Advantages of Biofertilizers

There are many advantages and benefits of biofertilizers. Biofertilizers contain living microorganisms. In this post we’ll talk about the seven major benefits of biofertilizers;

1. Biofertilizers make plant nutrients more available to the plants,
2. The production of plant hormones,
3. Biofertilizers are cost effective when compared to traditional fertilizers
4. Reduce the need for traditional fertilizers – Economic Advantages
5. Potential Yield Increases
6. Improvement in both Soil Physical and Chemical Structure
7. Biofertilizers are Eco-Friendly

Biofertilizers Make Nutrients Available to Plants

Biofertilizers contain living microbes, generally bacteria and/or fungi. These microorganisms add nutrients to the soil by nitrogen fixation and by solubilizing both phosphorus and sulphur.

Nitrogen fixation can be achieved by a variety of microorganism including, Azotobacter and Rhizobium. Paenibacillus polymyxa is a bacteria that fixes nitrogen. Nitrogen fixation is a key component of the nitrogen cycle. Nitrogen is a key element for soil fertility.

Additionally, biofertilizers solubilize both phosphorus and sulphur. Phosphorous solubilization is performed by  Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus megaterium. Sulphur is solubilized by bacteria of the genus Thiobacillus.

Benefits of Biofertilizers – They Produce Plant Hormones

Plant hormones, also called phtyohormones regulate plant growth. An increase in plant hormones generally has a positive effect on root size and root structure.

Bigger, stronger roots make for a healthier plant. Both bacteria and fungi produce phtyhormones. Among the bacteria, Bacillus subtilis manufactures a number of plant hormones as does Bacillus licheniformus and Bacilllus megaterium. Several species of Trichoderma produce phytohormones including, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma viride and Trichoderma polysporum.

Advantages of Biofertilizers –  Cost Effectiveness

Generally speaking, biofertilizers will reduce the amount of traditional fertilizers needed by growers. As the price of fertilizers continues to skyrocket, controlling costs is a major issue for most growers. Since biofertilizers help make traditional fertilizers more effective, growers can reduce the amount of NPK used.

One of the major benefits of biofertilizers is the reduced cost and the reduction in the use of other chemicals.

Overall, the use of biofertilizers worldwide continues to grow. As more and more growers realize the benefits of biofertilizers, the market for microorganisms in farming will continue to expand.

Yield Increase – Benefits of Biofertilizers

Biofertilizers are farming innovation that has the potential to increase crop yield while reducing production cost and improving soil fertility.

Biofertilizers are a supplementary to traditional, chemical fertilizers like N,P,K products.

When beneficial microbes are applied as seed treatments or soil inoculants, they multiply and participate in the nutrient cycling, thus benefiting the crop productivity.

Biofertilizers have great potential to improve crop yields through environmentally better nutrient supplies. They provide reserve plant nutrients.

It is generally reported that the use of biofertilizers can increase crop yields by as much as 20–30% Additionally, they stimulate plant growth. The efficiency and ease of biofertilizer use is the key characteristic that ultimately contributes to the increase of the crop yield.

Improvement in Both Soil Physical and Chemical Structure – Benefit of Biofertilizer

The maintenance of good soil structure in all ecosystems is largely dependent on mycorrhizal fungi.

• growth of the external hyphae into the soil creates a structure that helps holds soil particles together;
• external hyphae create conditions that are conducive to the formation of micro-aggregates;
• enlargement of micro-aggregates by external hyphae and roots to form macro-aggregates;
• directly tapping into the carbon resources of the plant to the soils

Biofertilizers contribute to better physical conditions in the soil through improvement of structure and aggregation of soil particles, reducing compaction and increasing the pore spaces and water infiltration.

Biofertilizers increase both the water holding capacity and the nutrient holding capacity of the soil.

They improve soil structure and allow better tilth; ensure better soil aeration and water percolation, reducing soil erosion.

Biofertilizers are Eco-Friendly

Reduction of the use of traditional fertilizers has an environmental impact as well. The less fertilizer applied allows for less fertilizer to runoff causing problems in streams or lakes.

Advantages of Biofertilizers

Custom Biological manufactures a number of biofertilizers, soil probiotics, fizzytabs, and soil amendments for use in agriculture. Contact Custom via email at Bill@Custombio.biz or at (561) 797-3008 for additional information.