Biofertilizers and their role in vegetable production and its benfitial effects on yield and production as well as in disease and pest control.

1. CREDIT SEMINAR
Name of the Student Ashutosh Kumar
Regdn. No. Fresh
Course No. VSC 591
Seminar Incharge Dr. Baseerat Afroza
Dr. Faheema Mushtaq
Dr. Pradeep Kumar Singh
Date of Seminar 04-12-2014
Division Vegetable Science
Title
“Biofertilizers and Their Role in Vegetable Production”

3. INTRODUCTION
 Vegetables comprise of large number of plants, consumed as leaf,
stem, flowers, fruits, roots etc.
 India is the second largest producer of vegetables next to China in
the world.
 Area under Vegetables cultivation in India - 9068.38 th ha
Production in India - 159511.29 th MT (Anonymous., 2012-13).
 Area under Vegetables cultivation in J&K - 63.057 th ha
Production in J&K - 1395.472 th MT (Anonymous., 2012-13)..
 To sustain high productivity of vegetables, judicious nutrient
management is indispensable.

4. 91.13
84.49 88.19
96.59
105.5 110.3
118.56
126.22
135.76
144.14
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Per Hectare Consumption of Chemical Fertilizers in
India
Kg/ha
Source: www.indiastat.com

5. 0
50
100
150
200
250
300
2009-10
2010-11
k
g
/
h
a
Per Hectare Chemical Fertilizer Consumption in States (kg/ha):
2009-10 and 2010-11
Source: www.indiastat.com

6. ILL Effects of chemical fertilizers
 Leaching.
 Polluting water basins.
 Destroying micro-organisms and friendly insects.
 Making the crop more susceptible to the attack of root diseases.
 Reducing the soil fertility .

7. Biofertilizers
 A biofertilizer is a substance which contains
living microorganisms which, when applied to seed, 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.
Bacillus sp

8. Renewable source of nutrients
Sustain soil health
Supplement chemical fertilizers.
Replace 25-30% chemical fertilizers
Increases yields by 10-40%.
Decompose plant residues, and stabilize C:N ratio
of soil
Advantages of Biofertilizers

9.  Improve structure and water holding capacity of soil
 No adverse effect on plant growth and soil fertility.
 Stimulates plant growth by secreting growth hormones.
 Secrete fungistatic and antibiotic like substances
 Solubilize and mobilize nutrients
 Eco-friendly, non-pollutants and cost effective method
Contd..

10. 1886- Boussingault and Hellreigel discovered biological nitrogen
fixation.
1920- N.V. Joshi first to study legume- Rhizobium symbiosis.
1956- First commercial production of Bio-fertilizer in India.
1960’s- Development & Use of Biofertlizers at six regional centres in
Ghaziabad, Hissar, Jabalpur, Pune, Bangalore and Bhubaneshwar.
1983 - Setting up of national project on development and use of bio-
fertilizer by Ministry of Agriculture Government of India.
History

11. Biofertilizer vs Chemical fertilizers

12. Table-1 Bio-fertilizer statistics and production estimates:-
State wise production of Bio-fertilizer 2008-09 to 2011-2012
Zone/State Actual production of Bio-fertilizer in metric – ton
2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
East
Assam 129.355 121.04 130.00 68.33
Orissa 405.03 289.867 357.66 590.12
West Bengal 241.24 256.5 393.39 603.20
Bihar - - 36.26 75.00
North
Haryana 14.25 6.195 6.53 9.141
Himachal Pradesh - 8.5 9.00 1.29
Uttar Pradesh 885.5174 962.6417 1217.45 8695.08
Punjab 1.14 301.232 2.50 692.22

13. 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
South
Andhra Pradesh 168.136 1345.28 999.60 1126.35
Karnataka 1921.057 369528 6930 5760.32
Tamil Nadu 4687.818 3732.586 8691 3373.81
West
Gujarat 1149.69 1309.19 6318 2037.35
Madhya Pradesh 848.448 1587.677 2455.57 2309
Maharashtra 1249.67 1861.33 2924 8743.69
Source – Compiled by National Centre of Organic Farming (Data as
provided by production units / State Government) (2011-12)

