Ecological and Quantitative Analysis of Blue Green Algae from Paddy Fields of Patan and Karad Tehsil, Satara District, Maharashtra

: Paddy fields are best studied aquatic ecosystems on earth. Blue green algae are the important components of paddy field soils expressively contribute to its fertilization. Present investigation was carried out to study the Ecological and quantitative analysis of blue green algae and correlate them with diversity of blue green algal flora in paddy field soils of Patan and Karad tehsil. Ecological and quantitative analysis of BGA showed that there is bit difference found in Simpsons diversity index (H) and Shannon’s diversity index (SDI) as well as species richness and evenness from both tehsil. This showed that blue green algal flora from paddy field soils of both tehsil is considerably correlated (0.776).


I. INTRODUCTION
Blue green algae are the first photosynthetic prokaryotes which emit oxygen in the atmosphere.Cyanobacteria show connecting link between bacteria, eukaryotic algae and higher plants.They resemble with bacteria in lack of membrane bound organelles like true nucleus, chloroplast and mitochondria (Feldgarden and Cohn, 2003).On the other hand they contain photosynthetic system as that of eukaryotic algae and green plants (Castenholz and Waterbury, 1989).
They contain bluish green colored pigment phycocyanin 'cyan' means dark blue; so the name 'Cyanobacteria' and this pigment in conjunction with green chlorophyll so the common name is 'Blue green algae'.Besides chlorophyll, other pigments also present and give different coloration to them are carotenoids, phycobilins (phycocyanin, phycoerythrin).They also appear bluish, purple, brown, black and green in color.(Kondo and Yasuda, 2003).
Blue green algae are important component of soil microflora in paddy field.They play important role in maintaining and improving soil fertility as they have ability of nitrogen fixation.Rice fields provide ideal environment for luxuriant growth of blue-green algae.They are found in paddy field soil throughout the year at various growth stages of rice crop.The occurrence, distribution and proliferation of those blue green algae is controlled by physical and chemical nature of paddy field soil.These parameters of soil show profound effect on distribution of blue-green algae (Nayak et al. 2004).
Studies on blue green algal flora from paddy fields of Maharashtra was undertaken by (Patil & Satav,1986;Gonzalves & Gangla, 1949;Kolte &Goyal 1985 andPatil &Chougule 2009).Biodiversity of blue green algae from paddy fields of Satara district was studied by (Karande 2009and Kamble 2010, 2017).Blue green algal diversity other than paddy was studied by (Kamat 1962(Kamat , 1963;;Jawale & Kumawat 2004;Auti &Pingle 2006 andNikam et al. 2013).However, there is no any report on comparative study of blue green algae in accordance to geographical and climatic conditions from of paddy soil from Patan and Karad tehsils of Satara district.So, present work was taken up with a view to screen blue green algal diversity in relation to Geographical and climatic conditions of the paddy fields from the study area.The blue green algal taxa recorded from the study region are the first reports.

II. MATERIAL AND METHODS
For the present work two hundred eighty eight paddy fields from different agroclimatic conditions were selected from Patan and Karad Tehsils of Satara district Maharashtra.Patan and Karad tehsils differ in several aspects like agroclimatic conditions, geography, topography, soil types etc. (Table 1).In winter -10 0 c In summer -34 0 c In winter -10 0 c 6 Rainfall 2000 mm (200 cm) 691 mm (69.1 cm) Patan is 65 km away to the south-west of Satara.Most of the part of Patan tehsil is hilly with deep valleys while some part is at plains.This tehsil receives high rainfall and is famous for cultivation of local varieties of paddy viz.Dombya, Dodkya, Kolambya, Bhados, Panwel, Indrayani, Champakali, Ghansal, Jiresal, Teliansh 6444, Kaveri 888, Krishnakusal, Basmati, Ambemohar etc.
Karad is 52 km far to the south-east of Satara.Karad city situated at southern part of Satara district near Agashiva, at the confluence of Koyna and Krishna rivers; this confluence called as 'Preeti sangam'.Tahasil receives moderate rainfall and common soil type is black cottony soil.It is famous for cultivation of local varieties of rice viz.Indrayani, Rethare Basmati, Pusa Basmati, Hansa, Khadkil Kolhapuri, Kolhapuri, and Kaveri etc.
Ecological and quantitative analysis of blue green algae isolated from paddy fields of two tehsils was done by using following formulae: 1. Shannon's Diversity Index 'H': This index is used to measure species diversity mathematically and calculated by following formula (Table 20 20) Where H = Shannon's diversity index In (s) = Natural logarithm of species richness 5. Soerenson Correlation Coefficient 'cc': It is used to calculate community similarity.(Table 20) Where C = Number of species common in both communities S1 = Total species found in community I S2 = Total species found in community II III.RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Comparison of blue green algal diversity in paddy field soils of Patan and Karad tahasil showed bit more diversity of blue green algae in paddy field soils of Patan tahasil than paddy field soils of Karad tahasil.Simpson's diversity index (H) of blue green algae of paddy field soils of Patan tahasil is more (0.288) than that of Karad tahasil (0.254) as well as Shanon's diversity index (SDI) of Patan tahasil is also more (1.6344)than that Karad tahasil (1.593).Blue green algal species richness (6.729) and species evenness (0.565) in paddy field soils of Patan is also bit more than paddy field soils of Karad tahasil i. e. (6.066) and (0.419).The result of sorenson correlation coefficient showed very much similarity in blue green algal communities within paddy field soils of both the tahasils (0.776).(Table 2) IV.CONCLUSION The blue green algal flora of the paddy field is unique one.Ecological and quantitative analysis showed there is very much correlation in taxaonomical data of blue green algae from paddy field soils of both tehsils; climatic conditions and physicochemical characters of soils influence the distribution of cyanobacteria in paddy field soils.These investigations provide the knowledge about indigenous species of blue green algae in accordance to geographical and climatic conditions which will help in development of niche specific inoculants as biofertilizers for rice fields of this region.
) H = ∑ pi In pi Where s= Number of species in the samples Pi = Relative abundance of the species in the community In = log to base 2 H = Diversity of Shannon 2. Simpson Diversity index 'SDI': This is used to measure community dominance and calculated by following formula Where n = Number of individuals of each species N = Total number of individuals of all species 3. Species Richness-The number of species present in community is calculated by Memhinick's index 'D' (Table 20) D = √ Where S = Number of different species represented in sample N = Total number of individual organisms in sample.4. Species Evenness: Distribution of individuals over species and calculated by following formula.(Table

Table 1 :
Comparative account of Geographical and climatic conditions from Study area Sr. No. Geographical/Climatic conditions Patan Tehsil

Table 2 :
Ecological and quantitative analysis of blue green algae of study region Sr.