Organic Fertilizers

Biofertilizer

Biofertilizers are the substances of biological origin (microorganisms), which when added to the soil enhances its fertility and promotes plant growth.
Broadly, biofertilizer constitutes of living organisms which include mycorrhizal fungi, blue-green algae, and bacteria. Biofertilizers simply consists of specific strains of microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, algae or their combinations.
Mycorrhizal fungi uptakes minerals from organic matter for the plant whereas cyanobacteria are characterized by the property of nitrogen fixation. The process of conversion of the atmospheric Nitrogen into nitrogenous compounds in soil ready for plant to absorb in series of reaction is termed as nitrogen fixation.
And the bacteria can be nitrogen fixers or phosphate solubilizers. They convert insoluble forms of soil phosphorus into soluble forms. As a result, phosphorus will be available for plants
Biofertilizers are economical, effective, and renewable sources of plant nutrients.
The role of biofertilizers in agriculture production shows a special importance, particularly in the present context of the sky-rocketing cost of agriculture inputs.
The selective strains of microorganisms be used to prepare biofertilizer, for economic purpose and for significant results.
When these prepared biofertilizers are incorporated with seeds, setts, seedlings or soil, they improve crop productivity and soil health, by the biological nitrogen fixation process, solubilisation and uptake of other nutrients and synthesis of growth-promoting substances such as vitamins and plant growth hormones.
They also produces capsular polysaccharides to prevent soil erosion.
They also convert immobilised chemical into soluble forms and make them accessible to the plants.
Biofertilizers is highly advantageous over chemical fertilisers.

Advantages of biofertilizers:

The biofertilizers has special contribution to agriculture due to the following advantages:

Biofertilizers act as supplements to chemical fertilisers.
Biofertilizers are cost-friendly and can aid to decrease consumption of such fertilisers.
Microbes in biofertilizers provide atmospheric nitrogen directly to plants.
They aid in solubilisation and mineralisation of other plant nutrients like phosphates.
Better synthesis and availability of hormones, vitamins, auxins and other growth-promoting substances improves plant growth.
On an average crop yield elevates by 10–20 percent by their use.
They help in the multiplication and survival of beneficial micro-organisms in the root region (rhizospheric bacteria).
They control and inhibit pathogenic soil bacteria.
They enhance soil texture by increasing amount of humus and maintain soil fertility.
Eco-friendly in nature and pollution free.

Types of biofertilizers:

Biofertilizers are broadly classified into two main groups:
1. Biological nitrogen fixing biofertilizers
2. Phosphate solubilising (mobilising) biofertilizers
Biological nitrogen fixing biofertilizers consist of micro-organisms which have the ability to fix biological molecular nitrogen (N2) either symbiotically or asymbiotically in the plants.
Phosphate solubilising biofertilizers are capable of solubilising or mobilising the fixed insoluble phosphates of the soil
However, Biofertilizers are divided into five main categories.
These five types are again divided in sub-types as follows:
1. Nitrogen fixers:
  - Symbiotic: Rhizobium, Frankia, Anabaena azollae.
  - Free living: Azotobacter, Clostridium, Blue green algae, Azolla, Acetobacter, Nostoc, Anabaena.
  - Associative symbiotic: Azospirillum.
2. Phosphate supplier:
  - Phosphate solubiliser:
  - Bacteria:Bacillus megaterium, Phosphaticum, Bacillus circulans, Pseudomonas striata, Pseudomonas sp..
  - Fungi: Penicillium sp, Aspergillus awamori.
3. Phosphate absorber biofertilisers:
  Arbuscular mycorrhiza: Glomus sp., Gigaspora sp., Acaulospora sp., Scutellospora sp. and Sclerocystis sp., Ectomycorrhiza: Laccaria sp., Pisolithus sp., Boletus sp., Amanita sp. Orchid mycorrhiza: Rhizoctonia solani.
4. Sulphur supplier: Thiobacillus novellus, Aspergillus.
5. Micronutrients supplier: Silicate and Zinc solubilisers: Bacillus sp.

Application-Method of applying biofertilizers

The important method of biofertilizers applications are listed below:

Seedling root dip: This method is usually applicable for rice crops. The seedlings are sowed in the bed of water and kept for 8-10 hours.
Seed Treatment: The seeds are soaked in the mixture of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers. These seeds are then left to dry and are sown as soon as possible.
Soil Treatment: The biofertilizers along with the compost fertilizers are blended and kept for one night. This mixture is then scattered on the soil where the seeds have to be sown.

All soil & all crops

Fertilizers supplement the nutrients already present in the soil. The fertilizing products can be vaguely classified as Organic or Natural Fertilizers and Synthetic or Man-Made Fertilizers. While synthetic or chemical fertilizers are concentrated, strong and quick enough to dissolve in the soil immediately, Organic Fertilizers for plants release nutrients slowly with time and often contain many other traces of elements that might be required by plants and crops for better and stronger growth.

The term ‘Organic’ refers to the labeling term, which indicates the food or other agricultural products that are produced from 100% natural products. From biological to mechanical to cultural practices, the products labeled with ’Organic’ must ensure that they promote ecological balance, conserve biodiversity, foster cycling of resources, and support a healthy environment. Being environmentally friendly and safe is a myriad of incredible benefits of using organic products for gardens, farming, and agriculture. Although there are numbers of benefits of Organic Fertilizers, let’s go through the top 10 of them and discover more about these natural products that can bring a huge positive change in the agricultural activities:

Works Long, Stays Longer: Although chemical and organic fertilizers add almost the same nutrients to the soil, the later one works in a different way. Organic Fertilizers for soil works longer than the synthetic fertilizers by providing required nutrients to growing plants at the same time feeding the soil as well.
Well-Balanced Content: Organic fertilizers offer a well-balanced blend of nutrient sources that are essential for the important microorganisms and earthworms living in the soil. These subterranean organisms are one of the many reasons for a fruitful and healthy soil structure. They help the plants to absorb nutrients effectively.
Wide Variety Availability: Being extremely beneficial to the plants and crops, organic fertilizers are available in the number of varieties as per the targeted crops, unique requirement of farms, soil conditions, etc. It can be produced from natural waste, biomass products, fish emulsion, manure teas, sea-weed extract, etc.
Environmentally Safe :Organic Fertilizers are way far safer to use as they are not as concentrated as synthetic fertilizers. Being ecologically and environmentally safe and non-toxic in nature, organic fertilizers are the best fertilizers for plants and crops in farming. Their regular usage doesn’t lead to pollution and contributes to the better tomorrow.
Eliminates Contaminations
Full of Nutrients
Improves the Soil Condition
Pocket-Friendly Fertilizers
Easy to Use
Higher Percentage of Yield