Microbial inoculants as biofertilizers and biopesticides

Abstract

Bioinoculants are ecofriendly as they don’t have any adverse effect on soil fauna and flora. These bioinoculants can also be used as biopesticides which do not have any residual effect on crop products. But the main problem with the bioinoculants is its quality, as the private agencies which supply various biofertilizers and biopesticides don’t care for their quality parameters. The availability of good quality bioinoculants to the farmers is main hurdle in their success. There is lack of co-ordination between the extension workers and scientists. Due attention is needed regarding Azotobacter, Azolla, Acetobacter, Trichoderma, Bacillus thuriengensis, and Azospirillum and their application in various cereal and vegetable crops. These biofertilizers should be integrated with organic manures and chemical fertilizers to enhance the soil organic carbon and maintain sustainability in field and horticultural crops.