14. Biofertilizer Production Capacity
Liquid formulations
Rhizobium
Azotobacter
Azospirillum
KSB,
PSB,
Shalimar Microbe
Pseudomonas
Trichoderma
12000litres/year
Solids
VAM 50 q/year
Table-2 Biofertilizer Production Capacity of SKUAST-K
Organic Farming Research Centre, Wadura/Shalimar

15. Biofertilizers
Bacteria Algae Fungi
Nitrogen
fixing
Phosphate
solubilizing
Nitrogen
fixing
Phosphate
solubilizing
Symbiotic
Nonsymbiotic
Associative
Non-symbiotic
AzotobacterRhizobium
Azospirillum
Bacillus spp.
Symbiotic
BGA
Symbiotic
NON-symbiotic
Mycorrhizal
Aspergillus
Penicillium
Azolla
Classification
1.Based on kinds of useful Microorganisms
Non-symbiotic

16. BIOFERTILIZERS
NITROGEN
FIXING
SYMBIOTIC NONSYMBIOTIC
PSM/PMM
P-SOLUBILIZER P-MOBILIZER
ORGANIC
MATTER
/COMPOST BF
CELLULOLYTIC LIGNOLYTIC
Rhizobium
Frankia
Azolla
Azotobacter
Bacillus
Clostridium
Cyanobacteria
Bacillus
Pseudomonas
Aspergillus
Penicillium
AMF
Glomus
Acaulospora
Sclerocystis
Trichurus
Aspergillus
Trichoderma
Chaetomium
Penicillium
Cellulomonas
Fomes
Agaricus
Pleurotus
Polyporus
2.Based on the basis of mode of action

17. Rhizobium Root Nodules

18. NITROGEN FIXING BIO-FERTILIZER
Rhizobium inoculant
Fixes atmospheric nitrogen in
symbiotic association with
legumes and certain non-legumes.
Fixes 50 to 100 kg N /ha
 20 g of Rhizobium culture is
required to treat 1 kg seed .

19. Root Nodules
Rhizobium bacteria

20. Rhizobium sp. Cross inoculation
groups
Legume types
R. leguminosarum Pea group Pisum, Vicia, Lentil
R. phaseoli Bean group Phaseolus
R. trifolii Clover group Trifolium
R. lupini Lupini group Lupinus,
Orinthopus
R. japonicum Soyabean group Glycine
R. meliloti Alfalfa group Melilotus, Medicago,
Trigonella
Rhizobium sp. Cowpea group Vigna, Arachis
Table - 3 Cross inoculation groupings of Rhizobium.

21. Host
group
Rhizobium Spp Legume types N fixed
(kg/ha)
Pea group Rhizobium leguminosarum Green pea, lentil 62-132
Bean group R. phaseoli Beans 80-110
Cowpea
group
R. species Moong, Redgram,
cowpea, groundnut
57-105
Alfa alfa R. meliloti Melilotus,Medicago,
Trigonella
100-150
Clover R. trifoli Trifolium 130
Soyabean R. japonicum Soyabean 57-105
Table-4. Quantity of N fixed by Rhizobium in different
crops
Palaniappan and Annadurai , 2006

22. Treatment Fresh pod
yield(q/ha)
Crude
protein
content
(g/100g)
P content
(mg/100g)
Methionine Tryptophan Vit. C Sulphur
Rhizobium
Rh +
treated
41 3.76 85.80 0.28 0.24 19.23 31.46
Rh-
untreated
27.28 3.53 73.53 0.26 0.18 17.93 0.26
CD at 5% 6.45 0.15 8.83 0.05 0.09 0.18 0.18
Table-5 Effect of Rhizobium on pod yield and chemical constituents of cowpea
Singh et al. (2000)

23. Treatments Yield (q/ha)
Haulm yield
(kg/ha)
Harvest index
(%)
Test weight
(100 grain)
Protein
content (%)
Land configuration
L1 945.58 1685.20 35.87 11.22 18.77
L2 1072.80 1869.80 36.45 13.16 20.88
L3 1832.10 36.89 13.08 20.76
C.D. @ 5% 32.44 43.91 NS 0.46 0.52
Bio-fertilizers
B0 827.00 1453.70 36.15 9.48 16.49
B1 1086.44 1874.92 36.64 13.27 21.10
B2 1070.22 1839.00 36.94 13.18 21.00
B3 1130.44 2015.13 35.88 14.00 21.92
C.D. @ 5% 43.26 58.41 NS 0.62 0.69
Interaction
L X B NS NS NS NS NS
Table 6: Effect of Land configuration and bio-fertilizers on yield and quality of kharif cowpea
Dhimmar (2003)
L1-Flat bed, L2-Ridges&furrows, L3-Raised bed . B0-Uninoculation,B1-Rhizobium,B2-PSB B3-Rh+PSB
1067.20

