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Utilisation of blue-green algae as biofertilisers

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Abstract

Biologically active compounds may be liberated from blue-green algae growing on the surface of moist soils. Such compounds may also be released as exudates from algae grown in liquid culture.

This report describes inoculation of soils in pots, containing radish or tomato plants, with algal suspensions or exudates, which resulted in increased growth rates of both plants and increased their overall yield. Autoclaved exudates were generally as effective as fresh exudates. Interaction of effects between the various active substances depends on the algal species and method by which the soils are amended.

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Rodgers, G.A., Bergman, B., Henriksson, E. et al. Utilisation of blue-green algae as biofertilisers. Plant Soil 52, 99–107 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02197736

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