Hanie Younesi - Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University.
Seyedeh Batool Hassani - Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University.
Ali Akbar Ghotbi Ravandi - Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University.
Neda Soltani - Department of Petroleum Microbiology, Research Institute of Applied Science, ACECR, Tehran, Iran

Cyanobacteria are oxygenic, photosynthetic prokaryotes with unique potential to enhance plant growth, development, and productivity. The effects of Phormidium sp. ISC۱۰۸ was evaluate on seed germination, seedling growth criteria and photosynthetic efficiency of maize. Phormidium sp. ISC۱۰۸ was applied to soil via irrigation whereas control group was irrigated via sterilized water. A significant promotion in seed germination was observed in Phormidium sp. ISC۱۰۸ treated maize seeds. Similarly, seedling growth indices of treated plants including biomass production, plant heights and leaf area significantly enhanced. Chlorophyll content as well as chlorophyll a fluorescence kinetics was also positively influenced by Phormidium sp. ISC۱۰۸ application. Quantum yield of photosynthesis, primary photochemical reactions, rate of exiton transfer to electron transport chain, yield of electron transport and performance index of photosynthetic apparatus significantly increased in response to Phormidium sp. ISC۱۰۸ application in soil. However, values of thermal dissipation of absorbed light showed a significant reduction as a result of Phormidium sp. ISC۱۰۸ treatment. Considering remarkable growth promoting properties, Phormidium sp. ISC۱۰۸ may offer a feasible economical and environmental-friendly candidate as bio-fertilizer in sustainable maize production..

Biofertilizer, Chlorophyll a fluorescence, Cyanobacteria, Phormidium sp. ISC۱۰۸, Zea mays