THE USE OF MICROBES AS BIOFERTILIZERS

ABSTRACT

With the ongoing adverse effects of using Chemical fertilizers to both the plants, human and animal life, it has become imperative to seek an alternative to this menace. Abiofertilizer 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. Some common agents in biofertilizers include Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Phosphorus solubilisingbacteria (PSB), Mycorrhizae etc. The benefits of biofertilizers have been cited as; cost-effectiveness, provides up to 25-30% of chemical fertilizer equivalent of Nitrogen, provides Phosphorous and Potassium and increases water absorption, keeping soil biologically active. Biofertilizers hold the potential to increase farmers’ current agricultural productivity, while at the same time contributing to the soil’s ability to produce more in future.