GROWTH PROMOTING EFFECT OF EXTRACTS FROM SIX STRAINS OF NITROGEN-FIXING BLUE-GREEN ALGAE ON MAIZE WITH AN ANALYSIS ON THE COMPOSITION OF EXTRACTS

Extracts obtained from 6 strains of nitrogen fixing blue green algae were used to examine their effects on maize seed and their amino acids, carbohydrates and vitamin B12 contents were analysed. All the extracts have positive affect on the germination and seedling growth of maize. Extracts from Anabaena azotica HB 686, A. sphaerica HB 1017, A. variabilis HB 1058 and Tolypothrix tenuis HB TT showed better growth Promoting effect than from Anabaena sp. HB 1042 and Aulosira fertilissima HB 38. Correspondingly, contents of amino acids, carbohydrates and vitamin B12 in extracts from the former 4 species are ralatively higher than from the later 2 species.