Biofertilizers

Biofertilizers are carrier based preparations containing active strains of specific

microorganisms, which help in enhancing the soil fertility either by fixing
atmospheric N2, solubilization/ mineralization of P & K or decomposing organic
wastes or by augmenting plant growth through producing growth promoting
substances with their biological activities.

Biofertilizer Agents are classified as (microbes in biofertilizers)

1. N-fixer
2. P-Solubilizer/Mobilizer
3. Compost Accelerator

Biological N-Fixation:
What is Biological N2 fixation?
Reduction of Dinitrogen (N2) to NH3 through biological means is termed as Biological
Nitrogen Fixation
Why reduction of N2 is necessary?
Though atmosphere contains 79% of N, eukaryotes cannot utilize the N directly,
unless it is reduced to NH3. Dinitrogen having triple bond and cannot be broken by higher
plants.

Functions of nitrogen in the plant

1. Inside the plant, Nitrogen converts to amino acids, the building blocks for
proteins. These amino acids are then used in forming protoplasm, which is used
in cell division. These amino acids are also utilized in producing necessary

enzymes and structural parts of the plant and can become part of the stored
proteins in the grain.
2. Nitrogen serves as the source for the dark green color in the leaves of various
crops. This is a result of a high concentration of chlorophyll. Nitrogen combined
with high concentrations of chlorophyll utilizes the sunlight as an energy source
to carryout essential plant functions including nutrient uptake.
3. Chlorophyll is associated with the production of simple sugars from carbon,
hydrogen, and oxygen. These sugars along with their conversion products play a
role in stimulating plant growth and development along with higher protein
content in the grain.
4. Nitrogen deficiency shows up in the yellowing or chlorosis of the plant leaves.
The yellowing will start in the oldest leaves, and then will proceed to develop on
younger leaves if the deficiency continues.
5. Plants will typically be shorter or stunted and grow slower than plants with
sufficient Nitrogen. Nitrogen stress also reduces the amount of protein in the
seed and plant. Tillering can also be reduced in small grains.
6. A Nitrogen deficiency can also affect the standibility of crops as grain fill
occurs. If a plant is deficient in Nitrogen, it will draw Nitrogen out of the leaves
and stalk for grain fill. This will weaken the stalk or stem causing standability
problems.

Broadly the biological nitrogen fixing bacteria are divided into two
groups
Symbiotic
Non Symbiotic
In all the BNF system it is the nitogenase enzyme play crucial role in reducing
dinitrogen to ammonia

Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation

What is Symbiosis?
An intimate association between two different organisms for which the
coexistence is deemed to be mutually beneficial
Symbiotic Nitrogen fixation may be of three different types
Legume Rhizobium
Cyanobacteria with plant/fungi
Frankia with trees
Rhizobium is symbiotic bacterium, occurs in the roots of different legumes &
pulses, produce nodules and fix atmospheric dinitrogen inside the nodules.

This Rhizobium present inside the nodule can be isolated and multiplied in
laboratory .After appropriate multiplication the Rhizobium is mixed with carrier material
in aseptic condition and used as biofertilizers for different pulse crops.
Necessity of Rhizobium Biofertilizers
Though Rhizobium occurs naturally in soil, but in most of the cases, either their
population is highly insufficient or ineffective for proper nodulation traits. The low pH
in the North Eastern Region is not conducive for proper nodulation that limits the
Rhizobium cells to survive in adequate numbers in free living state. Under such situations
the legume crops need to be inoculated with specific strains of Rhizobium inoculants
each and every time.
The advantages of Rhizobium inoculation.
.
Increases crop yield by 10-30%
Reduce Chemical fertilizer by 50% Leave considerable residual N (3-8kg of per
bigha) after the harvest of the legume crop.
Benefiting the succeeding crop
Benefit the companion crop if grown along with legume as inter crop
2) Cyanaobacteria:
Cyanaobacteria are ecologically important in N2 fixing organisms
especially in rice cultivation. Anabaena azollae is a small filamentous phototrophic
cyanobacteria, live in a symbiotic association on Azolla(aheterosporouspteridophyte).
Itincreasestheproductioninricefieldthroughfixationofnitrogen.

Non-Symbiotic Azospirillum and Azotobacter

Non Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation can be divided into another three groups based on the
oxygen requirements
Aerobic free-living nitrogen fixation. example-Azotobacter
Microaerophillic (required low oxygen) , for example Azospirillum
Anerobic free living , for example Clostridium
Out of sixteen known elements, N play vital role in crop production. Due to
intensive agriculture and injudicious use of N through Chemical fertilizers
jeopardize the soil ecosystem. To sustain the fertility of soils, maintenance of
appropriate N2 fixing microflora is very essential. In this context, Azospirillum &
Azotobacter play significant role as renewable nutrient source especially nitrogen in
sustainable agricultural production.
Azospirillum
This genus includes spirally curved bacteria which not only lives in rhizosphere
of grasses but can also enter root cortex. It is an associative micraerophilic (low oxygen

