Using Biofertilizers to improve soil fertility and replace chemical fertilizers for increased agriculture sustainability.

Previous and current farming methods have led to the degradation of the environment, soil fertility to drop, which has necessitated the development of long-term initiatives to prevent this further. With growing population and demand for safe, nutritious food globally, sustainable agriculture will be required to overcome this situation. Microbial biotechnology is an emerging novel field with potential applications in a variety of fields such as food security, human nutrition, plant protection and other research areas in agriculture. Biofertilizers can be the novel approach critical for meeting present food demands and ensuring long-term food supply without having adverse effects on the environment or climate change. This is examined in a recent study published in Environmental and Microbial Biotechnology.

The use of chemical fertilizers increases the growth of crops, but extensive uses deteriorate soil quality and has a negative effect on groundwater quality. Fertilizers assist in the supply of macronutrients and micronutrients to plants such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Excess us of these chemical fertilizers to the soil leads to deterioration of plant roots and abiotic stress such as leaching, acidification and volatilization (Bargaz, et al., 2018). Eutrophication and greenhouse gas emissions result from increased nitrate and phosphate concentrations in water bodies. This is a problem becoming more frequent in Ireland with the increased intensity of dairy and crop production. Water ways in Ireland are becoming increasingly polluted due to the overuse of chemical fertilizers. This problem could be overcome with the use of biofertilizers as investigated by (Roy, 2021). Biofertilizers are a combination of growth-specific nutrients that improve soil fertility while also increasing crop yield without harming the environment (Roy, 2021).

Biofertilizers can solve the current challenges present in the agriculture industries and creates new openings for farmers, business, academia, and other sectors. As completely dependent on chemical fertilizers not only contaminates ecosystem but also increases farming cost which eventually leads to crises among the farmers. Therefore, efficient utilization of biofertilizers for crop production is a vital parameter for sustainable agriculture” – Author concluded.

(Roy, 2021)

Biofertilizers can play a key role in crop production and improving soil fertility, leading to an increased sustainable agriculture. When compared to traditional chemical fertilizers, biofertilizers reduce environmental pollution and is eco-friendly, enhance nutrients which are easily absorbed by plants, enhance overall properties of soil, very cost effective, improve root propagation and permit plant growth and better survival under various stress conditions (Roy, 2021). With further emphasis on climate change and sustainable methods, biofertilizers help Irish agriculture reach the goals set on nitrogen usage in the 2030 Agri-Food Strategy and COP26.

Importance of biofertilizers in enhancing productivity and quality of agricultural products have already been proven through various research work carried out worldwide. Despite proving their potential, biofertilizers remain underutilized on a larger scale. Therefore, the need of the hour is to promote the application of biofertilizers among farmers to obtain higher agricultural sustainability”

(Gautam, et al., 2021)

This is the conclusion of (Gautam, et al., 2021) who examined the types of biofertilizers available, their role in sustainable agriculture, the challenges along with different ways to promote their use in agriculture. This study highlights the importance for biofertilizers to be promoted to farmers, with possible incentives in cost saving for farmers who use them.

The use of chemical fertilizers in Ireland and around the world has led to increased eutrophication and greenhouse gas emissions as a result from increased nitrate and phosphate concentrations in water bodies. Legislation on nitrogen and phosphorus usage are currently being enforced to reduce negative impact on climate change and the environment. Many studies globally have shown the positive effect biofertilizers can have on soil fertility, crop growth and benefits to the environment. However, biofertilizers are still being unutilized in each country. It is up to governments and policy makers to focus on increased use at large scale of biofertilizer. This could be done by creating awareness among farmers about the benefits of biofertilizers in improving soil health, sustaining productivity of natural resources while attaining high productivity. Biofertilizers should be made easily accessible to farmers, with possible subsidies being provided to farmers to increase usage. I believe that biofertilizers can solve the current nitrogen and chemical fertilizer problem in Ireland, rewarding both farmers and the environment in the long term.

Eoghan Mc Dermott, M.Sc. Agri-food Sustainability & Technology, 21251365, E.McDermott19@nuigalway.ie

References

• Bargaz, A. et al., 2018. Soil Microbial Resources for Improving Fertilizers Efficiency in an Integrated Plant Nutrient Management System. Front Microbial .

• Gautam, K. et al., 2021. Microbial biofertilizer: Types, applications, and current challenges for sustainable agricultural production. Biofertilizers, Volume 1: Advances in Bio-Inoculants, pp. 3-19.
• Roy, A., 2021. Biofertilizers for Agricultural Sustainability: Current Status and Future Challenges. Current Trends in Microbial Biotechnology for Sustainable Agriculture, pp. 525-553.