"The Future of Sustainable Agriculture: The Growing Importance of Biofertilizers in West Bengal and India"

 

As the global population continues to grow, the demand for food production is also increasing. However, traditional farming practices are proving to be unsustainable and are harming the environment. The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is causing soil degradation, water pollution, and even health hazards for farmers and consumers. Therefore, a shift towards more sustainable agricultural practices is essential. One such practice that holds great promise for the future of agriculture in West Bengal and India is the use of biofertilizers. 

Biofertilizers are living organisms that help to increase soil fertility by fixing nitrogen, solubilizing phosphorus, and mobilizing other nutrients. Unlike chemical fertilizers, biofertilizers are eco-friendly and do not cause any harm to the environment or human health. They are also cost-effective and can be easily produced using local resources. 

 In West Bengal, where agriculture is a major source of income for a large number of people, the use of biofertilizers is gaining popularity. With the state government's emphasis on sustainable agriculture and organic farming, farmers are increasingly turning to biofertilizers as a means of improving soil health and crop yields. 

  One of the most widely used biofertilizers in West Bengal is Rhizobium. Rhizobium is a bacteria that fixes atmospheric nitrogen in the soil and makes it available to plants. It is commonly used in leguminous crops such as beans, peas, and lentils, which are widely cultivated in the state. The use of Rhizobium not only reduces the cost of chemical fertilizers, but also increases crop yield and improves soil health. 

  Another biofertilizer that is gaining popularity in West Bengal is Azotobacter. Azotobacter is a free-living nitrogen-fixing bacterium that helps to increase soil fertility and crop yield. It is particularly effective in paddy fields and has been found to increase rice yield by up to 20%. 

 In India, the government has also recognized the importance of biofertilizers in sustainable agriculture. Under the National Project on Development and Use of Bio fertilizers, a National Biofertilizer Development Centre (NBDC) was set up at Ghaziabad in 1983 to promote the use of biofertilizers in the country. The center has been instrumental in developing new strains of biofertilizers and promoting their use among farmers. 

 In recent years, the government has also launched various schemes to encourage the use of biofertilizers. For instance, the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) provides financial assistance to farmers for the purchase of biofertilizers. The Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) promotes organic farming and encourages the use of biofertilizers. 

 In conclusion, the use of biofertilizers is the future of agriculture in West Bengal and India. With their eco-friendly and cost-effective nature, biofertilizers can help to improve soil health, increase crop yield, and promote sustainable agriculture. The government's initiatives to promote the use of biofertilizers and organic farming are steps in the right direction, and it is essential that farmers are encouraged to adopt these practices to ensure the sustainability of agriculture in the region.

BIO-FERTILIZER (OVERVIEW, EFFECT ON TEA, APPLICATION PROCESS, PRODUCTS & DOSES)

1.   Introduction : Chemical Fertilizer is the main source of nutrients of the Tea Plants for better yield indeed. But our ecological system does not permit any plants to intake nutrients directly from chemical fertilizers. All Plant needs nutrients in their solubilised from which is being done by few microbes in field always.  That has been identified by our modern agriculture science and suggested for Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) instead of Chemical farming alone. As the excessive use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture not only resulting  the reducing productivity of Soil but also it  has resulted in several environmental problems like ozone layer depletion, poor soil health, due to the decline in natural microflora and acidification of water.

To overcome these problems application of biofertilizers has been found effective. Generally the biofertilizers are beneficial microorganisms involve in breakdown of organic matter, Nitrogen fixation, and secretion of growth promoting substances. They also supply nutrients to the plants, control soil borne diseases and maintain the soil structure in cultivable fields. Intensive research has been done to find out the usefulness of this aspect in the tea plantations.

2.   Effect on Tea: Certain group of bacteria and fungi are considered as bio-fertilizers in tea and they are freely available in top soil and usually associate with plants having symbiotic relationship. These organisms receive nutrients from the plant tissue and in turn supply the required nitrogen and phosphorus to plants. The following group of bacteria and fungi are major bio-fertilizers available in tea soil.

