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Role of Biofertilizers in Organic Agriculture

Article · October 2022

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 Role of Biofertilizers in Organic Agriculture
Lata Devi, Sahil Sheikh, Neelam Kumari and Rajender Kumar

Abstract

As we know Biofertilizers are natural fertilizers that are microbial inoculants of bacteria, algae
and fungi. Use of biofertilizer is recommended for improving the soil fertility in organic farming. They
accelerate certain microbial processes in the soil which augment the extent of availability of nutrients
in a form easily assimilated by plants. They help restore the soil’s natural nutrient cycle and increase
soil organic matter. Microorganismsthat are commonly used as bio-fertilizer components include;
nitrogen fixers, Potassium and Phosphorus solubilizers, growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs),
cyanobacteria and other useful microscopic organisms. Biofertilizers are carrier-based microorganisms
that increase productivity through biological nitrogen fixation, the solubilization of insoluble
phosphate, or by generating hormones, vitamins, and other growth-promoting compounds essential for
plant growth.

Introduction that contain effective strains of particular organisms

Biofertilizers are substances that contain (namely bacteria). Biofertilizers are the by-products
active or dormant cells of effective microorganism of beneficial microorganisms that increase
strains that hasten specific microbial activities in the agricultural productivity by supplying nutrients,
soil and increase the amount of nutrients available in particularly nitrogen and phosphorus. These
a form that is readily absorbed by plants. Organic biofertilizers are affordable, simple to use, and safe
materials and green manure are biofertilizers. for the environment. In addition to preserving
Agriculturists utilize biofertilizers as carriers or productivity and soil health, the prudent use of
based inoculants to increase soil productivity by biofertilizers and chemical or other organic plant
fixing airborne phosphates, solubilizing them, or nutrient sources has demonstrated encouraging
boosting plant development through the manufacture results in meeting some of the fertiliser needs of
of chemicals that promote growth and contain cells various plants. In the quest for sustainable agricultu-

Lata Devi
Assistant Professor, School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, RIMT University, Mandi Gobindgarh, Punjab

Sahil Sheikh
Natural Farming Fellow, Agriculture Department, ATMA Project, Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh

Neelam Kumari
VT Lecturer Agriculture, Govt. Senior Secondary School, Korag, Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh

Rajender Kumar
Corn Development Officer, Bayer Crop Science, Nalagarh, Himachal Pradesh

E-ISSN: 2583-1755 Volume-1, Issue-12, October, 2022

re, biofertilizers are gaining popularity as a possible to algalization could be to the extent of 20-30 kg ha-
1
alternative to hazardous chemical fertilisers. For . It adds growth-promoting substances & vitamin
crops to yield and to maintain long-term soil fertility, B12.
biofertilizers are crucial. In order to meet the world's Rhizobium: The greatest example of symbiotic
growing demand for food, biofertilizers play a nitrogen fixation is Rhizobium, which belongs to the
critical role in the development of crops and the long- Rhizobiaceae bacterial family. It can fix N2 in plants,
term preservation of soil fertility. Plants used for both legumes and non-legume plants. Rhizobium has
agriculture can interact with microbes to strengthen been found to be fixed at 300 kg N ha-1 year-1 in a
their defences, promote growth, and evolve. number of different legume crops. The terms
Nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, zinc, and silica Rhizobium, Brady rhizobium, Sino rhizobium,
are the primary elements needed for a plant's healthy Azorhizobium, and Mesorhizobium are all
growth; yet, these nutrients typically exist in collectively referred to.
insoluble or complex forms. Some microbial species Sulphur Oxidizing Biofertilizers: Sulphur is an
make them soluble and available to plants. essential element for plants. It has been demonstrated
Types of Biofertilizers that sulphur plays a significant part in improving the
1. Nitrogen Symbiotic
fixers Nodulating (Rhizobium); Non-
biological and physical qualities of soil. The capacity
nodulating (Anabaena in association of sulphur to shield soil against high pH levels is well
with water fern Azolla)
Asymbiotic documented. An example of a bacterium that can
Azotobacter; Azospirilium; Acetobacter;
Blue green algae (Nostoc or Anabaena oxidise sulphur is Thiobacillus spp. Thiobacillus
or Tolypothrix or Aulosira)
2. Phosphorus Bacteria (Bacillus polymyxa, thioparous and T. trioxidanes may convert sulphur to
biofertilizer Pseudomonas striata); Fungi
(Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp.)
plant-useable sulphates, which help with plant
Phosphorus mobilizer (Glomus spp., nutrition. Sulphur oxidising bacteria also contribute
Scutellospora spp.)
3. Potassium Acidothiobacillus ferrooxidans, significantly to environmental protection by
solubilizer Paenibacillus spp., Bacillus
mucilaginosus, B. edaphicus, and B. naturally eliminating sulphide pollutants.
circulans
4. Silicate and Bacillus spp. Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR):
zinc
solubilizer PGPR refers to a group of free-living rhizosphere
5. Compost Cellulolytic (Trichoderma spp.); bacteria that colonise plant roots and have a
biofertilizer Lignolytic (Agaricus spp.)
6. PGPRs Pseudomosnas fluorescence beneficial effect on plant development. Species of
Blue-Green Algae (Cyanobacteria): Nitrogen- Pseudomonas and bacillus can produce
fixing bacteria Cyanobacteria are the most common phytohormones or growth promoters. They produce
nitrogen fixers on the planet. Cyanobacteria have include indole-acetic acid, cytokinin, gibberellins
been harnessed in rice cultivation. The benefits due and inhibitors of ethylene production.

