This new volume, Biofertilizers and Biopesticides in Sustainable Agriculture, presents strategies for the management of soil and crop diseases. Microbes have attracted worldwide attention due to their role in disease management and remediation of polluted soils. Taking a sustainable approach, this book explores the means of integrating various microbial management approaches to achieve the desired levels of crop yield under both conventional soils and neglected soils through the use of biopesticides and other botanicals as well as biomolecules. This book also presents a broad and updated view of molecular nitrogen fixation and phosphate-solubilizing and sulfur-transforming microbes for nutrition of crops in relation to the role of metal tolerant microbes in providing protection to plants grown in metal-contaminated soils. The preparation and application of biofertilizers, utilization of household waste materials, and use of genetically modified microorganisms (GMOs) in plant growth and development are also well discussed in the volume.

Ranging from biofuels to building materials, and from cosmetics to pharmaceuticals, the list of products that may be manufactured using discards from farming and fishery operations is extensive. Byproducts from Agriculture and Fisheries examines the procedures and technologies involved in this process of reconstitution, taking an environmentally aware approach as it explores the developing role of value-added byproducts in the spheres of food security, waste management, and climate control. An international group of authors contributes engaging and insightful chapters on a wide selection of animal and plant byproducts, discussing the practical business of byproduct recovery within the vital contexts of shifting socio-economic concerns and the emergence of green chemistry. This important text: Covers recent developments, current research, and emerging technologies in the fields of byproduct recovery and utilization Explores potential opportunities for future research and the prospective socioeconomic benefits of green waste management Includes detailed descriptions of procedures for the transformation of the wastes into of value-added food and non-food products With its combination of practical instruction and broader commentary, Byproducts from Agriculture and Fisheries offers essential insight and expertise to all students and professionals working in agriculture, environmental science, food science, and any other field concerned with sustainable resources.

Chemical fertilizers are widely used with the purpose to enhance output in various product varieties in agriculture. As, chemical fertilizers are the big¬gest reason of posing pollution to the water bodies, ground water, and also bioaccumulates in crops hence badly destroying ecological cycles. Therefore, modern scientists are focusing to switch completely from chemical farming to organic farming in order to encourage sustainable agriculture. In organic farm¬ing crops are not polluted as they rose through use of manures, biofertilizers and biopesticides which not only provides optimum nutrients to plants but also keep pests and pathogens in control. Biofertilizers are actually "microorgan¬isms which bring roughly nutrient enrichment of soil through enhancing the availability of nutrients to plant crops". These micro-organisms who exhibit the ability to act as bio-fertilizers are the bacteria, cyanobacteria and mycor¬rhizal fungi. Biofertilizers provides considerable potent benefits to agriculture as well as public health programmes. Both developing and developed countries have a vast potential for biofertilizers. However, their adoption by farmers es¬pecially in developing countries needs education for maximizing benefits. The stress on organic farming as well as on residue free materials would certainly merit enhanced adoption of biofungicides by the farmers. The use of fungicides reduces crop productivity loss because the chemically synthesized pesticides are no doubt quick in their effect but on the other hand they cause so many environmental and health just as revival of new pests, fungal resistance, loss of soil fertility and persistence of toxic substances when they are consumed by animals and humans. All these problems call for an eco-friendly and sustainable approach in order to decrease the usage and dependence of chemically synthe¬sized fertilizers and pesticides. Similarly, there are so many natural fungicides that can be best alternatives to control fungi and enhancing plant life. Thus, the purpose of this book is to provide that knowledge about recent advancements in the emerging fields of Biofertilizers and Biofungicides as both of them are considered to be ecofriendly as well as sustainable substitutes to chemical fertilizers and fungicides respectively.Chapter 1- 10 discusses all aspects of biofertilizers with special focus on recent advances in this technology while Chapter 11- 14 are about Biofungicides, their applications and recent advances in this field of organic farming.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the benefits of biofertilizers as an alternative to chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Agricultural production has increased massively over the last century due to increased use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, but these gains have come at a price. The chemicals are not only expensive; they also reduce microbial activity in agricultural soils and accumulate in the food chain, with potentially harmful effects for humans. Accordingly, it is high time to explore alternatives and to find solutions to overcome our increasing dependence on these chemicals. Biofertilizers, which consist of plant remains, organic matter and microorganisms, might offer an alternative. They are natural, organic, biodegradable, eco-friendly and cost-effective. Further, the microbes present in the biofertilizers are important, because they produce nutrients required for plant growth (e.g., nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), as well as substances essential for plant growth and development (e.g., auxins and cytokinins). Biofertilizers also improve the physical properties, fertility and productivity of soil, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers while maintaining high crop yield. This makes biofertilizers a powerful tool for sustainable agriculture and a sustainable environment. The book covers the latest research on biofertilizers, ranging from beneficial fungal, bacterial and algal inoculants; to microbes for bioremediation, wastewater treatment; and recycling of biodegradable municipal, agricultural and industrial waste; as well as biocontrol agents and bio-pesticides. As such, it offers a valuable resource for researchers, academics and students in the broad fields of microbiology and agriculture.

Organic farming is a new revolution in agriculture on a global scale. This has come in wake of realization of ill effects of Green Revolution.This book has given description of adverse effects of chemicals used in agriculture and the urgent need to switch to organic farming by the use of biofertilizers and adopting biocontrol measures. Organic farming is a sustainable option where cheap and ecofriendly biofertilizers are produced by farmers and scientists using various micro organisms such as bacteria, algae and fungi. Green pest management practices using biocontrol agents for minimising the crop loss due to insect pests is extensively described in this book. The authors have also dealt with the different measures adopted in India to popularize the use of biofertilizers and biocontrol agents. The book focuses attention on present day challenge of attaining sustainable agriculture without damaging the environment.

How to achieve sustainable agricultural production without compromising environmental quality, agro-ecosystem function and biodiversity is a serious consideration in current agricultural practices. Farming systems’ growing dependency on chemical inputs (fertilizers, pesticides, nutrients etc.) poses serious threats with regard to crop productivity, soil fertility, the nutritional value of farm produce, management of pests and diseases, agro-ecosystem well-being, and health issues for humans and animals. At the same time, microbial inoculants in the form of biofertilizers, plant growth promoters, biopesticides, soil health managers, etc. have gained considerable attention among researchers, agriculturists, farmers and policy makers. The first volume of the book Microbial Inoculants in Sustainable Agricultural Productivity - Research Perspectives highlights the efforts of global experts with regard to various aspects of microbial inoculants. Emphasis is placed on recent advances in microbiological techniques for the isolation, characterization, identification and evaluation of functional properties using biochemical and molecular tools. The taxonomic characterization of agriculturally important microorganisms is documented, along with their applications in field conditions. The book exploresthe identification, characterization and diversity analysis of endophytic microorganisms in various crops including legumes/ non-legumes, as well as the assessment of their beneficial impacts in the context of promotingplant growth. Moreover, it provides essential updates onthe diversity and role of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and arbuscular mycorrhizal mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Further chaptersexamine in detailbiopesticides, thehigh-density cultivation of bioinoculants in submerged culture, seed biopriming strategies for abiotic and biotic stress tolerance, andPGPR as abio-control agent. Given its content,the book offers a valuable resource for researchers involved in research and development concerningPGPR, biopesticides and microbial inoculants.