This document discusses biofertilizers, which are beneficial microorganisms that can be used to fertilize soils and promote plant growth. It describes different types of nitrogen-fixing and phosphate-solubilizing biofertilizers including bacteria like Rhizobium, Azotobacter, and Pseudomonas. Fungi like VAM are also discussed as important biofertilizers. The document provides examples of various biofertilizers used in tea cultivation and provides guidance on effective dosage and application methods to maximize the benefits of biofertilizers.

1. BIOFERTILIZER
N. Manimala
Assistant professor
Holycross college, Trichy

2. ⮚ Biofertilizer technology is not a new concept.
⮚Beneficial microorganisms like bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes
considered as bio fertilizers.
⮚Environment ecofriendly non-bulky, low cost renewable source of
plant nutrients.
⮚Plays an important role in improving nutrient supplies and their
crop availability.
⮚To use live formulations of such beneficial microorganisms which
on application to seed, root or soil mobilize the availability of
nutrients by their biological activity.
INTRODUCTION

3. Bio inoculants
⮚ They are freely available in topsoil and usually associate with
plants having symbiotic relationship.
⮚ These organisms receive nutrients from the plant tissue and in
turn supply the required nitrogen and phosphorus to plants.
⮚ Bio-inoculants like Azotobacter, Azospirillum, PSB and VAM
could regarded as broad spectrum biofertilizer.

4. TYPES OF BIOFERTILIZER

5. NITROGEN CYCLE

6. NITROGEN FIXING BIOFERTILIZER
(BACTERIA)
i) eg: Acetobacter
• Nitrogen fixation is a process
by which nitrogen in the
atmosphere is converted into
ammonium or related nitrogenous
compounds
• Acetobacter is a free living
diazotropic bacteria found in
neutral to alkaline soils in aquatic
environment.
•Metabolic nitrogen fixation by
conversion to ammonium

7. NITROGEN FIXING BIOFERTILIZER (BACTERIA)
ii) eg:
Rhizobium(legume)
I. Rhizobium is a soil
bacteria present in the roots
nodules of leguminous
plants.
II. leads to the formation of
lumps or nodules where the
nitrogen fixation takes place.
III. They convert nitrogen gas in
the atmosphere into
ammonium form a usable by
the plants.

8. NITROGEN FIXING BIOFERTILIZER (BACTERIA)
iii) eg:
Azospirillum
i. Gram-positive bacterium
ii. Non-fermentative
iii. This bacteria can promote plant
growth.
iv. Nitrogen-fixing bacterium when
applied to the soil undergoes
multiplication in billions and fixes
atmospheric nitrogen in the soil.

9. BLUE GREEN ALGAE
⮚ Another group free living nitrogen
fixer called Cyanobacteria.
⮚ Commonly called as Blue green Algae .
⮚ More than 100 species of blue green
algae fix nitrogen.
⮚ Nitrogen fixation takes place in
specialised cells called heterocysts.
⮚ BGA can seen mostly in paddy fields.
Orysa sativa

10. NITROGEN FIXING- BLUE GREEN ALGAE
Anabena
TolypothrixAnabaneopsis
Nostoc

11. PHOSPHATE SOLUBILISING BACTERIA
i. Major element required for plant
growth
ii. Rock phosphate one of the basic
raw material
iii. Monocalcium phosphate
converted into dicalcium
phosphate which is slowly
available to plants.
iv. Bacillus and Pseudomonas ,
Aspergillus and Penicillium make
insoluble phosphorus to the
plants.
Pseudomonas
putida
PSB

12. MYCORRHIZAE (FUNGI)
• Mycorrhizae is a mustalistic
association between fungal mycelia
and plant root .
•Play a key role in nutrient cycling in
ecosystem.
•It is a potential biofertilizer mobilizes
P, Fe, Zn and B other trace elements.
•Improvement in rooting and nutrient
uptake.

