Mycorrhizal Biofertilizers for agriculture and horticulture crops of Andhra pradesh

Abstract

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) constitute a group of root obligate organisms those exchange mutual benefits with about 80% of plants. AM fungi occur in the majority of natural habitats and they improve plant by enhancing nutrition, stress resistance and tolerance, soil structure and fertility. AM fungi also interact with most crop plants including cereals, vegetables, and fruit trees. Therefore, they receive increasing attention for their potential use in sustainable agriculture. In Andhra Pradesh, commercial crops especially chilly, cotton and turmeric are grown in vast area along with field crops, vegetable and fruit crops. However, to improve their productivity, mycorrhizae biofertilizers are developed by ICAR’s All India Network Project on Soil Biodiversity Biofertilizers at Agricultural Research station, Amaravathi of Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University. Efficient strains for each crop were selected through intensive screening. The host based production technology developed for the large scale production of VAM biofertilizer. Powder formulation of VAM biofertilizers are being supplied to the farmers of Andhra Pradesh. VAM biofertilizers enhanced the activity of other beneficial microorganisms, reduced the chemical fertilizers usages and improved the crop yield by 25-30 per cent. Field level Officers and workers of various organizations were trained on the VAM biofertilizers technology and its usage. During last seven years (2015-22) 1,00,322 kgs of VAM worth Rs. 45,77,590 biofertilizers were distributed to the farmers and covered about 20,064 acres in the cultivation of various crops in Andhra Pradesh.