Biofertilizers: Overview, Types, Uses, Importance & Benefits

21 Mar, 2024

If you are looking for more organic and environmentally friendly components to use in your day-to-day farming, you might need Biofertilizers to add to your routine. 

What is Biofertilizer?

Biofertilizers are fertilizers that contain living microorganisms, which help increase the fertility and growth of plants when added to the soil. Not only does the use of Biofertilizers promote the growth of healthy crops but also prevents the development of infectious bacteria.

In simpler words, biofertilizers are biological fertilizers that use living organisms present in the fertilizers to break down toxic residues, making it easier for them to be absorbed into the soil. Not only this, but Biofertilizers are also easy on your pockets, help in the betterment of the soil, promote growth, and improve fertility, all at a cost that you can easily afford.

Biofertilizers have gained massive popularity in recent times, all thanks to the benefits that they have. The switch from chemical fertilizers to biofertilizers cannot happen in an instant; you must have proper knowledge about biofertilizers before adding them to your farming regime. Given its popularity, the internet can surely be a misleading place to start your research, but not when you have Tractor Gyan for your aid. In this blog, you will find all the information about biofertilizers in just the right amount because we believe in delivering only the necessary information.

Types of Biofertilizers and What Are They Used For?

There are four types of biofertilizers, and each one is suitable for a particular type of crop. The list is as follows:

1. Bacterial Biofertilizers

Bacterial Biofertilizers are biofertilizers that use live organisms as fertilizers, which helps improve the nitrogen in the atmosphere. The fertilizers that come under Bacterial Biofertilizers are Rhizobium Biofertilizer, Azospirillum Biofertilizer, Azotobacter Biofertilizer, and Phosphobacteria Biofertilizer. And the crops for which Bacterial Biofertilizer can be used are: Pulses, Groundnuts, soybeans; Maize, Barley, Oats, Sorghum, Sugarcane, rice, Dry Land crops and much more

2. Algal Biofertilizers

Algal biofertilizers use living microorganisms like algae. It is very beneficial since adding algal biofertilizers to the crops can increase crop productivity by 10–14%, and it is also eco-friendly and pocket-friendly. Algal Biofertilizers include Blue-green Algae and Azolla. Algal Biofertilizers can be used for crops such as: Rice, wetlands, etc.

3. Fungal Biofertilizers

Fungal Biofertilizers include Mycorrhizal fungi, which are responsible for promoting the growth of healthier crops. This particular fungus is considered a fertilizer because it provides the host plant with ample minerals, nutrients, etc., and hence is considered a natural fertilizer. The Fungal Biofertilizers include only mycorrhizal, and the crops for which they are used are: Trees, crops, and some ornamental plants such as trees, shrubs, aquatic plants, climbers, and so on.

4. Acitinimycetes Biofertilizers

Acitinimycetes Biofertilizers are considered one of the best kinds of biofertilizers because they use methods like nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, etc. Acitinimycetes Biofertilizers promote the growth of crops as well as protect plants from pathogens. Frankia comes under Acitinimycetes Biofertilizers. Acitinimycete Biofertilizers are mainly used for fuel wood, crop protection, timber wood, etc.

Uses of Biofertilizers

Biofertilizers are used for the overall betterment of the crops, be it for their health or production quantity. The uses of Biofertilizers are:

- Seedling Root Tip: Seeding Root Tip is one of the primary applications or uses of biofertilizers. In this method, seedlings are dipped in water for about 8 to 10 hours.

- Seed Treatment: Biofertilizers are used for improving crops, and it begins at the very primary stage, which is seed sowing. Seed Treatment ensures that the seeds sown are healthy since healthy seeds turn into healthy crops. And using biofertilizers for seed treatment. It is done by dipping seeds in a mixture of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers; these seeds get sown after being dried as soon as possible.

- Soil Treatment: Biofertilizers, when used for Soil treatment, have massive effects when they are mixed with compost fertilizers, kept overnight, and then spread across the soil where the seeds are supposed to be sown.

- Crop Residual: Biofertilizers are one of the most organic ways of managing crop residuals thanks to the living microorganisms in the compost.

- Green Manure: Sesbania, a flowering plant, is used as green manure or biofertilizer. Biofertilizers are the best kind of green manure since they have fewer harmful components.

- Treated sewage sludge: Sewage Sludge is treated with biofertilizers because biofertilizers have chlorella vulgaris, which is responsible for toxic pollutants. Additionally, biofertilizers are cost-effective.

- Farmyard manure: Biofertilizer, when used for farmyard manure, helps to a great degree thanks to the natural compost agents present in it, which break down particles, making it easier for composting.

Benefits of using Biofertilizers

The overall benefit of using biofertilizers is that they improve the health of crops. But apart from this, there are various other benefits to using Biofertilizers.

- Biofertilizers increase crop yield by 20–30%. By providing ample nutrients to the crops.

- Biofertilizers replace chemical nitrogen and phosphorus content by 25%, which makes sure that the crops are healthy.

- It greatly prevents plant growth.

- It activates soil biologically since it has living microorganisms that go into the soil and activate it.

- Biofertilizers restore the soil’s natural fertility.

- And lastly, Biofertilizers protect from soil diseases and drought.

Importance of Biofertilizers

Biofertilizers are essential for the great health of the crops. Other important items include:

- Biofertilizers improve soil fertility, texture, and yield for plants. So that the new batch of crops can be grown healthier after the previous one is harvested.

- Biofertilizers do not let pathogens develop in the soil, preventing any disease from occurring.​​

- Biofertilizers save money and are environmentally friendly. As they are considered natural fertilizers, they are more cost-efficient, good for nature, and nature-friendly.

- Biofertilizers save the environment from pollutants since they reduce 25% of phosphate and turn out to be better for the environment than chemical fertilizers.

- There are many deadly substances present in the soil that can cause plant disease. Ensuring the overall health of the soil as well as the plants.

- And last but not least, biofertilizers are proven to be effective even in semi-arid conditions.

Scope of Biofertilizers in the Future

Ever since biofertilizers were introduced, they have proven to be good for the environment and the farmers in all aspects of agriculture, be it in terms of Monterey measures or cost-efficiency. In terms of soil health, biofertilizers make sure that the soil’s health stays intact and germ-free. Biofertilizers are biological fertilisers that have living organisms in them, and additionally, they work in semi-arid areas as well.

Speaking of scope, Biofertilizers have been shown to have varied effects on different environments as well as within the same environment. They have shown promising effects in dry environments; however, the same cannot be said about other environments. This is the one problem that scientists are still working to resolve. In spite of this minor setback, Biofertilizers indeed have promising growth in the foreseen future.

In conclusion, Biofertilizers are a great option for farmers and the environment alike. They are cost-efficient, natural, and environmentally friendly. Furthermore, they are effective in semi-arid conditions, making them a great solution for farmers in dry regions. With more research, Biofertilizers have the potential to revolutionize the agricultural industry.

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