Microbial Products and Biofertilizers in Improving Growth and Productivity of Apple – a Review

Abstract

A b s t r a c tThe excessive use of mineral fertilizers causes many negative consequences for the environment as well as potentially dangerous effects of chemical residues in plant tissues on the health of human and animal consumers. Bio-fertilizers are formulations of beneficial microorganisms, which upon application can increase the availability of nutrients by their biological activity and help to improve soil health. Microbes involved in the formulation of bio-fertilizers not only mobilize N and P but mediate the process of producing crops and foods naturally. This method avoids the use of synthetic chemical fertilizers and genetically modified organisms to influence the growth of crops. In addition to their role in enhancing the growth of the plants, biofertilizers can act as biocontrol agents in the rhizosphere at the same time. Biofertilizers are very safe for human, animal and environment. The use of Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Pseudomonas, Acetobacter, Burkholderia, Bacillus, Paenibacillus and some members of the Enterobacteriaceae is gaining worldwide importance and acceptance and appears to be the trend for the future. 244of plant nutrients and may help to sustain environmental health and soil productivity (O'Connell, 1992). A biofertilizer is a substance which contains living microorganisms which, when applied to seeds, 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 (Vessey, 2003). Biofertilization is now a very important method for providing the plants with their nutritional requirements without having an undesirable impact on the environment (Abou El-Yazied and Sellim, 2007). Additionally, the use of biofertilizers can improve productivity per unit area in a relatively short time, consume smaller amounts of energy, mitigate contamination of soil and water, increase soil fertility, and promote antagonism and biological control of phytopathogenic organisms (Corpoica et al., 2007). Moreover, biofertilizers are known to improve fixation of nutrients in the rhizosphere, produce growth stimulants for plants, improve soil stability and provide biological control. They also biodegrade substances, recycle nutrients, promote mycorrhiza symbiosis and develop bioremediation processes in soils contaminated with toxic, xenobiotic and recalcitrant substances (Rivera-Cruz et al., 2008). Raghuwanshi (2012) stated that biofertilizers have a great potential as supplementary, renewable and environmental friendly sources of plant nutrients. Furthermore, they are an important component of integrated nutrient management and plant nutrition system. Application of biological potassium fertilizers (BPF), as preparation of silicate bacteria (liquid solution, containing two million bacteria per 1 ml, or packages of 500 g of peat-moss substrate, contains 2 million bacteria) and Azobacterin increased trunk cross-sectional area, mean shoot length, mean leaf area, total leaf area, number of fruits ...

Synthesis of Indoleacetic Acid, Gibberellic Acid and ACC-Deaminase by Mortierella Strains Promote Winter Wheat Seedlings Growth under Different Conditions

“…There are a number of reports indicating that plant growth promoting fungi (PGPF) improve crop productivity [ 4 , 25 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ]. The IAA, the main auxin, is crucial for the majority of plant growth and development processes “and it is also a major factor determining the competition between fungal species that occupy the same niche [ 15 ]”.…”

Taxonomic and functional diversity of Dendrobium officinale microbiome in Danxia habitat

“…Colletotrichum is also regarded as the dominant flora in the Anhui habitat and had been proved to have antibacterial activity in the habitat of Guangxi. Paraburkholderia , Rhizophagus and Acetobacter enriched in endosphere had been reported to protect plants from abiotic stress and have positive effects on plant growth (Battini et al, 2016; Esmaeel et al, 2018; Mosa et al, 2016). The analysis indicated that among numerous microbes of D. officinale Microbiome, the dominance of certain beneficial microorganisms reflects the significant role of these communities in supporting plant survival and adaptation.…”

A Narrative Review of the Facts and Perspectives on Agricultural Fertilization in Europe, with a Focus on Italy

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