Importance of Biofertilizers Biofertilizers are known to make a number of positive contributions in agriculture.

200 kg N/ha (by fixation) under optimum conditions and solubilise/mobilise 30-50 kg P2O5/ha.

fertility.

-50%. N2 fixers reduce depletion of soil nutrients and provide sustainability to the farming system.

Benefits from biofertilizers 1. Biofertilizers are easy to produce in abundance and are available at low cost to the marginal farmers. 2. It increases soil fertility without causing any damage to the soil. 3. Application of biofertilizers increases yield upto 45 per cent and the left over biofertilizers in the soil increases yield as long as the biofertilizer remains in the soil up to 3 to 4 years. 4. Azolla, which is a biofertilizer amends the soil with organic matter. Cyanobacteria in particular secrete growth promoting hormones like indole 3-acetic acid, indole butyric acid, naphthalene acetic acid, aminoacids, protein and vitamins to soil. 5. Cyanobacteria grow well both in acidic as well as in alkaline soils. Since, cyanobacteria are potent neutralizers, they help in the neutralization of soil. The process of converting untenable, fallow land to cultivable soil is termed as soil reclamation. Blue green algae play a vital role in this conversion. 6. Symbiotic nitrogen fixing Rhizobium is a biofertilizer. It adds 50 to 150 Kg of nitrogen to soil per hectare. Azatobacter and Azospirillum secrete antibiotics which act as biopesticides.

7. Ectotrophic mycorrhiza, which acts as a biofertilizer, increases the surface area of the roots of host plants, so that more absorption of nutrients by the roots is made possible ADVANTAGES There are many advantages of using the biofertilizers. They form an important association with other soil microbes and help in casertent nutrient supply. However, we may visualize some basic advantages as listed below: Fixes atmospheric nitrogen. Increase availability or uptake of nutrients through solubilization or increased absorption. Stimulate plant growth through hormonal or antibiotics action or by decomposing organic waste. They are cheap, hence, reduced cost of cultivation. Improves soil properties and sustaining soil fertility. Lead to soil enrichment. Are compatible with long term sustainability. Build up soil fertility in the long term. Curtails the requirement of inputs. They are eco-friendly and pose no damage to the environment. Bio-Fertilizers 3.5 DISADVANTAGES As such there is no harmful impact of biofertilizers if it is used properly some constraints: Specific to the plants. Rhizobiurn spp. culture doesn't work well in high nitrate tolerant strains of soybean. The acceptability of biofertilizers has been rather low chiefly because they do not produce quick and spectacular responses. Require skill in production and application. Difficult to store