Biological alternates to synthetic fertilizers: efficiency and future scopes

Abstract

The nutrient availability to plants is major limiting factor determining the crop production. Chemical fertilizers are, no doubt, a milestone to fulfill the nutrient deficiency but presently mankind is facing a huge threat of environment damage as well as resource depletion. At the same time population explosion is also a major concern. To feed such a large population (8.5 × 109 in 2025) unexploited resources should be used to enhance the crop production and to improve quality of soil. The various plant specific nitrogen fixing, phosphate solubilizing, potassium solubilizing and zinc mobilizing microorganisms can be used to enhance the bioavailability of nutrients to plants. This biological method is not only sustainable for long run but also economical and thus can be used as biofertilizers. These microorganisms can be commercially made available to farmers in the form of carrier based, liquid or encapsulated formulations containing latent or active forms. Apart from nutrient mobilization, they can also act as bioenhancers and biopesticides. However, efficiency and acceptance of biofertilizer among farmers is still a big concern. This review article focuses on efficiency of biofertilizers to replace or supplement the synthetic fertilizers for soil fertilization.

Insecticide resistance studies of Cypermenthrin 25EC and Chlorpyriphos 20EC against Spodoptera litura fabricius, 1775 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

“…Thus as discussed in the major findings of this study, we needed to re-think about application of such insecticides which negatively affects the yield, by developing low resistance. Moreover, the effects associated with chemical fertilizers have shown increased inclination of consumers towards organic crops grown by using biofertilizers (Kaur, 2018).…”

Growth with Some Biochemical Responses in Two Cultivars of Cicer arietinum L. to Fly Ash Amended Soil

“…Nitrogen is essential for synthesis for amino acids, nucleic material and proteins. (Kaur and Kaur 2018) Highest nitrogen content values were found in 40 gm/m 2 FA treated plot of the genotype JG-14 of chickpea (Fig 14). In the JG-14 the maximum nitrogen content was found in 20 gm/m 2 FA treated plot as compared to the control and other remaining treated plots.…”

Effect of Plant Growth Promoting Bacillus spp. on Germination and Seedling Growth of Soybean

“…Intensification of agricultural production implies the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides which have adverse effects on living organisms and environments (Tripathi et al, 2020). The use of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) represents a promising and environmentally friendly method to minimize the negative effects (Backer et al, 2018;Kaur and Kaur, 2018).…”