Phosphate solubilizing bacteria & Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi as potential biofertilizers to enhance rice yield & entrepreneurial opportunities involved

Abstract

Biofertilizers can replace chemical fertilizers as they are renewable source of plant nutrients and relatively less expensive. Biofertlizers are selected strains of microorganisms which are beneficial to the growth of the plants. Soil microorganism plays an important role in regulating the levels of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur at the rhizosphere. Solubilization of macronutrient is an important aspect in plant growth and development. Phosphorus is one of the vital nutrient required for optimum growth of plant. Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Aspergillus, are examples of Phosphate solubilising bacteria (PSB). Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form mutuality with roots of most agricultural crops, including rice. These mutualistic associations have shown the potential to increase crop productivity and playing a key role in the functioning and sustainability of agro ecosystems. AMF also facilitate host plants to grow vigorously under stressful conditions like drought, salinity and under disease conditions. Thereby, AMF can be used as a potential bio fertilizer.