Question

Why microorganisms are essential for agriculture?

Answer 1

Role of microbes in agriculture:

1. Natural fertilizer:
   Microbes like bacteria, fungi act as decomposers and break down the dead and degradable waste of plants and animals. During this process, nutrients are released into the soil and the soil becomes fertile. This compost is called natural fertilizer.
2. Nitrogen fixation:
   Microbes can fix atmospheric gaseous nitrogen as nitrate salts in the soil. Example: Rhizobium (root nodule bacteria in leguminous plants). Free-living bacteria, cyanobacteria (Nostoc).
3. Biocontrol agents:
   Microbes act as natural biocontrol agents and protect crops from pests. Example: Baculoviruses attack insects which harm the plants.