16. Significance of Cyanobacteria as Inoculants in Agriculture

The utilization of beneficial microbes as biofertilizers has become vital in agriculture sector for their prospective role in food safety and sustainable crop production. Biofertilizers keep the soil environment rich in all kinds of micro- and macro-nutrients via nitrogen fixation, phosphate and potassium solubilisation or mineralization, release of plant growth regulating substances, production of antibiotics and biodegradation of organic matter in the soil (Sinha et al, Int J Agric Health Saf 1:50–64, 2014). When biofertilizers are applied as seed or soil inoculants, they multiply and participate in nutrient cycling and benefit crop productivity (Singh et al, Agric Ecosyst Environ 140:339–353, 2011). Generally, 60 % to 90 % of the total applied fertilizer is lost and the remaining 10 % to 40 % is taken up by the plants. In this regard, microbial inoculants have supreme significance in integrated nutrient management systems to sustain agricultural productivity and healthy environment (Adesemoye and Kloepper Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 85:1–12, 2009).