Bio Fertilizer Types and Their Application

BIO FERTILIZER TYPES AND THEIR APPLICATION
Biofertilizers Definition
“Biofertilizers are substances that contain microorganisms, which when
added to the soil increase its fertility and promotes plant growth.”
What is Biofertilizer
Biofertilizers are substance that contains microbes, which helps in
promoting the growth of plants and trees by increasing the supply of
essential nutrients to the plants. It comprises living organisms which
include mycorrhizal fungi, blue-green algae, and bacteria. Mycorrhizal fungi
preferentially withdraw minerals from organic matter for the plant whereas
cyanobacteria are characterized by the property of nitrogen fixation.
Nitrogen fixation is defined as a process of converting di-nitrogen
molecules into ammonia. For instance, some bacteria convert nitrogen to
ammonia. As a result, nitrogen becomes available for plants.
Also, read Nitrogen Fixation and Nitrogen Metabolism
Types of Biofertilizers
Following are the important types of biofertilizers:
Symbiotic Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria

Rhizobium is one of the vital symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Here
bacteria seek shelter and obtain food from plants. In return, they help by
providing fixed nitrogen to the plants.
Loose Association of Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria

Azospirillum is a nitrogen-fixing bacteria that live around the roots of higher
plants but do not develop an intimate relationship with plants. It is often
termed as rhizosphere association as these bacteria collect plant exudate
and the same is used as food by them. This process is termed associative
mutualism.
Symbiotic Nitrogen-Fixing Cyanobacteria

Blue-Green algae or Cyanobacteria from the symbiotic association with
several plants. Liverworts, cycad roots, fern, and lichens are some of the
Nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria. Anabaena is found at the leaf cavities of the
fern. It is responsible for nitrogen fixation. The fern plants decay and
release the same for utilization of the rice plants. Azolla pinnate is a fern
that resides in rice fields but they do not regulate the growth of the plant.
Free-Living Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria

They are free-living soil bacteria that perform nitrogen fixation. They are
saprotrophic anaerobes such as Clostridium beijerinckii, Azotobacter, etc.
Among all the types of biofertilizers, Rhizobium and Azospirillum are most
widely used.
Components of Biofertilizers
The components of biofertilizers include:
Bio Compost
It is one of the eco-friendly product composed of waste material released
from sugar industries which are decomposed. It is magnified with human-
friendly bacteria, fungi, and various plants.
Tricho-Card
It is an eco-friendly and nonpathogenic product used in a variety of crops
as well as in horticultural and ornamental plants, such as paddy apple,
sugar cane, brinjal, corn, cotton, vegetables, citrus, etc. It acts as a
productive destroyer and antagonistic hyper parasitic against eggs of
several bores, shoot, fruit, leaves, flower eaters and other pathogens in the
field.
Azotobacter
It protects the roots from pathogens present in the soil and plays a crucial
role in fixing atmospheric nitrogen. Nitrogen is a very important nutrient for
the plant and about 78% of the total atmosphere comprises nitrogen.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is one of the essential nutrients for plants growth and
development. Phosphate solubilizing microorganisms, hydrolyze insoluble
phosphorus compounds to the soluble form for uptake by plants. Many
fungi and bacteria are used for the purpose such
as Penicillium, Aspergillus, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, etc.
Vermicompost
It is an Eco-friendly organic fertilizer that comprises vitamins, hormones,
organic carbon, sulfur, antibiotics that help to increase the quantity and
quality of yield. Vermicompost is one of the quick fixes to improve the
fertility of the soil.
Importance of Biofertilizers
Biofertilizers are important for the following reasons:
 Biofertilizers improve the soil texture and yield of plants.

 They do not allow pathogens to flourish.
 They are eco-friendly and cost-effective.
 Biofertilizers protect the environment from pollutants since they are
natural fertilizers.
 They destroy many harmful substances present in the soil that can
cause plant diseases.
 Biofertilizers are proved to be effective even under semi-arid
conditions.
Applications of Biofertilizers
Following are the important applications of biofertilizers:
Seedling root dip

This method is applicable to rice crops. The seedlings are planted in the
bed of water for 8-10 hours.
Seed Treatment
The seeds are dipped in a mixture of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers.
These seeds are then dried and sown as soon as possible.
Soil Treatment
The biofertilizers along with the compost fertilizers are mixed and kept for
one night. This mixture is then spread on the soil where the seeds have to
be sown.
Discover more about what is biofertilizer, types of biofertilizers and
applications of biofertilizers, only at BYJU’S Biology
What do you understand by biofertilizers

Biofertilizers are substances that contain microorganisms, which when
added to the soil increase the crop yield and promotes plant growth.
What are the advantages of biofertilizers over chemical fertilizers
 Biofertilizers are cost-effective.

 They reduce the risk of plant diseases.
 The health of the people consuming the vegetables grown by the
addition of chemical fertilizers is more at risk.
 Biofertilizers do not cause any type of pollution.
What is the need for using biofertilizers

Biofertilizers are required to restore the fertility of the soil. Prolonged use of
chemical fertilizers degrades the soil and affects crop yield. Biofertilizers,
on the other hand, enhance the water holding capacity of the soil and add
essential nutrients such as nitrogen, vitamins and proteins to the soil. They
are the natural form of fertilizers and hence, widely used in agriculture.
Name a few microorganisms used as biofertilizers.

Microorganisms used as biofertilizers are:
 Rhizobium
 Azotobacter
 Azospirilium
How do biofertilizers promote plant growth
Biofertilizers utilise certain microorganisms. These microorganisms trap
atmospheric nitrogen and reduce it to ammonia and make it available to
the plants. They also convert insoluble phosphates into the forms required
by the plants.
What are the main sources of biofertilizers
The main sources of biofertilizers include bacteria, cyanobacteria and
fungi.
Name an important nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
Rhizobium is an important nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Rhizobium lives in
symbiotic association with the leguminous plants, specifically in their root
nodules. It traps the atmospheric nitrogen and converts it into ammonia
that enhances the growth of the plants.

Bio Fertilizer Types and Their Application

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Bio Fertilizer Types and Their Application

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Bio Fertilizer Types and Their Application

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

BIO FERTILIZER TYPES AND THEIR APPLICATION

Symbiotic Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria

Loose Association of Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria

Symbiotic Nitrogen-Fixing Cyanobacteria

Free-Living Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria

 Biofertilizers improve the soil texture and yield of plants.

Seedling root dip

What do you understand by biofertilizers

What are the advantages of biofertilizers over chemical fertilizers

 Biofertilizers are cost-effective.

What is the need for using biofertilizers

Name a few microorganisms used as biofertilizers.

You might also like