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INTRODUCTION
Food
security, nutritional security, sustainability and profitability are the main
focus of present Indian agricultural development. In fact, it has been observed
that, 50% of food grain productivity has come through fertilizers alone. India
has been depending on chemical fertilizers to
increase food production since,
no much scope has not been made out for
use of other sources of plant nutrition. In recent years, the country
has witnessed yield stagnation, despite use of increased doses of chemical
fertilizers, deterioration of soil organic stock, low fertilizer use
efficiency, mismatch between nutrient removal through growth of and low replenishment to the soil, imbalance
in NPK ratio, etc. On the other hand,
biological fixation of atmospheric di-nitrogen as a free source of
nitrogen or biological availability of phosphate for agriculture has been key factors in contributing
agricultural productivity. Chemical fertilizers are no doubt
indispensable part of modern agricultural practices, but the technology of
production of chemical fertilizers is heavily dependent on fossil fuels. Use of
heavy dosage of scarcely chemical fertilizers and on one hand, and economical
and environmental considerations on the other have brought in focus the
biological alternatives to augment agricultural productivity. In order to maintain sustainable
agricultural productivity and soil fertility, use of different biological
sources for meeting crop nutrients requirements through microbial resources,
Ministry of Agriculture, Dept. of Agriculture & Cooperation sanctioned a
Scheme “National Project on Development
& Use of Biofertilizers” during
7th Five year plan, so as to promote the use of biofertilizers in
Indian agriculture for augmenting crop nutrients through soil microbes. In the Project, one of the mandate is to
conduct Field Demonstrations on Biofertilizers on different so as to test the
efficacy of biofertilizers and demonstrate their usefulness to the farming
community. The National Biofertilizer Development Centre (NBDC) Ghaziabad as
well as Regional Biofertilizer Development Centres (RBDCs) at Bangalore,
Nagpur, Jabalpur, Bhubneshwer, Hisar and Imphal has been conducting
biofertilizer field trials on various crops. The Project conducted large no. of
field demonstrations using different
biofertilizers like Rhizobium,
Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganisms (PSM),
BGA, Azolla etc. Crop response studies at the Farmers field
at different agro climatic locations have been carried out in order to convince
and create confidence of farmers about biofertilizer technology. Although,
scientific information on crop response of biofertilizers are documented in few
cereals, pulse, oil yielding seed crops, sugarcane but, information on field
trials as well as use of biofertilizers in large number of other presently
grown in vast areas is scantily documented like on small millets, large no. of
vegetable, fruit, condiment & spice, plantation, tobacco, fibre yielding
and flower crops. A scrutiny of information indicated non-availability of such
critical data on biofertilizer technology.
Although, chemical fertilizers are needed to any of the crops but the
farmer uses these only when there is scope for economic benefit. Moreover, the
chemical fertilizers are costly and their response is decreasing. Obviously the farmer is interested in a low
cost input technology. However, the
farmer is basically interested in terms of gain of extra yield,
fertilizer savings, and economic returns before using a new technology. Hence, it was felt necessary to compile the
observations on Field Demonstration-cum-trials conducted on as many as 53 crops
during 10 years (1989 to 1999) by all the seven Centres, so as to critically
assess and evaluate the potential benefits of biofertilizers in terms of unit
area extra yield, N & P fertilizer savings and economic returns.
CHAPTER - I
ANALYSIS OF FIELD DEMONSTRATION TRIALS
The
Field demonstration trials (FD-trials) using different biofertilizers were
conducted in 25 States/U.Ts. with varied no. of crops, under the Project “National Project on Development and Use of
Biofertilizers” during the period 1988-89 to 98-99. Based on the
observations, an exercise has been carried out to quantify contribution of
biofertilizers in augmenting nutrition in agriculture, so as to assess the
potential benefits to the farmers.
1.1. Analysis of Information – Centre-wise
A scrutiny of data indicated that, NBDC, Ghaziabad conducted 273 no. of field trials in the States of
Uttar Pradesh and Urraranchal; RBDC,
Imphal conducted 253 trials in Sikkim and 7 North-Eastern States, RBDC, Bhubneshwer conducted 113 trials
in the States of Orissa, West Bengal, Andaman & Nicobar, RBDC, Nagpur conducted 137 field trials
in the States of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, RBDC, Bangalore conducted 104 field trials in the States of
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala & Pondicherry, RBDC, Jabalpur conducted 89 trials in the States of Madhya Pradesh,
Rajasthan and Gujarat and RBDC, Hisar
conducted 81 trials in the States of Haryana and Punjab. Out of the total
successful 1050 field trials, 513 trials were conducted by National &
Regional Centres directly and the rest of 537 trials were conducted under the
supervision of other agencies like State Govt. Depts. / Kvass /NGOs
/Biofertilizer Production Units. Amongst BF field trials conducted by other
agencies, 197 were conducted by NBDC, Ghaziabad; 177 by RBDC, Imphal; 52 by
RBDC, Bhubneshwer; 63 by RBDC, Nagpur; 27 by RBDC, Bangalore and 22 by RBDC,
Jabalpur (Table 1).
