SOIL ALGAE OF SINGAPORE

Abstract

A qualitative study of algae found in the soils of Singapore was carried out for a period of 5 months, from July 1987 to December 1987. Altogether a total of 110 samples of soil were collected from 22 different areas in Singapore. The soils collected were brought back to the laboratory and cultured in Bold Basal media for a period of about 2 weeks. Identification of the algae was then made based on their morphological characteristics. The algae were identified using the many foreign algal floras, a few local ones produced by past students, together with other monographs as well as identification lists. From the survey conducted, it was found that the most common soil algae were those belonging to the group and Cynophyceae and Chlorophyceae. There were altogether a total of 60 species of algae, out of which 37 were members of the Cyanophyceae and 11 were members of the Chlorophyceae. There were also 11 species of Bacillariophyceae and 1 species of Euglenophyceae.