Combined application of cyanobacteria with soil fixing chemicals for rapid induction of biological soil crust formation

ABSTRACTCombined applications of cyanobacteria with soil fixing chemicals were investigated to generate artificially induced biological soil crust (BSC). Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and Tacki-Spray (TKS7) chemicals composed of bio-polysaccharides and tackifiers were examined under laboratory conditions. Following singular applications of chemicals, the mean weight diameter values of soil treated with TKS7 were 1.4–2.5 times higher than those of soil treated with PVA and thus TKS7 was selected for further tests for application with cyanobacteria (Nostoc Vaucher ex Bornet & Flahault, Phormidium Kutzing ex Gomont, and Scytonema arcangeli Bornet ex Flahault). Combined application of cyanobacteria and different concentrations of TKS7 enhanced soil aggregate stability, resulting in mean weight diameter values of 0.58–0.69 mm and was comparable to TKS7 singular application (0.18–0.40 mm). Surface hardness values were also highly improved by the combined application of cyanobacteria with TKS7 (4.5 MPa) compared to si...