The Incorporation of Cyanobacteria Into Starch Pellets and Determination of Escapability Rates For Use in Land

Many Army land managers find stabilization, rehabilitation, and revegetation of soil to be extremely difficult on fully denuded lands and/or those riddled with rills and gullies. Finding a suitable and affordable way to repair these disturbed lands can be a formidable challenge. For arid and semi-arid lands, a well-developed cryptogamic crust may, in many cases, be an appropriate foundational material. The objective of this study was to incorporate cyanobacteria into a pelletized starch matrix for use as a soil inoculant in arid land rehabilitation. Two common terrestrial cyanobacteria, Nostoc punctiforme and Microcoleus vaginatus, were pelletized and monitored over an 3-week period (July to August, 1996). Escapability and viability of the pelletized cyanobacteria were tested using both chlorophyll a extraction and epiflourescence microscopy. Direct counts of populations and mean levels of chlorophyll a in both species steadily declined during the 8-week period. Results were poor and indicated this approach would be ineffective in the field. Dessication of the organisms during the pelletizmg process may have been a prime reason for lack of success in this study. Approved lor public release; distribution is unlimited. K ™z^m3m The contents of this report are not to be used for advertising, publication, or promotional purposes. Citation of trade names does not constitute an official endorsement or approval of the use of such commercial products. The findings of this report are not to be construed as an official Department of the Army position, unless so designated by other authorized documents