E-ISSN: 2583-1755 Volume-1, Issue-12, October, 2022

Potassium Solubilizing and Mobilizing Azotobacter sp) stimulate production of growth
Biofertilizers: The second most prevalent and promoting substance like vitamins-B complex,
necessary nutrient in plants, after nitrogen and Indole acetic acid (IAA) and Gibberellic acids
phosphorus, is potassium (K). Even though there is a etc.
lot of potassium in the soil, only 1% to 2% of it can  BGA plays a vital role in the nitrogen economy
be absorbed by plants; the remaining potassium is of rice fields in tropical regions. Azotobacter
found as a mineral that plants cannot use. For the inoculants when applied to many non-
development and growth of plants, it is crucial. If the leguminous crop plants, promote seed
plants don't receive enough water, they'll grow germination and initial vigor of plants by
slowly, have roots that aren't well-formed, and only producing growth promoting substances.
generate modest amounts of seeds. Examples of  Nitrogen fixing, phosphate mobilizing and
biofertilizers that may dissolve potassium include cellulolytic microorganisms in bio-fertilizer
Bacillus species and Aspergillus niger, Arthrobacter enhance uptake of P, Zn, S and water, leading
species, Cladosporium, and Sphingomonas to uniform crop growth and increased yield and
aminobacter. also enhance resistance to root diseases and
Role of Biofertilizers improve hardiness of transplant stock. They
 Biofertilizers play an important role in liberate growth promoting substances and
improving fertility of the soil. vitamins and help to maintain soil fertility.
 They are non- polluting.
 They improve soil texture.
 Some biofertilizers protects the crops from
various soil- borne disease.
 Some biofertilizer such as Azolla and BGA
compact the toxic effect arising from fertilizer
and pesticides.
 Biofertilizers are environment friendly. They
can be used for the protection of environment.
Conclusion: As a result, Biofertilizer have great role
 Application of Biofertilizers results in
in increasing the crop production. Also do not leave
increased mineral and water uptake, root
the residual effects like that of the chemical
development, vegetative growth and nitrogen
fertilizers. Biofertilizers are cost-effective, organic,
fixation.
and environmentally sustainable. The role of
 Some Biofertilizers (eg, Rhizobium, BGA,
biofertilizers in the growth of crops and the mainten-
E-ISSN: 2583-1755 Volume-1, Issue-12, October, 2022
ance of long-term soil fertility, which is crucial to
satisfy global food demand, is crucial microbes can
interact and improve their immunity, growth and
development with crop plants.

References
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and Food. The Agriculture Magazine. 1(II):
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Bamboriya, S.D., Bamboriya, J.S. and Shanti.
(2018). Role of biofertilizers in agriculture-
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Scientific Research .9 (7): 27727-27732.
Itelima, J.U., Bang, W.J. and Onyimb,, I.A. (2018).
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