The Effect of Algal Biofertilizer on Yield and protein Content of Rice

Abstract

Four strains of nitrogen fixing blue-green algae, namely Anabaena siamensis, Anabana lutea, Nostoc sp. 46 and Nostoc sp. 79. Mixed cultures were applied as biofertilizers to four paddy soil samples, taken from Rangsit, Khok Sumrong, Sakhon Nakorn and Surin areas. Pots which were arranged in completely randomized design consisted of 3 replicaions and 2 treatment in each replication. These treatments comprise an unbiofertilizer and a biofertilizer which biofertilizer rate wae applied equally at 4 grams of blue green algae per 10 kilograms of soil sample. The results showed that algal biofertilizer enhanced the growth and yield of the rice significantly, which was noticeable in the dry weight of the straw and grain of rice, for all sources of soil. Grain yield of rice in these soils increased from the check of 32.07, 34.87, 8.86 and 21.49 to 53.14, 49.53, 20.02 and 49.60 grams per pot, respectively. The responsiveness of rice which received algal biofertilizer was difference. The percentage increase in yield ranged from 42% in Khok Sumrong soil and 66% in Rangsit soil, to 126 and 131% in Sakhon Nakorn and Surin soil, respectively. Significant increase in protein content of rice with the application of biofertilizer was from the check of 5.03, 5.14, 6.75 and 5.25 to 6.45, 6.53, 7.80 and 7.11 percent respectively. The difference in plant N-uptake level, after the application of algal biofertilizer gave 383.50, 310.00, 222.20 and480.70 milligrams per pot, respectively.