Journal of Eco-friendly Agriculture 10(2): 101-113 : 2015

Fungal biofertilizers in Indian agriculture: perception, demand

and promotion
Sumita Pal1, H. B. Singh1, Alvina Farooqui2 and Amitava Rakshit3
1
Department of Mycology and Plant Pathology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi – 221 005, India
2
Department of Biosciences, Integral University, Lucknow – 226 026, India
3
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi – 221 005, India
Email: [email protected]

Since the beginning of the “Green Revolution” in the Bio-fertilizers include selective organisms, like bacteria, fungi
late sixties, which focused on food crop productivity, through and algae. These organisms are capable of fixing atmospheric
high-yielding varieties, agrochemicals, irrigation system and nitrogen and solublization of native and added nutrients in
chemical fertilizers were extensively used throughout India. the soil and convert them into available forms to plants. They
Fertilizer was alone contributing as much as 50 per cent of are ecofriendly, cost effective and renewable source of plant
the yield growth. In fact, India is the world’s largest user of nutrients. The biofertilizer organisms can play a vital role in
chemical fertilizers, consuming each year around 16 per cent maintaining long term soil fertility and sustainability
of the world’s N consumption, 19 per cent of phosphatic (Mishra et al. 2015). The bio-fertilizers are important to ensure
and 15 per cent of potassic nutrients of the global total a healthy future for the generations to come. Long term use
(Anonymous, 2008). Total fertilizer consumption in the of bio-fertilizers is economical, eco-friendly, more efficient,
country was 28.3 million tonnes upto 2010-11. Importance productive and accessible to marginal and small farmers
of fertilizers in yield improvement, which is essential for over chemical fertilizers.
achieving increased agricultural production, will further
increase because there is little scope for bringing more area What is biofertilizer?
under cultivation and majority of Indian soils are deficient
Biofertilizers are environment friendly, non-bulky, low
in many macro and micro-nutrients (Fertiliser Association
cost, renewable sources of plant nutrients which supplement
of India ,2011). The emphasis on chemical fertilizers, which
chemical fertilizers and play an important role in improving
sometimes led to injudicious application, has meant that the
nutrient supplies and their crop availability in the years to
soil be regarded as an inert substrate for plant roots, instead
come. Biofertilizer is a ready-to-use live formulation of such
of a living biosphere, the rhizosphere, containing a myriad
beneficial microorganisms, which on application to seed,
of organisms. It is now realized that in agricultural lands
root or soil, mobilize the availability of nutrients by their
under intensive monoculture system, including rice, which
biological activity. These are nothing but selected strains of
receives heavy application of chemical fertilizers alone,
beneficial soil microorganisms cultured in the laboratory and
productivity slowly declining and environmental quality
packed in a suitable carrier, which can be used either for
deteriorating (Rakshit et al. 2015). In the light of these
seed treatment or soil application. Biofertilizers generate plant
problems, the use of organic fertilizers, biofertilizers and
nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorous through their
other microbial products are crucial to make the agriculture
activities in the soil or rhizosphere and make available to
industry a viable component of a healthy and pleasant
plants in a gradual manner. Biofertilizers are gaining
ecosystem.
momentum recently due to its availability to maintain soil
health, minimize environmental pollution and cut down the
Exploring biofertiliser-the only option use of chemicals in agriculture. In rainfed agriculture, these
Biofertilizers have important role to play in improving inputs gain added importance in view of their low cost, as
the nutrient supplies and their availability in crop most of the farmers are small and marginal and can not afford
husbandry. Use of biofertilizers in crop production is another expensive chemical fertilizers (Bisen et al. 2015). Biofertilizers
factor to help in build up of soil biological properties under are also ideal input for reducing the cost of cultivation and
organic farming, besides other organic manure applications. for practising organic farming.

