CHAPTER 10 BIOFERTILIZER

OBJECTIVE Identify the basic concept in biofertilizer

INTRODUCTION In the last century, chemical fertilizers were used in agriculture. Farmers were happy of getting increased yield in agriculture in the beginning. But slowly chemical fertilizers started displaying their ill-effects such as Leaching out polluting water basins destroying micro-organisms and friendly insects making the crop more susceptible to the attack of diseases reducing the soil fertility and thus causing irreparable damage to the overall system.

SOLUTION A number of intellectuals throughout the world started working on the alternatives Found that biofertilizers can help in increasing the yield without causing the damage associated with chemical fertilizers.

WHAT IS BIOFERTILIZER? Is a large population of a specific or a group of beneficial microorganisms for enhancing the productivity of soil Either by fixing atmospheric nitrogen or by solubilising soil phosphorus or by stimulating plant growth through synthesis of growth promoting substances. Bio-fertilizers based on renewable energy source are cost effective, eco-friendly and can help to economise on the high investment needed for chemical fertilizer

Bio-fertilizers (microbial inoculants) improve soil fertility and enhance nutrient uptake and water uptake in deficient soils, thereby aiding in better establishment of plants. Bio-fertilizers also secrete growth substances and antifungal chemicals, as well as improve seed germination and root growth. Thus, the use of bio-fertilizers will effectively enrich the soil and will cost less than chemical fertilizers, which harm the environment and deplete non-renewable energy sources

TYPES OF BIOFERTILIZER 1. For Nitrogen Rhizobium for legumes crops Azotobacter/Azospirillum for non legume crops 2. For Phosphorous Phosphatika for all crops to be applied with Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azospirillum and Acetobacter 3. For enriched compost Phosphotika and Azotobacter culture

Phospho: It releases insoluble phosphorus in soil and fix this phosphorus in clay minerals which is of great significance in agriculture. Rhizo: Bacterial plays a very important role in agriculture by inducing nitrogen fixings nodules on the root of legumes such as peas & alfalfa. Azotobactor: Azotobactor fixes the atmospheric nitrogen in the soil and make it available to the plants. It protects the roots from other pathogens present in the soil Trichoderma: It is a non-pathogenic and eco- friendly product. The product is antagonistic hyper parasitic against different pathogens in the field and economically well established biocontrol agent

Composter: Composter breaks down any OM such as dead plants from yard waste, thereby increasing the soil productivity. Tricho-Card: Trichogramma is an efficient destroyer of eggs of many leaf and flower eaters, stems, fruit, shoot. It can be used in a variety of crops such as sugarcane, corn, vegetables, paddy & apple Vermi Compost: It is 100% pure eco-friendly organic fertilizer. Has nitrogen phosphorus, potassium, organic carbon, sulphur, hormones, vitamins, enzymes & antibiotics which helps to improve the quality and quantity of yield.

Biocompost Eco-friendly organic fertilizer Prepared from the sugar industry waste material which is decomposed and enriched of with various plants and human friendly bacteria and fungi. Consists of nitrogen, phosphate solubilizing bacteria and various useful fungi like decomposing fungi, trichoderma viridea which protects the plants from various soil borne disease Increase soil fertility which results to a good quality product to the farmers.

COMPOST The aerobically decomposed remnants of OM. Used in landscaping, agriculture as a soil conditioner & fertilizer. Useful for erosion control, wetland construction, and as landfill cover Compost serves as a growing medium, or a porous, absorbent material that holds moisture and soluble minerals, providing the support and nutrients To maximize plant growth, it is sometimes necessary to: Dilute with soil or peat to reduce salinity or to add neutralizers (pH closer to 7) Additional nutrients like fertilizers or manure, & materials to improve drainage and aeration, (sand or clay granules).

COMPOST TYPES There are different ways to compost, starting with layers of 'brown' and 'green' biodegradable waste mixed with garden soil. 'Brown' waste - old straw, tough vegetable stems. 'Green' waste - biodegradable waste that breaks down faster, such as fruit & cut flowers There is also Vermicomposting, which uses worms to help break down the organic waste.

BOKASHI Bokashi (Japanese for "fermented organic matter") is a method of intensive composting Commonly made with only molasses, water, EM, and wheat bran. Can be made by inoculating any organic matter with a variety of hosts of beneficial bacteria/microbes. This includes manures, spent mushroom compost, mushroom spores, forest soil tea, yeast, pickles, wine & beer. Molasses feeds the microbial cultures as they inoculate the organic matter.

INDIGENOUS MICRORGANISMS In ecology, an indigenous species is an organism which is native to a given region or ecosystem. Contrast with introduced species (naturalized or exotic species) which is an organism that is not indigenous to a given place, but has been transported there as a result of human activity. Lacto bacillus culture

BACKGROUND OF EM TECHNOLOGY Developed by Prof. Higa in 1982. Was used in agriculture & environmental field Thereafter EM has been used for animal husbandly, industry human welfare, education, construction and medical field. 17

WHAT IS EM? Complex microorganisms solution. It contains mainly 3 species such as Lactic acid Bacteria, Yeast, Phototrophic Bacteria Collected from food industries and nature. All microorganisms in EM are non genetic bacteria.

TYPES OF MICROORGANISM Lactic acid bacteria: Lactobacillus plantarum; L. Casei; Streptococcus Lactis. Photosynthetic bacteria: Rhodopseudomonas Palustris; Rhodobacter Sphaeroides. Yeast: Saccharomyces Cerevisiae; Candida Utilis (usually known as Toula, Pichia Jadinii). Actinomycetes: Streptomyces Albus; S. Griseus. Fermenting fungi: Aspergillus oryzae; Mucor Hiemalis.

Lactic Acid Bacteria

Lactic Acid Bacteria Lactic acid bacteria is used for Yogurt and cheese mainly.

Yeast

BENEFICIAL INFLUENCES OF EM IN AGRICULTURE Promotes germination, flowering, fruiting and ripening in plants. Improves physical, chemical and biological environments of the soil and suppresses soil borne pathogens and pests. Enhances the photosynthetic capacity of crops. Ensures better germination and plant establishment Increases the efficacy of OM as fertilizers. Develops resistance of plants to pests and diseases