Professional Documents
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Fertilizer Management Vol 2
Fertilizer Management Vol 2
Abstract
In India the availability and affordability of fossil fuel based chemical fertilizers at the farm level have
been ensured only through imports and subsidies. Today, biofertilizers have emerged as a highly potent
alternative to chemical fertilizers due to their eco-friendly, easy to apply, non-toxic and cost effective
nature. Also, they make nutrients that are naturally abundant in soil or atmosphere, usable for plants and
act as supplements to agrochemicals. In addition, they are a product that is likely to be commercially
promising in the long run once information becomes available adequately to producers and farmers
through experience and communication. In India, government has been trying to increase the application
of bio fertilizers along with modern agrochemicals. This paper underlines the success/failure issues in
Indian context and for its future in India emphasizes the need for high degree of innovation and active
participation in scientific research and development, public awareness programmes to enhance the extra-
potential of sustainable agriculture development as well as encouraging private organization and policy
makers to take interest in this field.
Key words: Rhizobium, Biofertilizers, Nitrogen, Bacteria, Phosphorous
Introduction
Biofertilizers are best defined as biologically active with the terms, green manure, manure intercrop or
products or microbial inoculants viz., formulations organic supplemented chemical fertilizer.
containing one or more beneficial bacteria or
At present, one of the new challenges of the new
fungal strains in easy to use and economical carrier
millennium is to obtain more and more agricultural
materials which add, conserve and mobilize crop
food production from shrinking per capita arable
nutrients in the soil. In other words, biofertilizer is
land. Biofertilizers have important and long term
a substance which contains living microorganisms
environmental implications, negating the adverse
which when applied to seed, plant surfaces, or soil
effects of chemicals. At the farm level, the gains
colonizes the rhizospehere or the interior of the
from increased usage of technology can spill over
plant and promotes growth by increasing the
to other farms and sectors through lesser water
availability of primary nutrients to the host plant
pollution than chemical fertilizers and to an extent
(Mazid et al., 2011a). Organic fertilizers contain
even organic manures can be created. The gains
organic compounds which directly or by their
from the new technology coming through the arrest
decay, increase soil fertility. Likewise the term
of soil damage may not be perceived over a short
biofertilizers should not be used interchangeably
span of time, unlike chemical fertilizers, which
yield quick returns. Liquid bio-fertilizers are (Khan et al., 2011a). In present times a need has
special liquid formulations containing not only the arisen for organic fertilizers including biofertilizers
desired microorganisms and their nutrients but also to minimise our dependence on fertilizer N. The
special cell protectants or chemicals that promote experiments conducted in India and abroad on
formation of resting spores or cysts for longer shelf biofertilizers revealed that legumes viz, beans,
life and tolerance to adverse conditions. At the soybean, chickpea, pigeon pea can fix 50-500 kg
same time the farmer has to bear considerable atmospheric N/hectare under ideal conditions of
initial cost in terms of skill acquisition, trial and environment. Therefore, Bio-fertilizers offer a safe
failure and risk. The producer firms have serious option to utilize renewable inputs to improve the
uncertainty about the demand or sale ability of the fertility of land using biological wastes with those
product, which deters investment, particularly if it beneficial micro-organisms which impart organic
is irreversible (Ghosh, 2004). The success or nutrients to the farm produces. Biofertilizers have
failures of early entrants who take the initiative or emerged as potential environment friendly inputs
those who indulge in research for an improved that are supplemented for proper plant growth.
product convey important information to others They hold vast potential in meeting plant nutrient
and thereby to society. requirements while minimizing the use of chemical
fertilizers. These, bio-inputs or bio inoculants,
Moreover, Biofertilizers, more commonly known
which on supply to plants improve their growth
as microbial inoculants, are artificially multiplied
and yield, are the products containing living cells
cultures of certain soil organisms that can improve
of different types of microorganisms which have
soil fertility and crop productivity. Although the
an ability to mobilize nutritionally important
benefits of legumes in improving soil fertility was
elements from non-usable form through biological
known since ancient times and their role in
stress (Khan and Naeem, 2011; Mazid et al.,
biological N-fixation was discovered more than
2012a).
