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Important Chemistry Formulas For NEET 2024 Exam- Topic-wise Formulas

Microbes as Biofertilizers - Practice Questions & MCQ

Edited By admin | Updated on Sep 18, 2023 18:34 AM | #NEET

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  • Microbes as Biofertilizers is considered one of the most asked concept.

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Microbes as Biofertilizers
  • Biofertilizers are organisms that enrich the nutrient quality of the soil.
  • The main sources of biofertilizers are bacteria, fungi and cyanobacteria.
  • Rhizobium bacteria fix atmospheric nitrogen into organic forms, which is used by the plant as nutrient. 
  • Other bacteria can fix atmospheric nitrogen while free-living in the soil (examples Azospirillum and Azotobacter), thus enriching the nitrogen content of the soil.
  • Fungi are also known to form symbiotic associations with plants (mycorrhiza). 
  • Many members of the genus Glomus form mycorrhiza. 
  • The fungal symbiont in these associations absorbs phosphorus from soil and passes it to the plant. 
  • Plants having such associations show other benefits also, such as resistance to root-borne pathogens, tolerance to salinity and drought, and an overall increase in plant growth and development.
  • Cyanobacteria are autotrophic microbes widely distributed in aquatic and terrestrial environments many of which can fix atmospheric nitrogen, e.g. Anabaena, Nostoc, Oscillatoria, etc. 
  • In paddy fields, cyanobacteria serve as an important biofertiliser. 
  • Blue green algae also add organic matter to the soil and increase its fertility.

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