Organic Farming (1+1)

Definition

Definition of Biofertilizers

Biofertilizer is a substance which contains living microorganisms which, when applied to seed, plant surfaces, or soil, colonizes the rhizosphere or the interior of the plant and promotes growth by increasing the supply or availability of primary nutrients to the host plant.

Biofertilizers (BF) (microbial nutrients) are the products containing living cells of different types of microorganisms which have an ability to mobilize nutritionally important elements from non usable to usable form through biological process.

• Although the advent of the phenomena is as old as a century, the need of its commercial exploitation was not felt in traditional agriculture.
• In recent years, biofertilizers have emerged as an important component of INSS (Integrated Nutrient Supply System) and hold a promise to improve the crop yields and nutrient supplies.
• Biofertilizers are not fertilizers.
• Fertilizers directly increase soil fertility by adding nutrients. Biofertilizer, a term which refer to all such microorganism which add, fix, mobilize or solubilize the nutrient in simpler form which is easily used by plants.
• There significance lies in their ability to supplement/mobilize soil nutrient with minimal use of non-renewable resources and as components of integrated plants nutrient systems. Biofertilizers are more aptly termed as Microbial/Bacterial or Fungal inoculants.
• Biofertilizers add nutrients through the natural processes of fixing atmospheric nitrogen, solubilizing phosphorus, and stimulating plant growth through the synthesis of growth promoting substances.
• Biofertilizers can be expected to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
• The microorganisms in biofertilizers restore the soil's natural nutrient cycle and build soil organic matter.
• Through the use of biofertilizers, healthy plants can be grown while enhancing the sustainability and the health of soil.
• Biofertilizers are very similar to compost tea.
• They can be thought of as an engineered compost tea where only the microorganisms that are most beneficial are used.