requirement) Nitrogen fixer which not only colonizes root mass and fixes N2 in close
association with plant in an environment of low O 2 tension. These bacteria induce
plant roots to secrete mucilage substances which creates low O 2 environment and
helps to fix atmospheric Nitrogen. It has a wide host range, high N2 fixation capacity,
low energy requirement, tolerance to high soil temperature thereby makes these
suitable for tropical condition
The positive aspect of this inoculant is that they produce plant growth
promoting substance in addition to fixing the Nitrogen.
Azospirillum biofertilizers is made of live cells of bacteria requied oxygen and freeliving habitat.
Azotobacter:
This is a group of bacteria which are free living nitrogen fixer. The mechanism by
which plants inoculated with Azotobacter derive its benefits such as increased
biomass ,Nitrogen uptake is attributed to increase in nitrogen input by Biological
nitrogen fixation, development and branching of roots ,production of plant growth
hormones, vitamins, enhancement in uptake of nitrate, ammonium orthophosphate,
potassium and iron improved water status of the plant and antifungal compounds.
Estimation of Nitrogen fixation by free-living bacteria is difficult.
Azotobacter biofertilizers can be used in non-legume crops mostly grown under upland
condition.
Benefits of Azospirillum and Azotobacter inoculants

Benefits the crops by 15-25 kg of N/ha/Season

Grain yield is increased by 10-20%
Vegetative growth and leaf yield increased by 10-30%
Secretes growth promoting and antibiotic like substances
Can supplement 50% of nitrogenous fertilizer requirement by the crop.

Microbes in Phosphate absorptions:

1. Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganisms (PSM)
What are the Importance of P-Solubilizing Microorganisms
Phosphorus (P) is one of the major essential macronutrients limiting plant
growth owing to its low bioavailability in soils.
Fertilizer P tends to be fixed soon after application and becomes mostly
unavailable, resulting in low recovery by crops and a considerable P
Fixation in soils
Microorganisms able to solubilize and mineralize P pools in soils are
considered to be vital.

 Bacteria are the predominant microorganisms that solubilize mineral P in

soils, as well as mineralize the Organic P.
Bacillus & Pseudomonas are two major genera of Phosphate Solubilizing
Bacteria.
2. Phosphate absorbers through Mycorrhiza- Aspergillus and Penicillium forms
mycorizal associations belongs to fungi.
Mechanisms of Inorganic P-Solubilizition
The main mechanism of inorganic P solubilization is through a decrease in pH.
Another mechanism is by secretion of Organic acids such as Oxalic/Propionic/
Fumeric /Gluconic/Acetic/Citric/-Ketogluconic acid.
Organic acid due to its dissociation, the Organic Anions make strong complex
with Ca/Al/Fe and release phosphate into solution. Organic Cation such as H+
make complex with phosphate and may release into solution
3. Role of phosphate in plant growth
Photosynthesis and storage of sunlight energy
Formulation of simple sugars
Use of sugars and starches for growth
Transfer of energy during plant chemical reactions
Maintenance and transfer of plants genetic code
Development of new plant cells
Germination, size, number and viability of seed
Phosphate is key for: Quick emergence, Early vigor, Root growth,
Maturity, Quality Yield

Zinc solubilizers Microbes:

The zinc can be solubilized by microorganisms viz., Bacillus subtilis, and
Saccharomyces sp. These microorganisms can be used as bio-fertilizers for
solubilization of fixed micronutrients like zinc.
The results have shown that a Bacillus sp. (Zn solubilizing bacteria) can be used as
bio-fertilizer for zinc in soil instead of costly zinc sulphate

Fungi and their potential as biofertilizer

Types of Mycorrhizas
mycorrhizas were divided into the following three groups :

(i) Ectomycorrhiza. It is found among gymnosperms and angiosperms. In short roots of

higher plants generally root hairs are absent. Therefore, the roots are infected by
mycorrhizal fungi which, in turn, replace the root hairs (if present) and form a mantle.
The hyphae grow intercellularly and develop Hartig net in cortex. Thus, a bridge is
established between the soil and root through the mycelia. Hyphae from the fungi extend
from the mantle into the soil, which increases the surface area for water and mineral
absorption.
(ii) Endomycorrhiza (arbuscular mycorrhizae). The morphology of endomycorrhizal
roots, after infection and establishment, remain unchanged. Root hairs develop in a
normal way. The fungi are present on root surface individually. They also penetrate the
cortical cells and get established intracellulary by secreting extracellular enzymes.
Endomycorrhizas are found in all groups of plant kingdom.
Arbuscular mycorrhizas, or AM (formerly known as vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizas, or
VAM), are mycorrhizas whose hyphae enter into the plant cells, producing structures
that are either balloon-like (vesicles) or dichotomously branching invaginations
(arbuscules). The fungal hyphae invaginate the cell membrane. The structure of the
arbuscules greatly increases the contact surface area between the hypha and the cell
cytoplasm to facilitate the transfer of nutrients between them.