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TABLE 1: ANALYSIS OF FIELD DEMONSTRATION TRIALS ON BIOFERTILIZERS - CENTRE WISE |
||||
|
Sl.No. |
Name of the Centre |
No of FDs |
Conducted |
Total |
|
|
|
By Centre |
By others |
|
|
1 |
NBDC, Ghaziabad |
76 |
197 |
273 |
|
2 |
RBDC, Hisar |
81 |
Nil |
81 |
|
3 |
RBDC, Imphal |
76 |
177 |
253 |
|
4 |
RBDC, Jabalpur |
68 |
21 |
89 |
|
5 |
RBDC, Bhubneshwer |
61 |
52 |
113 |
|
6 |
RBDC, Nagpur |
74 |
63 |
137 |
|
7 |
RBDC, Bangalore |
77 |
27 |
104 |
|
|
TOTAL |
513 |
537 |
1050 |
1.2. Analysis of Information
–Crop wise
In
order to assess the efficacy of biofertilizers, large no. of crops were tested
in the FD trials and their distribution was as follows: Under cereal, 238
trials where on rice, 304 on wheat, among millets, on maize 19 trials, ragi 6
trials, pearl millet 5 trials, sorghum 4 trials and 2 trials on barley. Among pulse, 46 trials were conducted on
bengal-gram, 3 on black-gram, 8 on green-gram, 9 on red-gram and 2 trials on
lentil. Among oil yielding crops, 21
trials on groundnut, 27 trials on mustard, 44 trials on soybean, 11 trials on
sunflower, 2 trials on safflower and 1 trial on niger were conducted. In
sugarcane, 16 Field Demonstration trials were conducted. In vegetable crops, 16 trials on cabbage, 13
on brinjal, 14 on french-bean, 18 on tomato, 10 on cauliflower, 4 on carrot, 1
on beetroot, 1 on cowpea, 2 on cucumber, 2 on knol-khol, 2 on onion, 1 on
chow-chow, 1 trial on radish were conducted.
Further, on pea and potato 54 field demonstrations each were conducted. Among fruit crops on, banana, orange 2 trials
each and 1 each on grape, passion fruit and watermelon were taken. Among condiment and spices, Indian rape 8,
chili and ginger 4 each, and garlic one trials were conducted. Among
Plantation, 2 field trials in coffee and one in coconut were observed. Amongst
the fibre yielding crops, 31 field trials in cotton, 15 in jute, 7 in mulberry
besides 1 trial in tobacco and flower like 1 each in rose, jasmine and marigold
were tested (Table 2). The per cent
coverage was rice 23%, wheat 23%, millets 3%, pulses 8%, oil seed crops 10%,
sugarcane 2%, vegetable crops 19% and others
3% (Fig. 1).
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TABLE 2 :
ANALYSIS OF FIELD DEMONSTRATION TRIALS ON BIOFERTILIZRS- CROP WISE |
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|
Sl. No. |
Type of Crop |
Name of the Crop |
No. of FDs Conducted |
|
1 |
Cereal Crops |
I Rice |
238 |
|
|
|
ii Wheat |
304 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
Millets |
I Barley |
2 |
|
|
|
ii Maize |
19 |
|
|
|
iii Pearl Millet |
5 |
|
|
|
iv Ragi |
6 |
|
|
|
v Sorghum |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
Pulses |
I Bengal-gram |
46 |
|
|
|
ii Black-gram |
3 |
|
|
|
iii Green-gram |
8 |
|
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|
iv Red-gram |
9 |
|
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|
v Lentil |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
Oil Yielding Crops |
I Groundnut |
21 |
|
|
|
ii Mustard |
27 |
|
|
|
iii Safflower |
2 |
|
|
|
iv Soybean |
44 |
|
|
|
v Sunflower |
11 |
|
|
|
vi Niger |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
Sugar Yielding Crop |
I Sugarcane |
16 |
|
6 |
Vegetable Crops |
I Beetroot |
1 |
|
|
|
ii Brinjal |
13 |
|
|
|
iii Cabbage |
16 |
|
|
|
iv Carrot |
4 |
|
|
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v Cauliflower |
10 |
|
|
|
vi Cowpea |
1 |
|
|
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vii Cucumber |
2 |
|
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Viii French-bean |
14 |
|
|
|
ix Knol-Khol |
2 |
|
|
|
x Lady's Finger |
3 |
|
|
|
xi Onion |
2 |
|
|
|
xii Pea |
54 |
|
|
|
Xiii Potato |
56 |
|
|
|
xiv Radish |
1 |
|
|
|
xv Tomato |
18 |
|
|
|
xvi Cho-Cho |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
7 |
Fruit Crops |
I Banana |
2 |
|
|
|
ii Grapes |
1 |
|
|
|
iii Orange |
2 |
|
|
|
Iv Passion Fruit |
1 |
|
|
|
V Water Melon |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
8 |
Codiment & Spices Crops |
I Chilly |
4 |
|
|
|
ii Garlic |
1 |
|
|
|
Iii Ginger |
4 |
|
|
|
Iv Indian Rape |
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
9 |
Plantation Crops |
I Coconut |
1 |
|
|
|
ii Coffee |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
10 |
Fibre Yielding Crops |
I Cotton |
31 |
|
|
|
ii Jute |
15 |
|
|
|
Iii Mulberry |
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
11 |
Nicotine Yielding Crop |
I Tobacco |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
12 |
Flower Crops |
I Jasmine |
1 |
|
|
|
Ii Marigold |
1 |
|
|
|
iii Rose |
1 |
|
|
Grand Total |
53 |
1050 FDs |
1.3. Analysis of Information -
Biofertilizer wise
Biofertilizers
were tested on 53 crops in 1050 FDs.
The biofertilizers used were Rhizobium
in 153 field trials, Azospirillum in 96, Azotobacter in 401, Blue Green Algae (BGA) in 70 and Azolla in 2 trials. The largest no. were
conducted using Azotobacter only
which covered 38% of demonstrations.
