Importance of Azotobacter and P-Solubilizer Microorganisms in Agriculture

Abstract

Application of efficient Azotobacter and phosphate-solubilizing microbial inoculants in agriculture opens up new insight for future crop productivity besides sustaining soil health. Development in the use of phosphate solubilizing bio-inoculants are one of the recently promising options for meeting agricultural challenges imposed by the still growing demand for food. Soil management strategies today are mainly dependent on inorganic chemical-based fertilizers, which cause a serious threat to human health and the environment. Bio-fertilizer has been identified as an alternative for increasing soil fertility and crop production in sustainable farming. The exploitation of beneficial microbes as bio-fertilizers has become of paramount importance in agricultural sector due to their potential role in food safety and sustainable crop production. Microorganisms that are commonly used as bio-fertilizer components include; nitrogen fixers (Nfixer), potassium and phosphorus solubilizers, growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs), endo and ecto-mycorrhizal fungi, cyanobacteria and other useful microscopic organisms. The use of bio-fertilizers leads to improved nutrients and water uptake, plant growth and plant tolerance to abiotic and biotic factors. These potential biological fertilizers would play a key role in productivity and sustainability of soil and also in protecting the environment as eco-friendly and cost effective inputs for the farmers. So this review would provide broad spectrum information for the various roles of Azotobacter and phosphate Solubilizer and its impact in sustainable agriculture.

Keywords: Azotobacter, P Solubilizer, Bio-fertilizer, Microorganisms, Importance

DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/78-02

Publication date:August 31^st 2021