©2015
 Sumita Pal, H. B. Singh, Alvina Farooqui and Amitava Rakshit

Types of biofertilizer yield and resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses.
Biofertilizers comprise microbial inocula or Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi form mutualistic symbioses
assemblages of living microorganisms, which exert direct or with many tree species (Anderson and Cairney, 2007). ECM
indirect benefits on plant growth and crop yield through fungi help the growth and development of trees because the
different mechanisms. These microorganisms are able to fix roots colonized with ectomycorrhiza are able to absorb and
atmospheric nitrogen or solubilize phosphorus, decompose accumulate nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium
organic material, or oxidize sulphur in the soil properties more rapidly and over a longer period than nonmycorrhizal
that are beneficial to agricultural production in terms of roots. ECM fungi help to break down the complex minerals
nutrient supply. One type of biofertilizer are the arbuscular and organic substances in the soil and transfer nutrients to
mycorrhizal fungi, which are probably the most abundant the tree. ECM fungi also appear to increase the tolerance of
fungi in agricultural soil. The inocula improve crop yield trees to drought, high soil temperatures, soil toxins and
because of increased availability or uptake or absorption of extremes of soil pH. ECM fungi can also protect roots of tree
nutrients, stimulation of plant growth by hormone action or from biotic stresses.The most commonly widespread
antibiosis and by decomposition of organic residues. The ectomycorrhizal product is inoculum of Pisolithus tinctorius
following types of biofertilizers are available to the farmers (Schwartz et al. 2006) with a wide host range and their
in India: inoculum can be produced and applied as vegetative
mycelium in a peat or clay carrier. Piriformospora indica is
 Nitrogen fixing biofertilizers (Rhizobium, another ECM fungus used as a biofertilizer with multifaceted
Bradyrhizobium, Azospirillum and Azotobacter). traits of plant growth promotion, tolerance to both abiotic
and biotic stresses and increased biomass (Tejesvi et al. 2010).
 Phosphorous solubilising biofertilizers or PSB (Bacillus, Endomycorrhizae from mutually symbiotic relationships
Pseudomonas, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, between fungi and plant roots, where plant roots provide
Trichoderma, Mucor, Ovularopsis, Tritirachium and carbohydrate for the fungi and the fungi transfer nutrients
Candida). and water to the plant roots (Adholeya et al., 2005). The
agriculturally produced crop plants that form
 Phosphate mobilizing biofertilizers (Mycorrhiza).
endomycorrhizae of the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza
 Plant growth promoting biofertilizers (Pseudomonas). type are now called arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (Raja,
2006). AM fungi belong to nine genera: Acaulospora,
 Enriched compost biofertilizers = Cellulolytic fungal Archaeospora, Enterophospora, Gerdemannia, Geosiphon,
cultures (Chaetomium bostrychodes, C. olivaceum, Gigaspora, Glomus, Paraglomus and Scutellospora. AM fungi
Humicola fuscoatra, Aspergillus flavus, A. nidulans, A. are a widespread group and are found from the arctic to
niger, A. ochraceus, Fusarium solani and F. oxysporum). tropics and are present in most agricultural and natural
ecosystems. Arbuscular mycorrhiza are prominent P
Fungal biofertilizer mobilizers, which facilitate mobilization of soluble
Fungal biofertilizers comprise fungal inocula either phosphorus from distant places in soil, where plant roots
alone or in combination, exerting direct or indirect benefits cannot reach and thus increase availability of P to plants.
on plant growth and crop yield through different Since mycorrhizal fungi are more efficient in the uptake of
mechanisms. Selected fungal species, used as biofertilizers specific nutrients like P, Ca, Zn, S, N, B and resistant against
are mentioned in Table 1. soil-borne pathogens, interest in using these fungi as
biofertilizers is increasing as they play an important role in
Mycorrhiza is a distinct morphological structure, which plant growth, health and productivity.
form mutualistic symbiotic relationships with plant roots of
more than 80 per cent of plants including many important Other fungal biofertilizers, which have been used to
crops and forest tree species (Rai et al. 2013). Plants which improve plant growth by enhancing phosphorus absorption
suffer from nutrient scarcity, especially P , N, Zn, Cu, Fe, S in plants are phosphate solubilizing microorganisms. The
and B develop mycorrhiza, i.e., the plants belong to different commonly widespread fungi are Penicillium, Aspergillus,
groups such as herbs, shrubs, trees, aquatic, xerophytes, Chaetomium and Trichoderma species. There are a number of
epiphytes, hydrophytes or terrestrial ones (Zhu et al. 2008). biofertilizers available in the market (Table 2). However
In recent years, use of artificially produced inoculum of two applications are based on their ability to supply and mobilize
dominant types of mycorrhizal fungi has increased its plant nutrients, control plant diseases and promote plant
significance due to its multifarous role in plant growth and growth and development.

102 Journal of Eco-friendly Agriculture 10(2) 2015

 Fungal biofertilizers in Indian agriculture: perception, demand and promotion

Table 1. Fungal biofertilizers used in Agriculture

Organism Reference
A. A. Phosphorous solubilising biofertilizers
Aspergillus spp. (A.tubingensis/A.niger/A.terreus/A. awamori / A. fumigates/ Akintokun et al., 2007
A. tubingensis/ A. melleus)
Penicillium spp. (P. bilaji/ P. albidum/ P. italicum/ P. simplicissimum/ P. Burton and Knight, 2005; Whitelaw, 2000
frequentans/ P. oxalicum/ P. rubrum/ P. expansum/ P. citrinum)
Fusarium spp. (F. moniliforme/ F. udam) Whitelaw, 2000; Manoharachary et al., 2005.
Trichoderma spp. (T. viridi/ T. harzianum/ T. virens/ T. asperellum) Harman, 2000; Harman et al., 2004
Mucor spp. (M. ramosissimus/ M. mucedo/ M. hiemalis) Kannaiyan, 2002; Manoharachary et al., 2005
Tritirachium spp. (T. album/ T. egenum) Rai, 2006; Manoharachary et al., 2005
Candida spp. (C. krissii, C. scotti) Rai, 2006; Manoharachary et al., 2005
B. Potash solubilising biofertilizers
Aspergillus spp. (A. fumigates, A. niger, A. terreus) Lian et al., 2008
Ectomycorrhizal fungi Luciano et al., 2010
C. Zinc solubilising biofertilizers
Saccharomyces spp. Raj, 2007
Ericoid mycorrhiza (Oidiodendron maius) Subba Rao, 2001; Martino et al., 2003
Penicillium simplicissimum Franz et al. 1991; Schinner and
Burgstaller,1989
Aspergillus niger Wold and Suzuki,1976
D. Phosphate mobilizing biofertilizer
Ectomycorrhiza (Amanita sp., Lactarius sp., Pisolithus sp., Rhizopogon sp., Anderson and Cairney, 2007
Cenococcum sp., Elaphomyces sp., Tuber sp., Pisolithus tinctorius,
Piriformospora indica)
Arbuscular mycorrhiza, Glomus spp. (G. mosseae/ G. manihotis/ G. Gianinazzi and Gianinazzi, 1988; Barea, 2000;
itraradices/ G. aggregatum/ G. cerebriforme, G. deserticola, G. globiferum, G. Singh and Tilak 2002; Adholeya et al., 2005
halonatum, G. microcarpum, G. monosporum, G. radiatum, G. versiforme, G.
viscosum)
Acaulospora spp. (A. foveata, A. scrobiculata and Sclerocystis clavispora, A. Raja, 2006; Barea, 2000
delicata), Geosiphon, Paraglomus
Archaeospora, Scutellospora spp. (S. erythropa, S. calospora, S. scutata) Rai, 2006; Barea, 2000
Enterophospora, Gerdemannia, Gigaspora (Gigaspora rosea) Manoharachary et al., 2005; Rai, 2006
E. Biofertilizer enriching compost
Trichoderma spp. (T. viridi/ T. harzianum/ T. virens/ T. asperellum) Harman et al.2004; Singh and Singh, 2008
Penicillium spp. (P. bilaji/ P. albidum/ P. italicum/ P. simplicissimum/ P. Whitelaw, 2000; Rai, 2006
frequentans/ P. oxalicum/ P. rubrum/ P. expansum)
Aspergillus spp. (A. tubingensis/ A. niger/ A. terreus/ A. awamori/ A. Sharma, 2002; Rai, 2006
fumigatus)
Pleurotus spp. (P. ostreatus/ P. flabellatus)
Chaetomium spp. (C. bostrychodes, C. olivaceum)
Humicola fuscoatra
Fusarium spp. (F. solani / F. oxysporum)

