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Efficacy of Biofertilizers: Challenges to Improve Crop Production

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Microbial Inoculants in Sustainable Agricultural Productivity

Abstract

Different kinds of soil microorganisms belonging to several taxa of the bacteria, fungi, and possibly, protozoa kingdoms, colonizing the rhizosphere or the plant tissues and promoting plant growth (PGPM), can be utilized for the production of microbial-based fertilizers (biofertilizers). However, their application in agricultural practice is still hindered by several factors. The main reasons derive from the unpredictability of results, problems to identify and track inoculated strains in the field, the poor understanding of the interrelationships between microorganisms and plants, and the technology of production. After describing in brief which microorganisms have been utilized up until now to improve plant productivity through enhanced nutrition, we mention for possible exploitation of new groups of microorganisms (e.g. non-mycorrhizal fungi). Furthermore, we review the factors affecting the efficacy of biofertilizers on crop productivity, from the point of view of the farmers, who appraise their application on the base of their efficacy. In particular, we consider the factors related to the production process (including quality and marketing standards), the persistence and traceability of inoculants, the relations between plant, soil conditions and microorganisms, as well as the effect of farmers’ practices (fertilization, soil management practices, application method). In conclusion, it emerges that biofertilizers could allow obtaining a crop productivity similar to that obtained with mineral fertilizers, but with a significant reduction of their use. Therefore, biofertilizers can play a key role to develop an integrated nutrient management system, sustaining agricultural productivity with low environmental impact.

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Acknowledgments

The work has been supported by a grant to E.M. from the EU Regional Development Fund through the Polish Innovation Economy Operational Program, contract N. UDA-POIG.01.03.01-10-109/08-00.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Institute of Horticulture, Skierniewice, Poland

    E. Malusà

  2. Center for Plant Soil Systems, CRA-RPS, Rome, Italy

    E. Malusà, F. Pinzari & L. Canfora

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  1. E. Malusà
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  2. F. Pinzari
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  3. L. Canfora
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Correspondence to E. Malusà .

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  1. Important Microorganisms, ICAR-National Bureau of Agriculturally, Maunath Bhanjan, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Dhananjaya Pratap Singh

  2. Dept of Mycology and Plant Pathology,, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India

    Harikesh Bahadur Singh

  3. Important Microorganisms, ICAR-National Bureau of Agriculturally, Maunath Bhanjan, India

    Ratna Prabha

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Malusà, E., Pinzari, F., Canfora, L. (2016). Efficacy of Biofertilizers: Challenges to Improve Crop Production. In: Singh, D., Singh, H., Prabha, R. (eds) Microbial Inoculants in Sustainable Agricultural Productivity. Springer, New Delhi. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-2644-4_2

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