24. Table-7 Response of Vegetable crops to Rhizobium inoculations (for nitrogen)
Bio-fertilizer Crop Increase in
yield(%)
References
Rhizobium
cowpea 4.09 Mishra& Solanki
(1996)
Pea 13.38 Kanaujia et al
(1999)

26. Azotobacter inoculant
(non-symbiotic)
Heterotrophic free living N fixing
bacteria is present in neutral &
alkaline soils.
 Fixes 0.026 to 20 kg N/ha.
Produces growth promoting
substances like indole acetic acid ,
gibberellic acid.

27. Produces antifungal, antibiotic & fungistatic
compounds against pathogens like Fusarium,
Alternaria & Rhizoctonia.

28. Family – Azotobacteriaceae
Genus -- 1. Azotobacter
A.beijerinkii, A.chroococcum, A.paspali and A.vinelandii
2. Azomonas
A. insignis, A.macrocytogenas and A.agilis
3. Beijerinkia
B.derxii,B.indica,B.flumensis and B.mobilis
4. Derxia
D.gullosa
5. Xanthobacter
X.autotrophicus and X.flavus

29. Sl No Treatments Fruit yield(q/ha) Mean C:B
Ratio2005 2006
1 Recommended
NPK(150:60:60: kg/ha)
540.95 518.80 529.88 2.53
2 Azospirillum+75%N+
100% PK
573.24 538.80 556.02 2.72
3 Azospirillum + RFD of
NPK
583.24 541.02 562.13 2.74
4 Azotobacter+75%N+
100% PK
668.64 602.12 635.38 3.26
5 Azotobacter+ RFD of
NPK
625,31 591.01 608.16 3.05
6 PSB + 75%P + 100% NK 645.31 597.67 621.49 3.18
7 PSB + RFD of NPK 647.60 592.12 619.86 3.13
8 VAM + 75% P+100% NK 579.90 520.05 549.97 2.67
9 VAM + RFD of NPK 509.91 514.36 512.14 2.38
Table- 8 Performance of biofertilizers on fruit yield of tomato hybrid SH-TH-1
AICRP,APR2006-07DivisionofVegetableScience,SKUASTK

30. Treatments No. of
fruits
/plant
Averag
e fruit
weight(
g)
Fruit
thickne
ss (cm)
Fruit
length
(cm)
Fruit
girth
(cm)
Fruit
yield
/plant
(kg)
Fruit
yield
(t/ha)
Percentage
of yield
increase
over
control
T1(Azotobacter) 18.91 66.31 0.81 10.02 4.42 1.29 16.72 138.17
T2(Azotobacter +
20kg N/ha)
21.17 67.14 0.89 12.15 4.52 1.42 18.95 169.91
T3(PSB) 15.80 64.16 0.85 12.59 4.27 1.01 13.52 92.61
T4(PSB +20 kg
N/ha)
17.65 65.16 0.85 11.37 4.12 1.15 15.34 118.46
T5
(Azotobacter+PSB)
19.77 65.20 0.83 13.34 4.43 1.25 17.18 144.77
T6 (Azotobacter +
PSB+20 kg N/ha)
21.68 68.93 0.94 13.45 4.56 1.49 19.92 183.69
T7(20 kg N/ha) 14.71 50.49 0.76 10.20 3.88 0.74 9.91 41.12
T8(Control) 13.09 40.15 0.71 8.50 3.23 0.53 7.02
CD at 5% 1.085 2.395 0.034 0.150 0.089 0.067 8.477
Singh et al (2008)
Table- 9 Effect of bio-fertilizers and nitrogen on growth , yield and yield attributes of bitter gourd

31. Table 10 Antagonistic effect of Azotobacter chroococcum against the
reproductive potential of M. javanica
Treatments No. of egg
masses/plant
No. Eggs/
eggmass
Reproductive
potential
Control 72.0 638 45936
Azotobacter (C-2) 36.0 (50) 357 (60.5) 13932 (69.6)
Azotobacter (103) 63.0 (12.5) 571 (10.5) 35973 (21.5)
C.D. at 5% 8.1 49 --
Bansal and Verma (2002)
(Figures in parenthesis represent percent decrease over control)