Journal of Eco-friendly Agriculture 10(2) 2015 103

 Sumita Pal, H. B. Singh, Alvina Farooqui and Amitava Rakshit

Table 2. Fungal biofertilizers available in India

Biofertilizer Active ingredient Mode of action Dose Manufacturer
A. Phosphate solubilizing microorganisms
Grotop PSB Powder Phosphate Solubilizing Solubilize unavailable organic and Seed: 5-10 g kg-1 seed MD Biocoals Pvt. Ltd.,
Microorganisms (Bacillus sp.) inorganic forms of phosphorus Soil: 0.5-1 kg acre-1 along Haryana
,Powder 107 - 109 cfu g-1 and (80%) with 40-50 kg manure
Liquid 109 cfu ml-1 Foliar: 3ml l-1 water
Mani Dharma’s Bacillus megaterium + Biopromoter facilitates root Foliar: 200g/ 200ml-1 of Mani Dharma Biotech
biopromoter Aspergillus niger formation and plant growth. ‘rice kanji’ or 5% jaggary Private Limited, Tamil
It improves soil quality with water Nadu
subsequent uses. It should not be
mixed with antibacterial agents and
inorganic fertilizers.
Multiplex Nalapak Homogenous mixture of It produces amino acids, vitamins Soil: 500 ml 5 kg-1 acre-1 Multiplex Bio-Tech Pvt.
Azotobacter + Azospirillium + and growth promoting substances along with 100kg well Ltd., Karnataka
phosphate solubilizer + potash like IAA, GA and Cytokines, which decomposed FYM
mobilizer helps in better growth and Foliar: 10g l-1 water
development of crop plants.
Improves physical, chemical and
biological properties of the soil.
Ambiphos Phosphate solubilizing PSM secrete organic acids, which Foliar: 3-5ml l-1 water Ambika Biotech & Agro
microorganism (Aspergillus dissolve unavailable phosphate into Services, Madhya
niger) soluble form and make it available Pradesh,
to the plants.
Biophos Bacillus megaterium var. PSM secrete organic acids, which Seed: 5-10 ml kg-1 of seed Biotech International
phosphaticum dissolve unavailable phosphate into Seedling: 125–250 ml in 25– Limited, Delhi
soluble form and make it available 50 liter of water as coating,
to the plants. sett treatment 125-250 ml in
60-80 l ha-1 for 30 minutes
Soil: 500- 625 ml ha-1
mixing with 250-375 kg
FYM
BioP-P Phosphate solubulizing PSM secrete organic acids, which Foliar: 3-5ml l-1 water Sundaram Overseas
microorganism (2x108 CFU g-1) dissolve unavailable phosphate into Cooperation, Gujarat
soluble form and make it available
to the plants.
PSM Phosphate solubilizing micro- PSM secrete organic acids, which Soil: 0.5-1 kg acre-1 along Shree Biocare India,
organisms dissolve unavailable phosphate into with 40-50 kg FYM Shree Biocare Solution
soluble form and make it available Pvt Ltd, Gujarat
to the plants.
PSM Phosphate solubilizing micro- PSM secrete organic acids, which Soil: 0.5-1 kg ha-1 along KRIBHCO, UP
organisms dissolve unavailable phosphate into with 100 kg FYM
soluble form and make it available
to the plants.
B. Enriched compost
Multiplex Sagar Homogenous mixture of Nitrogen fixing potential, Soil: 1 kg acre-1 along with Multiplex Bio-Tech Pvt.
(Compost Poly Azospirillum+Trichoderma+ biopesticidal activity,enhances 1000kg well decomposed Ltd.,
Culture) Pleurotous compost degradation FYM Karnataka
Foliar: 100 ml 10 l-1 water
Enriched compost Trichoderma harzianum+ Enhances compost degradation Foliar: 100 ml 10 l-1 water Organic Biotech Pvt
Culture Aspergillus+Penicillium Limited, Maharastra
Bio- manure Culture Trichoderma harzianum+ Enhances compost degradation Foliar: 100 ml 10 l-1 water Uno Natural and
Aspergillus Greens Private Limited,
Tamil Nadu
LignoBiocompost Trichoderma resei, Phanerochaete Enhances compost degradation Foliar: 75-100 ml 10 l-1 Peak Chemical
culture chrysosporium and Aspergillus water Industries Limited,
awamori West Bengal

contd...

