biofertilizer
Biofertilizers are preparations containing living microorganisms that, when applied to seeds, plant surfaces, or soil, colonize the rhizosphere or plant interior to enhance nutrient supply and availability to the host. By harnessing beneficial bacteria, fungi, and other microbes, biofertilizers improve nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubilization, and overall soil health in ways that support sustainable plant growth. Research into biofertilizers is advancing our understanding of plant-microbe interactions and offering eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic fertilizers in agricultural systems.
open_in_new WikipediaPubMed · 2026-05-03
Researchers developed a way to coat cotton seeds with beneficial bacteria locked inside a protective gel, keeping the bacteria alive for over a year and boosting cotton yields by up to 23% — without chemical fertilizers.
Bioencapsulated seeds maintained greater than 80% germination rate and approximately 2.9 log₁₀ CFU/seed bacterial viability after 12 months of storage
Field trials in Punjab, India showed seed cotton yield improvements of 10.6–12.3% depending on the bacterial strain used
Lint (cotton fiber) yield increased by 21.9–23.2%, with the optimal coating formula being 1.5% sodium alginate, 7.5% PVA, 5% starch, and 10% glycerol
