BIOFERTILIZERS USED IN BANANA BIOFERTILIZERS USED IN BANANA

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After going through this RLO you should be able to:

Explain the role of biofertilizers in banana production and How to apply biofertilizers in banana crop.

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Introduction

As the agriculture moves towards modernization, the frequent use of synthetic fertilizers is increased.

Excessive use of chemical fertilizers directly or indirectly causes soil ill health, soil pollution and declines crop productivity.

The importance of biofertilizer as a component of integrated Nutrient Management (INM) is viewed as sustainable crop production system, not only on yield maximization but also for the agro-system stability. In this RLO, types of biofertilizers, importance and methods of their application are being described.

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Importance of BiofertilizerImportance of Biofertilizer

The importance of biofertilizer in crop production is detailed as

following:

Biofertilizer is a natural organic fertilizer helps to provide all the

nutrients required by the plants and helps to increase the quality of

the soil with a natural microorganism environment.

It is the most advanced tool of bio technology necessary to support

developing organic agriculture, sustainable agriculture, green

agriculture and non-pollution agriculture.

This Bio-organic Fertilizer can increase the output, improve the quality

and it is responsible for agriculture environment.

It is well known that the continue use and overuse of petrochemical

based fertilizers and toxic pesticides have caused a detrimental effect

to our soils, water supplies, foods, animals and even people.

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The Biological Grower is more sensible with sustainable approach

and employs the resources of both science and nature to allow better

results in his production.

For centuries, peat moss has been recognized soil bacteria, fungi,

earthworms, and other bio-organisms to enrich the soil to produce

safe, nutritious and abundant crops.

It is an excellent fertilizer sources. All natural organic fertilizers made

with pure peat moss.

Biofertilizer Contains a wide range of naturally chelated plant

nutrients and trace elements, carbohydrates, amino acids and other

growth promoting substances.

It acts as a soil conditioner by stimulating microbial activity in the soil

which results in improved air-water relationships in soil, improved

fertility and makes soil less prone to compaction and erosion.(Cont).. Next Previous End

Since these fertilizers are eco-friendly they can be used generously to promote healthy crops.

This blend makes an excellent foliar fertilizer.

Besides being a nutritionally complete fertilizer (containing even calcium), the nutrients are readily absorbed by the leaf.

Foliar applications on a regular basis can increase the health, vigor and yield of plants due to this easily absorbed additional nutrition.

The quality of the soil is also improved thanks to these environmentally friendly fertilizers.

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Types of Biofertilizer

Nutrients Source Biofertilizers Crop

For Nitrogen Rhizobium legume cropsAzotobacter/Azospirillum non legume crops

Acetobacter sugarcane only

BGA and Azolla low land paddy

For Phosphorous Phosphatika to be applied with Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azospirillum and Acetobacter

for all crops

For enriched compost Cellulolytic fungal culture -

Phosphotika and Azotobacter culture

-

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Rhizobium

Phosphorous solubilizing bacteria (PSB)

Vesicular Arbuscular Endomycorrhiza

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Vesicular Arbuscular Endomycorrhiza

Mycorrhizae is the symbiotic association between plant roots and

soil fungus of the 7 types of mycorrhizae, VAM plays a great role in

inducing plant growth.

VAM are symbiotic entophytic soil fungi, which colonize the roots of

approximately 80% plants.

VAM fungi produce hyphae, which are microscopic tubes that

colonize crop roots and grow out into the soil further than root hairs.

Nutrients are taken up by the hyphae and carried back to the plant.

This results into very efficient mobilization & uptake of fertilizers and

other nutrients by plants.

The VAM hyphae also help is retaining moisture around the root

zone of plants. (Cont)..

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The VAM hyphae also help is retaining moisture around the

root zone of plants

It increases the resistance to root borne or soil

borne pathogens and Nematodes.

Enhanced colonization of introduced population of

beneficial soil organisms like Azotobacter,

Azospirillum, Rhizobium and Phosphate solubilizing

bacteria around mycorrhizal roots thereby exerting

synergistic effects on plant growth.

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Advantage of VAM:

VAM is highly versatile and colonizes 85 % of the plant families.

It penetrates the roots, forms arbuscules and vesicles in the cortical

cells of the roots and hyphae and spores in the soil.

The mychorrhiza penetrates the roots, mobilizes & supplies

phosphorous and other micronutrients to the plants.

Solubilize phosphate and transports micronutrients such as zinc,

Manganese, iron, copper, cobalt, molybdenum etc. from the

surrounding area to the plant.

Increase the plant vigor by inducing drought resistance of young

seedlings.

VAM protects the plants from the fungal pathogens.

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Recommendations:Recommendation of biofertilizer in banana:

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B. METHOD OF APPLICATIONThe biofertilizers may be applied in soil or suckers of banana plants. The detail of procedure is given as below:

1.6 Soil application: Mix 4 kg each of biofertilisers in 200 kg of compost and leave it

overnight.

200 g per sq.mt. in seed/nursery bed.

2 g per seedling in the Nursery stage

5 g per seedling at the time of planting

10-15 g per garden trees and fruit trees respectively.

100-200 g per plant of grown tree species.

3-5 kg/acre of VAM can be applied in 2-3 cm depth.

Mix 4 kg each of biofertilisers in 200 kg of compost and leave it

overnight.

Apply this mixture in the soil at the time of sowing or planting.

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Sucker treatment: 

Suspend 200 g N biofertilizer and 200 gms

Phosphotika in 300-400 ml of water and mix

thoroughly.

Dip the roots of seedlings in this suspension

for 30-40 min before transplanting.

Sow immediately.

Mix this paste with 10 kg seeds &

dry in shade.

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FARMERS DEMONSRTRATION OF SOIL APPLICATION FOR BIOFERTILIZERS

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Orchards:

Apply at the root zone of individual trees or

vines directly early in the season @ 3-4 ml /

liter of water.

Application through irrigation: Apply 50ml to

soil along with irrigation by drip/sprinkler

per acre.

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Precautions: Store biofertilizer packets in cool and dry place away from

direct sunlight and heat.

Use right combination of biofertilizers.

Rhizobium is crop specific, so use in specified crop.

Do not mix with chemicals.

While purchasing ensure that each packet is provided with

necessary information like name of the product, name of the

crop for which intended, name and address of the

manufacturer, date of manufacture, date of expiry, batch No

and instructions for use.

Use the packet before expiry, only on the specified crop, by the

recommended method.

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To sum up

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Use of chemical fertilizer leads to cause of soil deterioration and water pollution.

In view of the disadvantages associated with the use of chemical fertilizers, it is important to use alternative sources, which are environment friendly.

Biofertilizers, most of which are nitrogen fixing microorganisms, are considered to be suitable alternative source of plant nutrition.

Farmers can adopt this technology to improve the land resources and save natural environment.