EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Some cyanobacteria (e.g., Anabaena, Nostoc) help in nitrogen fixation. They are abundantly found in paddy fields. Cycas is a gymnosperm that belongs to the Cycadaceae family. It contains a special type of root called ‘coralloid roots’.

Detailed explanation-2: -Cyanobacteria can be found in almost every terrestrial and aquatic habitat – oceans, fresh water, damp soil, temporarily moistened rocks in deserts, bare rock and soil, and even Antarctic rocks. They can occur as planktonic cells or form phototrophic biofilms.

Detailed explanation-3: -Cyanobacteria establish symbiosis with plant groups widely spread within the plant kingdom, including fungi (lichenized fungi and one non-lichenized fungus, Geosiphon), bryophytes, a water-fern, one gymnosperm group, the cycads, and one flowering plant (the angiosperm, Gunnera) [2, 35, 36].

Detailed explanation-4: -These organisms can fix atmospheric nitrogen. This increases the soil fertility enhancing the growth and yield of paddy. They add organic biomass to the soil, further increasing soil fertility. 03-Jul-2022