Biofertilizer
Videos
A biofertilizer is a substance containing living micro-organisms which, when applied to seeds, plant surfaces, or soil, colonize the rhizosphere or the interior of the plant and promote growth by incr
Blue-green algae cultured in specific media. Blue-green algae can be helpful in agriculture as they have the capability to fix atmospheric nitrogen to soil. This nitrogen is helpful to the crops. Blue-green algae is used as a biofertilizer.
Mycorrhizal fungi promote bioavailability of nutrients for plants
Vermicompost-tea is often used in organic farming as biofertilizer.
Kelp has very high nutrient density
Rhizosphere
Videos
The rhizosphere is the narrow region of soil or substrate that is directly influenced by root secretions and associated soil microorganisms known as the root microbiome. Soil pores in the rhizosphere
Some rhizosphere processes in the soil (A) Root system architecture is concerned with structural features of the root and responds to with environmental stimuli. (B) The rhizosphere produces photosynthetically fixed carbon that exudes into the soil and influences soil physicochemical gradients. (C) Free-living or parasitic nematodes interact with the rhizosphere via signaling interactions. (D) Mycorrhizal fungi create intimate relationships with the roots and engage in nutrient exchange. (E) Bacterial composition is distinct upon different parts, age, type of the roots.
Communication in the rhizosphere Actors and interactions in the rhizosphere: Inter-kingdom and intra-kingdom communication involving plants and microbes in the rhizosphere, including the consistent role of rhizobia. VOCs = volatile organic compounds; PGP = plant growth promoting; AMF = arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
Root nodules, each containing billions of Rhizobiaceae bacteria
Growth chamber designs for studying rhizosphere interactions (A) Rhizotron/Rhizobox set up, (B) Rhizobox with side-compartment, (C) vertical root mat chambers; a modular option is show where the plant can be pre-grown in a separate compartment and transplanted afterward onto the main examination chamber, inset shows a modular set up option, (D) horizontal root mat in rhizobox, (E) Mycorrhizal compartments, (F) split-root systems shown here in a rhizobox set up; (G) Nylon bag to separate root and root-free soil; roots may be restricted in the bag or the soil may be protected from root penetration by the bag.