Biological Nitrogen Fixation Scheme
The Agricultural Bacteriology unit was started during the year 1957 with an objective to isolate the beneficial microorganisms from various crops and rhizospheric soil and to utilize them for maintaining soil fertility and enhancement of crop yields. The Biological Nitrogen Fixation Scheme was put into operation on 17th May, 1960 and number of different strains of different beneficial microbes were developed and used for commercial production of different bioinoculants since 1974. Since 1968, ICAR sponsored “AICRP on Microbial Decomposition and Recycling of Farm Waste and City Wastes” was in operation under this scheme until March 2002. Under this scheme, efficient microbial decomposing cultures were developed and are being used in commercial production. Besides this, the ICAR sponsored ad hoc projects “Increased phosphate use efficiency through microorganisms in black soils of Maharashtra”, “ Mission mode project on TDDP on Rhizobium, Blue green algae and Azolla”, Revolving Fund project on “Large scale production and supply of biofertilizers” have been implemented under the BNF scheme.
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Name & Designation |
Qualification |
Specialization |
Contact |
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Dr. S.W. Jadhav
Professor
(Agril.
Bacteriologist) |
M.Sc (Agri). Ph. D. |
Phosphate
solubilization, Microbial
decomposition of
organic waste, and
Mushroom cultivation.
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bnfacpune@yahoo.com |
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- Isolation, screening and maintenance of different nitrogen fixing and phosphate solubilizing microorganisms.
- Fertilizer economy through field trials of different biofertilizers.
- Large scale production of different biofertilizres and Bioagents.
- To increase the awareness amongst the farmers for using the Biofertilizers in organic farming system.
- Post Graduate teaching in Agril. Microbiology
- Microbial analysis of soil samples and biofertilizers on payment basis.
- To provide training in the production of biofertilizers.
On the basis of research carried out by Biological Nitrogen Fixation Scheme the following recommendations have been made.
- Before sowing, rice seeds should be treated with Azotobacter @ 250 g/10 kg seed and laterite soils should be treated with lime as well as the roots of rice seedlings should be treated with slurry of Azotobacter. (Azotobacter 2.5 kg in 50 liters of water /ha.)
- In laterite soils for better yields of rice, seeds should be treated with Beijerinkia @ 250 g/10 kg seed .
- Before sowing, bajara seeds should be treated with Azospirillum @ 250 g/10 kg seed for maximization of yield as well as saving of nitrogenous fertilizer.
- Before sowing, sorghum seeds (CSH-9) should be treated with inoculant mixture of Azotobacter + Azospirillum @ 250 g/10 kg seed along with application of 90 kg N/ha. or 120 kg N /ha to get the maximum monetary returns. Similarly saving in the cost of 30 Kg N/ha could be achieved besides 5-16 % increase in grain yield and 4.5-8 % increase in fodder yield.
- Before sowing, sunflower seeds (Modern) should be treated with inoculant mixture of Azotobacter + Azospirillum @ 250 g/10 kg seed along with application of 45 kg N/ha. so that 15 Kg N/ ha could be saved besides 11.1% increase in grain yield and 8.64% increase in dry matter yield.
- Before sowing , wheat seeds (H.D.-2189) should be treated with Azospirillum +PSB @250 g/10 kg seed along with RDF (120:60:60).
- Onion seeds (N-53) should be treated with Azotobacter @ 25 g/kg seed sown in furrow lines inoculated with VAM @ 4 g/m. length for raising the nursery beds. Before transplanting, seedling should be dipped in Azotobacter inoculant suspension prepared by adding 1.25 kg. Azotobacter. culture in 20 liter water for 5 minutes and the basal dose of 25 kg.P2 O5 /ha. should be applied before transplanting.
- The soybean seeds should be treated with Rhizobium + PSB @ 250 g each/10 kg seed and basal dose of 50:100 should be applied for maximum yield and cost benefit ratio.
- Before sowing seeds of hybrid sorghum (CSH-9) should be treated with Azotobacter @ 250 g/10 kg seed or Bioplene @ 50 ml/ 10 Kg seed along with recommended dose of fertilizers (120:60:60) for maximum grain yield and net profit of the hybrid sorghum CSH-9.
- Before sowing, groundnut (JL_24) seeds should be treated with Phosphate solubilizer @ 250 g/10 kg seed along with application of 25 or 50 kg. P2 O5 /ha to get 5-16 % more yield over the application of 50 Kg P/ha alone.
- For maximum yield and monetary returns of ratoon sugarcane, a composite culture of Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Acetobacter and PSB @ 5 kg/ha (1.25 kg each) mixed with 25 kg of well decomposed FYM at the time of earthing up is recommended to save 25% of ‘N’ and ‘P’ fertilizers.
- The sett treatment with Acetobacter @ 10 kg/ha at the time of planting for 30 minutes could save 50% dose of chemical nitrogen fertilizers.
During implementation of BGA Project a large number of field trials/demonstrations were conducted on use of BGA/Azolla in paddy cultivation and concluded that there could be saving in cost of N fertilizers to the tune of 20 to 25% in addition to improvement in soil fertility.
Under this scheme about 50 MT of different biofertilizers are produced and supplied to the farmers with revenue receipts in the range of Rs. 10-17 lakhs per annum. Different biofertilizers like Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Acetobacter, Rhizobium, Phosphate solubilizing biofertilizers, Compost culture, Blue green algae, Azolla and biocontrol agents like Trichoderma + and Trichoderma talc are available for sale.
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| Biofertilizers Production Unit |
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Well Equipped Laboratory |
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| Two Tier Rotary Shakers |
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Big Horizontal Autoclaves |
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| Biofertilizer Packets |
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Storage of Different Biofertilizers |