32. Table 11 Effect of A. chroococcum against M. javanica on growth of brinjal
Bansal and Verma (2002)
Treatments Dry shoot weight
(g)
Dry root
weight (g)
Shoot
nitrogen
(%)
Root knot
index
Control 5.1 2.4 0.4 0.0
Nemagon alone 3.5 1.7 0.3 5.0
A. chroococcum (C-
2) alone
7.1 3.6 0.6 0.0
Azotobacter (C-2) +
Nemagon
5.4 2.6 0.4 3.0
A. chroococcum
(103) alone
7.4 3.9 0.6 0.0
Azotobacter (103) +
Nemagon
5.7 2.8 0.5 3.6
C.D. at 5% 1.2 0.6 0.01 -

33. Azospirillum inoculant
(non-symbiotic)
 Azospirillum root association have
reported to improve crop yield.
 Fix atmospheric nitrogen about 10
to 20 kg/ha.

34. Azospirillum
Azospirillum lipoferum
and Azospirillum amazonae
identified for improving crop
yield .
1.20-4.0 mg N fixed/g
malate under laboratory
condition equivalent to 20 -40
kg N/ha.
Increase mineral & water
uptake, root development,
vegetative growth & crop
yield.

35. l No. Treatments Seed yield(kg/plot) Seed Yield(q/ha)
2008 2009 Pooled 2008 2009 Pooled
1 Recommended
dose of NPK
0.488 0.435 0.462 6.10 5.90 6.00
2 Azospirillum +
Recommended
dose of NPK
0.544 0.520 0.532 6.80 6.75 6.78
3 Azospirillum+75%
N+Recommended
dose of P & K
0.504 0.511 0.508 6.50 6.40 6.45
4 Azospirillum+50%
N+Recommended
dose of P & K
0.508 0.487 0.498 6.35 6.20 6.28
5 PSB +
Recommended
dose of NPK
0.530 0.515 0.523 6.70 6.68 6.69
6 PSB+75%P+
Recommended
dose of NPK
0.510 0.510 0.510 6.40 6.19 6.30
7 PSB + 50%P +
Recommended
0.500 0.471 0.486 6.30 6.09 6.20
Table-12 Enhancement of seed yield and quality by using biofertilizers in vegetable crops (Knol-khol)
AICRP,APR2010-11DivisionofVegetableScience,SKUASTK

36. Sl
No.
Nitrogen
level(kg/
ha)
Spring - 2001 Autumn-2001
No
Biofertili
zer
Azospiril
lum
Azotoba
cter
Mean No
Biofertili
zer
Azospiril
lum
Azotoba
cter
Mean
1 Control 137.7 148.88 146.32 144.32 149.99 161.44 158.44 156.62
2 72 173.33 188.88 184.66 182.29 188.88 204.44 200.22 197.84
3 108 206.66 223.88 219.62 216.72 216.63 234.10 299.66 226.80
4 144 271.66 348.88 329.99 316.84 277.77 365.55 362.77 335.36
5 180 334.43 348.33 340.18 340.98 361.10 368.32 364.71 364.71
Mean 224.77 251.77 244.15 240.23 238.87 266.77 263.16 256.27
Table-13 Effect of biofertilizers on yield of cabbage
M Y Bhat(2002) M.sc Thesis SKUAST K

37. Treatments
Dry matter yield (gm) Nutrient uptake (mg)
Plant Curd N P
Plant Curd Plant Curd
A0N0 19.780 3.319 137.910 55.750 62.590 13.160
A0N1 24.283 6.172 284.013 137.950 82.410 27.590
A0N2 32.880 11.207 566.743 434.253 111.597 44.673
A0N3 34.363 20.261 705.687 812.350 116.893 89.170
A0N4 39.097 25.730 929.583 1061.270 132.977 116.540
A1N0 19.430 3.242 127.320 52.910 62.180 13.170
A1N1 24.157 6.456 337.640 222.717 74.997 28.387
A1N2 39.210 25.842 968.895 1067.250 133.237 118.860
A1N3 39.187 25.526 950.897 1046.250 131.997 116.587
A1N4 39.063 25.717 947.547 1031.977 132.813 116.580
C.D. at 5%
A x N
2.23 1.13 46.03 28.10 12.50 5.34
Table 14 : Effect of Azospinillum and Nitrogen on dry matter and nutrient uptake of cauliflower cv.
Jawahar Moti
Kalyani et al. (2002)
Azospirillum levels
A0 - no application
A1 -2.5 kg/ha Azospirillum application
Nitrogen levels
N0- 0 kg/ha, N1- 40 kg N/ha,
N2- 80 kg N/ha N3- 120 kg N/ha
N4- 160 kg N/ha

