Recent Advances in the production and delivery systems of the biofertilizers, bioagents and biopesticides Prelude Adverse effects

of chemical pesticides have been reported on both the abiotic and biotic components of the environment. The former are exemplified by residues in soil, air, water, food etc. and the latter by phytotoxicity, residues, vegetation changes etc. in plants and physiological deformities, diseases, mortality, population changes, genetic disorders etc. in mammals, avian, insects and other organisms. Entry of pesticides into the food chain coupled with their bioaccumulation and biomagnifications trigger effects of unforeseen consequences. Chemicals like methyl bromide; chlorofluorocarbons etc. are established culprits for depletion of the ozone layer. Indiscriminate use of fertilizers, particularly the nitrogenous, has led to substantial pollution of soil, air and water. Fertilizer contamination of ground waters has led to eutrophication of lake and river waters causing depletion of oxygen and even death of aquatic life, nitrate pollution, increased emissions of gaseous N and metal toxicities. The presence of nitrates in potable water has been blamed for health hazards such as birth defects, impaired nervous system, cancer and methaemoglobinemia (the blue baby syndrome). After the Green Revolution agriculture was mainly based upon a package of various agricultural inputs, namely the use of high-yielding varieties of different crops, water, pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers in many rice- and wheat-producing states in comparison to phosphatic and potassic fertilizers has not only deteriorated the soil health but has also impaired the health of human beings and animals. Similarly indiscriminate and excessive use of pesticides produced health hazards in animals and human beings and soil macro/micro flora and fauna Excessive and inappropriate use of agrochemicals has undeniably resulted in negative and sometimes irreparable effects on the environment and on human health. Degraded soils and ground water pollution caused by chemical leaching have resulted in nutritionally unbalanced and unproductive lands. Thus, to reinforce the development of sustainable agriculture, use of biofertilizers and biopesticides has assured great promise to meet out the nutrient demand. The role of biofertilizers, bioagents and biopesticides in agricultural production assumes special significance, particularly in the present context of expensive chemical fertilizers. Moreover, it can provide the farmers with a new strategy which is helpful for achieving the goal of increasing productivity. Keeping in mind the environment safety, food security and availability of resources, it becomes obligatory to harness the full potential of the available bio-fertilizers. PRESENT STATUS Pest problem is one of the major constraints for achieving higher production in agriculture crops. India loses about 30% of its crops due to pests and diseases each year. The damage due to these is estimated to be Rs.60, 000 crores annually. The uses of pesticides have increased manifolds during the past 3 -4 decades with the introduction of intensive cropping. The average

consumption of pesticides in India is about 570g per ha. The damage caused due to their indiscriminate usage and poor quality maintenance is alarming. In terms of value, much of the pesticide application is accounted for by a few crops. For example, cotton, paddy and vegetable crops account for80% of the value of pesticides applied in India. Pesticides or chemicals are meant to control harmful pests such as insects, nematodes, diseases, weeds etc. However, excessive use of pesticides not only leave residues in soil, water and air but also have adverse effects on the non target organisms such as pollinators, parasitoids, predators and wild animals. This has adversely affected the ecological balance resulting in pest resurgence, development of resistance in the pest species and environmental pollution. Development of pest resurgence and resistance has resulted in high cost of production and low income .In view of the several disadvantages associated with the unscientific use of pesticides in agriculture, there is an urgent need for minimizing the use of chemical pesticides in the management of insect pests. Growing public concern over potential health hazards of synthetic pesticides and also steep increase in cost of cultivation/low profit making by farmers has led to the exploration of ecofriendly pest management tactics. Bio-pesticides have become an important component and can occupy as a major recommendation of XI Five year Plan where major emphasis on Organic Farming and IPM is being highlighted in 15 Agro-ecological Zones of the country. Microbial pesticides consist of a microorganism (e.g., a bacterium, fungus, virus or protozoan) as the active ingredient when employed against any pest, eradicate it. Microbial pesticides can control many different kinds of pests, although each separate active ingredient is relatively specific for its target pest[s] Importance of biopesticides Alternatives to conventional pesticides. Conventional Pesticides lead to several problems such as 25 million cases of acute occupational pesticide poisoning in developing countries each year (WHO, 1990). 14% of all known occupational injuries and 10% of all fatal injuries are caused by pesticides (ILO, 1996). Obsolete pesticides stored in developing countries 20,000 tonnes in Africa alone. Biopesticides are designed to affect only one specific pest or, in some cases, a few target organisms, in contrast to broad spectrum, conventional pesticides that may affect organisms as different as birds, insects, and mammals. Human and environmental safety With the increase in the demand for the organically safe food the demand for the biopesticides is increasing day by day. Also the cautious farmers are aware of the residual toxicity of the pesticides used in crop production system and shifting toward the use of safer, cheaper and ecofriendly pesticides. Buyers and consumers are becoming increasingly selective in their purchasing habits. Illegal residues can result in loss of markets, fines, and consumer avoidance. The biopesticides is the only solution for it.

