Biofertilizers increase yield in field crops
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Biofertilizers fix atmospheric nitrogen or solubilise insoluble phosphorous and make them available for crops.
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BIOFERTILIZERS ARE products containing living cells of different types of micro organisms that have an ability to mobilise nutrients from unusable form through biological processes and these groups of micro organisms may either fix atmospheric nitrogen or solubilise insoluble phosphorous and make them available for crops.
Azospirillum and phosphobacteria are the two types of organisms among many others, widely recommended for many field crops.
Azospirillum, an associate nitrogen fixer, fixes atmospheric nitrogen on the root surface, which is taken up by the plants.
Besides, it secretes growth hormones, which enhance root development.
Similarly phosphobacteria solubilise insoluble phosphorus and converts it to available form. These two organisms are recommended as seed dressing and soil application.
About 600 gms of azospirillum is required for 1 hectare. The inoculant is mixed with 300-500 ml. of rice gruel and sprinkled over the seeds and the seed is thoroughly mixed.
Later the dressed seeds are shade dried and sown immediately.
Precaution to be taken while dressing the seed with microbial inoculant is to first check the validity expiry period of inoculant, other wise, the potential will be ineffective and response will be less.
Secondly, if due to heavy rains it is not possible to sow the dressed seed immediately, then, biofertilizer should be treated once again before sowing.
Normally 2.0 kg. of azospirillum and phosphobacteria each are required for 1 ha.
Both the inoculants are mixed well with 100 kg. of organic manure and broadcasted 30 days after sowing.
Higher soil application may be needed for crops like sugarcane and cotton.
Benefits of biofertilizer application: Microbial inoculants fix atmospheric nitrogen and make it available to the plants. Solubilises unavailable form of phosphorous to available form and increases phosphorous uptake, enhances plant growth.
Due to release of hormones, increases crop yields by 10-20 per cent, improves soil properties and sustains soil fertility over a longer period of time.
The response of field crops by inoculating azospisillum and phosphobacteria together is quite encouraging.
Experiments conducted on different crops — rice, maize, sunflower, sugarcane and cotton indicated that there is increase in plant growth and grain yield.
With 100 per cent NPK treatment on an average the yield increase with biofertilizer was 20 per cent. Similarly the marginal benefit cost ratio was also fairly high.
K. Prabhakar, & K. Anand Singh
Mahabubabad-506101 A.P.
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