The Future of Biofertilizer use in Safe Agriculture
Authors: Himabindu K. , Goutami N. 
Published: June 2024

An essential part of a nation's economy is agriculture. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides are widely used in intensive agriculture techniques nowadays to boost crop yield and satisfy the growing global population's nutritional needs. Yet, it has been discovered that increasing urbanization, reduced agricultural lands, sharp climate changes, and widespread use of agrochemicals in farming techniques lead to environmental disruptions and public health risks that compromise agricultural sustainability and food security. Agrochemical overuse is also causing agriculture soils to continuously lose their biological and chemical balance, quality, and physical attributes, as well as their biological health. The potential for plant-associated microorganisms to address these issues and play a critical role in plant growth is immense. With their abilities to promote plant growth, plant-associated bacteria hold great promise for resolving these issues and are essential for increasing agricultural production and biomass in both greenhouse and field settings. Improved nutrient availability (i.e., N, P, K, Zn, and S), phytohormone regulation, biocontrol of phytopathogens, and mitigation of biotic and abiotic stresses are some of the advantageous processes of improved plant growth. Microorganisms and plants interact to support sustainable agriculture, and these microbes may be essential ecological engineers that reduce the demand for chemical fertilizers. Among the steps involved in this process are the production of the inoculum, the inclusion of cell protectants such as glycerol, lactose, and starch, an acceptable carrier material, optimal packing, and the most efficient delivery modalities. Bio-fertilizers are some of the best agricultural tools available today. It's a gift from modern agricultural science. On agricultural land, biofertilizers are applied in lieu of traditional fertilizers. Conventional fertilizers contain green manure, compost, and household waste. These are less effective than chemical fertilizers. Farmers so often try to employ chemical fertilizers in the field to encourage crop development. But it's clear that chemical fertilizers are bad for the environment. They can disperse substances that cause cancer and are accountable for soil, air, and water pollution. Furthermore, they can eventually deplete the soil's fertility. Scientists have created biofertilizers in an attempt to reduce pollution and enhance everyone's health organically. The microorganisms in biofertilizer assist the host plants in maintaining physiologic balance, supporting proper development and growth, and obtaining an adequate quantity of nutrients. Living microorganisms are used to create biofertilizers. Only specific microorganisms that aid in the growth and reproduction of plants are used. There are many different kinds of microorganisms used in biofertilizers. being an essential component of farming organically. Since biofertilizer is a fundamental component of organic farming, it is crucial for preserving soil sustainability and fertility over the long term.