38. Treatment
Vine Length Days to 1st
female flower
Sex Ratio Yield /plant
(kg)
R K R K R K R K
Control 3.92 4.26 57.2 57.4 6.64 6.62 6.14 6.25
12 kg N + 24 kg P 5.31 5.54 56.7 56.2 6.10 6.10 9.49 8.68
12 kg N + 24 P + Azos. 5.92 6.26 56.5 55.6 5.40 5.52 9.27 8.19
12 N + 24 P + PSB 5.73 5.85 55.1 54.8 5.27 5.20 8.89 9.27
12 N + 24 P+ Azos. + PSB 6.12 5.62 56.3 56.5 6.48 6.41 10.15 8.59
9 N + 24 P + Azos.+ PSB 6.13 6.58 56.2 54.5 4.73 4.69 9.15 10.11
6 N+ 24 P + Azos. 6.01 6.41 56.8 53.6 4.60 4.68 9.70 9.23
3 N+ 24 P + Azos. 6.21 6.53 53.5 55.3 4.80 4.70 10.92 11.25
12 N + 12 P+ PSB 6.61 6.94 54.5 54.2 4.29 4.53 11.19 11.59
12 N + 6 P+ PSB 7.35 7.52 54.4 53.2 4.19 4.323 12.31 12.03
9 N + 18 P + Azos. + PSB 7.95 8.11 53.0 53.2 2.93 2.92 16.90 17.79
6 N+ 12 P + Azos. + PSB 7.36 7.45 53.5 54.0 4.00 3.95 12.57 13.55
3 N+ 6 P + Azos. + PSB 7.31 7.49 54.8 54.7 4.01 3.99 10.41 10.98
C.D. ( P= 0.05) 0.476 0.469 1.03 0.79 0.309 0.367 1.78 1.30
Table 15 : Effect of N, P and bio-fertilizers (Azosprillum & PSB) on growth, flowering & yield of
pumpkin cv. CO- 2
Kruthamani et al. (2004)

39. Biofertilizer N0=No
nitrogen
(0kg/ha)
N1=50%
(45kg N/ha)
N2=75%
(67.5kg
N/ha)
N3=100%
(90kg N/ha)
Mean
B0= No
Biofertlizer
188.16 226.14 335.82 420.64 292.87
B1= Azopirillum
2.5 kg/ha
218.26 342.82 462.26 527.09 387.61
B2=Azotobacter
2.5 kg/ha
194.57 315.54 404.26 453.33 341.93
B3=Azospirilu
m +
Azotobacter 2.5
kg/ha each
253.90 386.81 543.91 680.44 466.96
Mean 213.90 317.83 436.56 520.37 372.17
Table-16 Effect of Biofertilizers and different levels of nitrogen on leaf yield.ha-1 (q.) in Kale.
Ranjit Das(2013)M.sc Thesis SKUAST- K

40. Table-17 Response of Vegetable crops to Azospirillum
inoculations (for nitrogen)
Bio-fertlizers Crop Increase in
yield(%)
Nitrogen
economy
References
Azospirillum Cabbage 11.87 25 Verma et al
(1997)
Capsicum 9.98 25 Anonymous
(2002)
Knol khol 14,90 25 Chatto et al
(1997)
Onion 21.68 25 Anonymous
(2002)
Garlic 6.42 25 Anonymous
(2003)

41. Biofertilizer Crop Increase in
yield (%)
Nitrogen
economy (%)
Source
Azospirillum Brinjal 3.2 25 Kamali et al. (2002)
Capsicum 9.98 25 Anonymous (2002)
Knol khol 14.90 25 Chattoo et al. (1997)
Onion 9.60 2
Onion 21.68 25 Anonymous (2002)
Onion 7.74 25 Rather (1997) M. Sc. Thesis,
SKUAST-K
Garlic 6.42 25 Anonymous (2003)
Onion 10.94 25 Chattoo et al. (2005)
Cabbage 9.53 20 Bhat et al. (2007)
Garlic 19.29 25 Chattoo et al. (2007)
Capsicum 2.67 25 Chattoo et al. (2003)
Contd…

42. Blue green algae
BGA also called cyanobacteria .
They have heterocyst - capable of fixing atmospheric
nitrogen.
The most important species are Anabaena and Nostoc.
These micro-organisms suitable under flooded rice.
BGA applied at @ 10 kg per ha.

