Role of bio-fertilizers towards sustainable agricultural development: A review

Abstract

The worldwide increase in human population every year raises a major threat to the food security of the people as the land for agriculture is restricted and even drastic reduction with time. Therefore, it is essential that agricultural productivity should be enhanced significantly within the next few decades to meet the large demand of food by emerging population. Not to point out too much dependence on chemical fertilizers for more crop productions certainly damages both ecosystem and human health with great severity. Bio-fertilizers are one of the greatest nature gifts of our agricultural science as a replacement to chemical fertilizers. Bio-fertilizer contains microorganisms which encourage the adequate supply of nutrients to the host plants and ensure their proper development of growth, development and regulation in their physiology. Living microorganisms are used in the preparation of bio-fertilizers which have specific functions to augment plant growth and reproduction. Bio-fertilizers being essential components of sustainable farming play vital role in maintaining long term soil fertility and sustainability of crop production.