(iii) Ectendomycorrhiza. In the roots of some of the gymnosperms and angiosperms,

ectotrophic fungal infection occur. Hyphae are established intracellularly in cortical cells.
Thus, symbiotic relation develops similar to ecto- and endo-mycorrhizas.

Benefits from Mycorrhizas to Plants

(i)
They increase the longevity of feeder roots, surface area of roots by forming
mantle and spreading mycelia into soil and, in turn, the rate of absorption of major and
minor nutrients from soil resulting in enhanced plant growth.
(ii)
They play a key role for selective absorption of immobile (P, Zn and Cu) and
mobile (S, Ca, K, Fe, Mn, Cl, Br, and N) elements to plants. These are available to
plants in less amount (Tinker, 1984).
(iii)
Some of the trees like pines cannot grow in new areas unless soil has mycorrhizal
inocula because of limited or coarse root hairs.
(iv)
VA mycorrhizal fungi enhance water uptake in plants,
(v)
VA mycorrhizal fungi reduce plant response to soil stress such as high salt
levels, toxicity associated with heavy metals, mine spoils, drought and minor element
(e.g. Mn) imbalance.
(vi)
VA mycorrhizal fungi decrease transplant socks to seedlings. They produce
organic 'glues' which bind soil particles into semistable in aggregates. Thus, they play
a significant role in augmenting soil fertility and plant nutrition.
(vii) Some of them produce metabolites which change the ability of plants to
induce roots from woody plant cuttings and increase root development during
vegetative propagation.
(viii) They increase resistance in plants and with their presence reduce the effects of
pathogens and pests on plant health.
COMPOSTING
Composting is a process of biological decomposition of organic waste that is carried
out by a group of active micro-organisms (bacteria and fungi) which break down the
cellulolytic material and hasten the process of composting under aerobic condition at
an elevated temperature.
Factors influencing composting are Number and species of micro-organisms, Oxygen
levels, Particle size, Nutrient levels, Temperature, pH etc.
Advantages of composting:Reduction of volume and weight
Soil conditioner
Means of land reclamation
Quality of soil making it more productive
Compost increases soil aeration
It makes heavier soils easier to till
Reduces soil erosion
Buffer effect as a protection against that of chemical fertilizer
Methods of Application:1. Seed treatment- Rhizobium, Azotobacter and Azospirillum, PSM, VAM - vesiculararbuscular mycorrhizas (Inoculation of seedlings on the seedbed)
2. Soil Application-Cynobacteria, Rhizobium, Azotobacter and Azospirillum, PSM, VAM

(Inoculation of potted soil)

3. Seedling root dip- Azotobacter and Azospirillu, PSM
4. Waste Decomposers
a) 1.Compost pit decomposition
b) 2.Field (in situ) decomposition

Benefits from Biofertilizers

Following are benefits from the biofertilizers :
(i)
It is a low cost and easy technique, and can be used by small and marginal
farmers.
(ii)
It is free from pollution hazards and increase soil fertility.
(iii)
On application of algal biofertilizers increase in rice yields ranges between 10-45
per cent and about 40-50 Kg N is left over in the soil which in turn is used for the
subsequent crops (Venkataraman, 1972).
after 3-4 consequent years, the algal effects become consistent and there is no need of
using this practice as the
parental inoculum is sufficient for growth and
multiplication.
(iv) Cyanobacteria secrete growth promoting substances like IAA, IBA, NAA,
aminoacids, proteins, vitamins, etc. They add sufficient amount of organic matter in
soil.
(v)
Cyanobacteria can grow and multiply under wide pH range of 6.5-8.5. Therefore,
they can be used as the possible tool to reclaim saline or alkaline soil because of their
ameliorating effect on the physico-chemical properties of the soil.
(vi) Rhizobial biofertilizer can fix 50-150 kg N/ha/annum.
(vii) Azotobacter and Azospirillum, besides supplying N to soil, secrete antibiotics
which act as pesticides
(viii) Azolla supplies N, increases organic matter and fertility in soil and shows
tolerance against heavy metals.
(ix)
The bioferilizers increase physico-chemical properties of soils such as soil
structure, texture, water holding capacity, cation exchange capacity and pH by
providing several nutrients and sufficient organic matter.
(x)
The mycorrhizal biofertilizers make the host plants available with certain
elements, increase longevity and surface area of roots, reduce plant response to soil
stresses, and increase resistance in plants. In general, plant growth, survival and yield are
increased.

Disadavantages of biofertilizers:
1. Their effects are is slower than chemical fertilizer
2. Biofertilizers are sensitive to temperature and humidity changes, hence
difficult to store
3. Theyve much lower nutrient density than chemical fertilizers. Farmer would
need to use large quantity to get the same yield.
4. Some of them need special type of machines for spraying in the farm.
5. In rural and remote areas, often its hard to find a retailer selling biofertilzers.