43. Table 18 Nitrogen fixing blue green algae
Morphology O2Requirement Algae
Heterocystous Aerobic Anabaena
Alusira
Calothrix
Nostoc
Tolypothrix
Fischerella
Conical Aerobic Chlogloea
Non-Heterocystous Aerobic
Anaerobic
micro aerobic
Plectonema
Tricodesmium

44. Treatments
Plant height
(cm)
Dry weight
of shoot
Dry weight of
root
No. of galls
Nematode
popl/200 CC soil
Control 61.46 8.0 0.76 0.0 2178.94
S 60.31 7.92 0.74 50.3 403.25
S/2 59.84 7.21 0.66 52.40 578.84
S/10 54.93 6.48 0.61 60.63 630.19
S/100 50.44 5.86 0.57 93.09 940.80
Tolypothrix-medium 46.12 5.98 0.44 101.8 2178.94
Nematode alone 45.95 5.43 0.43 105.6 2230.53
C.D. at 5% 4.67 0.76 0.08 8.23 10.63
Table-19 Effect of seed soaking with culture of Blue Green Algae (Tolypothrix) for control of Root Knot
Nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) on okra
Khan et al. (1999)
S = Standard culture of BGA S/2, S/10, S/100 = Dilution con. From S

45. Azolla :-
 Azolla pinnata is most tolerant to high
temperature (30- 35ºC)
 It helps to increase the
availability of K when it is
deficient in soils.
 2500 to 3000 kg Azolla is sufficient for
1 ha field.
 Fixes 30-40 kg N/ha/year.
 Anabaena as endosymbiont which is
used as biological source.

46. Azolla culture

47. Phosphate solubilizing
biofertilizers

49. Phosphate Solubilizing Bio-
fertilizer
Phosphate Solubilizing
Bacteria (P.S.B.):-
 Convert insoluble phosphates in soil
into soluble forms
 Secreting organic acids such as acetic,
formic, propionic, lactic, glycolic,
fumaric and succinic acids .

50. Table 20 Microorganisms involved in phosphate solubilization
Type Microorganism
Bacteria Bacillus sp, B. subtilis, B.
mycoides, B.megatherium,
Thiobacillus thiooxiduns,
Flavobacterium, Pseudomonas,
Xanthomonas, Aerobacter,
Nitrosomonas
Fungi Aspergillus, Penicillium, Phoma
sp., Candida sp., Rhizophus,
Mucor sp.
Actinomycetes Streptomyces sp.

51. Treatments Plant
ht.
(cm)
leaves/m2 Tuber
wt/hil
l gm
Total nutrients
(kg/ha)
Yield
(t/ha)
Net
Return
(Rs/ha)
N P K
Control 36.7 340.5 195.5 73.2 6.53 75.6 15.2 19948
Azotobacter 42.5 389.6 208.2 82.7 7.48 84.1 16.4 24548
Phosphoinoculant culture 45.8 402.8 208.9 81.9 8.96 83.2 16.5 25048
Azotobacter + PSB 47.3 429.3 225.3 89.6 9.78 91.7 17.7 29748
C.D. at (0.05) 7.2 31.2 21.6 9.2 1.4 8.9 3.5 -
Table 21: Effect of Bio-fertilizers (Azotobacter and PSB) on growth yield nutrient
uptake and economies of potato
Singh (2001)

52. Table –22 : Response of vegetable crops to PSM and VAM inoculation
Biofertilizer Crop Increase in
yield (%)
Phosphorous
economy (%)
Source
PSM and VAM Garlic 19.29 25 Chattoo et al. (2007)
Garlic 14.23 25 Anonymous (2003)
Onion 9.6 25 Thiikavathy and
Ramaswamy (1999)
Pumpkin 51.00 25 Karauthamani et al.
(1995)
VAM -- -- --
Chilli 14.20 -- Biswas et al. (1994)
Onion Increase
shoot dry
weight
25 Kumar and Mangal
(1997)
Potato 20.00 -- Biswas et al. (1994)

