# Fostering Sugarcane Cultivation in the Indo-Gangetic Plains: Unveiling the Potential of Bio-Fertilizers and Sustainable Farming Practices

Ajeet Kumar, Sunita Kumari Meena, S.K. Sinha, A.K. Singh

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Ajeet Kumar, Sunita Kumari Meena, S.K. Sinha, A.K. Singh. Fostering Sugarcane Cultivation in the Indo-Gangetic Plains: Unveiling the Potential of Bio-Fertilizers and Sustainable Farming Practices. Agriblossom, 2023, pp.1-5. hal-04935427

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Submitted on 7 Feb 2025

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# Fostering Sugarcane Cultivation in the Indo-Gangetic Plains: Unveiling the Potential of Bio-Fertilizers and Sustainable Farming Practices

Ajeet Kumar*<fnref n="1" />, Sunita Kumari<fnref n="1" /> Meena, S.K. Sinha<fnref n="1" /> and A.K. Singh<fnref n="2" />

*Corresponding author: E-mail: ajeetrau@gmail.com

## Introduction

Bihar, one of India's most agriculturally dominant states, has a significant reliance on sugarcane cultivation. The agro-ecosystem in Bihar supports a large number of farmers engaged in sugarcane farming, contributing significantly to the state's economy. However, conventional farming practices, including the heavy use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, have led to several environmental and economic challenges. Excessive chemical fertilizer usage has resulted in soil degradation, loss of biodiversity, water pollution, and increased production costs for farmers. To ensure the sustainability of sugarcane cultivation and the overall agricultural sector in Bihar, there is a pressing need to shift towards more environmentally friendly and economically viable practices.

## Importance of Bio-Fertilizers and Natural Farming in Boosting Sugarcane Yields

Bio-fertilizers, encompassing nitrogen-fixing bacteria, phosphorus-solubilizing microbes, and mycorrhizal fungi, are instrumental in bolstering soil fertility. They differ from chemical fertilizers in that they not only supply nutrients to plants but also improve the soil through fostering beneficial microbial activity, increasing nutrient absorption, and augmenting the organic matter content. The result is an improved soil structure with better water retention and overall enhanced soil health, providing a foundation for consistent and improved sugarcane yields in the long run. Natural farming approaches, which lean on bio-fertilizers, prioritize the usage of locally sourced resources and curb reliance on synthetic inputs. If sugarcane farmers in Indo-Gangetic plains adopt these

<footnote n="1">¹Assistant Professor-cum- Scientist; Biofertilizer Unit, Department of Soil Science, Sugarcane Research Institute, DRPCAU, Pusa (Samastipur)-848125, Bihar, India</footnote>

<footnote n="2">²Director, Sugarcane Research Institute, RPCAU, Pusa (Samastipur)-848125, Bihar</footnote>
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natural farming techniques, they can decrease their environmental impact and further sustainable agriculture. This methodology encourages a harmonious agro-ecosystem while mitigating adverse effects on neighboring ecosystems. The financial burden of chemical fertilizers can be daunting, especially for small or marginalized farmers. In contrast, bio-fertilizers present a cost-efficient substitute, capable of being produced on-site using locally available materials or obtained from neighboring bio-fertilizer production facilities. By curbing input costs, farmers stand to gain improved profit margins and achieve financial stability. In the face of escalating effects of climate change, farmers are in need of strategies to adapt to shifting weather patterns and environmental conditions. The combination of natural farming practices and bio-fertilizers bolsters the resilience of sugarcane crops against unfavorable weather occurrences, such as droughts or excessive rain. This leads to more dependable yields and diminished risks for farmers. Conventional agriculture often employs chemical fertilizers, which can lead to harmful residues in food products, thereby negatively affecting human health. Bio-fertilizers, on the other hand, are organic and devoid of harmful chemicals, ensuring both food safety and elevated nutritional quality in sugarcane. If sugarcane farmers in Bihar were to embrace bio-fertilizers and natural farming methodologies, they could form cooperative networks to exchange knowledge, resources, and experiences. Such collaborative efforts strengthen community ties and equip farmers to tackle shared agricultural productivity and sustainability issues collectively.

Considering the needs of farmers for cost-effective, ecologically friendly, and socio-economically sound technologies, microbial inoculants, such as bio-fertilizers and bio-control agents, make for a fitting choice. This rising demand for environmentally friendly agricultural practices motivates manufacturers to innovate processes using low-cost mediums, ensuring high cell viability. Microbial preparations containing specific microorganisms capable of fixing, solubilizing, or mobilizing plant nutrients due to their biological activity are termed biofertilizers. These contain microorganisms that enhance soil fertility and stimulate plant growth when added to the soil. Multiple microorganisms and their associations with crops are employed in bio-fertilizer production. Inoculants serve as a vehicle to transport living bacteria and introduce them to living plants, thereby facilitating the desired effects on plant growth. Major contributors to overall N2 fixation through the legume-rhizobium symbiosis include *Rhizobium* spp. and
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*Bradyrhizobium* spp., while Acetobacter (in the case of sugarcane) and azotobacter and azospirrilun (in paddy, wheat, maize, etc.) have been used as beneficial microorganisms. These inoculants enhance crop productivity by increasing biological nitrogen fixation, nutrient uptake via solubilisation and absorption, and stimulating plant growth through hormonal action or antibiosis or decomposition of organic residues. Phosphorus, a crucial nutrient for plant growth abundant in soils but often present in complex, inaccessible forms, can be exploited through the application of phosphate-solubilizing biofertilizers. For instance, Han and Lee reported that phosphate-solubilizing bacteria, Bacillus megaterium, and Potassium-solubilizing bacteria, Bacillus muscilaginous, enhanced nutrient uptake in nutrient-limited soil. Co-inoculation of two or more organisms often improves growth and yield compared to single inoculation, providing plants with balanced nutrition and enhanced absorption of nitrogen, phosphorus, and mineral nutrients.

