Biofertilizers Definition
“Biofertilizers” are substances that have microorganisms. These substances, when added to soil, increase its fertility and encourage plant growth.
What is Biofertilizer and how does it work?
Biofertilizers include substances that contain microbes. They promote the growth of plants by providing essential nutrients. It is made up of living organisms, including blue-green algae, bacteria, and mycorrhizal fungal fungi. Mycorrhizal mushrooms preferentially take minerals from organic material for plants, while cyanobacteria possess the property to fix nitrogen.
The process of converting dinitrogen molecules into nitrogen compounds is known as nitrogen fixation. Some bacteria convert insoluble soil phosphorus to soluble forms. This will make phosphorus available to plants.
Different types of Biofertilizers
These are the most important types:
Symbiotic Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria
Rhizobium can be described as a vital symbiotic, nitrogen-fixing bacteria. This bacteria is able to seek shelter and food from plants. They provide nitrogen for plants and help them in return.
Loose Association of Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria
Azospirillum bacteria is a nitrogen-fixing organism that lives around higher plants’ roots but does not form an intimate relationship. This bacteria is sometimes called rhizosphere associations because it collects plant exudate which is then used by the bacteria as food. This is known as associative mutualism.
Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixing Cyanobacteria
Blue-green algae, or Cyanobacteria, results from a symbiotic relationship with several plants. The Nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria include liverworts and cycad roots. Anabaena is found in the leaf cavities. It is responsible for nitrogen fixation. The fern plants are responsible for nitrogen fixation. Azolla pienta is a fern that lives in rice fields. However, they don’t regulate the growth.
Free-Living Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria
They are free-living soil microorganisms that can fix nitrogen. They are saprotrophic and anaerobic anaerobes like Clostridium beijerinckii or Azotobacter.
Most biofertilizers can be found in Rhizobium or Azospirillum.
Biofertilizers: Components
These are the components of biofertilizers:
Bio Compost
It is made of sugar industry waste materials that have been decomposed. It is enhanced by human-friendly bacteria, yeast, and other plants.
Tricho-Card
It is nonpathogenic, eco-friendly, and can be used in a wide range of crops. It works as an antagonistic hyperparasitic and productive destroyer against many pathogens such as eggs, bores, shoots fruit, leaves and flower eaters.
Azotobacter
It protects roots from soil pathogens and plays a critical role in fixing atmospheric Nitrogen. About 78% of all the atmospheric nitrogen is nitrogen.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus, one of the vital nutrients for plant growth and development, is essential. Hydrolyzing phosphate-soluble microorganisms, phosphate solubilizing bacteria, hydrolyze insoluble forms of phosphorus compounds for plant uptake. There are many bacteria and fungi that can be used to accomplish this, such as Penicillium and Aspergillus.
Vermicompost
It is an eco-friendly organic fertilizer. It contains vitamins, nutrients, hormones, sulfur, and antibiotics which help increase yield. Vermicompost is a quick way to increase soil fertility.
Biofertilizers: Their importance
The following are reasons why Biofertilizers can be important:
Biofertilizers can improve the soil texture and yield for plants.
They prevent pathogens from flourishing.
They are cost-effective and eco-friendly.
Since they are natural fertilizers and biofertilizers, they protect the environment from pollution.
They remove many toxic substances from the soil that can lead to plant diseases.
Biofertilizers can be used even in semi-arid climates.
Biofertilizers – Applications
These are the main uses of biofertilizers.
Seedling root dip
This is applicable to rice plants. The seedlings will be planted in the water for between 8-10 hours.
Seed Treatment
The seeds are then dipped into the fertilizer mixture. These seeds are then dried, and sow as soon as possible.
Soil Treatment
The mixture of the biofertilizers with the compost fertilizers is kept together for one overnight. The mixture is then spread over the soil where the seeds are to be sown.