MECHANISM OF QUALITY ASSURANCE FOR DIFFERENT BIOFERTILIZERS FROM PRODUCTION UNIT TO THE FARMERS FIELD.

The desired/convincing performance of biofertilizers can only be achieved with quality biofertilizers. Narrowing the meaning of the word `Quality by restricting it as a liability/responsibility of the manufacturer only is an immature interpretation of this word. Thus, in the wider meaning, the word `Quality plays vital role in various aspects as under: Manufacturing Aspects. Marketing Aspects. Application Aspects.

Manufacturing Aspects: It involves following major areas: [A] Personnel Engaged: As biofertilizers are basically the product of microbial origin, subject qualified personnel are required to be engaged at the Production Unit to take care of scientific aspects at every stage. [B] Basic Research & Experimentation: Pure culture isolation and identification of the culture of interest is the gateway of quality assurance. Periodic detailed study of the culture at Laboratory level and Land level is of paramount importance. a) Laboratory Level :

Study of morphological and biochemical characteristics of the culture. Checking have Nitrogen fixing and /or Phosphate solubilizing efficiency. Preservation of the efficient culture.

Post Production Quality Control: It is an important to have parameters for post production quality control. This will ensure the quality of the product till the expiry date. Quality Control through enzymatic activities: Enzymetatic involved over all soil fertility is a biochemical indicator to monitor perturbations caused by the introduction wild type or genetically modified

bacterial into the rhizosphere of crop plants. The enzymatic capabilities of the resident soil microbiota will determine the ability of the soil to mineralize the organic matter, to recycle nutrients and to supply available nutrients to plant roots and thus represents and important component in soil fertility. The use of soil enzymes to determine the extent of perturbations undergone by a soil has proved a successful approach to study the impact of the different soil management systems. The enzymes are involved in important soil processes, such as mineralisation of soil organic matter, and include celluloses, chitinases, B-galactosidase, glucanase, phosphates and urease. This new technique for measuring enzymatic activities in soil can be used to monitor the introduction of genetically modified bacteria into an experimental model system. Enzymatic activity determinations have the potential to provide a sensitive biomarker for the detection of perturbations that may be caused by the introduction of genetically modified microorganisms. b) Land Level study involves: Pot Trials. Micro-pot trials. Trials on own R&D Farms. Trials on Farmers fields in varied agro-climatic zones. C] Production Process:

Due care is required to be exercised during [D] Sterilization of the medium and neutralized carrier. Aseptic culture inoculation. Fermentation for adequate period to achieve desired bacterial count. Qualitative and quantitative confirmation of the fermented broth. Mixing of the broth with carrier in proper ratio so as to maintain optimum moisture and ultimately the effective bacterial count up to the time of application. Use of suitable packing material (preferably PP) with LDPE preprinting of all the required information like time, dose and method of application and precautions etc. Ascetic filling, sealing and packing of the finished product with accuracy. Maintenance of cleanliness and contamination preventing atmosphere in work area. Storage at Production Unit:

As the biofertilizers contain microorganisms, their storage demands special care. The cartons of biofertilizers are stored in temperature controlled (25oC) room up to dispatch. 3.2 [A] Marketing Aspects: Dispatch: Considering the presence of microorganisms, the biofertilizers are preferably dispatched during late evening or night hours to avoid direct exposure of the cartons to sunlight. The cartons in the transporting vehicle should be properly covered with tarpolin particularly during summer and monsoon. Storage at marketing outlets: The cartons of biofertilizer is received for sales should be stored at cool place protected from direct sunlight, rain etc. in the room. The cartons should be kept away from the storage of Chemical Fertilizers and Chemical Pesticides. The cartons should be stacked properly to avoid any possibility of damage and opening of the boxes/packets. The sales should be affected keeping in mind the date of expire of the biofertilizers Application Aspects: Storage at Farmers end: Biofertilizers should be stored in dark and cool place preferably near Water pots. Biofertilizers should be kept away from Chemical Fertilizers and Chemical Pesticides. Methods of Application: The biofertilizers should be used for the crop specified and within the period mentioned on the packet. The biofertilizers should be applied preferably at the time of sowing (Seed treatment) and/or in standing crop (soil application by opening furrow) depending upon the crop, ultimately; it should reach to the root system. The treated seeds sown should preferably be cover with farm soil to avoid direct exposure to sunlight.

[B] 3.3 [A] [B]

The biofertilizers should be applied in Vepsa condition or light irrigation should be given after biofertilizers application. The biofertilizers should be applied as per the dose given on the packet. During seed treatment, utmost care should be exercised to avoid any damage to the seed coat. When chemical pesticide treatment is required, the biofertilizer dose should be doubled.

3.4 Institutional Support:

Free sample testing by institutions like RBDC for manufacturing units. Establishment of quality monitoring agencies for quality control at all levels. QC Lab. Chain through out the country to determine whether the strains are suitable for the locality and for the crop intended. Surveillance to ensure products to meet quality and safety standards. Food Inspection Agency, Plant Product Directorate. Product revival for safety, efficacy and quality. Quality Control through legislation: Allowing the scope of publicizing sub-standard producers. Before publication, the producers should be sternly warned. Legislation should also allow deregistration of such producers. Establishment of Central Quality Control Laboratory to carry outTesting and selecting biofertilizers strains. Maintain and supply mother culture of proven strains for the manufacturer. - Check the quality of the biofertilizers produced at the production points and in market.

Participation of Private Companies and International Organizations like FAO etc. Establishment of internationally reputable NBDC. Committee feels that at least one biofertilizers should be established in each Agril. University as a part of already existing Fertilizer Testing Laboratories. Use of gene markers in QC of biofertilizers should be initiated.