104 Journal of Eco-friendly Agriculture 10(2) 2015

 Fungal biofertilizers in Indian agriculture: perception, demand and promotion

Table 2 contd...

Biofertilizer Active ingredient Mode of action Dose Manufacturer

C. Phosphate mobilizing biofertilizer
ManiDharma VAM Vesicular Arbuscular Solubilize phosphate and supplies P, Soil: 200 g/m2 or 2 -5 g Mani Dharma Biotech
Endomycorrhiza (VAM) Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu, Co and Mo to the seedling-1; 50-200 g trees-1; 3 Pvt Ltd, Tamil Nadu
plants. Increases the plant viguor by – 5 kg acre-1 (2 - 3 cm
inducing drought resistance in depth).
young seedlings.Protects the plants
from the fungal pathogens.
Ecorhiza-VAM/ Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Improved uptake of nutrients, root Soil: 3-5 kg acre-1 with the TERI, New Delhi
Nurserrhiza-VAM development and growth in plant 200-250 kg FYM,
one tablet plant-1 in 2-4 inch
deep hole near the plant
root.
Root Care Mycorrhiza (Glomus Improved plant health, uptake of Soil: 5 kg acre-1. Ambica Biotech, MP
intraradices) nutrients and reduction of
environmental stress.
Mycorrhizae 105 propagules/kg with carrier Mobilize major nutrients like, Soil: 5-10 kg of VAM ha-1 is Dr. Rajan Laboratories,
material (Talc powder / phosphorus and potassium and recommended along with Tamil Nadu
Vermiculite) certain micronutrients like zinc, the 1 q of FYM; 25 g plant-1.
calcium etc.
JOSH Super/JOSH Mycorrhizal (Glomus Root development in plant enhence Soil: 5 kg acre-1 for all Cadila Pharmaceuticals
Plus intraradices) growth crops, 60 infective Limited, Gujarat
propagules g-1
Shubhodaya Vesicular Arbuscular Improved uptake of nutrients Soil: 5 -10 kg acre-1 Cosme Biotech, Goa
Mycorrhiza (with three species-
1-Isolated from desert and
adoptable to harsh water
strained condition. 2-Adoptable
to water lodging conditions and
3-Adaptable to general and
acidic/basic soil conditions.)
TARI VAM Vesicular Arbuscular Mobilize nutrients like, phosphorus Soil: 5 -10 kg acre-1 TARI Biotech, Tamil
Mychorrhiza and zinc Nadu
BioCarry Vesicular Arbuscular Helps in efficient mobilization and Soil: 5 kg acre-1 Sundaram Overseas
Mycorrhiza (VAM) uptake of fertilizers and other Operation, Gujrat
nutrients by plants.
Symbion VAM Solid formulations of Improved uptake of nutrients, root Soil: 5 kg acre-1 T. Stanes and Company
Arbuscular Mycorrhiza development in plant and growth Limited, Tamil Nadu
CAMBAY's Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Helps in efficient mobilization of Soil: 5 kg acre-1; one tablet Neesa Agritech Private
VARDHAK (Powder and Tablets) nutrients plant-1 Limited
Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Mycorrhiza – VAM Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Mobilize nutrients like, P, Zn, Cu Soil:10 kg acre-1 KCP Sugar and
and B Industries Corporation
Ltd
Mycorrhiza-AM Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Helps in efficient mobilization of Soil: 5 kg acre-1 Majestic Agronomics
Biofertilizer nutrients and improved plant Pvt. Ltd., HP
growth
Colonizer Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Colonizes living plants roots. Soil: 2-3 kg acre-1 Krishidhan Seeds Pvt.
(powder ) Improves phosphorus uptakeand Ltd, Maharastra
imparts stress and disease resistance.