Among phosphatic biofertilizers,
Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganisms (PSM), alone were tested in 44
trials and in combination with Azospirillum
in 70 trials, in 166 trials with Azotobacter,
in 40 trials with Rhizobium and in 8 trials
with BGA which covered demonstrations 31% (Table 3a, Fig.2 ).
|
|
|
TABLE 3a : ANALYSIS OF BIOFERTILIZER FIELD
DEMONSTRATIONS – BIOFERTILIZER WISE |
|
||||
|
Sl. No. |
Type of Biofertilizer |
Biofertilizer Used |
No. of FDs Conducted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
Nitrogenous Biofertilizer |
Rhizobium |
153 |
|
|
|
|
|
Azospirillum |
96 |
|
|
|
|
|
Azotobacter |
401 |
|
|
|
|
|
BGA |
70 |
|
|
|
|
|
Azolla |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
Phosphatic Biofertilizer |
PSM |
44 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
Nitrogenous+Phosphatic |
Rhizobium + PSM |
40 |
|
|
|
|
Biofertilizer |
Azospirillum +PSM |
70 |
|
|
|
|
|
Azotobacter +PSM |
166 |
|
|
|
|
|
BGA + PSM |
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL 1050 |
|
|
1.4 Analysis of Information
-State wise
Out
of 1050 field trials conducted in 25 States/U.Ts., the distribution was 252 demonstrations in U.P., 108 in Orissa,
101 in Maharashtra, 90 in Assam, 87 in Karnataka, 76 in Madhya Pradesh, 74 in
Haryana, 57 in Mizoram, 44 in Manipur, 32 in Andhra Pradesh, 21 in Uttaranchal,
20 in Tripura and less than 20 nos. in Punjab, Nagaland, Sikkim, Meghalaya,
Rajasthan, Gujarat, West Bengal, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Pondicherry (Table 3b).
The per cent distribution of FDs indicates that 25% were conducted in UP
which was the highest.
|
Sl. No. |
Name of the
State |
No. of FDs
Conducted |
|
1 |
Uttar Pradesh |
252 |
|
2 |
Orissa |
108 |
|
3 |
Maharashtra |
101 |
|
4 |
Assam |
90 |
|
5 |
Karnataka |
87 |
|
6 |
Madhya Pradesh |
76 |
|
7 |
Haryana |
74 |
|
8 |
Mizoram |
57 |
|
9 |
Manipur |
44 |
|
10 |
Andhra Pradesh |
32 |
|
11 |
Uttaranchal |
21 |
|
12 |
Tripura |
20 |
|
13 |
Arunachal Pradesh |
12 |
|
14 |
Tamil Nadu |
12 |
|
15 |
Rajastan |
12 |
|
16 |
Meghalaya |
11 |
|
17 |
Sikkim |
11 |
|
18 |
Nagaland |
8 |
|
19 |
Punjab |
7 |
|
20 |
West Bengal |
5 |
|
21 |
Goa |
4 |
|
22 |
Pondicherry |
2 |
|
23 |
Andaman & Nicobar |
2 |
|
24 |
Gujarat |
1 |
|
25 |
Kerala |
1 |
|
|
|
TOTAL 1050 |
TABLE 3b: ANALYSIS OF FIELD DEMONSTRATION TRIALS
ON BIOFERTILIZERS - STATE WISE
CHAPTER II
BASIC TIPS ON BIOFERTILIZERS
2.1.
Biofertilizer Technology
Although, different microbial organisms occur in soil
habitat, however, their number are often inadequate in nature to effect
increased crop production by supplying
of crop nutrients biologically.
Hence, it necessitates to inoculate, artificially cultured
microorganisms in adequate number so as to fix atmospheric nitrogen
biologically or solubilize / mobilizing soil phosphates and supply crop
nutrition to the beneficiary crops. This biofertilizer technology is used
globally for increasing crop productivity and maintenance of soil fertility,
the agriculturally important microorganisms are used in biofertilizer
production which are either natural isolates obtained by selection process or
strain characteristics improved by mutation/biotechnological protocols. The
contribution of biofertilizer,
primarily depends on the efficacy of microbial strain present in the
biofertilizer packet and hence, it is desirable to choose a promising bacteria
for use in commercial inoculants by the biofertilizer producers with strain
characteristics like:
I.
Fix adequate
nitrogen or solubilize phosphate with high ability for colonizing in the root
rhizosphere, form nodule in case of Rhizobium
II.
Ability to grow well
in artificial media with genetic stability.
III.
Ability to remain
viable in the inoculant carrier material
IV.
Ability to tolerate
environmental and persist in soil stress
V.
Compatibility with
host or range of crops
The selected strains are mass multiplied under aseptic
conditions in a suitable fermenter, so as to get the desired population of 108
or 109 and quality of the broth in terms of microbial load as well
as freedom from contamination are checked and the broth mixed with
pre-sterilized carrier material. The carrier material should have high water
holding capacity, non-toxicity to the microorganisms, easily sterilizable and having particle size of 150-200 micron
besides, it should have good buffering
capacity. The mixing of broth with
carrier material and packing are done under aseptic conditions with aid of a
dispenser or semi automatic production system. The biofertilizers produced are
subjected for quality assurance by observing series of microbial protocols to
check the microbial inoculum load of 108
or 109 per gram of carrier material besides authentication of the
strain using conventional or serological methods before the biofertilizer
packets are marketed by the biofertilizer producers.
2.1.1.
