by Agricultural microbials refer to beneficial microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses that are applied to crops, pastures or soil to enhance plant productivity or environmental quality. These microbes play an important role in nutrient cycling, soil structure formation, plant growth promotion and biocontrol of plant diseases. With the growing demand for organic and chemical-free foods, agricultural are emerging as a sustainable solution for farmers.
Role of Microbes in Soil Fertility and Plant Growth
Soil microbes play a vital role in nutrient cycling and availability of nutrients to plants. They break down organic matter and release nutrients in forms that can be readily taken up by plant roots. Agricultural Microbials Certain microbes like nitrogen-fixing bacteria inhabit root nodules of legumes and fix atmospheric nitrogen, thus enriching soil nitrogen. Phosphate and potassium solubilizing microorganisms convert insoluble soil phosphorus and potassium into plant-available forms. Additionally, microbes like mycorrhizal fungi form mutualistic associations with plant roots and facilitate absorption of macro and micronutrients from soil. They extend the root surface area and improve soil structure. All these mechanisms promoted by soil microbes enhance fertility and support healthy plant growth.
Microbial Biocontrol of Plant Pathogens
Soilborne plant pathogens pose a serious threat to crop productivity worldwide. Agricultural offer an effective biocontrol solution. Certain bacteria and fungi in the rhizosphere produce antimicrobial compounds, siderophores or compete for niche and nutrients to inhibit growth of soilborne fungal and bacterial pathogens. For example, Trichoderma spp. act as mycoparasites on several root rot fungi causing diseases in various crops. Pseudomonas spp. have broad spectrum antifungal activity and control various soilborne diseases in vegetables and cereals. Bacillus spp. are used as biopesticides against nematodes and other pathogens. Thus, microbial biocontrol ensures sustainable disease management without environmental pollution.
Role of Microbes in Nutrient Cycling and Carbon Sequestration
Soil microbes mediate important nutrient cycles like carbon, nitrogen and sulphur cycles in the ecosystem. During decomposition of plant residues and organic matter, microbes transform nutrients into plant-available forms through mineralization. The carbon fixed by plants during photosynthesis enters the soil primarily as plant litter and gets decomposed by soil microbes. This releases carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere, maintaining the carbon cycle. In addition, some carbon gets stabilized as soil organic matter due to formation of aggregates by microbial extracellular polymeric substances and fungal hyphae. This carbon sequestration process mitigates global warming by reducing atmospheric CO2 levels. Thus, microbes help sustain nutrient availability and environmental quality through their role in biogeochemical cycles.
Enhancement of Soil Health and Structure
A balanced microbial community in the rhizosphere leads to aggregation of soil particles into stable units and improved soil structure. Fungal hyphae and bacterial exopolymers bind soil particles into aggregates. This porous structure facilitates better aeration and water infiltration. Earthworm castings and other soil faunal activities further contribute to aggregate formation. Well-aggregated soils have higher water-holding capacity and resist erosion. Soil microbial metabolic functions like emission of carbon dioxide also influence soil pH. A diversity of microorganisms is crucial to maintain overall soil health through their synergistic interactions in the soil food web. Agricultural microbials enhance activities of beneficial microbes, thereby improving soil structure and health.
Effectiveness in Organic Farming Systems
The principles of organic farming aim at environmental protection and ecological balance through exclusion of synthetic agrochemicals and external mineral nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium inputs. Hence, organic farmers rely more on judicious use of on-farm resources like FYM, compost and cover crops to meet plant nutrition needs. Agricultural play a pivotal role here by efficiently recycling organic residues, solubilizing native nutrients, suppressing diseases and supporting plant growth. They help sustainable intensification of organic production systems. For example, application of phosphorus solubilizing microbes like Bacillus megaterium can fulfill 35-40% of phosphorus requirement of various crops. Thus, microbial-based approaches aid self-sufficiency in essential plant nutrients under organic management practices.
Use of Beneficial Microbial Consortia
As complex soil microbial communities work in synergy, applying consortia or cocktails of multiple beneficial microorganisms is more practical and promises enhanced effectiveness. Commercial inocula containing symbiotic nitrogen fixers (Rhizobium/Bradyrhizobium spp.), phosphate solubilizers (Bacillus/Pseudomonas spp.), potash solubilizers (Bacillus mucilaginosus), cellulose degraders, mycorrhizal fungi and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are available. Rice-Azolla, green manuring with Sesbania, and Azospirillum-based inoculants have proved highly remunerative in paddy and wheat production systems. Soil application of microbial consortia like compost starters or biocatalysts aids faster degradation of organic substrates and brings ecological restoration of depleted soils.
mass production of agricultural through solid and liquid fermentation has made them affordable for smallholder farmers. For e.g., Rhizobium biofertilizer costs $4-5/ha, Pseudomonas fluorescens $8-10/ha.
*Note:
1.Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2.We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
About Author - Ravina Pandya
Ravina Pandya,a content writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemicals and materials, etc. With an MBA in E-commerce, she has expertise in SEO-optimized content that resonates with industry professionals. LinkedIn Profile
