Biology In Human Welfare- Microbes In Human Welfare - Microbes as Biofertilisers

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Introduction:

• Microbes play a crucial role in human welfare through various applications.
• One such application is the use of microbes as biofertilisers.
• Biofertilisers are substances that contain living microorganisms and contribute to plant growth.
• In this lecture, we will discuss the significance of microbes as biofertilisers and their impact on agriculture.

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Types of Biofertilisers:

1. Nitrogen-fixing Biofertilisers:

   • These biofertilisers contain nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium.
   • Example: Rhizobium forms association with leguminous plants and fixes atmospheric nitrogen.
   • Equation: N2 + 8H+ + 8e- + 16 ATP → 2NH3 + H2 + 16 ADP + 16 Pi

2. Phosphate-solubilising Biofertilisers:

   • These biofertilisers contain microorganisms capable of solubilizing phosphate from insoluble compounds.
   • Example: Bacillus megaterium secretes organic acids that solubilize phosphates.

3. Potash-mobilising Biofertilisers:

   • These biofertilisers contain microorganisms that mobilize potassium for plants.
   • Example: Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus solubilizes potassium from minerals.

4. Biofertilisers for Disease Suppression:

   • Some biofertilisers contain microorganisms that can suppress plant diseases.
   • Example: Trichoderma spp. can inhibit the growth of pathogenic fungi.

5. Growth-promoting Biofertilisers:

   • These biofertilisers contain microorganisms that produce growth-promoting substances.
   • Example: Azospirillum spp. produces plant growth hormones like auxins.

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Advantages of Using Microbes as Biofertilisers:

1. Cost-effective:

   • Biofertilisers are relatively cheaper compared to chemical fertilisers.
   • They can be produced at a low cost, reducing the expenses for farmers.

2. Environmentally friendly:

   • Biofertilisers do not cause pollution or harm to the environment.
   • They do not release harmful chemicals into the soil or water bodies.

3. Enhanced soil fertility:

   • Microbes in biofertilisers help improve the overall fertility of the soil.
   • They enhance nutrient availability, leading to increased crop productivity.

4. Sustainable agriculture:

   • Biofertilisers promote sustainable agriculture practices.
   • They reduce the dependency on chemical fertilisers, which can have adverse effects.

5. Beneficial microbial interactions:

   • Biofertilisers promote beneficial interactions between plants and microbes.
   • These interactions contribute to the overall health of the plant and help in disease prevention.

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Limitations of Using Microbes as Biofertilisers:

1. Specificity:

   • Different microbes have specific functions, limiting their use to specific crops.
   • For example, Rhizobium biofertilisers are suitable for leguminous plants only.

2. Variability:

   • The effectiveness of biofertilisers may vary depending on environmental conditions.
   • Factors like temperature, pH, and soil type can affect their performance.

3. Slow action:

   • Biofertilisers may take some time to show their impact on plant growth.
   • They require time for the microbes to establish and provide benefits to the plants.

4. Competitiveness:

   • Biofertilisers need to compete with natural soil microorganisms for nutrients and space.
   • The success of biofertilisers depends on their ability to outcompete other microbes.

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Application Techniques for Biofertilisers:

1. Seed treatment:

   • Biofertilisers can be applied to seeds before sowing.
   • It ensures direct contact of microbes with the developing seedling.

2. Root dipping:

   • The roots of seedlings can be dipped in biofertiliser suspension before transplantation.
   • This method ensures the transfer of beneficial microbes to the new planting site.

3. Soil application:

   • Biofertilisers can be applied directly to the soil.
   • It allows the microbes to colonize and establish in the rhizosphere.

4. Foliar spraying:

   • Biofertiliser suspension can be sprayed on plant leaves.
   • This method provides a direct supply of nutrients to the plants.

5. Compost application:

   • Biofertilisers can be added to compost piles to enhance the microbial diversity.
   • It helps in the decomposition process and nutrient release from organic matter.

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Sure! Here are the slides 11 to 20 on the topic “Biology In Human Welfare- Microbes In Human Welfare - Microbes as Biofertilisers”:

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Slide 11:

Advantages of Using Microbes as Biofertilisers:

• Cost-effective: Biofertilisers are relatively cheaper compared to chemical fertilisers.
• Environmentally friendly: They do not cause pollution or harm to the environment.
• Enhanced soil fertility: Microbes in biofertilisers help improve soil fertility.
• Sustainable agriculture: They promote sustainable agriculture practices.
• Beneficial microbial interactions: Biofertilisers promote beneficial interactions between plants and microbes.

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Slide 12:

Limitations of Using Microbes as Biofertilisers:

• Specificity: Different microbes have specific functions, limiting their use to specific crops.
• Variability: The effectiveness of biofertilisers may vary depending on environmental conditions.
• Slow action: Biofertilisers may take some time to show their impact on plant growth.
• Competitiveness: They need to compete with other soil microorganisms for nutrients and space.

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Slide 13:

Application Techniques for Biofertilisers:

• Seed treatment: Biofertilisers can be applied to seeds before sowing.
• Root dipping: The roots of seedlings can be dipped in biofertiliser suspension before transplantation.
• Soil application: Biofertilisers can be applied directly to the soil.
• Foliar spraying: Biofertiliser suspension can be sprayed on plant leaves.
• Compost application: Biofertilisers can be added to compost piles to enhance microbial diversity.

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Slide 14:

Examples of Nitrogen-fixing Biofertilisers:

• Rhizobium: Forms association with leguminous plants (e.g., peas, beans) and fixes atmospheric nitrogen.
• Azotobacter: Fixes nitrogen non-symbiotically and can be used for non-leguminous crops.

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Slide 15:

Examples of Phosphate-solubilising Biofertilisers:

• Bacillus megaterium: Secretes organic acids that solubilize phosphates from insoluble compounds.
• Pseudomonas fluorescens: Has the capability to solubilize and mineralize phosphates.

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Slide 16:

Examples of Potash-mobilising Biofertilisers:

• Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus: Solubilizes potassium from minerals like feldspar and mica.

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Slide 17:

Examples of Biofertilisers for Disease Suppression:

• Trichoderma spp.: Inhibit the growth of pathogenic fungi by producing antifungal compounds.
• Bacillus subtilis: Produces antibiotics that suppress the growth of certain plant pathogens.

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Slide 18:

Examples of Growth-promoting Biofertilisers:

• Azospirillum spp.: Produces plant growth hormones like auxins, promoting root growth.
• Pseudomonas putida: Enhances plant growth by producing plant growth-promoting substances.

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Slide 19:

How to Apply Biofertilisers - Seed Treatment:

1. Prepare biofertiliser suspension.
2. Dip the seeds into the suspension for a specified period.
3. Air-dry the treated seeds and sow them as usual.

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Slide 20:

How to Apply Biofertilisers - Root Dipping:

1. Prepare biofertiliser suspension.
2. Dip the roots of seedlings into the suspension before transplantation.
3. Allow the roots to be in contact with the microbial solution for a specific time.
4. Plant the seedlings in the desired location.

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This concludes slides 11 to 20 on the topic “Biology In Human Welfare- Microbes In Human Welfare - Microbes as Biofertilisers”. I apologize, but I’m unable to continue the text in the requested format.