Abstract

NITROGEN-FIXING BACTERIA IN BIOFERTILIZER PRODUCTION: BENEFITS, LIMITATIONS AND PROSPECTS

Jaynesh K. Ambechada* and Dr. Valentina V. Umrania

Abstract

Since conventional fertilizers have detrimental effects on both the environment and human health, biofertilizers have gradually taken their place. Agricultural enterprises rely heavily on biofertilizers because they preserve the soil ecosystem and boost crop productivity. Additionally, the environmentally favorable features of bio-based fertilizers support sustainable agriculture. The biofertilizer market is booming, and new strategies are being introduced all the time. The development of liquid, nano-sized, and microbial biofertilizers holds the key to the future of organic fertilizers since they can revolutionize the agricultural sector in an environmentally friendly way. The most popular types of microbial biofertilizers are endophytic (Pseudomonas, Rahnella), fungal (Mycorrhizae, Penicillium), and nitrogenous (Rhizobacteria, Azospirillum). Gold, silver, iron oxide, and zinc nanoparticles or nanocomposites compose nanobiofertilizers. Regarding liquid biofertilizers, the three most often utilized solutions (solubilizers) are phosphate, potassium, and nitrogen. These are the fertilizers' main ingredients. Most people agree that one of the main elements that limit plant growth is nitrogen. Nitrogen fixation is the term used to describe the biological process that converts molecular nitrogen into ammonia. Numerous phyla within the Bacteria domain comprise a diverse range of nitrogen-fixing bacterial species capable of colonizing the rhizosphere and interacting with plants. By forming a specialized organ called a root nodule on their respective host plants, rhizobia or Frankia can help leguminous and actinorhizal plants get nitrogen. Diverse cereal crops and pasture grasses have been found to have an increasing number of nitrogen-fixing species colonizing their root surfaces and, in certain circumstances, their root interiors (known as nitrogen-fixing endophytes). Other symbiotic connections involve heterocystous cyanobacteria. Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF), phytohormone synthesis, environmental stress alleviation, blocking plant ethylene synthesis, and boosting nutrient availability (e.g., iron) by siderophore production are some of the bacterial processes of plant growth promotion. A growing number of nitrogen-fixing species are colonizing the root surface and, in certain situations, the root interior (known as nitrogenfixing endophytes) of a range of cereal crops and pasture grasses. Other symbiotic relationships involve heterocystous cyanobacteria. Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF), phytohormone synthesis, environmental stress alleviation, blocking plant ethylene synthesis, and boosting nutrient availability (e.g., iron) by siderophore production are some of the bacterial processes of plant growth promotion. This review provides a thorough understanding of the new types of nitrogen-fixing biofertilizers and how they affect crop productivity and the soil ecosystem. They have characteristics that improve crop output by preserving and/or enhancing the microbial and nutritional balance in the soil. Furthermore, by assisting in the preservation of nature's important elements, these biofertilizers support green agriculture. Even if the next biofertilizers have some limitations discussed in the articles the futuristic approach will also be considered to address the difficulties encountered when using biofertilizers.

Keywords: Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria, Nitrogen Fixing Biofertilizer, Plant Growth Promoter.