For about 10,000 years , farmers have been improving wild Plants and animals through the selection and breeding of desirable characteristics. This breeding has resulted in the domesticated plants and animals that are commonly used in crop and Livestock agriculture. In the twentieth century, breeding became more sophisticated, as the traits that breeders select for include increased yield, disease and pest resistance, drought resistance and enhanced flavor. Traits are passed from one generation to the next through genes, which are made of DNA. All living things—including the fruits, vegetables and meat that we eat—contain genes that tell cells how to function. Recently, scientists have learned enough to begin to identify and work with the genes (DNA) that are responsible for traits.
Agricultural biotechnology is a collection of scientific techniques used to improve plants, animals and Microorganisms. Based on an understanding of DNA, scientists have developed solutions to increase agricultural productivity. Starting from the ability to identify genes that may confer advantages on certain crops, and the ability to work with such characteristics very precisely, biotechnology enhances breeders’ ability to make improvements in crops and livestock. Biotechnology enables improvements that are not possible with traditional crossing of related species alone.
Technological aspects of agricultural biotechnology
Scientists have learned how to move genes from one organism to another. This has been called genetic modification (GM), genetic engineering (GE) or genetic improvement (GI). Regardless of the name, the process allows the transfer of useful characteristics (such as resistance to a disease) into a plant, animal or microorganism by inserting genes (DNA) from another organism. Virtually all crops improved with transferred DNA (often called GM crops or GMOs) to date have been developed to aid farmers to increase productivity by reducing crop damage from Weeds, diseases or insects.
Molecular markers
Traditional breeding involves selection of individual plants or animals based on visible or measurable traits. By examining the DNA of an organism, scientists can use molecular markers to select plants or animals that possess a desirable gene, even in the absence of a visible trait. Thus, breeding is more precise and efficient. For example, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture has used molecular markers to obtain cowpea resistant to bruchid (a beetle), disease-resistant white yam and cassava resistant to Cassava Mosaic Disease, among others. Another use of molecular markers is to identify undesirable genes that can be eliminated in future generations.
Molecular diagnostics
Molecular diagnostics are methods to detect genes or gene products that are very precise and specific. Molecular diagnostics are used in agriculture to more accurately diagnose crop/livestock diseases.
Biotechnology-derived vaccines are used in livestock and humans. They may be cheaper, better and/or safer than traditional vaccines. They are also stable at room temperature, and do not need refrigerated storage; this is an important advantage for smallholders in tropical countries. Some are new vaccines, which offer protection for the first time against some infectious illnesses. For example, in the Philippines, biotechnology has been used to develop an improved vaccine to protect cattle and water buffalo against hemorrhagic septicemia, a leading cause of death for both species.
Tissue culture is the regeneration of plants in the laboratory from disease-free plant parts. This technique allows for the Reproduction of disease-free planting material for crops. Examples of crops produced using tissue culture include citrus, pineapples, avocados, mangoes, bananas, coffee and papaya.
Biofertilizers
Biofertilizers are defined as preparations containing living cells or latent cells of efficient strains of microorganisms that help crop plants’ uptake of nutrients by their interactions in the rhizosphere when applied through seed or Soil. They accelerate certain microbial processes in the soil which augment the extent of availability of nutrients in a form easily assimilated by plants.
Very often microorganisms are not as efficient in natural surroundings as one would expect them to be and therefore artificially multiplied cultures of efficient selected microorganisms play a vital role in accelerating the microbial processes in soil.
Use of biofertilizers is one of the important components of integrated nutrient management, as they are cost effective and renewable source of plant nutrients to supplement the chemical Fertilizers for Sustainable Agriculture. Several microorganisms and their association with crop plants are being exploited in the production of biofertilizers. They can be grouped in different ways based on their nature and function.
Different types of biofertilizers
Rhizobium
Rhizobium is a soil habitat bacterium, which can able to colonize the legume roots and fixes the atmospheric nitrogen symbiotically. The morphology and physiology of Rhizobium will vary from free-living condition to the bacteroid of nodules. They are the most efficient biofertilizer as per the quantity of nitrogen fixed concerned. They have seven genera and highly specific to form nodule in legumes, referred as cross inoculation group.
