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Farmers use chemical fertilizers to make sure that their crops produce an adequate yield that will sustain the market. The problem with chemical fertilizers is that they can affect the soil’s condition through excessive and prolonged use. These chemicals sometimes disturb the natural balance of soil by altering its pH and even preventing or destroying beneficial bacteria that maintain the soil’s balance. At present, farmers are having some problems with chemical fertilizers. The production of these fertilizers cannot cope up with the demand, which in turn has resulted in higher prices that some farmers cannot afford. Farmers and gardeners are now turning to the use of biofertilizer to sustain their crops and produce adequate yields that is fit for both personal and public consumption.
Biofertilizer is described as the use of micro-organisms that are prepared specifically to help activate a biological process that will make a variety of fertilizers be useful for plants to ensure healthy growth. These micro-organisms do not only act on fertilizers. They also work on unavailable form of elements found in the soil to render them useable for plants. It is important to understand that although biofertilizers are named as fertilizers, they do not contain any nutrients that can be directly added to the soil to increase its fertility. The micro-organisms must first perform a certain process so that they can slowly but surely improve the sustainability and health of the soil. The difference between biofertilizer and compost tea is the amount of present microorganisms found. A bottle can contain only a specific strain of microorganism that is guaranteed to perform a specific purpose in the soil. These micro-organisms are classified into three major groups: nitrogen fixing, phosphate solubilizing, and cellulolytic micro-organisms. These micro-organisms help improve the atmospheric nitrogen, help ensure that phosphorus is usable for plants, and also guarantee availability of important elements such as zinc in plants. These micro-organisms also help the plants produce growth hormones, vitamins, and amino acids essential for building up resistance against pathogenic fungi.
Nitrogen-Fixing Microorganisms
These microorganisms are introduced to the soil to improve the nitrogen supply available to the plants.
- Rhizobium – used for legumes
- Azotobacter – wheat, corn, mustart, cotton, potato, and other vegetables
- Azospirillum – paddy crops grown in upland and low land conditions, including rice
- Acetobacter – for specific use on sugar cane only
Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganisms
Phosphate that is found in soil is not always available for plant absorption. In some areas, phosphate supply is deficient to sustain the need of plants. Even if the soil is rich in phosphorus, the problem is that the element is in an inert form that cannot be utilized by plants. These microorganisms for biofertilizer are grouped into non-symbiotic and symbiotic phosphate solubilizing microorganisms.
Non-symbiotic phosphate solubilizing microorganisms include bacteria of Bacillus and Pseudomonas, and fungi of Aspergillus and Penicillium. Symbiotic forms of these microorganisms come from several species of fungi including mycorrhiza. These microorganisms can act on rock phosphate by producing organic enzymes that help break it down to a form that is usable by plants.
Advantages and Benefits of Biofertilizer
Farmers and gardeners are now starting to use biofertilizer for it has many benefits when it comes to cultivating plants. This form of fertilizer helps replace as much as 25% of chemical nitrogen and phosphorus used in cultivating crops. The use of chemical fertilizers will then be reduced, lessening the amount of money spent on maintaining crops. Biofertilizer does this by activating the soil biologically to make natural nitrogen and phosphorus available to plants, thereby effectively restoring the soil’s natural fertility. Since nutrients are now naturally available to your plants, plant growth is stimulated since the crops now have enough nutrients to sustain the need in producing healthy cells. Healthy cells would also mean greater resistance against some soil-borne diseases and stress brought about by harsh environmental conditions, including drought. Since biofertilizers are live microorganisms, they do not cause any harm on the environment. Chemical fertilizers can leach into the soil and can harm other animals in a farm’s ecosystem.
Getting the Most Out of Your Biofertilizer
To get the most of your biofertilizer, make sure that the type you are using contains a strain that is suited for your crop. The container must have the right number of microbial population that will sustain itself when used. The solution must also be guaranteed free from contaminating micro-organisms, which make it imperative that you get your supply of biofertilzer from a credible supplier. Sometimes, one biofertilizer is not enough for your crops. You may need to mix other types of biofertilizer to come up with a good result. Be sure to use the solution before the expiry date. When applying the biofertilizer, make sure that you follow the right method of application. Apply on the recommended time of cultivation and make sure you follow the instructions carefully. Do recall that biofertilizer is not really a fertilizer. You may need to put in a supplement of nitrogen and phosphorus while you are using it. It is best that you use organic sources of these elements to help sustain growth of the microorganisms.
If you are using the biofertilzer and you are not getting the results you are looking for, make sure that you are using the right strain of micro-organisms. The population of the micro-organisms must be sufficient to produce a reaction to the soil. Presence of contaminants must be eliminated first before application as they can affect the action of the microorganisms. Check how you should store your biofertilizers. These are live microorganisms that can die when exposed to high temperatures and can go dormant if stored in a cold environment. The container must be placed in a dark, cool environment that has enough ambient temperature that promotes bacterial growth.
Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using your biofertilzer. If you do not follow the instructions correctly, your micro-organisms will not do their work on your soil or plants. You may also be using poor quality adhesive when using the microorganisms to prepare your seeds or roots. Presence of high levels of chemical contaminants on the plant on soil ill also render your micro-organisms ineffective.
Check the environment where you would be using your biofertilizer. A soil that is hot and has low moisture is a poor environment for microbial growth. The right pH must also be achieved as some micro-organisms grow weak in acidic soil, while others are ineffective soil with high pH.
The presence of phosphorus is also important, as well as molybdenum. Test your soil for the levels of these elements and amend accordingly. These elements are important in speeding up the reaction produced by the micro-organisms. You will always get the best of your biofertilizer as long as you follow the recommendations specified on the label, and guarantee the right environment for your micro-organisms.
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