100 years ago, commercial exploitation of such
biological processes is of most interest and In modern agriculture, due to heavy usage of
practice. Latent cells of efficient strains of nitrogen chemical fertilizers and harmful pesticides on the
fixing, phosphate solubilizing or cellulolytic crops, sustainability of the agriculture systems
micro-organisms are used for application to seed, collapsed, cost of cultivation soared at a high rate,
soil or composting areas with the objective to income of farmers stagnated and food security and
increase the number of such micro-organisms and safety became a daunting challenge. Indiscriminate
accelerate those microbial processes which and imbalanced use of chemical fertilizers,
augment the availability of nutrients that can be especially urea, along with chemical pesticides and
easily assimilated by plants (Mazid et al., 2011b). unavailability of organic manures has led to
considerable reduction in soil health.
Not all PGRs can be considered biofertilizers.
There are bacteria that promote plant growth by
control of deleterious organisms as bio-pesticides,
but not biofertilizers. Similarly bacteria can
Production and Demand
enhance plant growth by producing phyto- Biofertilizers productions is always demand
hormones and are regarded as bio enhancers, not driven, creation of demand among farmers is one
biofertilizers (Mazid et al., 2011c). Biofertilizers of the most important steps required towards
play a very significant role in improving soil promotion of biofertilizers. Research and develop-
fertility by fixing atmospheric N, both, in ment efforts by the government and research
association with plant roots and without it, organizations have brought remarkable program-
solubilise insoluble soil phosphates and produces mes in production and wide use of Biofertilizers in
plant growth substances in the soil. Biofertilizers the country, its potential requirement exceeds the
are the preparations containing cells of micro- actual production (Parr et al., 1994). For example
organisms which may be N fixers, P solubilizers, in a sample of 411 field trials carried out across
S- oxidisers or organic matter decomposers. In districts, plant responses to inoculation with
short, they are called as bio inoculants which on Azotobacter in irrigated wheat was observed to be
supply to plants improve their growth and yield significant in 342 cases and ranged from 34 to 247
Kg./Ha. If biofertilizers impart certain social and inputs, free from environmentally adverse impli-
long-term gains- for which private individuals may cations that chemicals have.
not be willing to pay- at least until the gains
Moreover, Biofertilizers can act as a renewable
become ‘visible’, there is a rationale for spreading
supplement to chemical fertilizers and organic
the cost over a larger group of beneficiaries or the
manures. They have the capacity to produce
society at large. However, wrong and untimely
natural resistance in plants against pests and soil
applications of artificial fertilizers adversely affect
borne diseases, because antibodies are produced
the natural balance of soil crop ecosystems,
and beneficial micro-organisms participate in the
microbial ecology and concern environment,
soil to increase fertility (Board, 2004). For soil
resulting in widespread decline in the crop yield
treatment, 500-800g of biofertilizers is mixed
(Bohlool et al., 1992). So, therefore, we have to
homogenously with 10-15 kg of FYM and the
curtail our dependence on chemicals and look for
mixture is added to soil at the time of sowing
economical as well as environmentally viable
because Biofertilizers require organic manures
technology. Therefore, there is an upward trend in
after being added to soil for their growth and
the demand for biofertilizers. India witnessed
development, as well as for their activity in soil.
many families in the last century. The Green
Revolution, has changed the whole situation in But consistency in gains again eludes the trials
India and made it self-sufficient in food pro- conducted by All India Coordinated Pulse Im-
duction, but there is still no room for complacency. provement Project Transportation because distri-
Moreover, Sharma and Upadhyay (2007) described bution is a major problem in rural areas (Khan and
the present status of supply demand, marketing Mazid, 2011). There is an on-going attempt to
strategies and networks and governmental inter- promote Biofertilizers in Indian agriculture
ventions in the pricing policies of biofertilizers in through public intervention, and in keeping with
India. the spirit of the times, these policies motivate
private sector and the profit motivation will help
The green revolution brought impressive gains in
propel the new technology. Government of India
food production but with insufficient concern for
and various State Governments have been pro-
sustainability. Dependence on chemical fertilizers
moting the nascent biofertilizer market both at the
for future agricultural growth would mean further
level of the user-farmer and the producer-investor
loss in soil quality, possibilities of water contami-
through the following measures: (i) farm level
nation and unsustainable burden on the fiscal
extension and promotion programmes, (ii)
system. Consistent with current outlook, the
financial assistance to investors in setting up units,
government aims not only to encourage their use in
(iii) subsidies on sales and (iv) direct production in
agriculture but also to promote private initiative
public sector and cooperative organizations and in
and commercial viability of production. In India
universities and research institutions. The present
the availability and affordability of fossil fuel
expiry period is limited to 6 months which is
based chemical fertilizers at the farm level have
related to carrier (lignite/charcoal). High moisture
been ensured only through imports and subsidies.