Rhizobium inoculant was first made in USA and commercialized by private enterprise in 1930s and the strange situation at that time has been chronicled by Fred.
Initially, due to absence of efficient bradyrhizobial strains in soil, soybean inoculation at that time resulted in bumper crops but incessant inoculation during the last four decades by US farmers has resulted in the build up of a plethora of inefficient strains in soil whose replacement by efficient strains of bradyrhizobia has become an insurmountable problem.
Azotobacter
Of the several species of Azotobacter, A. chroococcum happens to be the dominant inhabitant in arable soils capable of fixing N2 (2-15 mg N2 fixed /g of carbon source) in culture media.
The bacterium produces abundant slime which helps in soil aggregation. The numbers of A. chroococcum in Indian soils rarely exceeds 105/g soil due to lack of organic matter and the presence of antagonistic microorganisms in soil.
Azospirillum
Azospirillum lipoferum and A. brasilense (Spirillum lipoferum in earlier literature) are primary inhabitants of soil, the rhizosphere and intercellular spaces of root cortex of graminaceous plants.
They perform the associative symbiotic relation with the graminaceous plants. The bacteria of Genus Azospirillum are N2 fixing organisms isolated from the root and above ground parts of a variety of crop plants. They are Gram negative, Vibrio or Spirillum having abundant accumulation of polybetahydroxybutyrate (70 %) in cytoplasm.
Five species of Azospirillum have been described to date A. brasilense, A.lipoferum, A.amazonense, A.halopraeferens and A.irakense. The organism proliferates under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions but it is preferentially micro-aerophilic in the presence or absence of combined nitrogen in the medium.
Cyanobacteria
Both free-living as well as symbiotic cyanobacteria (blue green algae) have been harnessed in rice cultivation in India. A composite culture of BGA having heterocystous Nostoc, Anabaena, Aulosira etc. is given as primary inoculum in trays, polythene lined pots and later mass multiplied in the field for application as soil based flakes to the rice growing field at the rate of 10 kg/ha. The final product is not free from extraneous contaminants and not very often monitored for checking the presence of desiredalgal Flora.
Once so much publicized as a biofertilizer for the rice crop, it has not presently attracted the attention of rice growers all over India except pockets in the Southern States, notably Tamil Nadu. The benefits due to algalization could be to the extent of 20-30 kg N/ha under ideal conditions but the labour oriented methodology for the preparation of BGA biofertilizer is in itself a limitation. Quality control measures are not usually followed except perhaps for random checking for the presence of desired species qualitatively.
Azolla Azolla is a free-floating water fern that floats in water and fixes atmospheric nitrogen in association with nitrogen fixing blue green alga Anabaena azollae. Azolla fronds consist of sporophyte with a floating rhizome and small overlapping bi-lobed leaves and roots. Rice growing areas in South East Asia and other third World countries have recently been evincing increased interest in the use of the symbiotic N2 fixing water fern Azolla either as an alternate nitrogen sources or as a supplement to commercial nitrogen fertilizers. Azolla is used as biofertilizer for wetland rice and it is known to contribute 40-60 kg N/ha per rice crop.
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Biofertilizers are living organisms that are used to improve plant Growth and productivity. They are a type of biological control agent that can be used to replace or reduce the use of chemical fertilizers. Biofertilizers are made up of bacteria, Fungi, or algae that can fix nitrogen, phosphorus, or other nutrients from the air or soil. They can also help to improve Soil Structure and water retention.
There are many different types of biofertilizers, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Some of the most common types of biofertilizers include:
- Rhizobium bacteria: These bacteria form nodules on the roots of legumes and fix nitrogen from the air.
- Azospirillum bacteria: These bacteria colonize the roots of non-legumes and fix nitrogen from the air.
- Azotobacter bacteria: These bacteria live freely in the soil and fix nitrogen from the air.
