A Bio fertilizer (also bio-fertilizer) is a substance which contains living microorganisms which, when applied to seeds, plant surfaces, or soil, colonizes the rhizosphere or the interior of the plant and promotes growth by increasing the supply or availability of primary nutrients to the host plant.

Biopesticides are biological or biologically-derived agents, a form of pesticide based on micro-organisms or natural products that are usually applied in a manner similar to chemical pesticides, but achieve pest management in an environmentally friendly way. They include naturally occurring substances that control pests (biochemical pesticides), microorganisms that control pests (microbial pesticides), and pesticidal substances produced by plants containing added genetic material (plant-incorporated protectants) or PIPs.

The Insecticide Act (1968) regulates biopesticide for its induced production and application. The Central Insecticide Board (CIB) and Registration Committee (RC) work under this act as highly powerful bodies to regulate biopesticides. ICAR also has role in biopesticide regulation.

There are different types of biopesticides use for pest and microbial diseases management including microbial pesticides which consist of bacteria, entomopathogenic fungi or viruses, entomopathogenic nematodes. Also bio-derived chemicals such as pyrethrum, rotenone, neem oil, and various essential oils are naturally occurring substances that control pests and microbial diseases.

Biofungicdes are formulations of living organisms that are used to control the activity of plant pathogenic fungi and bacteria.

No harmful residues produced, i.e. biodegradable. Can be cheaper than chemical pesticides when locally produced. Can be more effective than synthetic pesticides in the long-term use.

1. These are means of fixing the nutrient available in the soil.
2. Since a bio-fertilizer is technically living, it can symbiotically associate with plant roots.
3. Involved microorganisms could readily and safely convert complex organic material into simple compounds, so that they are easily taken up by the plants.
4. Microorganism function is in long duration, causing improvement of the soil fertility. It maintains the natural habitat of the soil. It activate the soil biologically and restore natural soil fertility.
5. It increases crop yield by 20-30%, replaces chemical nitrogen and phosphorus by 25%, and stimulates plant growth.
6. It can also provide protection against drought and some soil-borne diseases.
7. Bio-fertilizers are cost-effective relative to chemical fertilizers. They have lower manufacturing costs, especially regarding nitrogen and phosphorus use.

Yes Use of Bio-fertilizers and Bio-pesticides are cost-effective relative to chemical fertilizers. They have lower manufacturing costs, especially regarding nitrogen and phosphorus use.

Cereals crop: Azoztobactor, Azospirillum, Potash Mobilizing bacteria, Phosphate solubilizing bacteria, Zink solubilizing bacteria, VAM.

Legume crop: Rhizobium.

Vegetable and Fruits: Azotobactor, Potash Mobilizing bacteria, Phosphate solubilizing bacteria, Zink solubilizing bacteria, VAM.

Biofertilizers are applied to different crops as follows:

• Seed treatment
• Root dipping
• Soil application

• Biofertilizer packets need to be stored in cool and dry place away from direct sunlight and heat.
• Right combinations of biofertilizers have to be used.
• As Rhizobium is crop specific, one should use for the specified crop only.
• Other chemicals should not be mixed with the biofertilizers.
• While purchasing one should ensure that each packet is provided with necessary information like name of the product, name of the crop for which intended, name and address of the manufacturer, date of manufacture, date of expiry, batch number and instructions for use.
• The packet has to be used before its expiry, only for the specified crop and by the recommended method of application.
• Biofertilizers are live product and require care in the storage
• Both nitrogenous and phosphatic biofertilizers are to be used to get the best results.
• It is important to use biofertilizers along with chemical fertilizers and organic manures.
• Biofertilizers are not replacement of fertilizers but can supplement plant nutrient requirements.

A colony-forming unit (CFU) is a unit used to estimate the number of viable bacteria or fungal cells in a sample.