Soil and Plant Nutrition

Plant Nutrient Microorganism Crops Benefited

NITROGEN a) Symbiotic Rhizobium Azolla All leguminous crops; Rice
b) Associative Symbiosis Azospirillum All cereal crops; Sugar cane
c) Non Symbiotic Azotobacter Blue- green Algae All crops; Rice

PHOSPHORUS Microorganism Crops Benefited

a) Solubilizing Bacteria: (Bacillus, Pseudomonas) All Crops
Effect Fungi: (Aspergillus Penicillium) All Crops
b) Absorbing Ecto Mycorrhizal Tree crops
Effect Endomycorhizae All Crops

All bio-fertilizers are microorganisms belonging to Algal inoculants are cultivated on submerged soils
group of bacteria or fungi or blue-green algae. in tanks, dried and supplied as soil based culture
(Inoculants). Endomycorrhizal inoculants are sup-
The capacity of N-Fixers to supply N to crops var-
plied as pieces of roots of grass plants infected with
ies from 10 kg – 100 kg/ha and symbiotic nitrogen
mycorrhizae. Ectomycorrihizal inoculants are culti-
fixers particularly rhizobium bacteria are very effi-
vated in the laboratory and mixed with carrier ma-
cient. The P-Solubilizers and P-Absorbers can mo-
terial for supply. Azolla are supplied as fresh fronds
bilize insoluble phosphorus to the extent of 10 Kg
(leaf). The bio-fertilizers are inoculated to seeds or
to 50 kg P/ha. Mycorrihizae are symbiotic fungi,
applied directly to soil after suspending them in wa-
which get associated with plant roots. Azolla is a
ter. Azolla is applied directly to soil, which on mul-
water fern which establishes a very active and ben-
tiplication establishes a very active symbiotic asso-
eficial association with blue-green algae - Anabaena
ciation with Anabaena, a blue-green alga.

• The best nutrient management method is Integrated Nutrient Management.

• Use bulk quantity of organic matter to provide good physical and chemical prop-
erties to soil.
• Smaller quantities of chemical fertilizer to provide quick release, which matches
the uptake pattern of crops.

52 Farmer’s Handbook on Basic Agriculture