53. Table-23 Response of Vegetable crops to PSM inoculations
(for nitrogen)
Bio-fertilizers Crop Increase in
yield(%)
Nitrogen
economy
References
PSM Garlic 14.23 25 Anonymous (2003)
Onion 9.60 25 Thiiakavathy &
Ramaswamy (1999)

55. Mycorrhizal Fungi
 It is the symbiotic association between fungal mycelia & roots or rhizomes of
higher plants .
 Increases the surface area of the root system.
 Increases water and nutrient uptake.
 Make plants to adapt in stress condition.
 Enhances growth and quality of plant.

56. Benefits :
 Increasing absorbing surface area of the root system.
 Increases ability of plant to absorb water and essential nutrients
from soil.
 Increase tolerance of plant to abiotic stresses.
 Provide protection from certain plant pathogenic fungi and
nematodes that attack roots.

57. (V.A.M.) VESICULAR –
ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAE
 Resistance to plant pathogens
 It posses special structure like vesicle &
arbuscules.
 The arbuscules help in the transfer of
nutrients from soil into the root system

58. Table 24 TYPES OF MYCORRHIZZAL FUNGI
Types Typical Host Plants
Ectotrophic or sheathing mycorrihza Leguminoseae ,Rosaceae,Pinaceae,
Fagaceae and Betulaceae
Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza 4/5 of land plants including legumes,
pastures, forages cereals, millets and
vegetables.
Ericoid Calluna, Vaccinium, Erica and Epacris
Arbutoid Arbutus and Monotrops
Orchidacous Orchidaceae family

59. 1.VAM strain
2.Crop
3.Soil
4. Temperature
5.Pesticides

60. Treatments Leaf area
cm2
Shoot dry
wt. plant-1 g
Leaf
nitrogen
(%)
Leaf
phosphorus
(ppm)
Yield/plot
(g)
Control 562 6.4 2.8 0.306 9894
VAM 827.02 9.14 3.98 0.352 11538
Azotobacter 684.92 10.5 3.56 0.311 10911
VAM + Azotobacter 1216.70 12.2 3.65 0.368 11775
C.D. at 5% 270.09 4.68 0.657 0.033 1877.6
C.D. at 1% 378.66** 6.57 0.92** 0.047** 2646.5
Table 25 : Effect of inoculation of VAM and Azotobacter singly and in combination on
growth and yield of tomato cv Pusa Ruby
Mohandas (1998)

61. Treatment Plant
ht.
(cm)
No. of
leaves
Plant
dry wt
(gm)
Bulb
dia.
(cm)
Fresh
wt of
bulb
(gm)
Dry of
bulb
(gm)
N
uptake
(mg/
plant)
P
uptake
(mg)
Availabl
e P2O5
(kg/ha)
Control 36.27 5.50 14.58 2.84 17.22 6.59 206.06 27.79 7.20
Cigaspora
margarita
39.98 6.50 18.21 4.04 20.85 8.97 291.00 45.18 13.24
Acaulospora
calospori
38.23 6.04 17.51 3.94 20.15 8.42 264.85 37.71 12.12
Glomus mosseae 40.82 6.83 22.37 4.15 25.01 9.98 338.52 61.18 15.11
C.D. at 5% 1.22 0.44 0.63 1.22 0.44 0.63 9.25 2.87 1.08
Table 26 : Effect of VAM inoculation on growth and bulb characteristics and nutrient uptake of garlic
Wani and Konde (1998)

62. Methods of
application

63.  Soil application
 Seed treatment
 Root and Seedling treatment
 Cut pieces/ sets treatment
 Standing crop treatment

64. Sr.
no
Method Rate Method of application
1 Seed
inoculation
200g/10kg
of seed
Biofertilizer is mixed with 10% jaggery and
slurry is prepared and poured on the seeds to
form a thin coating on the seeds.
2 Root and
seedling
treatment
1Kg/10Lit
re of water
/ha
Dip the root portion of the seedlings in this
suspension for 15-30 minutes and transplant
immediately. Generally, the ratio of inoculant
and water is 1:10.
3 Soil
application
5kg /100kg
FYM/ha
5 kg Azotobacter and 5 kg PSB are mixed with
50-100 kg of well decomposed cattle manure for
an area of 1 ha. The mixture of bio-fertilizer and
cattle manure sprinkled with water is kept for 24
hours and then broadcasted into soil at the time
of sowing.
Methods of application of Bio-fertilizers

