Investigating the possibility of formation of cyanobacterial biocrust in desert soil model

Nowadays, the problem of desertification is the most important global issue after global warming and water scarcity. Several methods including biological and non-biological for desertification have attracted the attention of many environmental researchers. Among the important biological methods in desertification is to strengthen biocrusts. Biocrusts include various organisms such as mosses, algae, lichens, fungi, archaea, and different photosynthetic and heterotrophic bacteria. The key organisms that make up the biocrusts are cyanobacteria . Studies have shown that cyanobacteria are very effective in increasing organic matter, soil enrichment, strengthening of the soil structure and fixing the dust. So, we decided to do some scientific research on cyanobacteria and their roles in desert soils. For this purpose, ۱۹ cyanobacteria which was isolated from different soil of the country selected, subcultured on medium BG-۱۱, and incubated at ۲۵°C for ۳ weeks. Then, the released carbohydrate production was determined by the phenolic sulfuric acid method. The amount of carbohydrate was ۸۶.۶۶ μg/ml for Anabaena sphaerica, ۶۴.۱۹ μg/ml, for Nostoc pruniforme and ۵۵.۹۱ μg/ml for Geitlerinema.sp. The selected strains that produce the highest amount of the released carbohydrate were inoculated to the pots, which was filled by the desert soil. The results of the scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed that three of these strains can form biocrusts on the laboratory model soil. More studies are necessary to solve the problem of desertification and cyanobacteria can be used with more extensive applied research.

کلیدواژه ها:

Cyanobacteria ، Biocrust ، Desertification ، Scanning electron microscope ، Carbohydrate