Biofertilizers contain living microorganisms that colonize plant roots and soil to promote plant growth through nutrient supply. They are more environmentally friendly than chemical fertilizers by being natural, non-toxic, inexpensive, and improving soil health. Common types include nitrogen fixers, phosphate solubilizers, and mycorrhizal fungi. Rhizobium is often used as a biofertilizer by isolating the bacteria from legume roots, mass culturing it, and applying it via seed treatment or soil application to provide nitrogen to plants. Phosphate solubilizing bacteria make insoluble phosphate available to plants, increasing crop yields. Biofertilizers must be stored and applied properly to achieve their benefits and

1. Presented by ; Afia
Shafique
BIOFERTILIZERS

2. • What is
Biofertilizer?
A substance which contains living
microorganisms ; when applied to seeds
, plant surfaces or soil , colonize the
rhizosphere or interior of plant and
promote growth of plants by increasing
the supply of primary nutrients to host
plant.

3. • Chemical Fertilizers Biofertilizers
Synthetic
Hazardous
Expensive
Specific (N, P ,Zn )
Degrade and affect soil
Efficiency is low
Natural products
Ecologically safe
Low cost
Multipurpose
Reconditions soil
High

5. Nitrogen
Fixers
Phosphorus
solubilizers
Mobilizers of
Zn, Fe, K
Phyto-
stimulators
Biocontrol
agents

6. General Method
Of Preparation;

7. • Rhizobium As A Biofertilizer;
Rhizobium is a gram- negative , aerobic , rod shaped bacterium. It is a soil
bacterium present in large numbers in rhizosphere of legume roots.
Different species of rhizobium can fix 50-200 kg nitrogen /ha/year in
leguminous crops.
Steps involved in production ;
Isolation
Identification
Establishment of starter culture
Mass culture
Mixing with carrier
Packaging and storage

9. • Field Application And Crop Response Field
These are recommended for various leguminous crops by seed
treatment.
50 g of sugar mixed dissolved in 500ml of water , boiled for 15
minutes.
200g of gum Arabic added to boiling sugar solution ,added to
slurry .
Seeds are allowed into sticker solution and mixed well .
Seeds are sown in main field.

10. Crop Response;
• Seed inoculation of a proper strain increase growth and yield of
many legumes.
• Rhizobium usually increase the yield of legumes upto 10-35%.
• It also increase the yield of many cereal crops.

11. Phosphate Biofertilizers
Microbes which solubilize bound phosphates and rock phosphate
into simple soluble phosphates are called phosphate solubilizing
bacteria.
These can save upto 30-50 kg of super phosphate per hectare .
Production of phosphate solubilizers;
Pikovskaia medium – medium specific for such biofertilizers ;
treated with gum Arabic then put into petri dishes .
1 g rhizosphere soil suspended in distilled water , inoculated into
medium and microbial colonies formed acts as starter culture.

12. Field Application;
• These fertilizers provide 20-30 % of phosphate required for crop
production.
• Phosphate biofertilizer well suited for all types of crops.
• Help in root formation and disease resistance.

13. VAM fungi;
• Vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi -symbiotic , endotrophic
mychorrizal fungi in roots .
• Help in intake of more minerals .
• Increase concentration of chlorophyll and cytokinins in plant.
• Reduce sensitivity of crop towards high level of salts
• Provide resistance against pathogens.
• Reduce stunning of plant growth.

14. Biofertilizers - Methods Of Application
1. Seed Treatment
Seed to be treated with Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Asospirillium
along with P.S.M.
First coating of bacteria and then P.S.M
No side effect.
2. Root Dipping
3. Soil application

15. Disadvantages;
Requires special for long term storage
Must be used before expiry date
If micro-organism contaminate media or user use wrong strain,
it will not be effective.
Not useful in hot and dry environment.