Factors affecting Algal Population in Soil,Inorganic Nutrients,Parasitic Attacks Bacteria, Fungi and Actinomycetes

Factors affecting Algal population in soil

	Factors affecting Algal population in soil Organic matter It has no appreciable bearing on algal distribution because of their photosynthetic metabolism. Large amount of organic matter in the soil does not favour the growth of algae since the bacteria and fungi outgrow them. pH Algae can grow at an optimum pH range of 7-10. They are often absent at pH <5 and uncommon at <6. Chlorophyta members appear in regions with a diversity of pH hence they dominate the algal flora of acid habitats because of the absence of other forms.
Moisture Algal development is usually enhanced by increasing the supply of available water. Algal species increase during the rains and decrease during drought. Diatoms are the most sensitive to drying while the Chlorophyta and Cyanophycean members exhibit greater persistence in the form of resting stages for several years in the dry condition. Season Water availability is most favourable in spring and autumn when algae show maximum vigour. In the dried summer, the floral status is poor due to insufficient water and intense sunlight.
Depth The need for sunlight is reflected clearly in the vertical distribution of the algae. Thus the population is most dense in the upper 5-10 cm and falls off with depth. Inorganic nutrients Algal members flourish at high levels of inorganic phosphorus and nitrogen (in the paddy fields). Parasitic attacks Bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes destroy the algal celIs by producing extracellular enzymes.

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Factors affecting Algal population in soil