Biofertilizers are types of fertilizers that contain living microorganisms, which enrich the soil’s nutrient content.
Microbes contained in biofertilizers help increase the supply of essential nutrients to plants and trees by promoting plant and tree growth. The organisms in this system include mycorrhizal fungi, blue-green algae, and bacteria. Mycorrhizal fungi extract minerals from organic matter for plants, while cyanobacteria fix nitrogen.
Nitrogen fixation is the process of converting di-nitrogen molecules into nitrogen compounds. For example, bacteria convert insoluble soil phosphorus into soluble forms so that it will be available for plants.
The types of biofertilizers in agriculture
1 : Symbiotic Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria
2: Rhizobium are symbiotic
3: Nitrogen-fixing bacteria that seek shelter and food from plants. In return, the bacteria fix nitrogen for the plants.
4: Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria Loose Association
5: Azospirillum is a nitrogen-fixing bacterium that lives on the roots of higher plants, but does not develop an intimate relationship with them; it has a rhizosphere association because it gathers plant exudate and uses it as food. Associative mutualism is the result of this process.
6 :Symbiotic Nitrogen-Fixing Cyanobacteria
Blue-green algae or Cyanobacteria that live in symbiotic relationships with several plants. Among the nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria are liverworts, cycad roots, ferns, and lichens. The nitrogen-fixing organism Anabaena is found in leaf cavities of fern plants. Rice plants absorb nitrogen as the fern decays. Rice fields have Azolla pinnate ferns, yet they do not affect the growth of rice plants.
Free-Living Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria
They are soil bacteria that fix nitrogen as saprotrophic anaerobes such asAzotobacter,Clostridium beijerinckii.
Among all the types of biofertilizers, Rhizobium and Azospirillum are most commonly used.
How to make biofertilizers
The components of biofertilizers include:
Bio Compost : The product contains sugar industry byproducts, microorganisms, and healthy plants that decompose.
The Tricho-Card : In addition to paddy apples, sugar cane, brinjal, corn, cotton, vegetables, citrus, etc., it is also used in horticulture and ornamental plants. A productive destroyer and antagonistic hyper parasite, it acts against eggs of various bores, shoots, fruit, leaves, flower eaters, and other pathogens in the field.
Azotobacter
Likewise, it protects the roots from pathogens in the soil and plays a crucial role in fixing nitrogen, a very important nutrient for plants. Approximately 78% of the earth’s atmosphere is composed of nitrogen.
Phosphorus
Plant phosphorus is necessary for growth and development. Many fungi and bacteria are used for this purpose such as Penicillium, Aspergillus, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, etc.
Vermicompost
Bio-fertilizer formulated with organic components such as vitamins, hormones, carbon, sulfur, and antibiotics increase the quantity and quality of yield. Vermicompost is a great way to improve soil fertility.
Advantages of Biofertilizers
Biofertilizers are important for several reasons:
- Biofertilizers improve soil texture and yield.
- They prevent pathogens from flourishing.
- They are environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
- Biofertilizers protect the environment since they are natural fertilizers.
- Plant diseases are caused by harmful substances in soil. These substances are eliminated by these chemicals.
- Biofertilizers are effective even in semiarid conditions
Applications of Biofertilizers
Root dip for seedlings
Rice crops can be cultivated using this method. The seedlings are planted in the water for 9-10 hours.
Treatment of seed
Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers are applied to the seeds, which are dried and sown as soon as possible.
Soil Treatment
Afterward, the biofertilizers are mixed with the compost fertilizers, and this mixture is spread over the soil before seeding.
Biofertilizers contain microorganisms that increase crop yield and promote plant growth when added to the soil.
Biofertilizers contain microorganisms that increase crop yield and promote plant growth when added to the soil.
What are the benefits of biofertilizers over chemical fertilizers?
- Biofertilizers are cost-effective.
- This reduces the risk of plant diseases.
- People who consume vegetables grown with chemical fertilizers are more at risk.
- Biological fertilizers do not cause pollution.
What is the need of using biofertilizers?
In order to restore soil fertility, biofertilizers are required. Chemical fertilizers degrade soil and reduce crop yields. Biofertilizers, on the other hand, enhance the water holding capacity of the soil and add essential nutrients such as nitrogen, vitamins and proteins to the soil. They are the natural form of fertilizers and hence, widely used in agriculture.
Biofertilizers include the following microorganisms:
Rhizobium
Azotobacter
Azospirilium
How do Biofertilizers promote plant growth?
Biofertilizers utilise certain microorganisms. These organisms capture atmospheric nitrogen and convert it into nitrates and nitrites, which plants can use. Additionally, they transform insoluble phosphates into forms required by plants.
Biofertilizers are made from bacteria, cyanobacteria, and fungus.
Rhizobium bacteria is important for nitrogen fixation. Rhizobium is regularly found in plant roots, specifically in nodules . This atmospheric nitrogen is captured and converted into forms that are beneficial to plants.
How to start a biofertilizer company ?
Source The Technology
The manufacturing technology can be sourced from reliable institutes. However, it is always best to purchase the technology from the government departments. Check your state laboratories. Additionally, the technology can be purchased in other states or countries.
Registration and Licensing
You will need to determine the form of organization and register the company. Additionally, you will need to investigate the licensing and taxation issues. These depend entirely on the location where you intend to initiate the business. Consult a business expert for more information.
Secure A Space
Based on your business plan and size, you will need to secure a location for the manufacturing operation. office operation too.
Establish The Factory & Laboratory
It’s a good idea to have a floor plan. You should also arrange for water and electricity connections. It is necessary to specify the space for a laboratory, carrier prep and enrichment, sterilisation, inoculation and quality control, maturation of culture, mixing and packing, storage/staff, etc.
Required Utilities
In most cases, you will need three phase power. Depending on your location, you may need a diesel generator.In order to meet the water requirement of a Biofertilizer production facility, you can arrange for a well or borewell. Steam generation to sterilise the carrier, broth preparation, and cleaning equipment are primarily carried out with water as a result.
In addition, you’ll need a controlled air supply for fermenters, sterilisation, and cleaning operations.
Plant & Machinery
You need to arrange the machinery for the product. It is advisable to procure the machinery from reputable suppliers. Also, ask about the company’s maintenance and warranty issues. Before placing your final order, you can check their customer rating.
Our list of basic machine requirements can be found here.
For sterilisation, a boiler or steam generator of 1 or 2 units is needed.
Vertical autoclaves 2-4 are used for small quantities and small containers. Horizontal autoclaves 1 are used for carrier sterilisation.
Rotary shakers
Fermenters
Laminar air flow – workstation for inoculation
BOD incubator for culture growth sterilisation
Hot air oven for dry glassware
Air conditioner
Refrigerator
Microscope
Balances
Automatic injection systems or dispensers for semi-automatic mixers
Sealing machine
Microbiology and quality control equipment, etc.
Manpower
A small HR department would help you immensely. Identify the positions first, craft the job description, then start hiring. Make sure you hire only skilled and experienced employees. This is a vital part of a new manufacturing company.
Raw Materials
The raw materials you need depend on the product you wish to produce. However, the quality of finished biofertilizer is highly dependent on the quality of raw materials. Additionally, you need to arrange packaging materials.
Therefore, make sure to procure raw materials from reliable suppliers, as well as regular supplies to your factory.
Biofertilizer Manufacturing Process
In general, biofertilizers are made in three steps: the first is the selection of the suitable strain of the organism for the market; the second is mass multiplication; and the final step is mixing the culture with a carrier material and packaging.
Promote Your Product
When starting the business, the best distribution channel is local. However, you must promote your products both offline and online.