Types of Biofertilizer and their Beneficiary Crops
Biofertilizers have been broadly divided, based on their
nature of functions like Rhizobium,
Azotobacter, Azospirillum, BGA, and Azolla
which have the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen through the nitrogenase
enzyme, which in turn enhance the nitrogen nutrition to the beneficiary crop are used under the name of Nitrogenous biofertilizers. On the other hand, bacterial cultures of Bacillus, Pseudomonas etc. as well as
fungal cultures like Penecillium and Aspergillus solubilize insoluble
phosphates present in the soil into soluble forms through secretion of organic
acids and thus, improve the phosphate availability to the crops and are used as
Phosphatic biofertilizers. However, the biofertilizers are mostly crop specific which are dependent on the
compatibility of the microorganisms with the beneficiary crop for delivering
maximum utility (Table 4).
Table 4. Biofertilizers and their generalized
beneficiary crops
|
Name of the Biofertiliser |
Beneficiary Crops |
|
Rhizobium |
Crop specific
biofertilizers for legume like
Groundnut, |
|
|
Soybean, Red-gram,
Green-gram, Black-gram, |
|
|
Lentil, Cowpea,
Bengal-gram and Fodder legumes |
|
|
|
|
Azotobacter |
Cotton, Vegetables,
Mulberry, Plantation Crop, Rice, |
|
|
Wheat, Barley,
Ragi, Jowar, Mustard, Safflower, Niger, |
|
|
Sunflower, Tobacco,
Fruit , Spices, Condiment , |
|
|
Ornamental Flower |
|
|
|
|
Azospirillum |
Sugarcane,
Vegetables, Maize, Pearl millet, Rice, Wheat, |
|
|
Fodders, Oil seeds,
Fruit and Flower |
|
|
|
|
Blue Green
Algae |
Rice |
|
|
|
|
Azolla |
Rice |
|
|
|
Phosphate Solubilizing |
All Crops (non
specific) |
|
Microorganisms |
|
2.1.2. Inoculant Standard
The standard of biofertilisers have been published by Bureau
of Indian Standards (BIS) as per the following details :
1.
Rhizobium (IS:8268 :2000)
2.
Azotobacter (IS:9138:2000)
3.
Azospirillum (IS:14806 :2000)
4.
PSB (IS:14807: 2000)
The biofertiliser producers are required to strictly follow
these standards for biofertilizer
production. LDP package bags with markings of name of the product, name
and address of the manufacturer, batch number, date of manufacture, date of
expiry, crop(s) for which intended with storage and usage instructions are
used. The biofertilizers with
prescribed minimum standards have been used in the demonstrations.
2.1.3. Methods of Placement of
Biofertilizers
Biofertilizers
are usually inoculated by seed pelleting or seedling dipping or through soil
applications depending on the nature of the crop. The Rhizobium biofertilizers are usually inoculated as seed pelleting.
When the seed germinates, the root coming from
the seed coat gets infected and later, the nodules are formed in the
legume which fix atmospheric nitrogen
in the symbiotic process. On the other
hand, biofertilizers like Azotobacter &
BGA grow and fix atmospheric nitrogen free livingly. However, Azospirillum
likes to grow very close to the root rhizosphere which are also called as
associate symbionts which grow and colonize the root zones of the beneficiary
crop. Many of the biofertilizers which
are used for perennial are added to the
crop at a later stage which are mixed along with well composted Farm Yard
Manure. Usually Azotobacter and Azospirillum are used through seedling
dippings for transplanted crops, while PSM are used as soil application. Although, the package of
practice differs from crop to crop, however, the biofertilizer could be used in
any of the methods. In field demonstrations appropriate methods were used for
the application of biofertilizers.
1. Seed Treatment for Broad
Casting
One
packet of 200 g biofertilizer is mixed in 500 ml of water to prepare a slurry
and the slurry is mixed with about 10-12 kg of seeds and is air dried under the
shade. Soon after the drying, the
biofertilizer coated seeds are broad caste.
2. Seedling Dipping for
transplantation
In
this method 1 kg of biofertilizer, which is sufficient for seedling needed for
one acre, is mixed with 5 litres of water in a bucket and mixed
thoroughly. The roots of seedling
bundles are dipped in the biofertilizer suspension for about 30 minutes and
taken out. The seedlings root coated
with biofertilizers are transplanted immediately.
3. Soil application
In
soil application, 4 to 5 kg of desired biofertilizer is mixed with 100kg of
well decomposed FYM and mixed thoroughly, so as to get an uniform mixture and
the biofertilizer mixed FYM, is applied to the soil after 15 to 20 days of
seedling transplantation of vegetable crops or one month after broad casting of
seeds or FYM is applied in the pits before transplantation or in dragged ring,
so as to ensure the placement near the root zone of perennial crop. Soon after biofertilizer is applied, it
should be covered with soil immediately, so as to avoid exposure to direct
sunlight. Placement of biofertilizers
is another approach for its successful colonization. Since, the microbes like to grow and proliferate at the
rhizosphere zone of the crop root, the added inoculant should be placed close
to the root zone (Rhizosphere) so that, the mutual requirements of microbes and
the beneficiary crop are met and the inoculated microbe could easily establish in
the root rhizosphere.
2.1.4.Precautions for Efficient Use
The
biofertilizers should be stored in cool place and should not be mixed with
chemical fertilizers or pesticides and should not be exposed to direct sun
light. After, the biofertilizer is applied
it is covered immediately by soil under moderate moisture. The chemical
fertilizer application schedules to the
crops along with biofertilizer application should be avoided so as to prevent
direct contact of microbial organisms with the chemical fertilizers. These
precautions were taken in the field demonstrations.
CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
3.1
Basic Practices Adopted in Field Demonstrations
One of the basic objectives of the
“National Project on Development and Use of Biofertilizers” is to organize
biofertilizer. Field demonstrations (FD) at the farmer’s field so as to
convince the farmers on the benefits of biofertilizer usage. Accordingly, 2 treatments were taken: One having full dose of chemical
fertilizers, regarded as Control and the other one having half dose of chemical
fertilizers + Biofertilizer regarded as Treated. The Field Demonstration trials were conducted with a local
test crop in the Farmer’s Field in half
acre plot size by the National/Regional Centre or other Organizations. The biofertilizer inoculum was provided by NBDC or RBDC or by the
Organization wherein, a progressive farmer is selected to conduct the FD at his
field. The crop is inoculated with “crop specific” biofertilizer. Adequate crop
management practices were followed so as to maintain crop growth by the
supervision of National/Regional Centre or by the other Organizations. When the crop matured, the yield parameters
of both control and biofertilizer treated plots were assessed in the presence
of farmers of the villages and local agricultural experts of that area. Based on the observations of crop harvest
and other parameters, the farmers are shown the benefits of the use of
biofertilisers.
3.2. Locations of Biofertilizer Field Demonstrations
Field
Demonstrations were organized during 1988-89 to 1999 by NBDC, Ghaziabad in U.P.
including now Uttaranchal, by RBDC, Hisar in Punjab, Haryana, by RBDC,
Bhubaneswar in Orissa, West Bengal and Andaman & Nicobar, by RBDC, Imphal
in 7 North Eastern States and Sikkim, by RBDC, Nagpur in Maharashtra, Andhra
Pradesh and Goa, and by RBDC, Bangalore in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and
Pondicherry. The locations of biofertilizer field trials conducted have been
outlined under the State/UT jurisdiction of the NBDC/RBDC Centre (Map 1)
3.3. Agronomic Observations
Crops
grown under varying agro-climatic conditions were selected. Standard agronomic
practices of the generalized system were followed. Adequate care was taken to
inoculate the crop with quality biofertilizers and its proper placement for
effective colonization. Besides, the standard fertilizer dosages for the
respective crops were practiced. The yields observed in the Field
Demonstrations on different crops with
full dose of chemical fertilizers as well as ˝ dose of chemical
fertilizers + biofertilizers were computed and the grain yield increase due to
use of biofertilizer and the percentage of yield increase were computed using
standard practices in all the 53 crops of cereals, millets, pulses, oil seeds,
sugar yielding crop, vegetables , fruit, condiment & spices , nicotine
yielding, plantation, fibre and flower
crops.
3.4. Assessment of Chemical Fertilizer Savings
In
order to assess the contribution of biofertilizers, its fertilizer equivalence
was calculated and expressed in terms of savings of chemical fertilizers. It was calculated based on the assumption
that the crop yield observed were due to added full dose of N & P
fertilizers (control plots) and with use of half dose of added fertilizers +
biofertilizers (treated plots).
3.4.1. Nitrogen or Phosphate Fertilizer Savings
The
nitrogen/phosphate fertilizer savings were calculated based on the formula:
Fertilizer (N/P) savings
= {[b ]x X1}- X2
a
where
b = Yield of the crop
in Treated plot
a = Yield of the crop
in Control plot
X1= Fertilizer
used in Control plots (Full dose of chemical fertilizers, no biofertilizers)
X2= Fertilizer
used in Treated plots (1/2 dose of chemical fertilizers + Biofertilizer)
3.5. Economics of Biofertilizer
Application
3.5.1. Additional Income gain by
use of Biofertilizers
The
relative extra yield produced in the treated plot has been assumed as
contribution of use of biofertilizers which was multiplied by the cost of the
produce the farmer gets from the respective crop in the region, so as to derive
extra income. The cost of the crop
yield/ product either in form of grain/fresh weight for varied 53 cereal crops,
pulses, oil, vegetables, sugarcane, fibre, flowers, fruits, condiments were
calculated based on price published in periodical C.M.I.E. (2001) reports,
D.O.A.K report (1998), H.I.C. (1998) and
D.O.E.S. (1996). Although, besides
grain yield, the farmer is benefited by straw yield as well as other agriculture
produce but, it was not accounted since the farmers mostly seeks to know
precisely, the extra grain yield and extra income due to use of new technology.
3.5.2. Savings on Cost of
Chemical Fertilizers
The
chemical fertilizers saved on use of biofertilizers were assessed and the cost
of N / P fertilizers were calculated
based on the MRP fixed by Central Government as well as State Governments.
3.5.3. Total Benefits
The
benefit was calculated in terms of savings in fertilizer use expanses in monitory
terms and value of extra grain yields.
CHAPTER IV
RESPONSE OF BIOFERTILIZERS ON CROP YIELD
4.1. CEREALS
The response of biofertilizers was assessed based on the observed grain yield of the crop in the field study,
which has been taken as effect of inoculation. This experimentation of crop
yield in term of grain yield per unit area or percentage of yield increase or
extra agricultural produce obtained are frequently used as criteria and
convenient means to measure the effect of biofertilizers.
4.1.1. Rice
Rice
is the staple food in most parts of the country, particularly in humid areas of
Assam, Manipur, West Bengal, Orissa, Eastern U.P. and in Southern States. It is grown in 445.98 lakh ha area during
98-99, which is around 44% of agricultural land of the country. Although, it
prefers low lying and water logging areas, however, it is also grown in rain
fed and other climatic stress conditions. However, availability of new plant
genotypes made to grow rice in those areas which have relatively low rainfall,
less fertile soil like Punjab, Haryana,
western U.P. and it has been found that, rice yield in newly cultivated area is
much higher than the traditional rice growing area, due to use of high
yielding, dwarf plant types, better soil and water management practices and
efficient nutrition management schedules.
