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Bio-Organic Fertilizers and Microbial Biostimulants in Maize-Cereal Cropping Systems
Gurwinder Singh1, Baljinder Singh1, Munish Sharma2
1Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda 151302, India.
Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Bio-organic fertilizers (BOF) enhance maize-wheat crop yields and soil health by improving nutrient use and stress resilience. These fertilizers act as regulators of plant-soil interactions, promoting sustainable agriculture.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Soil Science
- Agronomy
Background:
- Intensive agriculture faces challenges like declining soil quality and nutrient inefficiency.
- Maize-cereal production, especially in rice-wheat systems, is constrained by these issues.
- Diversified systems like maize-wheat rotations are gaining attention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of bio-organic fertilizers (BOF) in maize-cereal production.
- To emphasize their impact on maize-wheat rotations.
- To examine effects on crop productivity, soil health, nutrient dynamics, and stress resilience.
Main Methods:
- Literature review synthesizing current knowledge on BOF.
- Analysis of BOF effects on crop performance and soil processes.
- Examination of mechanisms regulating plant-soil interactions.
Main Results:
- BOF and microbial biostimulants improve crop performance via nutrient mobilization, root development, and rhizosphere regulation.
- These inputs enhance nutrient-use efficiency, stress tolerance, and yield stability.
- BOF benefits extend beyond one season, improving soil biological activity and nutrient availability.
Conclusions:
- BOF are multifunctional regulators of plant-soil processes, not just nutrient sources.
- They support the sustainability of maize-wheat and other cereal-based cropping systems.
- BOF contribute to more stable crop yields and improved soil health over time.
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