Punjab: Bio-fertilizers, a path to eco-friendly farming

Punjab: Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) is promoting sustainable farming using biofertilizers. Biofertilizers are an eco-friendly alternative and supplement to chemical fertilizers that increase crop yields, improve soil health, and reduce environmental pollution. Today’s agriculture faces the dual challenges of increasing productivity and protecting the environment, and biofertilizers offer a promising solution by harnessing the power of beneficial microorganisms. “Bio-fertilizers are microbial inoculants containing live strains of bacteria, fungi, and algae. When applied to seeds, plants, or soil, they increase nutrient availability, promote growth, and improve soil health. They are capable of fixing nitrogen in the air, solubilizing phosphorus, and producing growth-promoting hormones. These eco-friendly inputs increase crop yields and are inexpensive and pollution-free, making them ideal for sustainable farming,” said PAU Vice-Chancellor Satbir Singh Gosal.
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria increase nitrogen availability and reduce the need for chemical nitrogen fertilizers that contribute to water pollution. Experts said that growth-promoting rhizobacteria support plants through phytohormone production, siderophore release, and enzyme activity, improving nutrient mineralization. Gosal further stated that PAU has also developed consortium biofertilizers combining multiple beneficial microorganisms, which improve plant growth and outperform single-strain products. PAU recommends biofertilizers for 22 crops, including cereals (wheat, rice, and maize); pulses (chana, lentils, summer mung beans, black gram, soybeans, pigeon peas, mung beans, and peas); cash crops (sugarcane); vegetables/spices (onions, potatoes, mint, and turmeric); oilseeds (rapeseed mustard, cabbage mustard, and sunflower); and fodders (berseem and lucerne).

A PAU expert stated that farmers can apply biofertilizers through seed treatment, seedling treatment, or soil application. PAU emphasizes precautions such as using the recommended biofertilizer for each crop, checking the expiry date, keeping the packet away from sunlight, and avoiding mixing with chemical pesticides. These bio-fertilizers are available for sale at nominal prices at PAU’s Microbiology Department, the seed shop at Gate 1, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) across Punjab, and at every Kisan Mela organized by PAU. To ensure proper use, the sale of these bio-fertilizers is accompanied by extension lectures and awareness camps to guide farmers on their application methods and best practices. PAU officials said the product is also available for commercialization, and interested entrepreneurs have been invited for guidance.