Table of contents

This volume is written with the objective of covering the basic issues in biological nitrogen fixation such as: the physiology, biochemistry and molecular genetics of nitrogen fixation; and the role of signal molecules and host gene expression in nodulation and nitrogen fixation. The book also details recent developments in biofertilizer technology, such as: the immobilization of cyanobacteria; endophytic nitrogen fixation; and solubilization and mobilization of nutrients by phosphobacteria and VA mycorrhiza and their role as bioinoculants.

The rapid increase in microbial resources along with the development of biotechnological methods has revolutionized the field of microbial biotechnology. Genome characterization methods and metagenomic approaches further illustrate the role of microorganisms in various fields of research. Recent Advancement in Microbial Biotechnology: Agricultural and Industrial Approach provides an overview on the recent application of the microorganisms in agricultural and industrial improvements. The purpose of this book is to integrate all these diverse areas of research in a common platform. Recent advancement in Microbial Biotechnology targets researchers from both academia and industry, professors and graduate students working in molecular biology, microbiology and biotechnology. - Gives insight in the exploration of microbial functional diversity in different systems - Highlights important microbes and their role in enhancing agricultural productivity - Provides understanding to the basics with advance information of microbial biotechnology - Explores the importance of microbial genomes studies in agricultural and industrial applications

Biofertilizers, Volume One: Advances in Bio-inoculants provides state-of-the-art descriptions of various approaches, techniques and basic fundamentals of BI used in crop fertilization practices. The book presents research within a relevant theoretical framework to improve our understanding of core issues as applied to natural resource management. Authored by renowned scientists actively working on bio-inoculant, biofertilizer and bio-stimulant sciences, the book addresses the scope of inexpensive and energy neutral bio-inoculant technologies and the impact regulation has on biofertilizer utilization. This book is a valuable reference for agricultural/environmental scientists in academic and corporate environments, graduate and post-graduate students, regulators and policymakers. - Informs researchers on how to develop innovative products and technologies that increase crop yields and quality while decreasing agricultural carbon footprints - Focuses on production, protocols and developments in the processing of bio-inoculants, bio-stimulants and bio-fertilizers - Summarizes the biologically active compounds and examines current research areas

Great attention has been paid to reduce the use of conventional chemical fertilizers harming living beings through food chain supplements from the soil environment. Therefore, it is necessary to develop alternative sustainable fertilizers to enhance soil sustainability and agriculture productivity. Biofertilizers are the substance that contains microorganisms (bacteria, algae, and fungi) living or latent cells that can enrich the soil quality with nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, organic matter, etc. They are a cost-effective, biodegradable, and renewable source of plant nutrients/supplements to improve the soil-health properties. Biofertilizers emerge as an attractive alternative to chemical fertilizers, and as a promising cost-effective technology for eco-friendly agriculture and a sustainable environment that holds microorganisms which enhance the soil nutrients' solubility leading a raise in its fertility, stimulates crop growth and healthy food safety. This book provides in-depth knowledge about history and fundamentals to advances biofertilizers, including latest reviews, challenges, and future perspectives. It covers fabrication approaches, and various types of biofertilizers and their applications in agriculture, environment, forestry and industrial sectors. Also, organic farming, quality control, quality assurance, food safety and case-studies of biofertilizers are briefly discussed. Biofertilizers' physical properties, affecting factors, impact, and industry profiles in the market are well addressed. This book is an essential guide for farmers, agrochemists, environmental engineers, scientists, students, and faculty who would like to understand the science behind the sustainable fertilizers, soil chemistry and agroecology.

Rice based cropping system is the major cropping system practised in India which includes the rotation of crops involving rice, pulses, oil seeds, cotton, sugar cane, green manures etc., The rice based cropping system offers lot of scope for the effective utilization of a wide range of biofertilizers such as Azolla, BGA, Azospirillum, Rhizobium Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus and other heterotrophic N2 fixing bacteria which help to increase the yield by reducing the cost of cultivation. It thus has dual advantages of being sustainable without endangering the environment and being highly cost effective. This book ‘Biofertilizer Technology for Rice Based Cropping System’ deals with the current developments in the basic and applied aspects of biofertilizers used in the rice based cropping including the novel endophytic diazotrophs viz., Azorhizobium caulinodans, Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus, Pink Pigmented Facultative Methylotrophs (PPFM) etc. The role of P, Zn and Si solubilizers in the nutrient dynamics of the rice ecosystem has also been covered. The strategies for production and distribution of quality inoculants for rice based cropping system has been given due importance with a focus on the molecular approaches for rapid and reliable quality control of biofertilizers. This book can be considered as a monograph on the usage of biofertilizers in rice based cropping system. It will be very useful for the scientists, researchers, students and extension workers involved in the management of crops in rice based cropping system .

