Microbial biofertilizers: Pathways toward agricultural sustainability

The development of sustainable agricultural methods is the biggest worldwide challenge of the twenty-first century. The future of agriculture and the environment are seriously threatened by our over-reliance on the use of hazardous chemical fertilizers to boost productivity. Agrochemicals can be replaced with innovative and environmentally friendly microbial bioformulation technology, which opens the door to sustainable agriculture. Biofertilizers are becoming more and more popular as a healthy substitute for these hazardous chemical fertilizers with a market potential of 3.8 billion dollars by 2025. Plant growth-promoting (PGP) microorganism-based biofertilizers have shown a number of benefits in agricultural practices, including improved soil fertility, biotic and abiotic stress control, and environmentally friendly nutrition. The application of biofertilizers is a sustainable and eco-friendly substitute that prevents eutrophication, increases product flavour, taste, and odour, and enhances fertility by lowering soil acidification. However, its widespread commercial use has been hindered by a number of drawbacks, such as vitality, efficiency, adaptability, and inconsistency. Numerous strategies have been used to enhance and get around these limitations. By combating these limitations, biofertilizers can noticeably contribute towards environmentally friendly farming practices, emphasizing their significance in achieving a sustainable agricultural system and improvement of long-term soil health.