13. VESICULAR ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAE
(VAM)
⮚ It is an endotrophic (live inside) mycorrhizae
formed by aseptated phycomycetous fungi
⮚ Vam help in nutrient transfer mainly of
phosphorus , zinc and sulphur.
⮚ They also mobilize different nutrients like Cu,
K, Al, Mn, Fe and Mg from the soil to the
roots.
⮚ They posses vesicules (sac like structure) for
storage of nutrients and arbuscular for
funneling them into the root system.
⮚ Plays a great role in inducing plant growth.
VAM FUNGI

14. PLANT GROWTH PROMOTING RHIZOBACTERIA(PGPR)
i. root colonizing rhizosphere bacteria.
ii. Rhizosphere - high microbial
activity.
iii. enhances plant growth and yield
iv. PGPR as biofertilizers are well
recognized as efficient soil microbes
for sustainable agriculture
Rhizobacteria

15. ⮚ Renewable source of nutrients
⮚ Sustain soil health
⮚ Supplement chemical fertilizers.
⮚ Replace 25-30% chemical fertilizers
⮚ Increase the grain yields by 10-40%.
⮚ Decompose plant residues, and stabilize C:N ratio of soil
⮚ Improve texture, structure and water holding capacity of soil
⮚ No adverse effect on plant growth and soil fertility.
⮚ Stimulates plant growth by secreting growth hormones.
⮚ Solubilize and mobilize nutrients
⮚ Eco-friendly, non-pollutants and cost effective method
ADVANTAGES OF BIOFERTILIZER

16. Name of the organism
NCBI Accession
Number
Role
Azospirillum brasilense (AB) &
A. lipoferum (CT8)
- Nitrogen fixers
Pseudomonas putida (PB) &
P. fluorescens (TRB)
KM527837
Phosphate solubilizing
bacteria (PSB)
Pseudomonas putida (KSB1) &
Burkholderia cepacia (KSB2)
-
Potassium solubilizing
bacteria (KSB)
Trichoderma atroviride (TA) - Biocontrol agent
Arbuscular mycorrhizae (AMF) - Phosphate mobilize
Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (WPI04) KM853034
Biodegradation
bacteria/Biopesticides
Bacillus licheniformis (AWRH40-B) KM527838
Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) KP004438
Pseudomonas putida -
Bacillus sp. (UP9Y1) HF934967
Potassium solubilizing
bacteria (KSB3)
VAM fungi
Mineral solubilizer
/Phosphate mobilize
LIST OF BIOFERTILIZERS IN TEA
Commercial bioformulation: Biodyne N and Biodyne P

17. Azospirillum
brasilense
Bacillus subtilis
Serratia marcescens
Pseudomonas fluorescens
Trichoderma
harzianum
PGPRS
egs :Tea
PGPRS
strains

18. BIOFERTILIZERS IN TEA
N2 fixers PSB
KSB

19. BIOFERTILIZERS IN TEA
Vesicular Arbuscular
Mycorrhizal (VAM)

20. DOSAGE AND METHOD OF
BIOFERTILIZER APPLICATION
⮚ Biofertilizers @ 25 kg/ha each of Azospirillum and Phospobacteria
formulations
⮚ It is advisable to apply the formulation after mixing it with well decomposed
farmyard manure, compost or forest soil. It is desirable to apply the mixture
by placement, near the root zone
⮚ Two split application, one premonsoon and another post monsoon, is more
efficient than one time application. While applying, the soil should not be
too wet or too dry
⮚ April/May and September/October are ideal months for the application of
biofertilizers

21. HOW TO USE BIOFERTILIZERS
⮚ The soil should be moist
⮚ Apply exactly half the amount of recommended fertilizer to the area
biofertilizers is going to be used.
⮚ Apply biofertilizers within 7-10 days of chemical fertilizer application.
⮚ For best results apply Biofertilizers soon after application of chemical
fertilizer.

22. IMPORTANT
⮚ Store in a dry cool place. Keep away from direct sunlight
⮚ Refrain from applying any soil applied weedicides one week before
and after application of biofertilizers.
⮚ Soil testing for the enumeration of introduced organisms is essential
to make sure of their survival in tea soil as per microbial specification