నైరూప్య

Biofertilizer as an Alternative for Chemical Fertilizers

Maria Ajmal*, Hafiza Iqra Ali, Rashid Saeed, Asna Akhtar, Muniba Tahir, Muhammad Zain Mehboob and Aneesa Ayub

The agriculture industry plays a vital role in the survival of nations, therefore maintaining its quantity and quality is essential for feeding the population and economic exports. The industry has undergone various scientific innovations in order to make it more efficient. However, if such advancements, more commonly known as the Green Revolution, have resulted in better yields they have simultaneously also caused the degradation of the environment. Biofertilizers and biopesticides propose a sustainable solution to the reduction in the use of chemical fertilizers while meeting the demands of the growing population. The use of biofertilizers and pesticides in place of chemicals is likely to reduce the impact on soil, air and water and also has the potential to improve human health. They are not only high in nutritional value but also supply productive microbes to the soil. Biofertilizers increase the effectiveness of chemical fertilizers by using a carrier material on which microbes are mounted. These growing organisms that can be manufactured in both solid and liquid phase with a shelf life difference of 6 months to 2 years have a positive effect on the plant growth and can also be used as fish feed. Biofertilizers and pesticides have also been noted to have some disadvantages. Manufacturers might have to face some complications during various processes. Health risks might also arise with some chances of heavy metal contamination. If these limitations can be overcome, biofertilizers and pesticides can be the answer to the pollution being caused by chemical fertilizers.