Question

Which of the following is a biofertilizer.
A) AM
B) PSM
C) SSB
D) All of the above

Answer 1

Biofertilizers are the combination of microorganisms which can facilitate the growth of the plant by converting insoluble molecules which will not be taken up by the plant into soluble molecules. They contain cyanobacteria, fungi, bacteria which can establish symbiotic association with the root of the plant or tree and enable them to absorb molecules required for them meanwhile they obtain shelter from the plant.

Complete answer:
AM is Arbuscular mycorrhiza which is a fungus which belongs to Glomeromycota, they are present in almost all types of soil generally in the middle zone of the soil seen associated with the plant's root system. After the end of dormant conditions spore germinate resulting in hyphae establish symbiotic association with themselves and plant. The point of association creates a site called arbuscules where exchange of water, carbon, phosphorus and other nutrients take place between the organisms and thus acts as a biofertilizer. PSM (Phosphate solubilizing microorganism) is a biofertilizer, as the name suggests they convert insoluble phosphorus to soluble form to the plants which is required for the production of nucleotides and other biomolecules. SSB (silicates solubilizing bacteria) are those bacteria which can degrade silicates and aluminium silicates making them available to the plant, where plants require silicon to synthesize amino acids such as methionine and cysteine and acts as biofertilizers. Thus, all the above options are the examples of biofertilizers.

Hence, the correct answer is option ‘D’.

Note: Biofertilizers are the composite of microorganisms, they have to ensure growth of the plant or increase the yield of the crop, it has to be ensured that there should not be any sort of chemical assembly within the composition in order to promote plant growth.