Nitrogen Fixing Fungi for Development of Biofertilizer and Future Strategies

Abstract

Urbanization, population explosion, pollution and deforestation lead to negative impact on the environment and disturb its natural cycles. With that comes the natural calamity like uneven rainfalls which causes drought or flooding, extreme high/low temperature, and degradation of quality of air, water, and soil. The ultimate looser is agriculture system. More and more land is becoming unsuitable for agriculture with each passing year. Demands for global food is on rise and will need a 70% increase in production capacity to meet the demand of population by 2050. But with current scenario it looks unreachable and unsustainable. Innovative solution based practices, eco-friendly pest control strategies with biofertilizers, and increased nutritional values, higher yields, and productivity with no harm to environment are the need of the hour. Use of fungi and bacteria based Nitrogen fixation strategies focuses on improving nutrient usage by plants and reduction in dependence of chemical fertilizer. This chapter focuses upon the nitrogen fixing fungi for development of biofertilizer and future strategies.