RUPA DEY, BRAJ NANDAN KUMAR AND SUNIL K. CHOUDHARY
Abstract
Irrigated rice fields are an integral part of the landscapes of tropical and subtropical regions. They are temporary wetlands that harbour many individuals of the same species that breed in natural temporary ponds (Roger, 1996). Altogether 35 genera and 73 species of phytoplankton mainly represented by algae from rice fields of Bhagalpur and Katihar districts were listed in the present study. Out of them, only 14 genera and 20 species were found common in both the districts. The algal flora was dominated by Bacillariophyta (39.72 %) and Chlorophyta (31.50%). Other algal groups were represented by Cyanophyta (26.02%) and Euglenophyta (2.74%). The present study deals with the status of phytoplankton diversity in the rice fields and their similarity analysis following Sorensons Quotient of similarity. According to Sorensons Quotient of Similarity (Q/S) the phytoplankton population in rice fields of both Bhagalpur and Katihar districts comprises similarity in Chlorophyta as 35.71%, in Bacillariophyta as 31.57%, in Cyanophyta as 53.84% and Euglenophyta as 100% respectively. The above result shows maximum similarity in Euglenophyta followed by Cyanophyta, Chlorophyta, and Bacillariophyta.