Plant growth-promoting microbes: A boon for sustainable agriculture

Abstract

Biofertilizers are defined as living cells with efficient strains of microorganisms that help crop plant uptake of nutrients by rhizosphere soil when applied through soil. Certain microbial processes in the soil convert nonavailable forms of nutrients to be easily assimilated by plants. In nature, microorganisms are not as efficient in the rhizosphere and its surroundings. Therefore, many efficient cultures have been artificially selected and these microorganisms play a vital role in accelerating microbial processes in soil. Use of biofertilizers is one of the important components of integrated nutrient management, as they are cost effective and renewable sources of plant nutrients to supplement chemical fertilizers for sustainable agriculture. Chemical fertilizers affect and may cause toxicity to both the environment and sustainable agriculture. Moreover, they can cause soil infertility. Biofertilizers add nutrients through the natural processes of nitrogen fixation, solubilizing phosphorus and stimulating plant growth through the synthesis of growth-promoting substances. Biofertilizers can be expected to reduce the soil's natural nutrient cycle and build soil organic matter.