Application of bioinoculants for sustainable agriculture

Abstract

Agriculture provides the principle means of livelihood for the majority of the Indian population. Hence, there is a need for sustainable agriculture which can be achieved by engineering/manipulating the rhizospheric microflora. The use of biofertilizers (plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and fungus) is cost-effective and eco-friendly which helps in mobilization of soil nutrients, increasing drought resistance and biocontrol over conventional fertilizers. Application of bioinoculants to the host plants serves as a biofertilizer (P solubilization), a biostimulator (phytohormone production), a stress regulator (drought and salinity), and a biocontrol agent (against phytopathogens). Further research on the exploitation of bioinoculants can be used as an innovative technology in organic farming for better crop productivity.