Types of biofertilizers: names, examples and uses
A list of biofertilizer types, Azotobacter, Rhizobium, Azospirillum, Acetobacter, PSB, KMB, ZSB and mycorrhizae, with what each does and how to apply them.
Biofertilizers are products containing living micro-organisms that supply or release nutrients. The main types are nitrogen fixers (Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Acetobacter, Rhizobium), phosphate solubilisers (PSB and fungi), potash mobilisers (KMB), zinc solubilisers (ZSB), mycorrhizal fungi and consortia that combine several of them.
Biofertilizer names and uses
| Biofertilizer | What it does | Main crops |
|---|---|---|
| Azotobacter | Nitrogen fixing | Cereals and millets, Vegetables, Cotton, Sugarcane |
| Carrier-based consortia | NPK consortia | All crops, Mixing with compost or organic manure |
| Azospirillum | Nitrogen fixing | Paddy, wheat, maize and millets, Sugarcane, Fodder grasses |
| Liquid consortia | NPK consortia | All crops, Drip-irrigated crops |
| Mycorrhizal biofertilisers | Phosphorus and water | Fruit crops and nurseries, Vegetables, Field crops |
| Phosphate solubilising bacteria | Phosphorus | All field crops, Vegetables, Fruit crops |
| Potash mobilising bacteria (KMB) | Potassium | All field crops, Banana, potato and sugarcane, Fruit crops |
| Acetobacter | Nitrogen fixing | Sugarcane, Sugar beet and sweet sorghum |
| Rhizobium | Nitrogen fixing | Groundnut, soybean and pulses, Chickpea, pigeon pea, green gram and black gram |
| Zinc solubilising bacteria | Zinc | Paddy, wheat and maize, Zinc-deficient soils generally |
| Phosphate solubilising fungal biofertilisers | Phosphorus | All field crops, Acidic and calcareous soils |
How to apply
- Seed treatment before sowing
- Seedling root dip before transplanting
- Soil application mixed with compost or farmyard manure
- Drip application for liquid forms
Getting results
- Use fresh product within shelf life
- Store cool and out of sunlight
- Keep away from chemical fungicides and bactericides
- Apply into moist soil with organic matter
Frequently asked questions
What is a biofertilizer?
A product containing living micro-organisms that supply nutrients such as nitrogen or make soil nutrients easier for the crop to take up.
What are examples of biofertilizers?
Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Rhizobium, Acetobacter, phosphate solubilising bacteria, potash mobilising bacteria, zinc solubilising bacteria and mycorrhizae.
What is biofertilizer in Hindi?
It is called jaivik khad or jaiv urvarak (जैव उर्वरक).
Is liquid biofertilizer better than carrier-based?
Liquid forms usually keep a longer shelf life and suit drip; carrier forms suit seed and soil application with compost.
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