Nitrogen fixing bacteria (N₂) Although N₂ is abundant (around 80%) the atmospheric N₂ is not readily available for plant uptake and some bacteria are capable of N₂ fixation from the atmospheric N₂ pool. Many free living N₂ fixing bacteria occur in soil. Some have adapted to form symbiotic association with plants. The amount of N₂ fixed by these organisms is considerable because of the close proximity they have with their host plant. Efficient plant use of field N₂ minimizes volatilization, leaching and denitrification. The major types of nitrogen fixing bacteria are Rhizobium, Azospirillum and Frankia.                                          

For tea productivity Azosprillum is the most efficient for increasing the nutrient enhancement in the seedlings. The genus Azospirillum is an effective root colonizer and its use is not limited by host specificity. Azospirillum is free living in soils so that it can be cultured and produced in artificial medium. When adding Azospirillum to your soil, it work on the root zones of your plants, then the Azospirillum bacteria reproduce and multiply on the root hairs and create little swollen bumps called root nodules. It is inside these nodules these little bacteria fixes the atmospheric nitrogen and makes it available to a plant which is very beneficial to the plant’s health. The commercially available Azospirillum also can be used at the rate of 5g/ seedling,  however it depends on the required population of infective propagules and strains which have positive response to the host.  Azospirillum stimulates the density and length of root hairs, increases the growth through hormonal production, increases biomass, increases survival rate and fixes nitrogen.

Phosphate solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) for tea PSB plays a major role in the solubilization and uptake of native and applied soil. Phosphate is essential for early establishment and better growth of plants. Most of the Indian soils are deficient in P and its requirement is met by the addition of phosphate fertilizers in the form of aluminium or iron phosphate. But these fertilizers are becoming expensive and may have adverse effect on tea. Hence, the phosphate solubilizing bacteria have to be used as they play an important role in the utilization of unavailable native phosphate by bringing about changes in soil producing chelating agents and organic acids. Generally Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium and Streptomyces are involved in P solubilization. This bacteria have to be isolated from the soil and cultured under laboratory conditions with a suitable medium. However, the commercially available PSB also can be used at the rate of 5g/seedling.

Potash mobilizing bacteria (KMB) regulates the permeability of the cellular membrane. It activates number of enzymes, like alcohol dehydrogenise and its deficiency decreases photosynthesis. KMB plays a vital role in the formation of amino acids and proteins from ammonium ions, which are absorbed by roots and soils. Potash mobilizing bacteria increases the resistance of tea plants to hot and dry conditions and insects, pest & diseases.

 Application:

Ø  Application  of all Bio fertilizers must be in soil either broadcasting or spraying.

Ø  Bio-Fertilizers works well if the soil contains organic matters. So use Vermi Compost or FYM along with Bio-Fertilizer.

Ø  It is always provide better result if Bio-fertilizer be mixed with Vermi Compost / FYM and kept under shade for 2-3 days before application to soil as this increases the quantity of microbes double in every 12 hours.

Ø  Broadcasting or Spraying preferably be done late in the afternoon to avoid sunlight.

Ø  Separate Container should be used for Bio-Fertilizers and before spray the container should be washed carefully.

Ø  Once open use whole pack immediately and use pack within its validity period.

Ø  Do not mix any Bio-Fertilizer with chemical fertilizer/pesticides and fungisides.

Ø  Apply Bio-Fertilizer at least 7 days before or after application of chemical fertilizer/pesticides/fungicides.

4.   PRODUCTS:

Astha Azospi

Astha Azospi  is neutral carrier based microbial inoculants consisting of 1 x 107 of Azosprillum Sp.

Composition:
1x 10⁷ cells of Azospirillum Sp./gm Of carrier and activated charcoal ( May Contain Moisture up to 40 % ) for powder form.

 1x 10⁷ cells of Azospirillum Sp./ml Of carrier and liquid carrier for liquid from.

Dosage:

Method of use	Doses
For Nursery	Mix 250gms / 250ml of Astha Azospi with 50 Kgs of vermi Compost/Organic Manure. Keep the mixture under shade for 2-3 days and broadcast the mixture to nursery thereafter.
Soil Applicaion	Mix 2.5kg./2.5Ltr of Astha Azospi with 100 Kgs of vermi Compost/Organic Manure and broadcast to 1 Acre of area.
Spraying	Mix 5 ml. of Astha Azospi with 1 liter of water and spray the same on evening.

Available Packing:  Dust – 100 gm, 500 gm, 1 Kg. , Liquid – 100 ml. , 500 ml. , 1 Ltr.

Astha Azo

Astha Azo  is neutral carrier based microbial inoculants consisting of 1 x 107 of Azotobactor Sp.

Composition:
1x 10⁷ cells of Azotobactor Sp./gm Of carrier and activated charcoal ( May Contain Moisture up to 40 % ) for powder form.

