UPSC Prelims 2013
Environment & Ecology
Consider the following organisms:
1. Agaricus
2. Nostoc
3. Spirogyra
Which of the above is/are used as biofertilizer/biofertilizers?
Explanation
Out of the three organisms listed, only 2. Nostoc is commonly used as a biofertilizer. Agaricus: This is a type of mushroom and not typically used as a biofertilizer. Nostoc: This is a filamentous, nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium. Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are one of the main groups of organisms used in biofertilizers due to their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen and make it available to plants. Spirogyra: This is a green alga and not generally used as a biofertilizer.