content attributes contamination of microorgan-
The Government of India has been trying to
isms that either compete with Biofertilizers or have
promote an improved practice involving use of
antagonistic interaction. Retail shops do not sell
bio- fertilizers along with fertilizers. These inputs
Biofertilizers because of short shelf-life, limited
have multiple beneficial impacts on the soil and
demand and lack of storage facilities. The reasons
can be relatively cheaper and convenient to use.
responsible for it are: lack of marketing infra-
Failure of a market to build up the need for public
structure and distributing network; ignorance of
intervention when the expected social gains from a
farmers about Biofertilizers; absence of public
relatively new product outweigh the costs, whereas
support and lack of assurance of higher benefits for
the private gains do not and uncertainty about the
retailers.
product performance coupled with long periods of
learning involved can lead to poor demand from Biofertilizers are sold because there is no strict
end users who are farmers. Field studies have control over quality production. ISI specifications
demonstrated them to be effective and cheap are formulated already only for some Biofertilizers
and yet location-specific strains are to be devel-
oped. Facilities and regulatory acts for testing plants forming nodules in roots (stem nodules in
Biofertilizers are meagre and carrier material of sesabaniamrostrata). Rhizobium is however limited
long shelf life is not available. Low productivity, by their specificity and only certain legumes are
unpredictable climatic swings and low dosage of benefited by this symbiosis.
chemical fertilizers also characteristics of agri-
N fixation by leguminous and other crops is
culture in dry lands. The microorganisms, which
reported to be 44 million metric tons per annum.
are used as biofertilizers belong to families of
Crop responses to Rhizobium inoculation under
bacteria, BGA and fungi. Ionizing radiations are
field conditions have been quite variable
used to sterilize the carriers of the rhizobia and
depending upon field conditions, type of crop,
other biofertilizers in storage for a long period
inoculant used and soil conditions. In terrestrial
(Tittabutr, 2012).
habitats the symbiotic fixation of N by rhizobia
counts for the largest combustion of combined N
(Philippot and Germon 2005). Moreover, seed and
N-fixing Biofertilizers (NBF): straw yield of green gram increased significantly
Rhizobium (Family: Rhizobiaceae) up to single inoculation with Rhizobium under 20
kg N + 45 kg P2O5 ha-1 fertility level. Field trials
Biofertilizers, particularly Rhizobium, could be a
carried out in different locations have demon-
bridge between removals and additions to soil
strated that under certain environmental and soil
nutrients where farmers can scarcely afford costly
conditions inoculation with azotobacteria has
inputs and that too in a risky environment. N
beneficial effects on plant yields (Mazid et al.,
fixation on land amounts to 135 million metric tons
2011d). The appropriate strain can increase the
per annum average. In recent years use of
crop yield up to 10-35% since N is fixed at 40-200
Rhizobium culture has been routinely recom-
kg/ha which is able to meet up to 80-90% of N
mended as an input in pulse cultivation. In India
need of the crop. Also, residual N is beneficial for
about 30 million hectares of land is under pulses
the next crops grown in the same field. Inoculation
cultivation. They belong to family Rhizobiaceae,
of Rhizobium improved number of pods plant-1,
symbiotic in nature, fix nitrogen 50-100 kg/ ha
number of seed pod-1 and 1000-seed weight (g)
with legumes only. It is useful for pulse legumes
and thereby yield over the control. The number of
like chickpea, red-gram, pea, lentil, black gram,
pods plant-1, number of seed pod-1 and 1000-seed
etc., oil-seed legumes like soybean and groundnut
weight (g) recorded were 25.5, 17.1 and 4.7 per
and forage legumes like berseem and lucerne. It
cent more over the control, respectively which was
colonizes the roots of specific legumes to form
statistically significant.
