Potent effect of barium ion was observed on the growth of such cyanobacteria as filamentous Phormidium lapideum as well as unicellular Anacystis nidulans. Studies on the P. lapideum in vitro revealed that one of two DNA polymerases was activated with 5 mM barium chloride in the co-presence of magnesium ion. Activity of DNA dependent RNA polymerase that was purified as homogeneous preparation was also more than doubled on the addition of barium ion. The fact described here should be a unique circumstance as compared to the general experience with barium salts.