Adaptation of the Cyanobacterium fischerella sp. ISC 107 to the combined effects of pH and carbon dioxide concentration. Mahboobeh Rajabnasab1, Ramezan Ali Khavari-nejad1*, Shademan Shokravi2 and Taher Nejadsattari1

The aim of this study was to investigate the adaptation of the cyanobacterium Fischerella sp. ISC 107to combined effects of carbon dioxide concentration, acidic and alkalinity. Axenic strain was incubated in BG0-11 medium. Carbon dioxide treatments were limited and relatively non-limited. Acidic (pH 5), neutral (pH7), and alkaline (pH 9) conditions were employed in each treatment. Survival, growth, chlorophyll, phycocyanin, allophycocyanin, and phycoerythrin contents were evaluated in each treatment along with ammonium liberation, frequency, and biometry of heterocyst.  Results showed that like other explored stigonematalean and nostocalean cyanobacteria, this strain cannot grow in acidic condition. Under limited carbon dioxide condition, difference in growth rates were not significant between acidic and alkaline conditions; however, carbon dioxide enrichment caused significant increase in growth rates.  Phycobilisome system of this strain lacked phycoerythrin and may complete its structure both at the core and the rod under alkaline condition. Heterocyst frequency and biometry were maximum at alkaline condition showing significant correlation with nitrogenase activity. Heterocyst showed cylindrical and sub-cylindrical morphology on days 4and 5 after inoculation. Overall, the results showed that this strain may be qualified to be used as a biofertilizer similar to the other cyanobacteria.