2. Biofertilizer
Biofertilizers are the substance that contains
microorganism's living or latent cells.
Biofertilizers increases the nutrients of host plants
when applied to their seeds, plant surface or soil by
colonizing the rhizosphere of the plant.
Biofertilizers are more cost-effective as compared to
chemical fertilizers
3. Biofertilizer
‘Bio’ means ‘life’. Therefore, by definition bio
fertilizers are living organisms that enrich the nutrient
quality of the soil.
It refers to the use of microbes instead of chemicals to
enhance the nutrition of the soil. As a result, it is also
less harmful and does not cause pollution.
4. Biofertilizer
This is what makes them so important to organic
farming because they are completely environment-
friendly. Let’s take a look at the different microbes that
are used as biofertilizers.
Over the years, chemical fertilizers have helped farmers
increase crop production to meet the increasing
demand. However, the overuse of these fertilizers is
harmful because they cause air and water pollution; and
also deplete minerals from the soil. Therefore, there is
a need to now switch to organic farming which involves
the use of ‘Biofertilizers’.
5. Biofertilizer
Bio-fertilizers are eco-friendly fertilizers, which are being
used to improve the quality and fertility of the soil.
Bio-fertilizers are made from biological wastes and they do
not contain any chemicals. They are beneficial to the soil,
as they enrich the soil with micro-organisms that help in
producing organic nutrients, which in turn help the soil to
fight diseases. They therefore enrich the the nutrient
quality of the soil. They also restore the depleted nutrients
of the soil.
The main sources of bio-fertilizers are bacteria, fungi and
cynobacteria (blue-green algae). Plants have a special
relationship with bacteria and fungi. They provide the plant
with nutrition, resistance against diseases and the ability to
combat worst climatic conditions.
9. Bacteria
You may have already studied about the nitrogen-fixing nodules on the
roots of legumes. This a great example of biofertilizers. The nodules are
formed by the association of the bacterium ‘Rhizobium’ with the roots of
these plants. This association is beneficial and is, therefore, called
‘symbiotic’.
10. Fungi
Symbiotic associations exist between plants and fungi
too.
These associations are called ‘Mycorrhizae’.
The fungus in this association absorbs phosphorus from
the soil and provides it to the plant. Plants that grow
with these associations also show other advantageous
characteristics such as:
Tolerance to drought conditions and salinity.
Resistance to root-borne pathogens.
An overall increase in plant growth and development.
11. Cyanobacteria
These are blue-green bacteria found in water and on
land.
They also help fix atmospheric nitrogen. Examples
are Oscillatoria, Nostoc, Anabaena etc.
The symbiotic association between the aquatic fern
Azolla and Anabaena is very important for rice fields.
In this association, Anabaena receives carbon and
nitrogen from the plant in exchange for fixed nitrogen.
This adds organic matter to the soil enhancing the
fertility of rice fields.
12. Solved Example For You
Which of these biofertilizers provide phosphorus to the
plants?
1. Oscillatoria
2. Rhizobium
3. Nostoc
4. Mycorrhizae
13. The correct answer is option “d”. Mycorrhizae provide
phosphorus to the plants while the others fix
atmospheric nitrogen that can be used by the plants.
18. Preparation of Bio fertilizer
Biocompost: It is a kind of organic fertilizer,
which is prepared from the waste of the sugar
industry. The waste is decomposed using a number
of human and plants friendly bacteria and Fungi.
Biocompost consists of nitrogen, phosphate
solubilizing bacteria and plenty of useful fungi like
the decomposing fungi. This biofertilizer helps the
farmers to increase soil fertility and thereby
increase the yield of the crops
19. Vermi Compost: It is also an organic
fertilizer containing nitrogen phosphorus, potassium,
sulphur, organic carbon, sulfur, hormones, enzymes,
etc. If used over a period of time, the soil becomes
extremely fertile and all the lost nutrients are restored
back to the turf and the soil remains fertile
Phospho: This is also a kind of bio-fertilizer, which
releases insoluble phosphorous in the soil, making it
more fertile
Rhizo: It is a bacterial, which induces nitrogen fixing
nodules on the roots of vegetables like peas, beans,
etc., thereby, playing an important role in agriculture
Azotobactor: Nitrogen plays an extremely important
role in plant growth. Azotobactor improves the quantity
of atmospheric nitrogen in the soil and makes it
available to the plants. It also shields the roots from
other pathogens existing in the soil
