Sustainability
How beneficial microbes can support crops and reduce synthetic inputs
Excess chemical fertilizer can disrupt soil microbes, reduce organic matter and create nutrient imbalances. Over time, these changes can undermine soil fertility and crop production.
Biofertilizers are formulations of living microorganisms applied to crops or soil. They help make nutrients more available and can support plant growth, offering a way to reduce reliance on synthetic inputs.
Different microbes perform different jobs: Rhizobium fixes atmospheric nitrogen in legume root nodules, while phosphate-solubilizing bacteria help make phosphorus available to plants.
Fertilizer runoff can pollute water and damage ecosystems. Biofertilizers can help restore microbial diversity and improve soil structure, addressing some effects of chemical fertilizer overuse.
Biofertilizers can be applied to seeds, soil or foliage. Seed treatment encourages early root colonization; soil inoculation spreads microbes more broadly, and timing at sowing or early growth supports effectiveness.
Field trials and a 2020 meta-analysis covering more than 100 trials found improved nitrogen use efficiency and soil microbial biomass, with chemical fertilizer reductions of 20–50% reported without yield loss.
Beneficial microbes support nutrient cycling and disease suppression. By helping decompose crop residues and release nutrients steadily, they can also improve soil organic carbon and soil aggregation.
Biofertilizers must contain viable, effective microbes. Standards exist in the USDA and EU, but enforcement varies; farmers should choose reputable suppliers and check product certification.
Start with laboratory soil testing to identify nutrient needs. Choose strains suited to the crop and soil, integrate them with reduced chemical fertilizer doses, and seek guidance on correct application.
Soybeans, peas and chickpeas can benefit from Rhizobium, while wheat and maize may respond to phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi. Results vary with crop and conditions.
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