tumour like growths called root nodules, which act
as factories of ammonia production. Rhizobium Azotobacter (Family: Azotobacteriaceae)
has the ability to fix atmospheric N- in symbiotic The Azotobacter colonizing the roots not only
association with legumes and certain non legumes
remains on the root surface but also a sizable
like, Parasponia (Saikia and Jain, 2007) proportion of it penetrates into the root tissues and
Biological N fixation (BNF) occurs in the free lives in harmony with the plants, belongs to family
living states, in association or in symbiosis with Azotobacteriaceae, aerobic, free living, and
plants. From an ecological point of view, the most heterotrophic in nature. Azotobacters are present in
important N fixing systems are the symbiotic neutral or alkaline soils and A. chroococcum is the
associations. Rhizobium-a symbiotic Biofertilizers most commonly occurring species in arable soils.
can be used for legumes crop and trees (e.g., A. vinelandii, A. beijerinckii, A. insignis and A.
leucerna) and is a crop specific inoculant, for macrocytogenes are other reported species. The
example, Rhizobium trifoli for berseem; Rhizobium occurrence of this organism has been reported
melilotti for leucerne, Rhizobium phaseoli for from the rhizosphere of a number of crop plants
green gram, black gram, Rhizobium japonicum for such as rice (Oryza sativa L.), maize (Zea mays
soyabean; Rhizobium leguminoserum for pea, L.), sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.), bajra
lentil; Rhizobium lupini for chickpea. These (Pennisetum glaucum L.), vegetables and
inoculants are known for their ability to fix plantation crops (Mazid et al., 2011e). They do not,
atmospheric N- in symbiotic association with however, produce any visible nodules or out
growth on root tissue. These are non-symbiotic index and all yield attributing aspects. Grain yield
free living aerobic bacteria possessing highest and harvest index (HI) also exhibit a discernable
respiratory rate and can fix N up to 25 kg/ha under increase with use of biofertilizers. Besides this, the
optimum conditions and increase yield up to 50%. Azospirillum form associative symbiosis with
Alkaline phosphatase activity in the peach roots many plants particularly with those having the C4-
was highest with Azotobacter chroococcum + P dicarboxyliac path way of photosynthesis, because
fertilizer. This has been found beneficial to a wide they grow and fix N on salts of organic acids such
array of crops covering cereals, millets, vegetables, as malic, aspartic acid. Thus it is mainly recom-
cotton and sugarcane. The effect of Azotobacter mended for maize, sugarcane, sorghum (Sorghum
chroococcum on vegetative growth and yields of bicolor L.), pearl millet etc. Like Azospirillium,
maize as well as the effect of inoculation with this the benefits transcend N-enrichment through
bacterium on wheat has been studied by numerous production of growth promoting substances.
authors. It is free living and non-symbiotic N- Dipping the roots of rice seedlings in 2%
fixing organism that also produces certain suspension of Azospirillum inoculant increased the
substances good for the growth of plants and yield by 100 kg/ha (Kennedy et al., 2004).
antibodies that suppress many root pathogens.
Herbspirillum
They improve seed germination and plant growth
by producing B-vitamins, NAA, GA and other It is an association symbiont that is responsible for
chemicals (plant hormones) that are inhibitory to fixation at atmospheric N on the roots of
certain root pathogens (Mazid et al., 2011f). sugarcane. Enhancing the availability of N, pro-
moting the uptake of nitrate, K, phosphate and
Moreover, increase in yield due to Azotobacteria
production of growth promoting hormones
inoculation could be obtained in crops like rice,
(kinetin, gibberellic acid and auxin) are its
wheat, sorghum, maize, pearl, millet, cotton,
subsequently beneficial effects (Khan et al.,
sesame and vegetables. These fertilizers have been
2011b).