Journal of Eco-friendly Agriculture 10(2) 2015 105

 Sumita Pal, H. B. Singh, Alvina Farooqui and Amitava Rakshit

Formulation Biofertilizers are the natural way to get the benefits of synthetic
There are a wide variety of formulation types, both fertilizers without risking the quality of soil health and crop
liquid and solid in biofertilizers. The main types, currently products. Biofertilizers are known to play a number of vital
used for organisms, have been classified into dry products roles in soil fertility, crop productivity and production in
(dusts, granules and briquettes) and suspension (water- agriculture as they are eco-friendly but can not replace
based and emulsions). Dusts particle size ranged from 5-20 chemical fertilizers, which are indispensable for getting
mm and contain <10% of an organism by weight. Granules maximum crop yields. Biofertilizers can increase the crop
are discrete masses, 5-10 mm3 in size. Pellets are >10mm3 yield by 20 to 30 per cent. In addition, biofertilizers are cost
and briquettes has large blocks up to several cubic effective, when compared to synthetic fertilizers. Some of the
centimeters. These products contain an inert carrier like important functions or roles of biofertilizers in agriculture
charcoal, lignite, clay minerals (vermiculite, bentonite), are:
starch polymers, dry fertilizers and ground plant residues.  Phosphate mobilizing or phosphorus solubilizing
Choice of carrier depends on absorption, hardness, bulk biofertilizers / microorganisms (bacteria, fungi,
density and product disintegration rate in water. The product mycorrhiza etc.) converts insoluble soil phosphate into
can be coated with various materials to slow and control the soluble forms by secreting several organic acids and
rate of release, which also depends on unit size. Presently, under optimum conditions, can solubilize / mobilize
biofertilizers are prepared as carrier based formulations and about 30-50 kg P2O5/ha and crop yield may increase
lignite is the most widely used carrier material. In the solid by 10 to 20 per cent.
based bio-fertilizers, the microorganisms have a shelf life of
 Mycorrhiza or arbuscular mycorrhiza, when used as
only six months. They are not tolerant to UV rays and
biofertilizer enhance uptake of P, Zn, S and water,
temperatures more than 30o C. The population density of
leading to uniform crop growth and increased yield
these microbes is only 108 CFU/ml at the time of production.
and also enhance resistance to root diseases and
This count reduces with time. In the 4th month it reduced to
improve hardiness of transplant stock (Pal et al. 2014).
106 CFU /ml and at the end of 6th month the count is almost
nil. Again the improper sterilization of carrier material and  Liberate growth promoting substances and vitamins
handling such as mixing the organism with carrier and and help to maintain soil fertility.
packing serve as source of contaminations. Because of this,  Act as antagonists and suppress the incidence of soil
the inoculant packet could not hold desired biofertilizer borne plant pathogens and thus, help in the bio-control
organism for longer time period and were not found effective of diseases.
and did not become popular among the farmers. Further, the  Plays important role in the recycling of plant nutrients.
quality of the biofertilizer gets deteriorated. Because of these
 Supplement chemical fertilizers for meeting the
reasons, biofertilizer application could not be able to give
integrated nutrient demand of the crops.
viable results in the field. Hence, the liquid formulation of
organisms with a count of 109 CFU/ml (Azospirillum and  Renewable source of nutrients.
Phosphobacteria) was developed to avoid drawbacks of  Sustain soil health.
biofertilizer and to increase the quality and shelf-life of  Supplement chemical fertilizers.
bioinoculants. Preservatives were added with the microbial  Replace 25-30 per cent chemical fertilizers.
cultures and packed in quality bottles. The shelf life of the
microbes in these liquid bio-fertilizers is about 2 years. They  Increase the grain yields by 10-40 per cent.
are tolerant to high temperatures and ultra violet radiations.  Decompose plant residues and stabilize C:N ratio of
As a matter of fact the application of 1 ml of liquid bio- soil.
fertilizers is equivalent to the application of 1 kg of 5 months  Improve texture, structure and water holding capacity
old carrier based bio-fertilizers. of soil.
 No adverse effect on plant growth and soil fertility.
Advantages of biofertilizer
 Stimulates plant growth by secreting growth
As it is well known that synthetic fertilizers are made hormones.
from nonrenewable fossil fuel resources, create nutrient  Secrete fungistatic and antibiotic like substances.
imbalance in the soil and often used in excessive amounts.
Soils and plants are becoming dependent on the synthetic  Solubilize and mobilize nutrients.
fertilizers, which increases their negative effects.  Eco-friendly, non-pollutants and cost effective.

