Biofertiliser

A biofertilizer is a large population of a specific or a group of beneficial microorganisms, millions and billions of them are incorporated aseptically into sterile carrier materials such as peat, lignite or charcoal. Such material is generally packed in plastic bag and sold to the farmers as biofertiliser for enhancing the productivity of soil either by fixing atmospheric nitrogen or by solubilising soil phosphorus or by stimulating plant growth through synthesis of growth promoting substances. 

The manufacturing process of biofertiliser includes the collection of bacterial strains, mother culture, multiplication, grinding and sterilization of the carrier material (which is unique), blending of the bacterial broth culture with carrier and packing. The various equipments/ instruments required for the manufacture of biofertilisers are - steam boiler, autoclaves, fermenters, blending machines and packing machines. Laboratory equipments like laminar flow, BOD incubator, shakers, microscope, spectrophotometer, pH meter, refrigerator, sensitive balances, colony counter, hot air oven, deionizer, centrifuge and other routine laboratory glassware are also required. 

In view of the huge area under cultivation for pulses, oilseeds, cereals, millets, fibre, sugarcane and vegetable crops, there is enormous potential for biofertiliser marketing in India. About 460 million packets of inoculate of 200 g each are required for inoculating to various crops having a coverage of 184 million hectare in India. Looking into the future expansion of areas and evolution of better strains which would be required to be provided everywhere, the future expected demand of biofertiliser is to be in the order of 15,000 to 20,000 MT per year. 

Areas of Applications: 

The technology offered is suitable for the manufacture of biofertilisers based on Rhizobium, Azospirillium, Azotobacter, Phosphate solubilisers, etc.

Advantages: 

Bio-fertilizers based on renewable energy source are cost effective supplement to chemical fertilizers, eco-friendly and can help to economise on the high investment needed for chemical fertilizer use as far as nitrogen and phosphorus are concerned. 

Stage of Development: 

Fully developed and available commercially. 

Inputs required: 

Carrier- Vermiculite, lignite or peat , chemicals, Microorganism culture and Packing material.
Utilities Required (per annum) Steam 10 KL, Power 45 KvA, Water 15 KL.
Plant and Machinery required : Boiler , Blender, Autoclaves, Packing machine, Fermenters.

Economic Data: 

Investment for total plant and Machinery will be about Rs. 20 Lakhs.

Source: National Research Development Corporation