successfully used in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.),
maize, cotton (Gossypium arboretum L.), pearl Acetobacter
millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) and paddy, though It is best adopted endo-phytically in sugarcane
their response depends upon the amount of organic ecosystem and can tolerant high sucrose
matter available in the soil. For sugarcane, Azoto concentration. This bacterium can fix N- up to 15
baacterindicum is suitable in acidic sols in which it kg/ha/year as plant secretes the growth promoting
forms rhizo bacteriocoenotic association with roots hormones IAA that enhance germination and root
and application in soil is economical but a large development and ultimately helps in absorption of
amount of organic C- and Mo is needed for plant nutrients. There are also changes in shares by
stimulating nitrogenase enzyme activity during N- types with moderate success in Azotobacters and
fixation (Mazid et al., 2012b; Khan et al., 2012a). by far the best performance is given by PSB. The
Azospirillium (Family: Spirillaceae) decline in Rhizobium indicates that success in
groundnut and pulses was below expectation and
It is also Bacillus polymixa. When applied to
annual capacity of units deflated by the number of
rhizosphere it fixes atmospheric N (free living
units. A measure of capacity utilized is obtained
state) and makes it available to crop plants. This is
relating actual distribution (as opposed to
also N-fixing microorganism, beneficial for non-
production) to capacity. Inoculation with Azoto-
leguminous plants, belongs to family Spirilaceae,
bacter + Rhizobium + VAM gave the highest
heterotrophic and associative in nature. In addition
increase in straw and grain yield of wheat plants
to their N fixing ability of about 20-40 kg/ha, they
with rock phosphate as a P fertilizer.
also produce growth regulating substances.
Although there are many species under this genus Azolla Family: Azollaceae
like, A. amazonense, A. halopraeferens, A. Azolla can be used as green manure or as dual
brasilense, worldwide distribution and benefits of crop. For green manuring, Azolla is sown in the
inoculation have been proved mainly with the A. field or in a separate shallow pond. It is a free-
lipoferum and A. brasilense. Azospirillum proved floating symbiotic fern found on water surface,
significantly beneficial in improving leaf area individually in low land field and water bodies.
Water is drained off the field and Azolla is common species occurring in India is A. pinnata
incorporated into the soil before transplanting of and the same can be propagated on commercial
paddy. Dried inoculum of Azolla is also pre- scale by vegetative means. The important factor in
soaked in 50 ppm of superphosphate solution for using Azolla as biofertilizers for rice crop is its
12 h and inoculated in the paddy filed (Kannaiyan, quick decomposition in the soil and efficient
2002). One kg of it fixes 40-55 kg N/ha, 15-20 availability of its nitrogen to rice plants. It has
P/ha and 20-25 kg K/ ha in a month, thus symbiotic relation with BGA and can help rice or
increasing yield of flooded paddy by 10-20%. other crops through dual cropping or green
manuring of soil (Ghosh, 2004).
Blue Green Algae (BGA) / Cyanobacteria,
Chlorococcales, Mastigociadaceae, Nostocaceae, Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganisms and
Oscikatoriaceae, Oscillatoriaceae, Rivularia- Mycorrhizae
ceae, Scytonematoceae, Stigonemataceae
Most of the Indian soils are low to medium in P-
These phototropic prokaryotic bacteria are status and the efficiency of phosphate fertilizers is
effective only in submerged paddy in presence of also allowed due to fixation of large fraction of
bright sunlight by forming a bluish-green algae on applied P into sparingly soluble inorganic phos-
standing water and by converting the insoluble P phates. Some times PSM produce plant growth
into soluble forms fixing N to the tune of 2-30 hormones (IAA, GA etc.). Such soluble phos-
kg/ha thereby raising the crop yield by 10-15% phorus is taken up easily by plants resulting in 10-
when applied at 10kg/ha/BGA biomass decompose 20% increase in the yield of almost all the crops.