106 Journal of Eco-friendly Agriculture 10(2) 2015

 Fungal biofertilizers in Indian agriculture: perception, demand and promotion

Mode of action light intensity. Slankis (1973) found that at high light
Biofertilizers promote crop growth by several intensity, surplus carbohydrates are formed, which exuded
mechanisms with the primary one varying as per function from roots, this in turn induces the mycorrhizal fungi of soil
of environmental conditions. Although the mechanisms of to infect the roots. At low light intensity, carbohydrates are
commercially available biofertilizers are not always entirely not produced in surplus, therefore, plant roots fail to develop
understood, growth promotion has been identified as the mycorrhizas. Further, some biofertilizers synthesize
result of indirect or direct mechanisms. Indirect plant growth siderophores that can solubilize and sequester nutrient from
promotion may be associated with biological control. soil and provide it to plant cells, thus contributing to the
Conversely, direct growth promotion mechanism may nutrition and development of crops.
provide some compounds essential for crop establishment,
growth and stimulate nutrient uptake. Biofertilizers Biofertilizer production-Indian scenario
solubilize the insoluble forms of phosphates like tricalcium, Biofertilizer concept goes back as early as 300 BC, when
iron and aluminium phosphates into available forms. They our ancestors realized the importance of legume crops
scavenge phosphate from soil layers, produce hormones and bearing nodules. The perspective of biofertilizer came into
anti metabolites, which promote root growth. Biofertilizers existence through discovery of many organisms, capable of
decompose organic matter and help in mineralization in soil. nitrogen fixation, P-solubilization, P- mobilization, potash
The principal mechanism for mineral phosphate solubilization and micronutrient transformation in the soil.
solubilization is the production of organic acids and acid The role of biofertilizers assume special significance because
phosphatases, which play a major role in the mineralization of increased cost of chemical fertilizers and their ill effects
of organic phosphorus in soil. It is generally accepted that on soil health. In India, the first documented production of
the major mechanism of mineral phosphate solubilization, bio-fertilizers in the form of Rhizobium was in the year 1934
is the action of organic acids synthesized by soil by M.R. Madhok (Yadav and Raychaudhuri, 2004), but the
microorganisms. Production of organic acids, result in first commercial production was initiated only in 1956 at
acidification of the microbial cell and its surroundings. The the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi and
production of organic acid by phosphate solubilizing Agricultural College and Research Institute, Coimbatore. In
bacteria has been well documented. Gluconic acid seems to India, the first study on legume Rhizobium symbiosis was
be the most frequent agent of mineral phosphate conducted by N.V. Joshi and the first commercial production
solubilization. Ketogluconic acid is another organic acid started as early as in 1956. However, the Ministry of
identified in strains with phosphate solubilizing ability. Agriculture under the Ninth Plan initiated the real effort to
Strains of Bacillus were found to produce mixtures of lactic, popularize and promote the input with the setting up of the
isovaleric, isobutyric and acetic acids. Other organic acids, National Project on Development and Use of Biofertilizers
such as glycolic, oxalic, malonic and succinic, have also been (NPDB) during 1983-84. Azospirillum and Vesicular-
identified among phosphate solubilizers. Chelating Arbuscular Mycorrhizae (VAM) are recent discoveries.
substances and inorganic acids such as sulphideric, nitric, Growth in production remained very slow till the mid sixties
and carbonic acid are considered as other mechanisms for (Tewatia, 2007). During 1965-1990 around 30 bio-fertilizers
phosphate solubilization. However, the effectiveness and production laboratories were set up in the country to meet
their contribution to P release in soils seems to be less than the demand and a lot of schemes, formulated to popularize
organic acid production. In recent years, use of artificially their use in different legume crops. Nineties saw a dramatic
produced inoculum of mycorrhizal fungi has increased its surge in bio-fertilizers industry with adding of new bio-
significance due to their multifarious role in plant growth fertilizers such as Azotobacter, Azospirillum, PSBs and VAM
and yield, and resistance against climatic and edaphic (Adholeya, 2012) added to the list and total production jump
stresses, pathogens and pests. The mechanism of symbiosis was observed ten times in between 1989 to 2000
is not fully understood. Mycorrhiza forms an association (Bhattacharya and Dwivedi, 2004). Starting from few tonnes,
with plant roots. It penetrates in the root cortex and spreads production and consumption increased gradually and
around the roots of the plant. As the name indicates, they reached a moderate figure of 28000 MT by 2009-10 (Fertiliser
posses sac like structure called vesicules, which stores Association of India, 2011). Research in the field of microbial
phosphorus as phospholipids. The other structure called fertilizers is in progress in different research institutes of
arbuscule helps bringing the distant nutrients to the India. Several institutes of ICAR are producing commercial
vesicules and root. Bjorkman (1949) postulated the microbial fertilizers. However, further researches and
carbohydrate theory and explained the development of encouragement from the government are needed to isolate
mycorrhiza in soils, deficient in available P and N and high and characterize more salt tolerant microbial strains using

Journal of Eco-friendly Agriculture 10(2) 2015 107

 Sumita Pal, H. B. Singh, Alvina Farooqui and Amitava Rakshit

modern biotechnological tools. The government should KRIBHCO produced highest amount followed by IFFCO,
campaign for the utilization of these efficient and economic MFL, NFL and RCF. Due to intensive and continued
fertilizers because instead of considerable efforts by scientists, assistance from Government of India in this regard, overall
majority of the farmers in India are unaware of the use and production of bio-fertilizers in the country continuing with
fruitfulness of these microbial fertilizers. positive growth rate.

The share of bio-inputs in agriculture is abysmally low. Common perception of biofertilizer

