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. A

biofertilizer 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 solubilising bacteria

(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. This study was conducted to:

1.

Assess the effects of microbes used as biofertilizers.

2.

Determine the effectiveness of biofertilizers and compare the same to chemical

fertilizers.

3.

Determine the effectiveness of free-living microorganisms in increasing agricultural

yield.

4.

Determine the cost and availability of biofertilizers and their economic

importance.

Key

Words:

Biofertilizer, Chemical fertilizer, Plants, Rhizosphere, Rhizobium,

Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Phosphobacteria, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium.

Table of Contents

                                                                                                                                                PAGE

            Certification…………………………………………………………………            i

Dedication…………………………………………………………………              ii

Acknowledgement…………………………………………………..…….               iii

Abstract……………………………………………………………………              iv

Table of Contents…………………………………………………………               v

INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………….…….              1

mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"" lang="EN-US">1.0  Biofertilizers………………………………….……………………..…….…..               2

mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"" lang="EN-US">1.1  Types

of Biofertilizers……….……………………………………………..…               8         

mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"" lang="EN-US">1.2  Equipments

Required for Biofertilizer Production…………………………….              13

mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"" lang="EN-US">1.3  Mass

Production of Biofertilizers…………………………………………….                15

mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"" lang="EN-US">1.4  Application

of Biofertilizers…………………………………………………..               17

mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"" lang="EN-US">1.5  The

Advantages of Biofertilizers over Chemical fertilizers…………………..                19

mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"" lang="EN-US">1.6  Constraints

in Biofertilizer Technology……………………………………….               20       

mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"" lang="EN-US">1.7  Economic

Importance of Biofertilizer………………………………………….            21

mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"" lang="EN-US">1.8  Availability

and Cost Efficient of Biofertilizers……………………………….            24

CONCLUSION…….………………………………………………………….....               24

RECOMMENDATIONS…………………………………………………………            25

REFERENCES…………………………………………………………………….            26