in soil and organic compounds are liberated and Results of a greenhouse pot experiments with
plant growth in regulated. These belong to eight onion (Allium cepa L.) showed that application of
different families, phototrophic in nature and G. fasciculatum + A. chrooccocum + 50% of the
produce Auxin, Indole acetic acid (auxin) and recommended P rate resulted in the greatest root
Gibberllic acid, fix 20-30 kg N/ha in submerged length, plant height, bulb girth, bulb fresh weight,
rice fields as they are abundant in paddy, so are root colonization and P uptake. Also the rates of
also referred as ‘paddy organisms’. N is the key chemical phosphatic fertilizers can be brought
input required in large quantities for low land rice down (Carter, 1967). Several reports have
production. Soil N and BNF by associated examined the ability of different bacterial species
organisms are major sources of N for low land rice. to solubilize insoluble inorganic phosphate
The 50-60% N requirement is met through the compounds, such as tri-calcium phosphate, dical-
combination of mineralization of soil organic N cium phosphate, hydroxyapatite, and rock phos-
and BNF by free living and rice plant associated phate. Among the bacterial genera with this
bacteria (Rahman et al., 2009). capacity are pseudomonas, Bacillus, Rhizobium,
Burkholderia, Achromobacter, Agrobacterium,
BGA are photosynthetic N- fixers and are free
Microccocus, Aereobacter, Flavobacterium and
living. They are found in abundance in India. They
Erwinia. P, is both native in soil and when applied
too add growth-promoting substances including
in inorganic fertilizers, becomes mostly unavail-
vitamin B12, improve the soil’s aeration and water
able to crops because of its low levels of mobility
holding capacity and add to bio mass when
and solubility and its tendency to become fixed in
decomposed after life cycle. Most N fixing BGA
soil. The PSB are life forms that can help in
are filamentous, consisting of chain of vegetative
improving phosphate uptake of plants in different
cells including specialized cells called heterocyst
ways. The soil bacteria belonging to the genera
which function as micro nodule for synthesis and
Pseudomonas and Bacillus and Fungi are more
N fixing machinery. BGA forms symbiotic
common. The major microbiological means by
association capable of fixing N- with fungi,
which insoluble-P compounds are mobilized is by
liverworts, ferns and flowering plants, but the most
the production of organic acids, accompanied by
common symbiotic association has been found
acidification of the medium.
between a free floating aquatic fern, the Azolla and
Anabaena azollae (BGA). The PSB also has the potential to make utilization
of India’s abundant deposits of rock phosphates
Azolla is an aquatic fern found in small and
possible, much of which is not enriched. Through
shallow water bodies and in rice fields. The most
symbiotic association between certain fungi followed by the discovery of Azotobacter and then
(glomus) and plant roots the uptake of nutrients is the blue green algae (BGA) and a host of other
facilitated and such symbiosis is called Myco- micro-organisms. Azospirillum and Vesicular-
rrhizae (Karandashov and Bucher, 2005). This is of Arbuscular Micorrhizae (VAM) are fairly new
two types, the ectomycorrihae, is found in trees discoveries. In India the first study on legume
and is beneficial for forest tress whereas, the Rhizobium symbiosis was conducted by N. V.
second one is endomycoorhizae which is common Joshi and the first commercial production started
in crop plants. Transplant seedlings become hard as early as 1956. However the Ministry of
survivors and growth of the soil borne pathogens Agriculture under the Ninth Plan initiated the real
causing root disease is inhibited. effort to popularize and promote the input with the
setting up of the National Project on Development
K-Solubilizing Bacteria
and Use of Biofertilizers (NPDB). Although
Bacteria such as Frateuria aurantia are capable of biofertilizers have been promoted as supplement or
mobilizing mixture of K into a usable form to the complement of chemical fertilizers, in reality they
plants known as K solubilizing bacteria, applied to are two alternative means of accessing plant
all crops in association with other Biofertilizers nutrients. The strength of complementarity as
without any antagonistic effect. However, while against substitution between the two inputs is open
positive responses have been observed in a wide to empirical verification, but there is no denying
range of field trials, there is remarkable incon- that farmers and producers do perceive the
sistency in responses across crops, regions and substitutability relation and believe that to an
other conditions (Ghosh, 2004). Even for a given extent Biofertilizers have various benefits. Besides
crop the range of response is quite high. Rhizo- accessing nutrients, for current intake as well as
bium, Azospirillum, Azotobacter, BGA and residual, different biofertilizers also provide
Phosphate solubilizing bacteria like B. growth-promoting factors to plants and some have
magaterium, Pseudomonas striata, and phosphate been successfully facilitating composting and
mobilizing Mycorrhiza have been widely accepted effective recycling of solid wastes. By controlling
as bio-fertilizers. However, these supply only soil borne diseases and improving the soil health
major nutrients but a host of microorganism that and soil properties these organisms help not only in
can transform micronutrients are there in soil that saving, but also in effectively utilising chemical
can be used as biofertilizers to supply micro- fertilizers and result in higher yield rates (Bot and
nutrients like zinc, iron, copper etc., zinc being of Benites, 2005).
