Biofilm inoculants and rhizobial inoculants are types of biofertilizers that can replace chemical fertilizers for certain crops. Studies showed that biofilm biofertilizers can replace 50% of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium chemical fertilizers without reducing yields of various crops including tea, rice, maize, and strawberries. Rhizobial biofertilizers can replace 100% of chemical nitrogen fertilizers without impacting yields of legumes like soybeans, vegetable beans, cowpeas, and mung beans. The conclusions indicate that biofertilizers are effective alternatives to partially or fully substitute for chemical fertilizers.

1. BIOFERTILIZER BIOTECHNOLOGY
Biofilm inoculants & Rhizobial Inoculants
S. A. Kulasooriya and Gamini Seneviratne
National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Hantane Road,
Kandy, Sri Lanka

2. Co
ntr
ol
50
%
C
Fs
100
%
CFs
BF
BF
s
BFBFs +
50% CFs

4. Hanguranketha
Rikillagaskada
Doragala
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
(ii) Vegetable Bean- Fresh pod yield (kg/m2)
165
170
175
180
185
190
195
200
205
210
Con N -fert Strain-1 Strain-2 Slurry
14%
7%
140
145
150
155
160
165
170
175
180
FP RH BFBF
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
N-Fertilizer Inoculant Cont
(i) Soya bean Seed yield (Kg/ha)

5. CONCLUSIONS
• Biofilm biofertilizers can replace 50% N, P
& K chemical fertilizers without any
reduction in yield of tea, rice, maize,
potato, carrot, tomato, capsicum and
straw berry.
• Rhizobial biofertilizers can replace 100%
chemical N-fertilizer without any reduction
in yield of soybean, vegetable bean,
cowpea, mung bean and the forage
legume white clover.