Cyanobacteria and cyanolichens: can they enhance availability of essential minerals for higher plants?

In both field and greenhouse studies, cyanobacteria and cyanolichens of cold-temperate deserts often enhance growth and essential element uptake by associated herbs. That effect is associated with better seedling establishment and larger seedlings. The following are possible mechanisms for these eff...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Great Basin naturalist 1993-03, Vol.53 (1), p.59-72
Main Authors: Harper, K.T. (Brigham Young University, Provo, UT), Pendleton, R.L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ABSORCION DE SUBSTANCIAS NUTRITIVAS
ABSORPTION DE SUBSTANCES NUTRITIVES
Cyanobacteria
CYANOPHYTA
DESERT
Desert soils
DESERTS
DESIERTOS
FERTILIDAD DEL SUELO
FERTILITE DU SOL
FLORA DEL SUELO
FLORE DU SOL
LICHEN
LICHENES
LIQUENES
MINERALES
MINERALS
MINERAUX
Nitrogen
NUTRICION DE LAS PLANTAS
NUTRIENT UPTAKE
NUTRITION DES PLANTES
Plant growth
PLANT NUTRITION
Plant roots
Plants
Soil biochemistry
Soil crusts
SOIL FERTILITY
SOIL FLORA
Soil organic matter
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Summary:In both field and greenhouse studies, cyanobacteria and cyanolichens of cold-temperate deserts often enhance growth and essential element uptake by associated herbs. That effect is associated with better seedling establishment and larger seedlings. The following are possible mechanisms for these effects: (1) the microbiota concentrate essential elements in available forms in soil surface layers, (2) the microbial surface covers are usually darker colored than the soil itself and produce warmer soils during cool seasons when soil water is most available, (3) the gelatinous sheaths of several cyanobacterial genera common on alkaline deserts contain chelating compounds, and (4) conditions that favor persistent microbial growths on soil surfaces also favor maintenance of larger populations of microorganisms that form mycorrhizal and/or rhizosheath associations with seed plants. There is evidence that associated animals maybe nutritionally benefited by the enhanced mineral content of forage plants growing in well-developed cyanobacterial crusts.
ISSN:0017-3614