Consider the following organisms : 1. Agaricus 2. Nostoc 3. Spirog

Consider the following organisms :

  • 1. Agaricus
  • 2. Nostoc
  • 3. Spirogyra

Which of the above is/are used as biofertilizer/biofertilizers?

1 and 2
2 only
2 and 3
3 only
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2013
Nostoc is used as a biofertilizer. Agaricus and Spirogyra are not typically used as biofertilizers.
1. Agaricus is a genus of fungi (mushrooms) and is not generally used as a biofertilizer. Some fungi like mycorrhizal fungi are used as biofertilizers as they enhance nutrient uptake, but Agaricus is not primarily used for this purpose.
2. Nostoc is a genus of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) known for its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen. It is widely used as a biofertilizer, especially in paddy fields.
3. Spirogyra is a genus of filamentous green algae. It is photosynthetic but does not fix nitrogen and is not used as a biofertilizer.
Biofertilizers are substances containing live microorganisms which, when applied to seed, plant surfaces, or soil, colonize the rhizosphere or the interior of the plant and promote growth by increasing the supply or availability of primary nutrients to the host plant. Examples include nitrogen-fixing bacteria (Rhizobium, Azotobacter), cyanobacteria (Anabaena, Nostoc), and phosphorus-solubilizing microorganisms.
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