POTENTIAL OF AZOTOBACTER IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

Abstract

The problem of climate change has started to hit stomach of world population through its adverse effect on crops and soil microbes. A comprehensive approach is required to deal with this situation so that continuous and enough food supply to the people can be ensured. Breeding of variously resistant crop plants may be one of the approaches, but to adopt an agricultural practice that can sustain the agriculture production at higher level should be the best one. Replacing chemical inputs with the biofertilizers, especially the highly efficient strains of Azotobacter constitutes one of the most important components of such agricultural practice. Since its discovery in 1901, Azotobacter has been seen as an important agricultural input due to its multiple beneficial effects on plant growth. Therefore, extensive works have been carried out leading to much advancement in the techniques to isolate, identify, and apply this plant growth promoting rhizospheric (PGPR) bacterium to the crops has been made. Also, huge data as to multiple agricultural roles of this bacterium have been generated. The aim of this review is to recapitulate various aspects of Azotobacter highlighting its importance in sustainable agriculture.