Arun Kumar*
University Department of Botany, Ranchi University, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India
Received : 21st July, 2023 ; Revised : 19th August, 2023
DOI:-https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.12207059
Abstract– Cyanobacteria are structurally diverse assemblage of gram-negative eubacteria, a link between bacteria and green plants. Nostoc punctiforme (Kutz) Har., is a heterocyst containing cyanobacteria. They perform oxygenic photosynthesis and fix nitrogen and abundant in the algal ecosystem of the western part of Orissa. In modern agricultural practices herbicides occupy an important place to kill or reduce growth of unwanted weeds. These are chemical compounds which selectively interfere with the growth of unwanted weeds. Butachlor is an amide herbicide. It is a pre-emergent herbicide and used as controller for all small broad-leaved weeds. Butachlor at recommended doses (100 to 200 ppm) proved to be toxic to cyanobacteria while lower doses favored growth and nitrogen fixation. In tropical Paddy fields the use of butachlor is common in summer and in winter crops of Paddy. Heterocyst frequency in the cyanobacterial filament is an important attribute to view the function of the species with respect to nitrogen fixation. With the increase of butachlor concentration in the culture of nostoc punctiforme, the frequency of heterocyst gradually decreased. Lower concentration of this herbicide is recommendable.
Key words: Butachlor, herbicide, cyanobacteria, heterocyst, Nostoc punctiforme
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