Biofertilizers and Sustainable Crop Production: Effects on Soil Health and Crop Yield

Abstract

In this study, experimental research methods were used to analyze the effect of applying biofertilizer on soil health and crop productivity. To reduce experimental errors, a randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used with four treatments such as control (no application of biofertilizer), 100%, 200%, and 300% application level of biofertilizer. Soil samples were taken before and after the application of the treatment in order to check the changes in organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and microbial activity, and plant growth parameters such as plant height, number of leaves, biomass and end of grain production were measured at regular growth stages. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyse the data and post-hoc tests were carried out using Tukey's Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) test at 5% significance level. The results showed that the application of biofertilizers significantly improved soil organic matter, available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and microbial activity as compared to the control with the increase in the level of application of the biofertilizer the effect was observed to be increased. Crop growth parameters and final grain yield also showed significant improvement with biofertilizer application compared to the control and the maximum increase in the soil health indicators and grain yield was recorded with the highest dose of biofertilizer application. The study suggests that application of biofertilizer is an effective and sustainable approach to improve the soil fertility and to boost the productivity of the crops and also gives the recommendations for adoption of biofertilizer, integrated nutrient management, further research work etc.