Biofertilizers: Natural Boosters for Soil and Crop Health and types
Biofertilizers: Natural Boosters for Soil and Crop Health
Biofertilizers are living microorganisms that help improve plant growth by increasing the availability of nutrients in the soil. They are not chemical fertilizers and do not directly supply nutrients. Instead, they support natural processes that make nutrients easier for plants to absorb. Biofertilizers are an important part of sustainable and organic farming.
What Are Biofertilizers ?
Biofertilizers contain useful microorganisms that are added to the soil or applied to seeds. These organisms help fix nitrogen from the air, improve phosphorus uptake, or break down organic matter. They help plants grow stronger and improve soil fertility without harming the environment. Biofertilizers reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and help lower farming costs.
Types of Biofertilizers
1. Rhizobium (Soybean Inoculum)
This is the most common biofertilizer used in Zambia. It contains nitrogen-fixing bacteria that form nodules on the roots of legume crops like soybeans. These bacteria convert nitrogen from the air into a form that plants can use.
2. Azolla anabaena (Algae)
This algae works with nitrogen-fixing bacteria and is mostly used in rice farming. It floats on water and provides a natural source of nitrogen in flooded fields.
Labels: Soil Science
