As organic carbon is important in the soil, micro-organisms play a very important role in enriching the soil. In today's episode, we will see how exactly this microbe works.
Bacteria such as Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Acetobacter live freely in the soil and fix nitrogen in the soil. Rhizobium bacteria establish a symbiotic relationship with pulses. They absorb and fix free nitrogen by staying in the nodules in the roots of crops. These bacteria convert nitrogen gas into anomie. Anomia produces other compounds of nitrogen that are available to plants. This process is called otherwise conditioning.
Various species of Bacillus and Pseudomonas degrade phosphorus that is immobilized on soil particles and becomes unavailable. They convert it into a soluble form that can dissolve in water. Phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria secrete specific acids that combine with insoluble phosphorus. It is converted into a soluble (available) form.
Mycorrhizae are fungi that provide nutrients like phosphorus and zinc to the plant in a cooperative manner with the plant roots. It supplies the crop by absorbing phosphate from the soil of low fertility as well as water from the deep soil layer.
Thiobacillus bacteria work to decompose insoluble sulfur in the soil and convert it into sulfate. Some species of Bacillus and Pseudomonas work to dissolve nutrients such as zinc, iron, copper and cobalt.
Bacteria such as Ferrobacterium, Leptothrix increase the movement of compost in the soil and make it available to the crop. Microorganisms in the soil work to decompose organic matter, for that it is necessary to increase the number of microorganisms that decompose organic matter. The organic matter used in the soil undergoes decomposition under the influence of different microorganisms in the soil. Thus plant nutrients locked in organic matter are released into the soil. They are easily available to crops.
Harmful fungi cause diseases like root rot, stem rot, leaf drop, tree wilting etc. Fungi like Trichoderma are helpful in controlling them. Some microorganisms secrete antibiotics that are harmful to pathogenic fungi around the roots of crops. Pseudomonas fluorescens protects the plant against some fungal diseases by being active around or on the root of the plant.
Actonomycetes and fungi secrete a sticky gum-like substance from their bodies, which holds soil particles together.
Azotobacter, Azospirillum and other microorganisms produce nutrients required for plant growth. E.g. Gibberellic acid, vitamin-12, indole acetic acid, nicotinic acid, pantothenic acid, cholic acid, biotin...
High salinity in soil affects crop growth as well as the growth and biological activity of soil microorganisms. Even under such conditions, some microorganisms persist and continue their work, excreting organic acids. This dissolves the limestone and releases lime. Replaces sodium on soil particles. In this way, the amount of sodium salt is reduced and the soil is improved.
Rhizobium bacteria form nodules on the roots of pulses, resulting in extensive fixation of free nitrogen, thus reducing the need for nitrogen fertilizers in pulses. By leaving the chromosomes of nitrogen-fixing and root-nodulating organisms in useful organisms of Agrobacterium, nodules can also be formed on the roots of cereal crops.
author-
Mr. Subhash Chandra Karale Sir
Director, SV Agro Solutions