Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

CYANOBACTERIAL DIVERSITY IN JOHILA RESERVOIR, AMARKANTAK (M.P.), INDIA

Suresh Kumar Kol, Yogendra Kumar Payasi and J.P. Shukla

Abstract

Cyanobacteria are blue-green algae included in the division Cyanophycophyta and class Cyanophycophyceae. Since they are Prokaryotic in nature and structure hence called cyanobacteria. Though cyanobacteria are known as a potential nuisance in freshwater bodies and a risk bio-factor for human health, however, they play a crucial role in the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen and sustainable agriculture. In the present study, the diversity of the Cyanobacterial population in Johila reservoir, which is interiorly located in Amarkantak, and no study on its prevalence has been done so far. Six species of cyanobacteria belonging to these orders have been observed in the Johila reservoir and its outlets: Oscillatoria princeps; Anabaenatorulosa; Cylindrospermum musicola; Merismopedia glauca; Oscillatoria chlorina; Oscillatoria terebriformes. The nature, structure and, prevalence, status of each Cyanobacteria has been discussed in this paper.