- Phosphorus solubilizing bacteria: These bacteria release phosphorus from insoluble forms in the soil.
- Mycorrhizae: These fungi form symbiotic relationships with plant roots and help to improve nutrient uptake.
Biofertilizers can be produced in a variety of ways, depending on the type of organism being used. Some biofertilizers can be produced in large-scale Fermentation-2/”>Fermentation facilities, while others can be produced on a smaller scale using local Resources.
Biofertilizers can be applied to soil in a variety of ways, depending on the type of organism being used. Some biofertilizers can be applied as a seed treatment, while others can be applied as a soil drench or broadcast application.
Biofertilizers offer a number of benefits over chemical fertilizers. They are environmentally friendly, as they do not pollute the air or water. They are also cost-effective, as they can be produced locally using low-cost materials. Biofertilizers can also help to improve soil Health and reduce the need for Tillage.
However, biofertilizers also have some limitations. They can be less effective than chemical fertilizers in some cases. They can also be more difficult to apply and manage. Biofertilizers may also not be suitable for all crops or Soil Types.
Despite their limitations, biofertilizers offer a number of potential benefits for agriculture. They can help to improve crop yields, reduce the use of chemical fertilizers, and improve soil health. Biofertilizers are a promising alternative to chemical fertilizers, and research is ongoing to develop new and improved biofertilizer products.
The future of biofertilizers is bright. As research continues to develop new and improved biofertilizer products, they are likely to become more widely used in agriculture. Biofertilizers offer a number of potential benefits over chemical fertilizers, and they are an environmentally friendly and cost-effective way to improve crop yields.
Biotechnology In Agriculture is the use of biological processes and organisms to improve crop yields, livestock production, and soil health. Bio-fertilizers are one type of biotechnology that is used in agriculture. They are living organisms that help plants grow by providing them with nutrients or by improving the soil Environment.
Here are some frequently asked questions about biotechnology in agriculture and bio-fertilizers:
What is biotechnology?
Biotechnology is the use of biological processes and organisms to improve crop yields, livestock production, and soil health.What are bio-fertilizers?
Bio-fertilizers are living organisms that help plants grow by providing them with nutrients or by improving the soil environment.How do bio-fertilizers work?
Bio-fertilizers work by providing plants with nutrients that they would not otherwise have access to. They can also help to improve the soil environment by making it more fertile and by reducing the risk of pests and diseases.What are the benefits of using bio-fertilizers?
There are many benefits to using bio-fertilizers. They can help to improve crop yields, reduce the use of chemical fertilizers, and improve soil health.What are the risks of using bio-fertilizers?
There are few risks associated with using bio-fertilizers. However, it is important to use them correctly to avoid any problems.How can I learn more about biotechnology in agriculture and bio-fertilizers?
There are many resources available to learn more about biotechnology in agriculture and bio-fertilizers. You can find information online, in books, and from agricultural experts.
Which of the following is not a type of biofertilizer?
(A) Rhizobium
(B) Azospirillum
(C) Cyanobacteria
(D) Bacillus thuringiensisBiofertilizers are used to:
(A) Increase crop yields
(B) Improve Soil fertility
(C) Control pests and diseases
(D) All of the aboveBiofertilizers are produced by:
(A) Microorganisms
(B) Plants
(C) Animals
(D) None of the aboveThe most common type of biofertilizer is:
(A) Rhizobium
(B) Azospirillum
(C) Cyanobacteria
(D) Bacillus thuringiensisBiofertilizers are applied to crops:
(A) Before planting
(B) During planting
(C) After planting
(D) All of the aboveBiofertilizers are effective in:
(A) Acidic soils
(B) Alkaline soils
(C) Neutral soils
(D) All of the aboveBiofertilizers are safe for the environment:
(A) True
(B) FalseBiofertilizers are cost-effective:
(A) True
(B) FalseBiofertilizers are easy to use:
(A) True
(B) FalseBiofertilizers are widely available:
(A) True
(B) False