Limitations of biofertilizers and their revitalization through nanotechnology

Sustainability and innovation are fundamental to any production system. Providing food to the increasing population is of paramount importance and is crtical to the global stability. However, the issue of food security is facing stiff challenge from continuously declining soil fertility and scarcity of fertile land. Our reliance on excessive use of toxic chemical fertilizers for increased yield is major concerns for environment and agriculture's future. Biofertilizers are gaining traction as a viable alternative to toxic chemical fertilizers, with a market potential of 3.8 billion dollars by 2025. Use of biofertilizer is natural mean to use live microorganisms to improve soil nutritional status by root surface area expansion, enhanced nutrient availability and acquisition (nitrogen fixation and phosphate solubilization), production of plant growth promoting substances and inhibition of plant pathogen growth, and combining all these. Despite being cost-effective and environmentally benign, constraints like inconsistent supplies and a lack of sufficient quality control is limiting the wide adoption or deployment of biofertilizers. To make them commercialy successful, we need to diversify resource base (i.e., identify and include more viable strains), create better manufacturing technology, and implement quality control procedures. Use of nanotechnology in biofertilizer sector via green synthesis or by nanocoating or encapsulation of beneficial microorganism using nanomaterials is a promising option. Bio-nanofertilizers increase nutrient use efficiency; diminishing nutrient losses, have multiple crop growth promoting activities and release of nutrients to rate compatible to plants demand. Adoption and popularization of bio-nanofertilizers require extensive field-testing, public awareness campaigns, capacity building of resource persons and stakeholders, adoptation of standard production processes, storage and application, as well as active participation of private organizations and enforcement of suitable legislation. Here, we discuss before-mentioned issues in light of available evidences and our experience with India system.