Nitrogen fixation mechanism and plant growth promotion
- Azospirillum species, such as Azospirillum brasilense and Azospirillum lipoferum, fix elemental nitrogen under microaerophilic conditions.
- Synthesizes plant hormones including indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellins, and cytokinins that enhance root hair density and root branching.
- Improves plant uptake of water and vital soil minerals such as phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients.
Responsive crops and field benefits
- Cereal crops including paddy, wheat, maize, sorghum, and pearl millet.
- Commercial cash crops such as sugarcane and cotton.
- Vegetable crops including tomato, cabbage, brinjal, and leafy greens.
- Reduces reliance on synthetic chemical nitrogen fertilizers while improving soil microbial activity.
Application methods and precautions
- Seed treatment: Mix carrier-based or liquid culture with jaggery slurry, coat seeds gently, and shade-dry before immediate sowing.
- Seedling root dip: Dissolve biofertilizer in water and immerse nursery seedling roots for 20 to 30 minutes before transplanting.
- Soil application: Blend with well-decomposed farmyard manure or vermicompost and broadcast across the field during secondary tillage.
- Store biofertilizer packets in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and avoid mixing directly with chemical fertilizers or fungicides.
Official source
Check the latest rules, benefits and forms here. KisanPe is an independent platform and is not a government website.
National Centre of Organic and Natural Farming ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
What is Azospirillum biofertilizer?
It is a biological formulation containing live nitrogen-fixing bacteria that boost nitrogen availability in non-legume crops.
How much chemical nitrogen can Azospirillum replace?
It supplements nitrogen nutrition and can reduce synthetic nitrogen fertilizer requirement by 20 to 25 percent.
Can Azospirillum be mixed with chemical fungicides?
No, direct contact with synthetic fungicides or chemical bactericides kills the beneficial bacteria.
What is the best method to apply Azospirillum in paddy?
Seedling root dip prior to transplanting combined with basal soil application mixed with compost yields the best results.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
More Fertilizers & Crop Nutrition guides
Ask Sakhi AI in your language, check live mandi prices or plan a loan with KisanPe tools.