During the field demonstration in the Project, 238 number of field
trials have been conducted on rice in 18 States/U.Ts. wherein, the yield in
control ( chemical fertilizer treated plots) was observed from 0.5 to 8.0 t/ha
with Mean yield as 4.24 t/ha. The
observations with biofertilizer treatment revealed variation from 4.72 tons to
8.65 tons with mean yield 4.72 t/ha.
Rice was categorized into 3 zones like rainfed, assured rainfed and assured
irrigation. The extra grain yield
observed due to biofertilizer usage varied from 100 kg to1360 kg/ha with mean value of 470 kg/ha. The mean
percentage yield increase due to biofertilizer application was 11.8% (Table 5).
4.1.1.1. Crop
Response-Biofertilizer wise
In
field observations of 238 trials on rice crop different nitrogenous
biofertilizers like Azospirillum,
Azotobacter, BGA, Azolla were
used. Besides, the phosphatic biofertilizers like PSM were used separately as well
as with nitrogenous biofertilizers.
Among the nitrogenous biofertilizers, Azospirillum
showed yield response of 10.8%, Azotobacter 9.3%, BGA 9.9% and Azolla 15%. The results indicated that, wherever phosphate biofertilizers
were used along with nitrogenous biofertilizers, the growth was better and
among the combinations, Azotobacter+ PSM combination was best (Fig. 3a).
|
|
4.1.1.2. Crop Response - State wise
Crop
response of biofertilizers on rice were assessed in 18 States/UTs under varied
agro climatic conditions. Among the States, the performance of biofertilizers
in paddy yield was in the order of Arunachal Pradesh >M.P. >Sikkim
>Pondicherry >Tamil Nadu >Karnataka and the least in Tripura (Fig.3b).
|
|
4.1.2. Wheat
Among
the cereals, wheat is the most widely cultivated crop in the world and in
India, it is the second important food crop wherein, 273.98 lakh hectares are
being cultivated. During the last 4 decades, the area under wheat has gone up
by 2 times and the production has gone up by about 4 times, which is attributed
to use of varieties with thermo and
photo insensitivity, higher sink capacity, synchronous growth habit, wider
habitat, high yield potentiality and superior quality. In India, it is grown in
zones like north eastern planes, north western planes, central zone, peninsular
zone, northern hilly areas. In the
Project, during the period of study,
304 Field Demonstrations were conducted under rainfed, assured rainfed,
assured irrigation in States/U.Ts. The
mean wheat grain yield in the control (fertilizer treated plot) was observed to
be 3.96 t/ha which varied from 0.23
to 7.24 t/ha. In biofertilizer treated trials, the mean
average yield observed was 4.30 t/ha
which varied from 0.26 to
7.6t/ha. It was observed that, 9.2 % of
increased grain yield was due to use of biofertilizers with average extra yield
of 330 kg per ha.
4.1.2.1.Crop Response - Biofertilizer wise
|
|
The
nitrogenous biofertilizers like Azotobacter,
Azospirillum as well as phosphatic
biofertilizers (PSM) were used
in field trials conducted on wheat crop. Azotobacter
showed 11% yield increase. It was observed that, wherever phosphate
solubilizers were used along with Azospirillum
biofertilizer, the yield increase observed was 16.7% (Fig. 4a).
4.1.2.2. Crop Response - State-wise
Field
Demonstrations on wheat were conducted
in 12 States. Based on the crop response of biofertilizers, it was
observed that, among the States, the response was in the order of Orissa
>Sikkim >Uttaranchal >Maharashtra >Haryana and least in Rajasthan
(Fig. 4b).
|
|
4.2. Millets
4.2.1. Pearl Millet (Bajra)
Bajra
is grown for grain as well as forage purposes and is cultivated about 120 lakh ha. area in the country. It
is a popular crop grown in areas with less moisture conditions. Bajra is a seasonal kharif crop but, in
Central and Southern India, it is grown in Rabi and summer seasons also. However, in Indo-Gangetic areas, the crop is
grown during summer season.
In
the Project, 5 FDs were conducted on pearl millet (Bajra) and it was observed
that, the average grain yield in control was 1.3 t/ha, which varied from 0.7
to 2.5 t/ha. In biofertilizer treated trials, it was
observed that, the average yield was 1.5
t/ha, which varied from 0.8 to 2.8 t/ha. The mean percentage yield
increase due to biofertilizer was 11.9
which varied from 4% to 21.2%.
The mean extra grain yield was observed due to biofertilizer was 150 kg
/ha (Table 5).
4.2.2.Finger Millet (Ragi)
The
Finger Millet is an important crop in Karnataka, also grown in Tamil Nadu,
Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Gujrat and Maharashtra. Due to the presence of high
iron and micronutrients, Ragi is being used as a stable diet in India. Conventionally, ragi was grown in soil
stress conditions and the yield was very low.
However, the area cultivation of ragi has been increased and the traditional varieties are being replaced
by new types of cultivars with drought
tolerance. In the Project, 6 field trials were conducted using biofertilizers
for Finger millet and the yield data indicated the mean average of 2.0 t/ha in control which varied from 1.27 to 3.9 t/ha. In biofertilizer treated plots, the mean yield was 2.3 t/ha which varied
from 1.3 to 4.6 t/ha. The mean percentage yield increase due to
use of biofertilizer was 10%. The mean extra grain yield observed due to
use of biofertilizer was 250 kg/ha (Table 5).
