ABSTRACT
The use of biofertilizers is economically viable. The main goal in the development of biotechnology is to increase the effective microbial population in the soil which can contribute to sustainable agricultural development and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Nitrogen, phosphate, potassium, silicate and sulphur microbial fertilizers are now commercially produced and consumed. By investing about USD 10,000 in small-scale biofertilizers, USD 6,000 a year can be achieved. This benefit could increase the likelihood of entrepreneurship in the field of biofertilizers. To commercialize mycorrhizal fertilizers, three methods have been employed in the industrial propagation of these fungi: hydroponics, aeroponics and in vitro simultaneous root and fungal cultivation. Among these methods, the latter has been the most successful in both the economic and purity aspects of inoculum prepared by simultaneous root and fungal culture. The mass production of biofertilizers requires that strain selection, reproduction and maintenance of pure culture must first be performed, then the liquid medium in vitro on a commercial scale is prepared. At this stage, the bacterial quality must be controlled and finally mixed with the carrier and the biofertilizer is packaged. All procedures are performed under sterile conditions. A fermenter is needed for mass production. A fermenter is a device in which optimum conditions for microbial growth and artificial activity are created. This device may be used for the production of microbial metabolites such as antibiotics or enzymes or may be used for the growth of microorganisms.
