and twenty-five (15 genera) species of heterocystous forms were recorded for 0-100 m, 150–250 m and 300–400 m, respectively. Non-heterocystous forms were represented by 7 species (4 genera), 9 species (6 genera) and 11 species (6 genera) for 0–100 m, 150–250 m and 300–400 m away from NTPS, respectively. Anabaena and Nostoc sp. were dominant forms for all documented fields. The study concluded the negative effect of fly ash accumulation on Cyanophyta species diversity under field conditions and proposed the management of fly ash affected soils with fly ash tolerant Cyanophyta species for sustainable agriculture practices.

Keywords: Cyanophyta, diversity, fly ash, North Bihar, Rice fields

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