The market share is not even 1 per cent in India. Relatively
speaking there is more rigour in estimation of bio-fertilizer However, the market for bio-fertilizers is still not well
market in India, because of the presence of some large developed and the bio-fertilizer industry has not anticipated
producers in production of bio-fertilizers and comparatively the growth. The current strategy of marketing biofertilizer
this is more organized than other green inputs market products in India is through niche markets. The scope for a
(Rakshit and Bhadoria, 2002). Based on the gross cropped particular bio-fertilizer is often perceived to be limited. Bio-
area in India and recommended doses of bio-fertilizers, fertilizers are often perceived to be more expensive than the
potential demand is segregated into different categories of chemical fertilizers. This is more so, since the farmers and
bio-fertilizer, such as Rhizobium, Azotobactors, Azospirillium, small holders received fertilizers heavily subsided by the
BGA and phosphate solubilizer, where demand differ government, enabling a few farmers, who appreciate the
widely. Contrary to the world bio-fertilizers scenario, Indian benefits of use of certain biofertilizers. Another perception
bio-fertilizers industry is not restricted to Rhizobium. There on biofertilizer is its slow effect on the crops as compared to
were changes in shares, whereas the intial increase was due chemical fertilizers. Special care (storage, mixing with
to Rhizobium. The later growth phase was largely contributed powders, etc.) is also needed to handle microbial inocula, so
by the moderate success in Azospirillum and by far the best that these remain effective for extended use. These inoculant
performance by phosphorous solubilizing bacteria (PSBs). too, favours certain environment. Concerning microbial
Presently phosphorous solubilizing bacteria accounts for inoculants, some users realised their potential. There was
about 55 per cent compared to other nitrogenous difference of opinion on the effectiveness of microbial
biofertilizers, which accounts for 45 per cent (NCOF Annual inoculants available in the market. Some felt that the
Report, 2007-08). Although actual production and the performance of these products is often disappointing,
distribution of bio-fertilizers are below the targeted level but unreliable and not as claimed by the manufacturer. Some
there has been a positive trend in India, with respect to products, however, do give good results. All these perceptions
production. The growth rate in installed bio-fertilizer capacity contribute to influencing the user on the use of microbial
is comparatively more stable than the growth rate in total inoculants and biofertilizers. The way to forward the produce
production, consumption and distribution. This is an is that it may satisfy the users in terms of versatility, ease of
indication that there is not only a need but also a role for use and cost. The use of bio-fertilizers has still not spread
market development for green agriculture inputs in India. uniformly, although there has been a steady rise in their use
Inspite of the impressive growth rate of more than 200 per by certain group of farmers.
cent in production capacity and around 300 per cent growth
rate experienced in production and consumption of bio- Quality control
fertilizers in India. In the recent past yet it is only around 1.5 Quality of biofertilizer is one of the most important
per cent of the estimated demand potential for bio-fertilizers factors resulting in their success or failure and acceptance
in the country. The region wise distribution of bio-fertilizers or rejection by end-user, the farmers. Efforts to promote the
is more dispersed in relation to chemical fertilizers across use of these substances in the past have been hampered by
the country. As per the latest data available on bio-fertilizers, poor and uneven quality. Survey of farmers show that poor
South Indian state Andhra Pradesh has overtaken another quality of biofertilizers is largely responsible for the poor
South Indian state Tamil Nadu in bio-fertilizer production acceptance by users. Basically the quality means the number
to reach the top. The other major producers of bio-fertilizers of selected microorganisms in the active form per gram or
are Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. milliliter of biofertilizer. Quality standards are available only
The highest number of units are located in the state of for Rhizobium in different countries. The required level of
Maharashtra. A good degree of large industrial chemical organisms can not be established as a general standard,
fertilizer units like IFFCO, KRIBHCO, TCL, MFL, NFL and because it varies from one bacterial species to another and
RCF are also involved in bio-fertilizer production as their as per conditions. Hence, specifications of biofertilizer differ
corporate social responsibility along with chemical based from country to country and may contain parameters like
fertilizers, insecticides and pesticides. Among the PSU’s, the microbial density at the time of its manufacturing,

108 Journal of Eco-friendly Agriculture 10(2) 2015

 Fungal biofertilizers in Indian agriculture: perception, demand and promotion

microbial density at the time of expiry, expiry period, producers, who have opted for BIS certification and putting
permissible contamination, pH, moisture, microbial strain for BIS certification and putting ISI mark on their
and the carrier. Quality has to be controlled at various stages products.The general parameters of biofertilizer in India are
of production (during mother culture stage, carrier selection, presented in Table 3 and 4.
broth culture stage, mixing of broth and culture, packing
and storage). Inoculant shall be packed in 50-75 micron 1000 Gaps exist between India and some of the leading
density polythine packets and should be marked countries in all areas of biofertilizer production and
prominently the following : application technology. These gaps are important,
particularly in the field of strains, techniques used for
 Name of the product sterilization, fermentation and carriers. The effects of these
 Name and address of manufacturer are aggravated further by poor quality control maintained
 Name of the carrier by most of the producers. Under such circumstances, a
significant increase in the level of penetration and demand
 Batch number of biofertilizers is possible only, if these gaps are reduced
 Date of manufacturing and strict quality control is maintained. While promotional
 Date of expiry efforts are important, but the success of such efforts will
 Net mass depend on the availability of biofertilizers of high and
consistent quality. A system by which the quality is
 Crop for which intended
monitored by the central and state level authorities must be
 Storage instruction (15-30± 0.2°C) devised and enforced.
Countries like India have regulations for inoculant
quality, but neither it is regulated properly nor are the Future trend in fungal bio-fertilizers
existing regulations well enforced. Bureau of India Standards The use of fungi as biofertilizers is not new, a most of
(BIS) has published necessary specifications/standards for these have been developed in the last two decades. There are
different bio-fertilizers. But these specifications are purely numerous reports stating the success in promoting plant
voluntary in nature and are being regulated on firms and growth as biofertilizers. Fungal biofertilizers help to

Table 3. General parameters of biofertilizer in India

Parameter Liquid Powder Granular
Appearance Without strange smell Brown or black Brown
P bacteria(CFU) >0.5-1.5x109 ml-1 >0.1-0.3x109 g-1 >0.1-0.2x109 g-1
Water content (%) - 20-35 10
Size (mm) - 0.18 4.5
Organic matter (%C) - >20 >20
pH 5.5-7.0 6.0-7.5 6.0-7.5
Contamination (%) <5 <15 <20
Valid period >6 months >6 months >6 months
Table 4. Indian standard specification for phosphate solublizing inoculants
Parameter Phsophate solubilizing inoculant
Base Carrier based
Viable count at the time of manufacturing 107 cfu g-1 of carrier
Viable count at the time of expiry 106 cfu g-1 of carrier within 15 days
Shelf life/expiry date Not < 6 months
pH 6.5-7.5
Moisture (% ) 35-40
Carrier material Peat, lignite peat soil, charcoal in the form of powder
Plant test phosphate solublization Phosphate solublizing ability in the range of 35-50 per cent and in
terms of zone formation, minimum 10 mm
solublization zone.