utmost importance is found in the earth’s crust to
To attain production targets, the Govt. of India
the tune of 0.008 per cent but more than 50 per
implemented a central sector scheme called
cent of Indian soils exhibit deficiency of zinc with
National Project on Development and use of
content mostly below the critical level of 1.5 ppm
Biofertilizers (NPDB) during the Ninth Plan for
of available zinc. Zinc can be solubilized by
the production, distribution and promotion of
microorganism’s viz., B. subtilis, Thiobacillus
biofertilizers. A National Biofertilizers Develop-
thioxidans and Saccharomyces sp. These
ment Centre was established at Ghaziabad as a
microorganisms can be used as Bio-fertilizers for
subordinate office of the Department of Agri-
solubilisation of fixed micronutrients like zinc. The
culture and Cooperation with six regional centres.
results have shown that a Bacillus sp. can be used
The coexistence of smaller new units with the
as Bio-fertilizer for zinc or in soils where native
larger ones of higher vintage has increased the
zinc is higher or in conjunction with insoluble
variety in industry as measured by the coefficient
cheaper zinc compounds like zinc oxide (Samoon
of variation (Ghosh, 2004). The share in
et al., 2010).
distribution, however, has been relatively more
stable despite showing a slight declining trend in
the last five years reportedly, however, this is only
Biofertilizers Required
partially valid as units with large distribution
The commercial history of biofertilizers began networks do distribute over larger areas. Public
with the launch of ‘Nitragin’ by Nobbe and sector fertilizer giant IFFCO is located in Phulpur
Hiltner, a laboratory culture of Rhizobia in 1895, in Uttar Pradesh, IFFCO’s MLN Farmers’ Training
Institute produces all strains of Biofertilizers and 3. Depleting soil fertility due to widening gap
have distributed it in states other than the home between nutrient removal and supplies.
state.
4. NO3 fertilizers increase the total crop yield but
More than 70% of the large units are of longer at the expense of protein. Since, most of
vintage reiterating that new entry has been mostly Indians are vegetarians, consumption of low
in small units. About 70% of the small units came qualities of protein leads to malnutrition.
into being after March 1995. The small units show
5. Increasing concern about environmental haz-
some tendency to specialize in either nitrogen
ards.
fixers or phosphate solubilizers while all the large
units produce both kinds. Eastern states like Bihar 6. It is estimated that by 2020, to achieve the
and Orissa are also served though the share has targeted production of 321 million tonnes of
gone down notably for West Bengal where distri- food grain, the requirement of nutrient will be
butions came down to nil in 2000-02. The 28.8 million tonnes, while their availability
distribution does not follow that of chemical will be only 21.6 million tonnes being a deficit
fertilizers they supplement, where north is the of about 7.2 million tonnes.
largest claimant. However, the eastern region Other problems are associated with compatibility
comes last in share in both chemical and bio- with host genotypes, improper handling facility,
fertilizers though the share in the latter case is even inoculants techniques and improper dose. There-
more diminutive (Ghosh, 2004). The comparison, fore, viable effects of Biofertilizers application are
however, is not complete without bringing in the not generally observed in traditional agriculture
cropped area in the regions. In the case of (Rivera and Fernandez, 2006). The potential
biofertilizers, the initiatives taken by the public demand of Biofertilizers is quite large and far
sector along with numerous universities and exceeds the present production levels. It has been
research units, that are also state funded, must, computed at 348 thousand tons with the assump-
with time, lead to commercial success once the tion of Biofertilizers application in 50% of the
technology is transmitted to the field to draw gross cropped area under different crops
private enterprise since the market is open for (Wiesman, 2009). The average distribution also
entry. declined in the first two years possibly signalling
Our all modern agricultural practices widely carry the need for a down size but picked up
on a very different heavy range of agrochemicals subsequently. The average capacity utilization has
including different types of organic and inorganic been poor but the downsizing may have arrested
fertilizers (Brodt, 2002). They washed off from the declining trend. Depending on the source of
lands along with water through irrigation rainfall funding, Biofertilizers production units located in
drainage etc. reaching into the rivers, lakes and different states can be categorized in two groups;
streams and so on. Where they turn fully to our 1. Units financed by Government of India (GOI)
natural ecosystem then effect human life in
direct/indirect ways such as: 2. Units financed by other sources
1. Consumptions of vegetables grown in NO3 So far, 64 biofertilizers production units have been
rich soil may lead to diseases (met- established with the GOI support. They have over
haemoglobinaemia); then leads to various 900 tonnes of total installed production capacity
ailments as damage to respiratory and vascular and over 6000 tons of the total Biofertilizers
system, blue coloration of skin and even production. Remaining 38 biofertilizers production
cancer. units with total installed production capacity is still
very low compared to potential demand of 235
2. Chemical fertilizers use imbalance of whole thousand tons for bacterial Biofertilizers (Choona-
mineral pattern of plant body. For example, wala, 2007).
