Use of barley straw to control nuisance freshwater algae

摘要

This research investigated the effect of aerobically decomposing barley straw on the growth of seven problematic freshwater algae. Growth of Microcystis aeruginosa, Scenedesmus subspicatus, Anabaena flos-aquae, Spirogyra sp., and Cladophora glomerata were inhibited by the barley straw extract. In contrast, barley straw liquor stimulated the growth of Hydrodictyon reticulatum and Oscillatoria tenius, although its effect on the latter was not significant when results were compared with controls. Field trials were conducted to assess the effect of barley straw on algal assemblage. Bioassays indicated an overall reduction of algal biomass in both treatments (400 and 800 kg/ha) compared with the controls as well as a shift in algal composition from cyanobacteria to diatoms. Results suggest that the use of barley straw is an effective method to control nuisance algae in freshwater systems.