Cyanobacteria as a "green" option for sustainable agriculture

Abstract

The use of indigenous native technologies and environment-friendly supplements forms the basis of "green" technologies for environmentally safe and sustainable agriculture. This article discusses different aspects of the use of cyanobacterial inoculants to enhance crop productivity and improve/sustain soil fertility. The sustaining of fertility of rice fields is due to cyanobacteria, as they perform many roles in the soil ecosystem. The beneficial effects of algalization are attributed to the growth-promoting substances produced by cyanobacteria and the temporary immobilization of added nitrogen. There is a need to develop more effective formulations and useful markers for the widespread use of cyanobacterial biofertilizers. Studies undertaken to characterize the abundance, diversity, and metabolic capabilities of cyanobacteria isolated from the rice rhizosphere reveal that the isolates are efficient in enhancing the germination and growth of wheat and rice seeds. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.