4.2.3.Sorghum (Jowar)
Sorghum
(jowar) is known for its drought tolerance and is most popular food/ fodder
crop in dry land areas of central and north Indian zones. Sorghum is grown in about 99.8 lakh ha. The
major jowar growing States are A.P., Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan
and M.P. The jowar is usually used as a
human food besides this, dry stover is used for fodder throughout the
country. Although, jowar is a kharif
season crop however, in some Central and southern parts of the country, it is
grown as a major rabi crop. In the
Project, field demonstrations were conducted. It was observed that, the mean
grain yield obtained in biofertilizer treated trials was 2.18 t/ha against 1.98
t/ha in control. The mean percentage
grain yield increase observed due to use of biofertilizers was 9.9%. The mean extra grain yield increase due to
use of biofertilizer was 200 kg/ha
(Table 5).
4.2.4.Maize
Maize
is an important staple food crop in India which is grown on plains, hilly or
mountainous areas having moderate rainfall.
About 75 to 80% of the production in the country is consumed in form of
chapattis, popcorn and only a small percentage is sent to starch industries. In
the Project, 19 field demonstrations on were conducted. In control, the mean average yield observed was
2.15 t/ha, which varied from 0.64 to 4 t/ha.
In biofertilizer treated trials, the grain yield varied from 0.65 to
4.9 t/ha with mean value 2.34 t/ha. The
mean percentage yield increase due to biofertilizer was observed to be 8.9 per
cent. The mean extra grain yield
obtained due to use of biofertilizer was
190 kg (Table 5).
4.2.5.Barley
Barley
is an important cereal crop in northern India.
Two field demonstrations were taken on Barley wherein, the yield observed in control was 3.9 tonne per
ha and in treated plots it was 4.23
t/ha. The per cent yield
increase observed was 8.4%. The extra
grain yield with biofertilizer treatment was 320 kg/ha (Table 5).
4.2.6.Crop Response -Biofertilizer wise
In
millet field trials, the biofertilizer mostly used were either Azotobacter or Azospirillum or PSM alone or in combination of PSM and Azotobacter / Azsopirillum. It was
observed that, in millets, the biofertilizer response was highest due to
inoculation of Azospirillum. On the
other hand, wherever PSM was used along with nitrogenous biofertilizers, it
contributed higher yield increase of 10% on average (Fig. 5a).
4.2.7.Crop Response - State wise
In
the crop response studies on pearl millet, finger millet, maize, barja, barley,
trials were conducted in 9 States, wherein, it was observed that, in terms of
biofertilizer crop response, the States like Manipur >UP >Sikkim
>Haryana >Maharashtra showed better response (Fig. 5b).
4.3. Pulse Crops
More
than half of Indian population is vegetarian and most people use pulses to
fulfill their protein requirements. The
protein from pulses is easily digestible and relatively cheaper and has higher
biological value besides, pulse crop
possesses ability to support soil bacteria (Rhizobium)
in their root nodules which fixes atmospheric nitrogen and enrich soil
fertility. India ranks first in pulse production with 238.19 lakh ha area under
pulse cultivation. Sixty eight FDs were conducted to test the efficacy of
biofertilizer in 12 States.
4.3.1. Red-gram (Pigeon pea)
Red-gram
is one of the important pulse crops of India.
The crop is grown on any type of soil as pure crop besides, are also
often used as a mixed crop with sorghum, groundnut, black-gram, ragi etc. In the Project, 9 field trials were taken in
order to assess the Rhizobium inoculant
response. In control plot, the mean average yield was 1.14 t/ha, which varied
from 0.72 to 1.7 t/ha. In the biofertilizer treated plots, the
average yield observed was 1.27 t/ha, which varied from 0.75 to1.82 ton. The
average yield increase was 12.3 % per ha, wherein extra grain yield observed
was 130 kg per ha due to use of Rhizobium
(Table 5).
4.3.2. Black-gram
Black-gram
(Urd) is the most important pulse crop in States like Karnataka, Andhra
Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, Punjab, M.P. & U.P. Black-gram is grown as rain fed kharif crop
and is also grown as a spring or summer crop.
In the Project, 3 FDs were conducted and the mean yield in control was
observed as 0.94 t/ha. In Biofertilizer
treated plots, the average yield was 1.06 t/ha. The average grain yield increase was 12.3 percentage wherein, 110
kg of extra grain yield was observed due to use of Rhizobium (Table 5).
4.3.3. Green-gram
Green-gram
(Mung) is cultivated in States like Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan,
Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The crop is mostly grown as rainfed, during kharif season and during summer, it
needs irrigation facilities.
Green-gram grows well in well
drained alluviam, red and black cotton
soils. The biofertilizer used for green-gram was Rhizobium as well as PSM. The
average grain yield of 8 field demonstrations was 0.66 t/ha in control
plots and 0.76 t/ha in biofertilizers
treated plots. The percentage grain
yield increase due to use of biofertilizers was 17.6%. The increased yield
observed due to biofertilizer inoculation was 100 kg/ha (Table 5).
4.3.4. Bengal gram
This is a principal crop which is
cultivated in one third of pulse area mostly in UP, Rajasthan, Punjab and
Haryana. Bengal gram is grown in
un-irrigated rabi season besides in dry land areas. It is also grown mixed with cereal or millet but under assured irrigation it is grown as
pure crop. The crop is usually low
fertilized. In the project, 46 FD were
taken to evaluate the usefulness of Rhizobium
biofertilizer. It was observed that average yield of 1.43 t/ha was obtained in
control which varied from 0.55 to 4.1 t/ha. Biofertilizer treated plots showed
average yield of 1.61 t/ha showing variations of 0.63 to 4.2 t/ha. The trials indicated increased yield of
14.6% over control. Further, the study
reveals that an average 190 kg/ha extra seed was obtained due to biofertilizer
use (Table 5).
