Integrating Biofertilizers in Nutrient Management of Millets: A Review of Advances and Prospects
Shourabh Joshi
Department of Plant Biotechnology, College of Agriculture Nagaur, Agriculture University Jodhpur, Rajasthan -341001, India.
Neeshu Joshi
Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture Nagaur, Agriculture University Jodhpur, Rajasthan -341001, India.
Abid Tariq *
Division of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture (FoA), Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology- Kashmir, Wadura- 193 201, J&K, India.
Mehreena Khursheed
Division of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture (FoA), Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology- Kashmir, Wadura- 193 201, J&K, India.
Ruby Jan
Division of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture (FoA), Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology- Kashmir, Wadura- 193 201, J&K, India.
Kh. Chandrakumar Singh
Department of Natural Resource Management, College of Horticulture, VCSG Uttarakhand University of Horticulture & Forestry, Bharsar, Pauri Garhwal- 246123, Uttarakhand, India.
Ashraf Sultan
Division of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture (FoA), Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology- Kashmir, Wadura- 193 201, J&K, India.
Mohit Kashyap
Department of Soil Science, Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, Pincode- 176062, India.
Kothavale Pruthviraj Rajgonda
Department of Agricultural Economics, Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar, India.
Aman Tutlani *
Division of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture (FoA), Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology- Kashmir, Wadura- 193 201, J&K, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Millets, often called “nutri-cereals,” are gaining renewed attention for their resilience, nutritional value, and adaptability to marginal environments. However, their productivity is still restricted by poor soil fertility and inefficient nutrient management. Integrating biofertilizers into millet cultivation offers an eco-friendly, cost-effective, and sustainable alternative to conventional fertilizer practices. This review synthesizes recent advances in biofertilizer application, nutrient dynamics, and their combined effects on millet growth, yield, and grain quality. Biofertilizers such as Rhizobium, Azospirillum, Azotobacter, and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) enhance nutrient availability by fixing atmospheric nitrogen, solubilizing phosphorus, and mobilizing micronutrients, while mycorrhizal associations improve root absorption and stress tolerance. Evidence suggests that inoculation with appropriate microbial strains can increase millet yield by 20–30%, improve nutrient uptake efficiency, and maintain soil health. The review further highlights the influence of processing on millet's antioxidant potential, where techniques such as germination and malting significantly enhanceing the bioavailability of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity. Policy recommendations to promote millet production include strengthening seed inoculation protocols, optimizing organic–inorganic fertilizer combinations, and integrating biofertilizers within national nutrient management frameworks. The convergence of biofertilizer technology with sustainable agronomic practices holds immense potential to revitalize millet cultivation, improving nutritional security, and reducing chemical fertilizer dependency in smallholder farming systems.
Keywords: Millets, biofertilizers, nutrient management, sustainable agriculture, soil health, antioxidant activity