Biofertilizers And Biocontrol Agents For Organic Farming

Organic farming is a new revolution in agriculture on a global scale. This has come in wake of realization of ill effects of Green Revolution.This book has given description of adverse effects of chemicals used in agriculture and the urgent need to switch to organic farming by the use of biofertilizers and adopting biocontrol measures. Organic farming is a sustainable option where cheap and ecofriendly biofertilizers are produced by farmers and scientists using various micro organisms such as bacteria, algae and fungi. Green pest management practices using biocontrol agents for minimising the crop loss due to insect pests is extensively described in this book. The authors have also dealt with the different measures adopted in India to popularize the use of biofertilizers and biocontrol agents. The book focuses attention on present day challenge of attaining sustainable agriculture without damaging the environment.

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.

Biofertilizers are seen as an important alternative technology, since the negative externalities of chemical fertilizers have become well known. The use of the latter has led to considerable environmental cost. Biofertilizers do not pollute the soil and do not disrupt the ecological balance, and hence are environment friendly. An increasing number of farmers are using biofertilizers, and the numbers of biofertilizer manufacturing units have also grown considerably. Organic farming system in India is not new and is being followed from ancient time. It is a method of farming system which primarily aimed at cultivating the land and raising crops in such a way, as to keep the soil alive and in good health by use of organic wastes (crop, animal and farm wastes, aquatic wastes) and other biological materials along with beneficial microbes (biofertilizers) to release nutrients to crops for increased sustainable production in an eco friendly pollution free environment. Organic farming has emerged as an important priority area globally in view of the growing demand for safe and healthy food and long term sustainability and concerns on environmental pollution associated with indiscriminate use of agrochemicals. Going organic may be a clear way of getting back to basics and getting away from the havoc chemicals can wreak on our health and our environment but the basics themselves may not be so clear. This book provides the view of immense potential of biofertilizers as a supplementary nutrient source for the crops and covers all major types of bacterial fertilizers. The major contents of this book is crop response to biofertilizers, nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilising microorganisms, application and evaluation techniques, biogas production, pest and disease management system in agriculture, production, promotion, quality control, marketing, future research planning, photographs and details of machineries, list of manufacturers and suppliers of biofertilizers and organic farming in directory section. This book will be of use and interest to consultants, researchers, libraries, and entrepreneurs, manufacturers of biofertilizer and for those who wants to venture in to this field.

This new volume, Biofertilizers and Biopesticides in Sustainable Agriculture, presents strategies for the management of soil and crop diseases. Microbes have attracted worldwide attention due to their role in disease management and remediation of polluted soils. Taking a sustainable approach, this book explores the means of integrating various microbial management approaches to achieve the desired levels of crop yield under both conventional soils and neglected soils through the use of biopesticides and other botanicals as well as biomolecules. This book also presents a broad and updated view of molecular nitrogen fixation and phosphate-solubilizing and sulfur-transforming microbes for nutrition of crops in relation to the role of metal tolerant microbes in providing protection to plants grown in metal-contaminated soils. The preparation and application of biofertilizers, utilization of household waste materials, and use of genetically modified microorganisms (GMOs) in plant growth and development are also well discussed in the volume.

The book entitled "Biopesticides in Organic Farming : Recent Advances", describes critically reviewed, key aspects of organic farming and provides a unique and timely science-based resource for researchers, teachers, extension workers, students, primary producers and others around the world. This book is intended to be a unique and indispensable resource that offers a diverse range of valuable information and perspectives on biopesticides in organic agriculture. It has chapters on each and every aspect related with biopesticides in organic farming which are compiled by researchers and eminent professors at various universities across the globe. The wide spectrum information in various chapters with the addition of the terms related to organic farming and concept statements is presented in very concise manner. Features: This book is designed, as per course curriculum of different universities offering courses on Organic Farming, for undergraduate and post graduate students, researchers, university professors and extension workers. The first section provides, Overview of organic farming with special reference to biopesticides followed by the Principles of the applications of biopesticides in organic farming, Impact of Environmental factors on biopesticides in organic farming, Pesticides Exposure Impacts on Health and Need of Biopesticides in Organic Farming, and Role of nutrients in the management of crop diseases through biopesticides. The next section deals with the management of various crop diseases through biopesticides of bacterial, fungal, viral, and Insect sex hormone, Natural enemies and Integrated Pest Management, Biotechnological Trends in Insect Pests Control Strategy, Challenges in the popularization of Biopesticides in organic farming, Certification process and standards of organic farming and Marketing and export potential of organic Products. Information presented in an accessible way for students, professors, researchers, business innovators and entrepreneurs, management professionals and practitioners.

Global concern over the demerits of chemicals in agriculture has diverted the attention of researchers towards using the potential of PGPR in agriculture. This book contains many useful and important research papers pertaining to the use of bio-fertilizers and bio-fungicides for sustainable agriculture. This volume is presented in an easy-to-understand manner,with well-illustrated protocols on the production to commercialization of PGPR. The chapters on commercial potential, trade and regulatory issues among Asian countries are worthwhile additions. As such, this book will prove useful for students, researchers, teachers, and entrepreneurs in the area of PGPR and its allied fields.

This book addresses basic and applied aspects of two nexus points of microorganisms in agro-ecosystems, namely their functional role as bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides. Readers will find detailed information on all of the aspects that are required to make a microbe “agriculturally beneficial.” A healthy, balanced soil ecosystem provides a habitat for crops to grow without the need for interventions such as agro-chemicals. No organism in an agro-ecosystem can flourish individually, which is why research on the interaction of microorganisms with higher forms of life has increasingly gained momentum in the last 10-15 years. In fact, most of plants’ life processes only become possible through interactions with microorganisms. Using these “little helpers” as a biological alternative to agro-chemicals is a highly contemporary field of research. The information presented here is based on the authors’ extensive experience in the subject area, gathered in the course of their careers in the field of agricultural microbiology. The book offers a valuable resource for all readers who are actively involved in research on agriculturally beneficial microorganisms. In addition, it will help prepare readers for the future challenges that climate change will pose for agriculture and will help to bridge the current gaps between different scientific communities.

Advances in Organic Farming: Agronomic Soil Management Practices focuses on the integrated interactions between soil-plant-microbe-environment elements in a functioning ecosystem. It explains sustainable nutrient management under organic farming and agriculture, with chapters focusing on the role of nutrient management in sustaining global ecosystems, the remediation of polluted soils, conservation practices, degradation of pollutants, biofertilizers and biopesticides, critical biogeochemical cycles, potential responses for current and impending environmental change, and other critical factors. Organic farming is both challenging and exciting, as its practice of “feeding the soil, not the plant provides opportunity to better understand why some growing methods are preferred over others. In the simplest terms, organic growing is based on maintaining a living soil with a diverse population of micro and macro soil organisms. Organic matter (OM) is maintained in the soil through the addition of compost, animal manure, green manures and the avoidance of excess mechanization. Presents a comprehensive overview of recent advances and new developments in the field OF research within a relevant theoretical framework Highlights the scope of the inexpensive and improved management practices Focuses on the role of nutrient management in sustaining the ecosystems