Punjab Agricultural University

Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

Name: Gurinder Singh
Venue: Placement Cell
Date: 2 June 2016

Admn. No- L-2014-A-71-M

Time: 2.30 PM
Summary:-Scope of Biofertilizer in Forestry

Decreasing non-renewable reserves all over the world and increasing cost of chemical fertilizers
have necessitated the demand for alternative renewable sources to meet the need of plant nutrients. Biofertilizers are an effective, cheap and renewable supplement to chemical fertilizers. Considering that the
use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture has created potential health hazards, the role of rhizospheric
microorganisms to improve soil structure has been highly regarded (Sharma et al 2014). At present when
the country is passing unprecedented crisis in availability of chemical fertilizers, the importance of biofertilizer is increasing day by day. More over harmful effects of chemical fertilizers obligate users to think
of using bio-fertilizers which are eco-friendly and economically viable.
Microbial population play a major a group of plant biostimulants microorganisms able to
colonize the rhizosphere, may enhance plant health and growth without environmental contamination
(Calvo et al 2014)Application of biofertilizers results in increased mineral and water uptake,
development, vegetative growth and nitrogen fixation. AM+ Azotobacter combination was found to be the
most effective (3.91 times higher biomass) than others (Paroha et al 2009). Biofertilizers help in the
growth of plants and in increasing productivity by nitrogen fixation, phosphorus utilization, preventing
attack of root pathogen and enhancement of tolerance to moisture stress condition in the plants in the
most natural biofertilizer in forestry. Large quantities of quality seedlings of forest tree species are needed
for plantations. It is not only the good quality of seeds or cuttings helpful in producing the good quality of
planting stock but also the application of biofertilizers is equally valuable in the development of nursery
and plantations (Berg 2009). Organic fertilization is better than chemical fertilization in forestry due to
factors viz- Less cost of production, no residual effect, better and regular nutrient supplier. Although
organic fertilizer is better in many aspects than chemical fertilizer but due to slow processing of
biofertilizer growers prefer chemical fertilizers
Refrences:Berg G (2009) Plantmicrobe interactions promoting plant growth and health: perspectives for controlled
use of microorganisms in agriculture. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 84:1118.
Calvo P, Nelson L M and Kloepper J W (2014) Agricultural uses of plant biostimulants. Plant Soil. 383:3
41.
Paroha S, Chandra K and Yadav R (2009) Integrated effect of biofertilizers (AM, Azotobacter and PSB)
fertilizers on growth and nutrient acquisition by Tectona grandis. J Trop Forest 25: 45-58.
Sharma S B, Sayyed R Z, Trivedi M H and Gobi T A (2014) Phosphate solubilizing microbes: sustainable
approach form phosphorus deficiency in agri- cultural soils.Springer Plus 2:114.