Promotion of bio-fertilizers and natural farming methods to enhance sugarcane yields within Bihar's agro-ecosystem is crucial for sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation, and the prosperity of farming communities. By transitioning to these practices, Bihar can foster a resilient and thriving agricultural sector while preserving natural resources for future generations.

The present article is designed to address these very issues

## Rationale

In the current scenario, biofertilizers are primarily made using carrier-based formulations, with lignite being the most common carrier material for these powder mixtures. However, issues arise due to poor sterilization of the carrier material and crude handling techniques while blending the bacterial culture with carriers, and packaging in non-sterile environments. These factors often lead to contamination. Such problems cause the inoculant packets to lose the desired quantity of microbial organisms over time, thereby decreasing the shelf life of biofertilizers to less than half a year. As a result, the effectiveness of biofertilizer applications often falls short of expectations in real-world field conditions. Biofertilizers can be formulated in two main ways: carrier-based formulations and liquid formulations. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice between the two depends on a variety of factors, including the specific requirements of the crop, the local environment and practical considerations like storage and transportation.
## *Advantages of Liquid Formulations*

Liquid formulations present numerous advantages including an extended shelf life of up to one year. Even at the end of their expiry date, a single milliliter of these biofertilizer or biocontrol agents can contain more than $10^8$ cells per milliliter. These formulations also boast zero contamination levels, further enhancing their efficiency. Application is straightforward and can be easily accomplished over larger areas through mechanized methods such as drip irrigation systems. Additionally, they are effective in establishing themselves in the crop root zone, showing tolerance to high soil temperatures and other stress conditions. The use of this technology guarantees the precise delivery of organisms near the root zone, further emphasizing its importance in sustainable farming

## *Bio-Fertilizers for Eco-Friendly Farming and Boosting Sugarcane Yields*

1. **Environmental Sustainability:** The current practices of heavy chemical fertilizer use in sugarcane cultivation have led to soil degradation, water pollution, and adverse impacts on biodiversity. By promoting the mass production and adoption of bio-fertilizers, we aim to reduce the environmental footprint of sugarcane farming and foster a more sustainable agro-ecosystem. Bio-fertilizers enrich the soil with beneficial microorganisms, improve soil structure, and enhance nutrient availability, leading to healthier soils and reduced environmental harm.

2. **Enhanced Soil Health:** Chemical fertilizers often cause nutrient imbalances, negatively affecting soil health in the long term. Bio-fertilizers, such as nitrogen-fixing bacteria, phosphate solubilizing microorganism and mycorrhizal fungi, promote a symbiotic relationship with plants, enhancing nutrient uptake and nutrient cycling in the soil. By improving soil health, we can ensure the long-term productivity of sugarcane crops and maintain the overall agro-ecological balance.

3. **Increased Crop Resilience:** Bio-fertilizers play a vital role in enhancing crop resilience to environmental stressors such as drought, pests, and diseases. Improved soil health and nutrient availability contribute to stronger and healthier sugarcane plants, making them more resistant to adverse climatic conditions and reducing the reliance on chemical pesticides.
4. **Economic Viability:** Conventional agriculture, reliant on chemical inputs, can be financially burdensome for farmers, particularly smallholders. By promoting eco-friendly farming practices through the mass production of bio-fertilizers, we aim to reduce input costs, thereby enhancing the economic viability of sugarcane farming. This, in turn, can lead to improved livelihoods for farmers and contribute to the overall economic growth of the sugarcane sector in Bihar.

5. **Food Safety and Quality:** The use of chemical fertilizers can lead to the accumulation of harmful residues in agricultural products. Bio-fertilizers are organic and free from harmful chemicals, ensuring safer and higher-quality sugarcane produce for consumers. This fosters consumer confidence and contributes to a healthier food supply chain.

6. **Social Impact:** The adoption of eco-friendly farming practices can strengthen community ties among farmers, promoting knowledge sharing and collaboration. By encouraging the mass production and utilization of bio-fertilizers, we foster a sense of collective responsibility for sustainable agriculture, benefiting not only individual farmers but also the broader farming community in Bihar.

7. **Government Support:** Environmental conservation and sustainable agriculture are key priorities for the government. By aligning our initiative with these goals, the project proposal for mass production of bio-fertilizers stands a better chance of receiving government support and funding, leading to successful implementation and impact at a larger scale.

8. **Climate Change Mitigation:** As global climate change impacts agricultural productivity, it becomes essential to adopt climate-resilient practices. The use of bio-fertilizers can contribute to carbon sequestration in the soil, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change.

The bio-fertilizers for eco-friendly farming and boosting sugarcane yields in the Indo-Gangetic plain is founded on the principles of environmental sustainability, enhanced soil health, increased crop resilience, economic viability, food safety and positive social impact. By embracing this initiative, we can pave the way for a more sustainable, resilient and prosperous future for the sugarcane industry in Bihar, benefiting farmers, consumers and the environment alike.