excessive K- treatment decreased valuable
nutrients in foods such as ascorbic acid and
carotene.
small units. While size adjustment in infant matter especially common in dry-land and
industry is normal, it must be borne in mind that agriculture is a deterrent more for the non-
distribution of an agro-input also calls for symbiotic strains, which essentially depend on soil
substantial sales networking and a deep under- organic matter for energy. Phosphobactrin re-
standing of the field reality in agriculture (Ghosh, sponse was found to be positive only in soils with
2004). Whether the smaller units will have the high organic content and low available phos-
necessary expertise and incentive for meeting farm phorous. (3) Soil water deficit and high
demands or synergistic associations with bigger temperature (hyper-thermia) are prominent abiotic
producers or simply distribution agents or local factors that affect N- fixation in dry land
bodies would be the desired institution is a matter agriculture (Mazid et al., 2011g; Khan et al.,
of review. There has practically been no diffusion 2012c). (4) Native microbial population opposes
of the technology despite the central government’s the inoculants. In general, predatory organisms,
interventions and the distribution among units has often already present in the soil are more adapted
tended towards greater concentration especially in to the environment and out compete the inoculated
Maharashtra and other states of the west and south. population.
Govt. of India and the different State Governments Microbial sensing and response mechanisms in the
have been promoting use of Biofertilizers through form of cell to cell communications through the
grants, extension and subsidies on sales with use of small signalling molecules have been
varying degrees of emphasis (Alam, 2000). With reported. In case of iron deficient soil,
time farmers to learn about the technology forming Pseudomonas species colonize crop roots that
their perception on the basis of agronomic realities results in improvements in plant growth (Khan et
of their regions, the knowledge gained from al., 2011e). These aspects are important in dry soil
experiences of farmers around them and including affecting bacterial population in rhizosphere.
themselves and the information provided by Pelleting of seed with lime for acidic soil and with
different disseminating agents and form their own gypsum for saline soil is beneficial. Chemical
decisions of adoption (Khan et al., 2011c). GOI fixation in soil limits the use of Biofertilizers
has providing the National Biofertilizers Develop- therefore different strains of phosphorus solubi-
ment Centre act Ghaziabad with six regional lizing bacteria mixed with rock phosphate and
centres at Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Jabalpur, single super phosphate may be needed. Farmers
Hisar, Imphal and Nagpur. In the absence of should be advised to mix Biofertilizers to get
reported information on farm level use of the benefits of the synergistic effect on plant growth
inputs, this can help in understanding the progress and ultimately on yield, but multistrains bioferti-
of the technology and its adoption in India. lizers may be avoided (Khan et al., 2011f). If
chemical fertilizers are to be applied to soil, there
should be a gap of 15-20 days for better N-fixation.
Conclusion Moreover, cold storage facility should be provided
at districts level to facilitate timely availability to
The new techniques of applications particularly use
formers at the village level, as majority of farmers
of methylcellulose for seed coating and pellets for
use Biofertilizers as and when needed and even
direct soil application should be encouraged. The
after expiry date.
responses usually depend on several environmental
factors. (1) The type of soil as measured by its Over time as the industry emerges from infancy
water holding capacity, its levels of other nitrates, with public guidance, the following observations
phosphate and even calcium and molybdenum that will be expected due to following reasons, (a)
help in protein synthesis in Rhyzobia and the increasing sales volumes and diffusion across the
alkalinity, salinity and acidity of soil, all affect the country, (b) greater role of profit motivated private
response (Naeem et al., 2011; Khan et al., 2011d; enterprise. Since, information on farm level usage
Khan et al., 2012b). Higher dose of mineral N- as of biofertilizers or profitability of units are not
starter suppresses nodulation, reducing response of reported till date, one way to get about is by
Rhyzobium but phosphate deficiency can be an following the secondary indicators as incorporated
inhibitor also. (2) The inadequacy of organic in (a) and (b).
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