3.5

Standards for different biofertilizers were recommended by the Members:

Specification for Biofertilzers A. Rhizobium Specification

Sl.No Description . 1 Nature of product 2 Pacing material 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Carrier based. LDPE, HMHDPE, PP or any other suitable with adequate thickness. Maximum shelf life period . 6 months. Carrier Peat, Lignite, Peat Soil, Humus or any other suitable material. Particle size carrier 100% to pass through 212 micron sieve (ISS No.20) pH of product 6.5 7.5 Moisture content in product 35-40% Testing method for population count Plating. Number of cells per gram till the period 107 of expiry. Tolerance level for contamination No contamination at 10-8 Application of serological test Optional

Each packet should contain the following details clearly printed. * * * * * * * * * * Name of the product i.e. name of the strain. Crop/crops for which it is recommended. Name and address of the manufacturer. Batch Number. Date of manufacture. Date of expiry. Net weight of product. Maximum Retail Price (MRP) inclusive of taxes. Method of application. Storage instructions.

B. Sr.No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

AZOSPIRILLUM Description Nature of product Packing material Maximum shelf life period. Carrier Particle size of carrier PH of product Moisture content in product Testing method for population count Number of cells per gram till the period of expiry. Tolerance level for contamination Application of serological test Specification Carrier based LDPE, HMHDPE, PP or any other suitable with adequate thickness. 6 months. Peat, Lignite, Peat Soil, Humus or any other suitable material. 100% to pass through 212 micron sieve (ISS No.20) 6.5 7.5 35-40% MPN 107 No contamination at 10-8 dilution. Optional

C. Sr.No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

PHOSPHOBACTERIA Description Nature of product Packing material Maximum shelf life period. Carrier Particle size of carrier PH of product Moisture content in product Testing method for population count Number of cells per gram till the period of expiry. Tolerance level for contamination Specification Carrier based LDPE, HMHDPE, PP or any other suitable with adequate thickness. 6 months. Peat, Lignite, Peat Soil, Humus or any other suitable material. 100% to pass through 212 micron sieve (ISS No.20) 6.5 7.5 35-40% Plating 107 No contamination at 10-8

11 D. Sr.No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Application of serological test AZOTOBACTER: Description Nature of product Packing material Maximum shelf life period. Carrier Particle size of carrier PH of product Moisture content in product Testing method for population count Number of cells per gram till the period of expiry. Tolerance level for contamination Application of serological test

dilution. Optional

Specification Carrier based LDPE, HMHDPE, PP or any other suitable with adequate thickness. 6 months. Peat, Lignite, Peat Soil, Humus or any other suitable material. 100% to pass through 212 micron sieve (ISS No.20) 6.5 7.5 35-40% Plating 107 No contamination at 10-8 dilution. Optional

STANDARDS FOR DIFFERENT BIOFERTILIZERS

Dr.S.S.Mane and Sh.P.M.Chaudhari College of Agriculture Dhule. M.P.K.V Rahuri (M.S.)

SPECIFICATION FOR BIOFERTILZERS

Rhizobium Sr Description . 1 Nature of product 2 Pacing material Specification

Carrier based. LDPE, HMHDPE, PP or any other suitable with adequate thickness. 3 Maximum shelf life period . 6 months. 4 Carrier Peat, Lignite, Peat Soil, Humus or any other suitable material. 5 Particle size carrier 100% to pass through 212 micron sieve (ISS No.20) 6 PH of product 6.5 7.5 7 Moisture content in product 35-40% 8 Testing method for Plating. population count 9 Number of cells per gram 107 till the period of expiry. 10 Tolerance level for No contamination at 10-8 contamination 11 Application of serological Optional test Each packet should contain the following details clearly printed. * Name of the product i.e. name of the strain. * Crop/crops for which it is recommended. * Name and address of the manufacturer. * Batch Number. * Date of manufacture. * Date of expiry. * Net weight of product.

* * *

Maximum Retail Price (MRP) inclusive of taxes. Method of application. Storage instructions.

B.

AZOSPIRILLUM Sr.No. Description 1 Nature of product 2 Packing material 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

CI. C.

Specification Carrier based LDPE, HMHDPE, PP or any other suitable with adequate thickness. Maximum shelf life period. 6 months. Carrier Peat, Lignite, Peat Soil, Humus or any other suitable material. Particle size of carrier 100% to pass through 212 micron sieve (ISS No.20) PH of product 6.5 7.5 Moisture content in product 35-40% Testing method for population MPN count Number of cells per gram till 107 the period of expiry. Tolerance level for No contamination at 10-8 contamination dilution. Application of serological test Optional
PHOSPHOBACTERIA

Sr.No. Description

Specification

1 2

Nature of product Packing material

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Maximum shelf life period. Carrier Particle size of carrier PH of product Moisture content in product Testing method for population count Number of cells per gram till the period of expiry. Tolerance level for contamination Application of serological test

Carrier based LDPE, HMHDPE, PP or any other suitable with adequate thickness. 6 months. Peat, Lignite, Peat Soil, Humus or any other suitable material. 100% to pass through 212 micron sieve (ISS No.20) 6.5 7.5 35-40% Plating 107 No contamination at 108 dilution. Optional

AZOTOBACTER: Sr.No. Description 1 Nature of product 2 Packing material 3 4 5 6 7 Maximum shelf life period. Carrier Particle size of carrier PH of product Moisture content in product Specification Carrier based LDPE, HMHDPE, PP or any other suitable with adequate thickness. 6 months. Peat, Lignite, Peat Soil, Humus or any other suitable material. 100% to pass through 212 micron sieve (ISS No.20) 6.5 7.5 35-40%

8 9 10 11

Testing method for population count Number of cells per gram till the period of expiry. Tolerance level for contamination Application of serological test

Plating 107 No contamination at 10-8 dilution. Optional