“Use of Bacterial Culture for Increasing Crop Production”

The mixture obtained by independently growing nitrogen-fixing, phosphorus-solubilizing, and organic matter-decomposing bacteria in a laboratory and mixing them into a suitable carrier is called ‘Biofertilizer’ or ‘Bacterial Culture’. These fertilizers provide nitrogen to the crops, dissolve phosphorus in the soil, and decompose organic matter.

1. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria:

A. Azotobacter: These bacteria reside in the soil and function in a symbiotic manner, absorbing free nitrogen from the air and making it available to the crops. Except for leguminous crops, this bacterial culture is highly beneficial for monocot cereal crops, vegetables, and fruit crops (such as mango, guava, amla, and pomegranate). Additionally, this bacterial culture is equally useful for crops like sorghum (jowari), pearl millet (bajra), sugarcane, wheat, maize, sunflower, and chili.

B. Azospirillum: These bacteria live inside or around the roots of cereal and vegetable crops, working to fix nitrogen through a associative symbiotic (co-symbiotic) method. This is highly useful for sorghum (jowar) and maize (corn) crops.

C. Beijerinckia: These bacteria work to fix nitrogen in acidic soils through a non-symbiotic method. Excluding leguminous crops, these bacteria are highly beneficial for monocotyledon (monocot) and cereal crops as well as for paddy (rice) crops.

D. Azolla – This aquatic plant is used as green manure. It fixes free atmospheric nitrogen through a symbiotic method (fixing 20 to 40 kilograms of nitrogen per hectare annually). This aquatic plant is buried (incorporated) into the paddy field 10 days after planting.

E. Rhizobium: These bacteria form nodules on the roots of leguminous crops through a symbiotic method, absorbing nitrogen from the air and making available to the crops through the roots. These bacterial cultures are available in 7 different groups and the Rhizobium bacterial culture from the specific group recommended for the respective crop should be used.

F. Acetobacter: These bacteria enter through the roots of sugarcane or other sugar-rich crops and perform the function of nitrogen fixation. They supply 40 to 50 percent of the total nitrogen requirement to the sugarcane crop.

2. Phosphorus-Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB)

These bacteria convert insoluble, fixed phosphorus into a soluble chemical form, making it easily available to the crops. This bacterial culture should be used in this proportion 250 grams per 10 kilograms of seeds.

3. Bio-Disease Control Bacteria:

Trichoderma: This parasitic fungus grows on organic matter and controls the growth of pathogenic bacteria (disease-causing germs). It also effectively controls soil-borne diseases.

Dosage/Proportion: This bacterial culture should be used in proportion of 40 to 50 grams per 10 kilograms of seeds.

All bacterial fertilizers (biofertilizers) should be used in this proportion 250 grams per 10 kg of seeds.