Biofertilizers or microbial inoculants include biologically active and efficient bacteria, actinomycetes, Azolla, mycorrhizae etc. that can provide plant nutrients viz. nitrogen and phosphorus at cheaper cost when compared with chemical fertilizers. Moreover, biofertilizers and organic manures are environment friendly and important basic inputs for sustainable agriculture. Their integrated uses thus can cause a reduction in application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and overall cost of cultivation of crops. The monograph deals with various aspects of biofertilizers and manures, and technologies for their production and use. The biofertilizers viz. Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azospirillum, blue-green algae, Frankia, Mycorrhizae, Rhizobium sp. and mineral phosphate solubilising microorganisms viz. Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Apergillus, Penicillium and others have been discussed in different chapters. The methods for production of enriched manures, factors affecting composting, role of cellulytic and lignolytic micro-organisms, methods of vermicomposting and standards for maturity of compost have been discussed in detail. The book is useful for the farmers and NGOs, interested in organic farming and will serve the purpose of both biologists and farm scientists, who are interested in using renewable and alternative sources of energy as organic farming inputs.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR A.C. Gaur
Professor A.C. Gaur, M.Sc. Ag. (Agra) D.Phil (Allahabad), D.Sc. (Paris) has 40 years of research and 35 years of teaching experience in the field of Soil Microbiology in the area of organic and Biobertilizers. Dr. Gaur has a very distinguished career in his field and has worked in the renowned instructions, Viz; University of Allahabad, North Western University, Evanston, III, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohil, USA, university of Paris, Paris (France), Institute of Soil Biochemistry, FAL, Braunschweig, (Germany), All union Institute of Agricultural Microbiology (USSR) and Indian Agriculture research Institute, New Delhi. He has widely traveled to U.S.A., Europe, South east Asian Countries, Western Somoa, Cook Islands, marshal Islands, Figi, Newzealand and Australia and has participated in several International conferences and meetings including that of F.A.O., He is fellow of national academy Agricultural sciences of India (NAAS). He has held several key positions at IARI, New Delhi such as Soil Microbiologist (1964-1971), Senior Microbiologist (1971-1977). He was professor during 1977-1993 and Head of the Division of Microbiology during 1985-1993. After superannuation he further worked professor of Agricultural Microbiology, AMU, Aligarh and Emeritus Scientist (DST), New Delhi. He is author of 180 research and review papers and five books. He has contributed a great deal in the field of organic farming and biofertilizers and the technologies are being used for large scale composting and biofertilizer production.
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