Utilization of Leptolyngbya boryana mat for modulating nutrient uptake and its translocation in rice (Oryza sativa)

Abstract The effect of algalization on paddy yield and its nutrition were analyzed. The application of Leptolyngbya boryana mat in conjunction with different doses of fertilizer (R + A + 75%N, R + A + 100%N, R + 100%N, and R + A + 125%N) was performed in the paddy fields of Andhra Pradesh, India. Leptolyngbya boryana mat acted as a promising metal sequester and demonstrated an elicited photosynthetic activity (2-fold increase in Chl-a), carbohydrate (2-fold increase) and lipid (1.7-fold increase) content (% w/w) after 2-month cultivation. It also displayed proficient metal (ppm) uptake efficiency in the order Ca \u003e Fe \u003e Mg \u003e K \u003e Na \u003e Mn \u003e Zn \u003e Cr. In grains, higher nutrient accumulation for Fe (~2-fold), Mg (~1.5-fold) and Ca (~5-fold), and a significantly higher translocation factor (Tf) in the order Ca \u003e K \u003e Mg were recorded under R + A + 125%N. In essence, algalization substantially improved the overall nutritive quality of the rice grains, especially its iron content.