Publication

Abstract : The Green Revolution had enabled many countries to achieve self-sustainability in food production by using high yielding crop varieties along with synthetic agrochemicals, thereby increasing crop yield. Agrochemicals like fertilizers and pesticides are widely used to prevent pests and weeds and thus control crop diseases and reduce yield losses. However, the large-scale and injudicious use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers gave rise to serious concerns related to environment and human health. To overcome this, other sustainable agricultural practices are often explored. Microbial inoculants are beneficial microorganisms that have the capability to control weeds and eliminate pests and diseases, as well as promote plant growth. Microbial inoculants available as biofertilizers and biocontrol agents (biopesticides, bioherbicides, bioinsecticides) can act as a potential alternative to chemical fertilizers and thus can be employed in agriculture to improve crop health and yield. In this chapter, we discuss the concept of microbial inoculants with special emphasis on biofertilizers and biopesticides, their advantages as integrated pest management techniques, and their role in soil ecosystems for developing sustainable agricultural practices. The recent advances in agriculture technology and future strategies to explore and improve the usage of this environmentally friendly alternative to pesticides and chemical fertilizers are also discussed.