65. Sr.
no
Method Rate Method of application
4 Sets or tuber
treatment
1kg/ 40-
50lt
water/ha
Prepare culture suspension by mixing 1 kg of
bio-fertilizer in 40-50 litres of water.
The cut pieces of planting material required for
sowing one hectare are kept immersed in the
suspension for 30 minutes.
Bring out the cut pieces and dry them in shade
for some time before planting.
After planting, the field is irrigated within 24
hours.
5 Standing
crop
treatment
Apply a mixture of bio-fertilizer and FYM by
incorporating it into the soil followed by
irrigation.
Foliar application is also applied in standing
crops.

66. Seed treatment
Root and seedling treatment
Soil Treatment

67. PRODUCTION OF BIOFERTILIZERS
Manufacturing process involves
 Selection of suitable strain of the organism for which
market demand is identified.
 Mass multiplication.
 Mixing of culture with carrier material and packing.
STEPS :
Culture, selection and Maintenance
 Pure mother culture maintained in agriculture
universities IARI , ICAR.
 International source of supply - NifTAL and IRRI etc.
 Mother culture in the test-tube of desired strain can be
purchased.
 They are further sub cultured and maintained for mass
production.

68. Culture Augmentation :
The culture has to be mass multiplied in to two
levels;
 Primary level using shakers in flask.
 Secondary level in fermentors.
Carrier sterilization:
While the broth is getting ready in the fermentor
the carrier material which is usually the carbon
source for the culture is sterilized in autoclaves.
Mixing and packing
Broth harvested from the fermentor in to sterilized
carrier – Mixing is done manually under aseptic
condition and packed in polythene bags of desired
quantity.
Contd…

69. Production of BGA
 Trough method
 Pit method
 Field method
 Nursery method

70. 1. Biological constraints.
2. Technical constraints.
3. Marketing constraints.
4. Field level constraints.
5. Raw material.

71.  Biofertilizers - good quality 107/gm viable microbial count.
 Use biofertilizers - crop specified on the pocket, especially Rhizobium.
 Excess culture should be used or left over put in furrows in the field so
that microorganism live in the rhizosphere.
 Store in cool and dry place at room temperature of 25-280C.
 While applying biofertilizers in strongly acidic or alkali-saline soil use
soil amendments with biofertilizers.
 Use of biofertilizers just before sowing of the crop.
 Do not put culture in warm or hot water.
 If seeds have to be treated with fungicides or pesticides apply FIR
formula. (F=Fungicide, I= Insecticide and R= Biofertilizers.)
 Avoid together use of biofertilizers .
 There should be 15-20 days gap in their application for better nitrogen
fixation.

72. CONCLUSION
 From the foregoing discussion it can be concluded that Rhizobium,
Azotobacter and Azospirillum improves growth yield and quality of the
vegetable crops along with increasing nutrient uptake and its availability
in the soil.
 Phosphorus solubilizing micro-organism has synergistic effect with
other biofertilizers ( as Rhizobium, Azotobacter and Azospirillum).
 VAM (Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza) increases nutrient content ,
growth, yield, net return with highest cost benefit ratio. While BGA and
Azotobacter act as a bio-nematocide against root knot nematodes.

73. I. Specific plant protein of lectin type is identified in recognition
process of different rhizobial strains for specific hosts. Could by
genetic engineering several lectins be incorporated in one rhizobial
strain which then could be effective for all legumes?
II. Could the nitrogen fixing genes (NIF genes) presently restricted to a
few species of nitrogen fixing bacteria be carried to other bacterial
species through plasmid vehicles so that many other bacterial species
could act as fixers?
III. Could ‘Nif’ genes be transplanted from nitrogen fixing bacteria into
higher plants by combination between prokaryotic and eukaryotic?
IV. Search for new nitrogen fixing organism.
V. Use of VAM in legumes, which increase the nitrogen fixing capacity
by Rhizobium nodules.