4.3.5. Lentil
Lentil
is a minor pulse crop which is mostly grown in States like Madhya Pradesh and
Maharashtra. It is grown as an
un-irrigated rabi crop after rice or millets, which are mostly used as relay
crop or intercrop. Two FDs were taken
up on Lentil wherein, the mean in control was1.39 t/ha and the yield observed
in biofertilizer treated was1.48 t/ha. The percentage yield increase observed
was 7.6% and extra grain yield observed
was 90 kg per ha due to use of Rhizobium.
TABLE 5 : ANALYTICAL
SUMMARY OF 1050 SETS OF FIELD
DATA ON THE EFFECT OF BIOFERTILIZERS ON YIELD OF
DIFFERENT CROPS
|
Sl. No. |
Crop Name |
No. of FDs |
|
Control
(t.ha) |
Treated
(t/ha) |
% Yield increase
(t/ha) |
Additional Yield (t/ha) |
|
1 |
Rice |
238 |
Mean |
4.24 |
4,72 |
11,79 |
0,47 |
|
|
|
|
Min. |
0.5 |
0,12 |
0.42 |
0,01 |
|
|
|
|
Max. |
8.0 |
8,65 |
37,14 |
1,36 |
|
|
|
|
S.D. |
1.64 |
1,78 |
9,65 |
0,35 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
Wheat |
304 |
Mean |
3.96 |
4.30 |
9.18 |
0.33 |
|
|
|
|
Min. |
0,23 |
0,26 |
0,59 |
0,03 |
|
|
|
|
Max. |
7,24 |
7,6 |
37,5 |
1,1 |
|
|
|
|
S.D. |
1,16 |
1,2 |
6,68 |
0,23 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
Barley |
2 |
Mean |
3,9 |
4,23 |
8,39 |
0,32 |
|
|
|
|
Min. |
3,8 |
4,2 |
6,25 |
0,25 |
|
|
|
|
Max. |
4 |
4,25 |
10,53 |
0,4 |
|
|
|
|
S.D. |
0,14 |
0,04 |
3,02 |
0,1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
Maize |
19 |
Mean |
2,15 |
2,34 |
8,92 |
0,19 |
|
|
|
|
Min. |
0,64 |
0,65 |
1,56 |
0,01 |
|
|
|
|
Max. |
4 |
4,9 |
22,5 |
0,9 |
|
|
|
|
S.D. |
1,06 |
1,17 |
5,91 |
0,18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
Pearl Millet |
5 |
Mean |
1.3 |
1.46 |
11,9 |
0,15 |
|
|
|
|
Min. |
0,7 |
0,8 |
4 |
0,04 |
|
|
|
|
Max. |
2,5 |
2,75 |
21,21 |
0,28 |
|
|
|
|
S.D. |
0,7 |
0,78 |
6,36 |
0,1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6 |
Ragi |
6 |
Mean |
2 |
2,26 |
10,04 |
0,25 |
|
|
|
|
Min. |
1,17 |
1,25 |
4 |
0,05 |
|
|
|
|
Max. |
3,97 |
4,61 |
17,65 |
0,64 |
|
|
|
|
S.D. |
1,21 |
1,47 |
6,35 |
0,26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7 |
Sorghum |
4 |
Mean |
1,98 |
2,18 |
9,93 |
0,2 |
|
|
|
|
Min. |
1,15 |
1,26 |
5,56 |
0,09 |
|
|
|
|
Max. |
3,4 |
3,75 |
14,29 |
0,35 |
|
|
|
|
S.D. |
0,98 |
1,09 |
3,57 |
0,12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8 |
Bengal-gram |
46 |
Mean |
1,43 |
1,61 |
14,59 |
0,19 |
|
|
|
|
Min. |
0,55 |
0,63 |
2,44 |
0,05 |
|
|
|
|
Max. |
4,1 |
4,2 |
33,35 |
0,48 |
|
|
|
|
S.D. |
0,67 |
0,7 |
6,58 |
0,09 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9 |
Black-gram |
3 |
Mean |
0,94 |
1,06 |
12,33 |
0,11 |
|
|
|
|
Min. |
0,63 |
0,69 |
9,09 |
0,06 |
|
|
|
|
Max. |
1,21 |
1,32 |
18,37 |
0,11 |
|
|
|
|
S.D. |
0,29 |
0,33 |
5,23 |
0,06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10 |
Green-gram |
8 |
Mean |
0,66 |
0,76 |
17,57 |
0,1 |
|
|
|
|
Min. |
0,25 |
0,3 |
5,56 |
0,05 |
|
|
|
|
Max. |
1,08 |
1,16 |
35,29 |
0,17 |
|
|
|
|
S.D. |
0,25 |
0,26 |
9,76 |
0,04 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11 |
Lentil |
2 |
Mean |
1,39 |
1,48 |
7,58 |
0,09 |
|
|
|
|
Min. |
1,13 |
1,26 |
3,66 |
0,06 |
|
|
|
|
Max. |
1,64 |
1,7 |
11,5 |
0,13 |
|
|
|
|
S.D. |
0,36 |
0,31 |
5,54 |
0,04 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12 |
Red-gram |
9 |
Mean |
1,14 |
1,27 |
12,25 |
0,13 |
|
|
|
|
Min. |
0,72 |
0,75 |
2,74 |
0,02 |
|
|
|
|
Max. |
1,7 |
1,82 |
24,49 |
0,25 |
|
|
|
|
S.D. |
0,25 |
0,33 |
7,81 |
0,08 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13 |
Groundnut |
21 |
Mean |
1,55 |
1,79 |
16,1 |
0,24 |
|
|
|
|
Min. |
0,78 |
0,83 |
6,41 |
0,05 |
|
|
|
|
Max. |
2,6 |
2,8 |
38,81 |