Sharply focused, up-to-date information on microbial biofertilizers—including emerging options such as Piriformospora indica and Matsutake The Handbook of Microbial Biofertilizers provides in-depth coverage of all major microbial biofertilizers (rhizobia, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and cyanobacteriaas well as new and emerging growth promoters (endophytes). It examines the role of microbes in growth promotion, bioprotectors, and bioremidiators, and presents protocols and practical strategies for using microbes in sustainable agriculture. An abundance of helpful charts, tables, and figures make complex information easy to access and understand. In this first-of-its-kind volume, contributors from 11 countries and several continents address important issues surrounding microbial biofertilizers, including: the rhizobium-host-arbuscular mycorrhizal tripartite relationship mycorrhiza as a disease suppresser and stress reducer mycorrhiza helping bacteria the impact of functional groups of soil microorganisms on nutrient turnover PBPRs as biofertilizers and biopesticides the potential of wild-legume rhizobia for use as a biofertilizers the expanding role of blue-green algae in sustainable agriculture the role of microbial fertilizers in sustainable plant production new and emerging endophytes the commercial potential of biofertilizers In this young century, the use of biofertilizers is already growing rapidly. It has been recognized that these environment-friendly bioprotectors, growth boosters, and remediators are essential for soil/plant health. The Handbook of Microbial Biofertilizers is designed to fit the expanding information needs of current and future biotechnologists, microbiologists, botanists, agronomists, environmentalists, and others whose work involves sustained agriculture.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the benefits of biofertilizers as an alternative to chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Agricultural production has increased massively over the last century due to increased use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, but these gains have come at a price. The chemicals are not only expensive; they also reduce microbial activity in agricultural soils and accumulate in the food chain, with potentially harmful effects for humans. Accordingly, it is high time to explore alternatives and to find solutions to overcome our increasing dependence on these chemicals. Biofertilizers, which consist of plant remains, organic matter and microorganisms, might offer an alternative. They are natural, organic, biodegradable, eco-friendly and cost-effective. Further, the microbes present in the biofertilizers are important, because they produce nutrients required for plant growth (e.g., nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), as well as substances essential for plant growth and development (e.g., auxins and cytokinins). Biofertilizers also improve the physical properties, fertility and productivity of soil, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers while maintaining high crop yield. This makes biofertilizers a powerful tool for sustainable agriculture and a sustainable environment. The book covers the latest research on biofertilizers, ranging from beneficial fungal, bacterial and algal inoculants; to microbes for bioremediation, wastewater treatment; and recycling of biodegradable municipal, agricultural and industrial waste; as well as biocontrol agents and bio-pesticides. As such, it offers a valuable resource for researchers, academics and students in the broad fields of microbiology and agriculture.

Chemical fertilizers are widely used with the purpose to enhance output in various product varieties in agriculture. As, chemical fertilizers are the big¬gest reason of posing pollution to the water bodies, ground water, and also bioaccumulates in crops hence badly destroying ecological cycles. Therefore, modern scientists are focusing to switch completely from chemical farming to organic farming in order to encourage sustainable agriculture. In organic farm¬ing crops are not polluted as they rose through use of manures, biofertilizers and biopesticides which not only provides optimum nutrients to plants but also keep pests and pathogens in control. Biofertilizers are actually "microorgan¬isms which bring roughly nutrient enrichment of soil through enhancing the availability of nutrients to plant crops". These micro-organisms who exhibit the ability to act as bio-fertilizers are the bacteria, cyanobacteria and mycor¬rhizal fungi. Biofertilizers provides considerable potent benefits to agriculture as well as public health programmes. Both developing and developed countries have a vast potential for biofertilizers. However, their adoption by farmers es¬pecially in developing countries needs education for maximizing benefits. The stress on organic farming as well as on residue free materials would certainly merit enhanced adoption of biofungicides by the farmers. The use of fungicides reduces crop productivity loss because the chemically synthesized pesticides are no doubt quick in their effect but on the other hand they cause so many environmental and health just as revival of new pests, fungal resistance, loss of soil fertility and persistence of toxic substances when they are consumed by animals and humans. All these problems call for an eco-friendly and sustainable approach in order to decrease the usage and dependence of chemically synthe¬sized fertilizers and pesticides. Similarly, there are so many natural fungicides that can be best alternatives to control fungi and enhancing plant life. Thus, the purpose of this book is to provide that knowledge about recent advancements in the emerging fields of Biofertilizers and Biofungicides as both of them are considered to be ecofriendly as well as sustainable substitutes to chemical fertilizers and fungicides respectively.Chapter 1- 10 discusses all aspects of biofertilizers with special focus on recent advances in this technology while Chapter 11- 14 are about Biofungicides, their applications and recent advances in this field of organic farming.