Journal of Eco-friendly Agriculture 10(2) 2015 109

 Sumita Pal, H. B. Singh, Alvina Farooqui and Amitava Rakshit

minimize the use of synthetic chemical fertilizers. This is Ways should be found out by which these fungi can grow in
beneficial since synthetic chemical probably compounds culture and produce inocula. As mentioned above, plate
have detrimental affects on humans and the environment cultivation of these fungi with tissue culture plants may be a
(Sarma et al. 2012; 2014). Fungal biofertilizers are presently solution. Phlebopus portentosus, the black bolete, is
used on a very small scale as compared to chemical purportedly mycorrhizal and forms associations with
compounds. There has been little investment in the research several fruit trees (coffee, mango, and jack fruit). Lumyong et
and development of fungal products because these may have al. (2009) have successfully grown this species on artificial
poor effect in the field. Still there is a wide gap between the media, may be good for in vitro cultivation. This fungus is a
unpublished research carried out in laboratories as perfect target for a biofertilizer since it should enhance tree
compared to development for use in the field (Keswani et al. growth and produce an annual crop of the expensive Black
2014). Future research therefore must develop fungal Bolete, which is a sort of fungus, which demands a good
products, which have significant effect in field applications price. The move towards safe and organic food production
and are stable under storage. Aspects, which need to be with increase biofertilizer use and thus it will result in
considered for the purpose should include: environment and ecosystem safety. Reduction in the use of
inorganic fertilizers is necessary to maintain ecosystem and
 Strains of beneficial fungi to be used develop sustainable agriculture. Research and development
 They must be reliable and cheap to be produced on the on fungal biofertilizers should therefore emphasize on
large scale improving effective stable strains for promoting plant growth
 Strains may not be detrimental to the environment though traditional and molecular techniques.
 They must be safe to humans and the environment
Constraints in bio-fertilizer use
 Patentability of the formulation to be possible
Despite significant improvement and progress in
Greater communication is needed between researchers
biofertiliser technology over the years, the progress in the
and industry in the early stages of development. Integration
field of its production technology is below satisfaction.
or combination of inocula or combinations with other
Further, there do exist obstacles for biofertilizer use. These
beneficial fungi should be considered as combinations may
are not only technical problems, but also socio-economic and
be more effective than a individual ones. The production of
human resource obstacles. The technical problems can be
fungal biofertilizers should be directed to a new focus that
addressed through a comprehensive programme of basic and
will search for commercial properties through the use of
applied research up to a certain extent. Overcoming the socio-
biotechnologies of the inoculation of fungi. Its benefits should
economic and human resource obstacles, would require an
clearly be demonstrated to the growers, both through
emphasis on education, training and the promotion of
extension and proven field trials to increase the commercial
private-enterprise. The difficulties to expand the use of
interest. Research on other ecological fungi should be
biofertilizer by farmers in India are as follows:
pursued to find out novel biofertilizers, eg., endophytic fungi,
which are symptomless colonizer of plants and some,  Difficult handling of biofertilizer
especially grass endophytes are symbionts (Tejesvi et al. 2010)  Problems with distribution
could be exploited. Endophytes play an important role in
ecosystem processes such as decomposition and nutrient  Low quality of biofertilizer
cycling and thus may be utilized as biofertilzers. Endophytes  Can not be stored for longer period
also have beneficial symbiotic relationships with the seeds  Lack of demonstration and low visual effect of
and roots of many plants, such as orchids (Zhu et al. 2008) biofertilizer
and could be use to improve orchid seed germination and  Low in public relation and technology transfer
orchid growth. Endophytic fungi may also have roles in plant
 Low knowledge of farmer on sustainable agriculture
growth and survival by enhancing nutrient uptake and
and environmental effect of biofertilizer
producing growth promoting metabolites such as
gibberellins and auxins (Khan et al. 2012). These endophytes Conclusion
have shown the benefit to host plant, including tolerance to
herbivory, heat, salt, disease, drought and increased below There is a general consensus on the benefit of bio-
and above ground biomass. fertilizers usage particularly for small farmers in the context
of current climate change concerns as a cheap and safe source
The use of mycorrhizal fungi as biofertilizers is often of input for agriculture. The benefits of using fungi as
limited due the fact that they will not grow in artificial culture. biofertilizer, includes decreasing the occurrence of plant

110 Journal of Eco-friendly Agriculture 10(2) 2015

 Fungal biofertilizers in Indian agriculture: perception, demand and promotion

diseases by inhibiting the growth of pathogens, suppressing well as profitability for the small and marginal farmers.
the amount of inocula of pathogens, increasing in uptake of
nutrient from the soil or atmosphere and producing bio-active ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
compounds, hormones and enzymes, which stimulates plant
Senior author is grateful to Department of Science &
growth. Bio-fertilizer usage has been found to reduce
Technology, New Delhi for providing financial assistance
chemical fertilizer usage by about 20 per cent in some cases
through Women Scientist Scheme (SR/WOS-A/LS-17/
and increase the crop production. There are many
2011). Dr. H.B.Singh is thankful to RKVY, Department of
commercial fungal biofertilizers available worldwide. Using
Agriculture, Krishi Bhawan, Lucknow for providing
fungal biofertilizers offer more environmentally friendly
financial support.
alternatives than chemical fertilizers. However, there are
some limitations in using these products. The success can
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