Address increased public awareness of environmental and food safety Biopesticides often contain natural food products that are normally consumed and do not have residue concerns. The biopesticides can be the major source for the increasing the net profit from the produce as he cant afford the high priced chemical pesticides for the small land holding thus this holds the key for the increasing the net profit and may find a biopesticides can provide a solution to their needs Fundamental component of Integrated Pest Management Dr. Rachel Carson in her publication Silent Spring has summarized the sufficient socio-economic problems associated with synthetic chemical usage in the agricultural scenario In general, biopesticides are safer and less toxic to humans and animals than chemical pesticides. Moreover, biopesticides will not endanger birds or other non-target animals, which make them safer to the habitat and environment. Biopesticides applied onto pests and weeds have prevention target specificity. Disease prevention using biopesticides not only prevents destruction of the native micro flora and fauna, but also fosters crop growth and immunity, as well as the diversity and natural balance of the microorganism's environment and habitat is sustainably maintained. Demand of biopesticides in INDIA Although sales of synthetic pesticides dominate the $30 billion pesticide market, the use of biopesticides is increasing. Officials from MOI estimate that global sales will hit $1 billion by 2010 and grow 10 percent a year on average. Biopesticides could make up 4.25 percent of the global pesticide business in 2010, up from 2.5 percent in 2005. As they become more popular, synthetic pesticides are expected to shrink by 1.5 percent each year over the same period. With the worldwide policy toward reducing pesticide usage and wave of heated research on biopesticides, the marketing and sales volume of wide effective biopesticides products has gradually grown each year. In addition, as people's quality of living improves, organic vegetable and fruit farmers have an increasingly growing demand for biopesticides. MARKET The present consumption of biopesticides is valued at about Rs. 110 crores, out of which microbial biopesticides constitute more than 50%. The consumption of microbial pesticides has grown at an annual rate of 20% from Rs. 27 crores in2000-2001 to Rs. 60 crores in 2003-2004. Assuming the same rate of growth in the next 5 years, the consumption could reach Rs. 250 crores by 2009-10. However, it has been reported that the present usage represent only 2-3% of the potential market demand of biopesticides. Therefore, considerable increase in the use of biopesticides can be achieved with suitable awareness campaign by the Agricultural Universities, Agricultural Department of State Govt. and manufacturers as well as. At present there are about 200 manufacturers but most of them are operating on a very small scale to cater to local requirements.

Factors contributed to the emergence of biopesticide market Societies demand over environmental safety. An increase in the price of chemical insecticides and the resistance of insects to these products need to reduce residues of toxic chemicals in foodstuffs, especially those for export markets. A strong increase in the sales of organic food as consumers become more health conscious and concerned over their food coupled with higher buying power leading to increase in non-chemical crop protection and total crop care. The use biopesticides is likely to increase at a much higher rate for the following reasons: a) While some chemicals pesticides have been banned already, the use of others is likely to come under greater regulatory control b) An increasing number of pests are developing resistance to existing chemical pesticides c) The cost of development of new chemical pesticides has increased considerably in recent years. d) The demand for organic products is increasing at a rapid rate. e) Extensive research and commercialization efforts have been initiated by the government to promote biopesticides. Of all pesticides used globally each year, pesticides used in cotton alone ranges upto 25%.Pesticide usage all over the world accounts for $26 million annually. Number of active ingredients in pesticides used in cotton found to cause cancer in human beings and animals is 107.Total cotton cultivation area in more than 60 countries is 80 million hectares. Total pesticide consumption in third world countries accounts for about 300 million kilograms. Out of the 300 million kilograms, 150 million kilograms is consumed in cotton Why should we use biofertilizers? With the introduction of green revolution technologies the modern agriculture is getting more and more dependent upon the steady supply of synthetic inputs (mainly fertilizers), which are products of fossil fuel (coal+ petroleum). Adverse effects are being noticed due to the excessive and imbalanced use of these synthetic inputs. This situation has lead to identifying harmless inputs like biofertilizers. Use of such natural products like biofertilizers in crop cultivation will help in safeguarding the soil health and also the quality of crop products. What are the benefits from using biofertilizers?

