Author(s): Somagaini Pavankumar, Jasmeena Qadir, Shalini Aryan, Rajneesh Thakur and Sumiya Afreen

Abstract: Fertilizers play a crucial role in supplying essential nutrients to plants, notably nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and phosphorus (P), thereby enhancing crop yield. However, their usage has been associated with various health risks, soil health, soil infertility and environmental pollution. Consequently, consumers are increasingly favoring organic farming practices, including the use of organic manure and fertilizers. In recent times, biofertilizers have gained prominence as a significant contributor to biological nitrogen fixation. There is a shift toward the use of biofertilizers because they provide nutrition through natural processes like zinc, potassium and phosphorus solubilization, nitrogen fixation, production of hormones and protect the plant from different plant pathogens and stress conditions. They provide the nutrition in is suffcient amount necessary for healthy crop development to fulfill the demand of the increasing population worldwide. They offer an economically viable and environmentally sustainable means of nourishing plants. Biofertilizers serve as a cost-effective renewable nutrient source that complements chemical fertilizers. Particularly among small and marginalized farmers, biofertilizers have garnered attention due to their affordability. This review will focus on biofertilizers, types and their significance in agriculture with special reference to mulberry cultivation.

DOI: 10.33545/26174693.2024.v8.i5Sf.1210