Study of Algal Diversity in Arid and Irrigated Crop Fields from Tehsil Baramati, Dist. Pune, Maharashtra, India

The present attempt emphasizes the report of soil algae in arid and irrigated fields from Tehsil Baramati, Dist. Pune in rabbi season. The group of algae is cosmopolitan in nature that is found everywhere like oceans, lakes, rivers, pounds, puddles, moist surfaces and fresh water. Soil algae are ecologically important to play role in the fertility of the soil. Cyanophycean algae especially heterocystous algal forms fixes atmospheric nitrogen and increases fertility of the soil. A survey was carried out in tehsil Baramati at various localities from January 2022 to March 2022. Soil samples were collected in agriculture crops in the rabbi season. Collected soil samples from crop fields were analyzed for selecting certain physiological parameters such as pH, EC, OC, N, P, K, Na, CaCO3 , and micronutrients (Fe, Mn Zn and Cu). All sites soil samples in crop fields showing pH moderately alkaline to strong alkaline. Total 30 soil samples were collected during the survey. A total 11 algal genera reported Spirogyra ternata Ripart, Odeogonium sps Chroococcus sps, Anabaena circinalis Rabenhorst, Nostoc commune Vaucher, Oscillatoria limosa C. Agardh Roth, Oscillatoria princeps Vaucher & Gomont, Achananthes sps, Frustulia sps, Navicula sps, and Stauroneis sps. If the sequence of algal distribution group wise is considered, they exhibits Cyanophyceae > Bacillariphyceae > Chlorophyaceae. The low number of blue green algae reported by us might be due to cultural practices use of various chemical fertilizers used by farmers and environmental factors also effective. Intensive ploughing and fertilizer applications decreased the diversity of soil.