Increase crop yield by 20-30%. Replace chemical nitrogen and phosphorus by 25%. Stimulate plant growth. Activate the soil biologically. Restore natural soil fertility. Provide protection against drought and some soil borne diseases.

The Potential for Biofertilizers

The growth in agricultural production during the last three decades has been accompanied by a sharp increase in the use of chemical fertilizers, causing serious concern (Marothia, 1997). Foremost among these concerns is the effect of excessive fertilizer (especially nitrogenous fertilizers) on the quality of soil and ground water. Biofertilizers are considered to be an important alternative source of plant nutrition. They are biologically active products, including bacteria, algae or fungi, with the ability to provide plants with nutrients. Most biofertilizers belong to one of two categories: nitrogen fixing and phosphate solubilizing. Nitrogen fixing biofertilizers fix atmospheric nitrogen into forms which are readily useable by plants. These include Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azospirillum, blue green algae (BGA) and Azolla. While Rhizobium requires symbiotic association with the root nodules of legumes to fix nitrogen, others can fix nitrogen independently. Phosphate solubilizing micro-organisms (PSM) secrete organic acids which enhance the uptake of phosphorus by plants by dissolving rock phosphate and tricalcium phosphates. PSMs are particularly valuable as they are not crop specific and can benefit all crops . Production of biofertilizers in India The idea of using micro-organisms to improve land productivity has been around in India for at least 70 years, but it was only in the 1990s that large scale production of various biofertilizers commenced. Presently, a number of agricultural universities, state Agricultural departments and commercial enterprises produce various biofertilizers. The promotion of biofertilizers is mainly carried out by the National Biofertilizer Development Centre (Ghaziabad), which was set up in 1987. The National Centre has the capacity to produce 375 tons of biofertilizers per year. In addition to this, 158 commercial production units have been set up with government support. Indias total production in 1998-99 was reported to be 16,000 tons.9 Rhizobium accounts for the largest proportion (40%) of the total production in India. This is followed by Azotobacter. With the increase in the price of phosphate fertilizers, the potential for the use of PSM has also increased. Effectiveness of biofertilizers A considerable amount of research has been done to establish the effectiveness of biofertilizers on various crops, in different agro-climatic regions. Most agricultural universities, the ICAR and the National Biofertilizer Development Centre have carried out number of field trials to document the effectiveness of these micro-organisms. These programmes show that the use of biofertilizers can have a significant effect on the yield of most crops. However, their effectiveness is found to vary greatly, depending largely on soil condition, temperature and farming practices. As an example, Table 3 shows the effect of Azotobacter on yield. The organic matter decomposers also plays a major role in the recyclicing of the crop residues that is converted into the valuable nutrients also its incorporation in the soil leads to the increases avability of the nutrients by the increase in the microbial activity in the soil .that helps in improving the physical properties of the soil also improve the water holding capacity of the of soil. The lot numbers of the micro-organisms and their activity protect the crops from the harmful micro-organisms.

There is greater need for perpetuating the technology for the decomposition of the crop residues into valuable nutrients Keeping in view the potential of biopesticides and biofertilizers as an important component of sustainable agriculture particularly on smallfarmer holdings, the AsiaPacific Association of Agricultural Institutions (APAARI) in its Tenth General Assembly Meeting held on 20th October 2008 at Tsukuba recommended to organize an Expert Consultation on Biopesticides and Biofertilizers as a part of work plan for 2009. and popularizing the technology among the Asian cultivators.