Biofertilizers- An Overview and Market Outlook

Biofertilizers

Biofertilizers are organic substances or selected strains of living microbes which helps plant to absorb nutrients and improve quality of soil. They quicken the microbial activities in soil which promote and assist plants to intake more nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen. Biofertilizers act as plant nutrients which supplement chemical fertilizers reducing the usage volumes of pesticides and chemical fertilizers.

Types

They can be segmented in different genre based on their function and nature :

• Nitrogen Fixing

1. Free-living
2. Symbiotic
3. Associative Symbiotic

• Examples : Azotobacter, Clostridium, Anabaena, Nostoc, Rhizobium, Frankia, Anabaena azollae, Azospirillum.

• Phosphate Solubilizing

1. Bacteria
2. Fungi

• Examples :  Bacillus megaterium var. phosphaticum, Bacillus circulans, Pseudomonas striata, Penicillium sp, Aspergillus awamori.

• Potash Mobilizing

• Examples are Arbuscular mycorrhiza, Ectomycorrhiza, Orchid mycorrhiza.

• Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria

• Example include Pseudomonas, Silicate and Zinc solubilizers

Different types of Biofertilizers

Source : www.gbpant.agropedia.in

 

Advantages of Biofertilizers :

1. Organic and renewable source of plant nutrients.
2. Environment sustainable.
3. Improved soil texture and fertility.
4. Economical as it reduces cost of cultivation.

Applications :

• Soil treatment : Biofertilizers along with the compost fertilizers are mixed well together and kept over night. Next day this mixture is spread on the soil where seeds have to be sown.

• Seed treatment : This method includes the nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers which are mixed together in the water. Then seeds are dipped in this mixture and dried. After seeds dry out, they have to be sown as soon as possible before they get damaged by harmful micro-organisms.

• Seedling root dip : This method is applied to transplanted crops. A layer of water is spread on the place of cultivation. The seedlings of crop like rice are planted in the water and are kept there for seven to eight hours.

Biofertilizers industry is growing rapidly owing to its beneficial characteristics. Hence, the market for biofertilizers is foreseeing a  speedy growth in terms of production and  revenue. The market is segmented into different geographical regions based on market revenue.

Biofertilizers Market Share, By Geography, 2011

Source: MarketsandMarkets Analysis

Market Trends and Forecast

The current market trends are influenced by following factors such as :

• Increased emphasis on maintenance of soil fertility and quality.
• Increased demands for organic food products.
• Drive towards organic farming.
• Mass awareness about environment sustainability.

Key players in the market include CBF China Biofertilizers AG (Germany), Mapleton Agribiotec PTY Ltd. (Australia), Nutramax Laboratories Inc. (U.S.) and Novozyme (Denmark).

The market for Biofertilizers is expected to reach USD 10,298.5 million by 2017 at compound annual growth rate of 12.8 %. Europe and Latin America are market leaders but are mature market now.  Asia-Pacific is seen as fastest emerging market for biofertilziers in coming years due to developing countries like China and India

For more information, please follow the link below : 

http://www.prweb.com/releases/biofertilizers-market/10/prweb11265342.htm