Question

What are biofertilizers? In what sense are they better than chemical fertilizers?

Answer 1

Microorganisms have a wide spectrum of uses. Bacteria, fungi and other microbes have many beneficial effects on human beings. They are being exploited and developed for more uses with the advancement in the field of biotechnology.

Complete answer: Substances which consist of microorganisms, both live and dead cells that provide nutrients to plants, when applied are known as biofertilizers. It can be applied to seeds, plant surfaces as well as to the soil. It acts on rhinophores of the plant bodies. They increase the growth rate by increasing the nutrient availability for plants, especially primary essential nutrients. They enhance the efficacy of nitrogen fixation, and the solubility of phosphorus, and also increases the production of plant growth promoters. They replenish the soil’s nutritional levels and also increase the organic matter present in the soil. The common organisms that are used as biofertilizers are Nostoc, Anabaena, Rhizobium and many other microorganisms. Rhizobium is used to enhance the yield in leguminous plants by its action on nitrogen fixation, Nostoc and Anabaena improve the availability of inorganic nitrogen to the plants, and is commonly seen in association in paddy. There are various benefits to the usage of biofertilizers. They enhance the nutritional levels of the soil, especially the nitrogen levels. They increase soil quality and also increase the growth rate of crops. Biofertilizers are advantageous over traditional chemical fertilizers in many ways:
a) Chemical fertilizers are majorly composed of various synthetic chemicals which in long run is harmful for the natural soil composition.
b) Accumulation of synthetic chemicals in food crops might lead to accumulation of toxins in consumers.
c) It can lead to soil or environmental pollution.
d) Synthetic fertilizers in a larger amount can be toxic to the crop plants.
Therefore, biofertilizers are a better alternative to chemical fertilizers in the long run.

Note: Chemical fertilizers have several advantages over the bio fertilizers as well. They have a rapid onset of action when compared to the biofertilizers. They predominantly provide nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to crops.