 1x 10⁷ cells of Azotobactor Sp./ml Of carrier and liquid carrier for liquid from.

Dosage:

Method of use	Doses
For Nursery	Mix 250gms / 250ml of Astha Azo with 50 Kgs of vermi Compost/Organic Manure. Keep the mixture under shade for 2-3 days and broadcast the mixture to nursery thereafter.
Soil Applicaion	Mix 2.5kg./2.5Ltr of Astha Azo with 100 Kgs of vermi Compost/Organic Manure and broadcast to 1 Acre of area.
Spraying	Mix 5 ml. of Astha Azo with 1 liter of water and spray the same on evening.

Available Packing:  Dust – 100 gm, 500 gm, 1 Kg. , Liquid – 100 ml. , 500 ml. , 1 Ltr.

Astha PSB

Astha PSB is a netural carrier based microbial inculants consisting of 1×107 of phosphate solubilising microbes.

Composition:
1x 10⁷ cells of Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria/gm Of carrier and activated charcoal ( May Contain Moisture up to 40 % ) for powder form.

 1x 10⁷ cells of Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria/ml Of carrier and liquid carrier for liquid from.

Dosage:

Method of use	Doses
For Nursery	Mix 250gms / 250ml of Astha PSB with 50 Kgs of vermi Compost/Organic Manure. Keep the mixture under shade for 2-3 days and broadcast the mixture to nursery thereafter.
Soil Applicaion	Mix 2.5kg./2.5Ltr of Astha PSB with 100 Kgs of vermi Compost/Organic Manure and broadcast to 1 Acre of area.
Spraying	Mix 5 ml. of Astha PSB with 1 litter of water and spray the same on evening.

Available Packing:  Dust – 100 gm, 500 gm, 1 Kg. , Liquid – 100 ml. , 500 ml. , 1 Ltr.

Astha AZO- PSB

Astha AZO-PSB is a natural carrier based microbial inoculants consisting of Azotobacter sp, Azospirrillum Sp. & Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria.

Composition:
1x 10⁷ cells of Azotobactor Sp., Azosprillum Sp and Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria/gm Of carrier and activated charcoal ( May Contain Moisture up to 40 % ) for powder form.

 1x 10⁷ cells of Azotobactor Sp., Azosprillum Sp and Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria /ml Of carrier and liquid carrier for liquid from.

Dosage:

Method of use	Doses
For Nursery	Mix 250gms / 250ml of Astha AZO-PSB with 50 Kgs of vermi Compost/Organic Manure. Keep the mixture under shade for 2-3 days and broadcast the mixture to nursery thereafter.
Soil Applicaion	Mix 2.5kg./2.5Ltr of Astha AZO-PSB with 100 Kgs of vermi Compost/Organic Manure and broadcast to 1 Acre of area.
Spraying	Mix 5 ml. of AsthaAZO- PSB with 1 litter of water and spray the same on evening.

Available Packing:  Dust – 100 gm, 500 gm, 1 Kg. , Liquid – 100 ml. , 500 ml. , 1 Ltr.

Astha BIO-NPK

AsthaBio NPK is the mixture of some most powerful organisms (Azotobacter, Azospirilurn, PSB, and PMB) which has the capability of dissolving, insoluble nitrogen, phosphorus and potash in soil and vendors those insoluble nutrients Available to plants by the action of Organic acid produced. It also helps to provide nitrogen to the plant. It produces biologically active metabolites like vitamins, indole acetic acid, gibberellins, cytokynins which promotes plant growth.

Composition:

1×10⁷  cells of Azotobactor Sp./ml of carrier.

1×10⁷  cells of Azospirilurn Sp./ml of carrier.

1×10⁷  cells of PSB/ml of carrier.

1×10⁷ C cells of PMB/ml of carrier and liquid carrier.

Dosage:

Method of use	Doses
For Nursery	Mix 250ml of Astha BIO-NPK with 50 Kgs of vermi Compost/Organic Manure. Keep the mixture under shade for 2-3 days and broadcast the mixture to nursery thereafter.
Soil Applicaion	Mix 2.5Ltr of Astha BIO-NPK with 100 Kgs of vermi Compost/Organic Manure and broadcast to 1 Acre of area.
Spraying	Mix 5 ml. of Astha BIO-NPK with 1 litter of water and spray the same on evening.

Available Packing:  250ml. 500ml and 1 Ltr.