What Are Microbial Fertilizers?
Microbial fertilizers refer to live preparations containing specific functional microorganisms that improve plant nutrition through microbial activities. According to 2023 data from the Ministry of Agriculture, China’s annual production of microbial fertilizers has reached 3 million tons, applied to over 200 million acres[1]. Main types include:
- Nitrogen-fixing bacterial fertilizers:Convert atmospheric nitrogen into plant-available forms
- Phosphate/potassium-solubilizing bacterial fertilizers:Release fixed phosphorus and potassium in soil
- Compound microbial fertilizers:Multiple functional bacteria working synergistically
- Bio-organic fertilizers:Combination of microorganisms and organic matter
The “Three Savings & Three Increases” Effect of Microbial Fertilizers
| Effect Dimension | Traditional Fertilizers | Microbial Fertilizers | Improvement |
| Nitrogen Utilization Rate | 30-35% | 45-55% | ↑50-70% |
| Phosphorus Activation Rate | 15-20% | 25-35% | ↑60-80% |
| Soil Organic Matter | Annual decrease 0.1% | Annual increase 0.3-0.5% | Reversed degradation |
| Crop Yield | Baseline | Increase 8-15% | Significant improvement |
Four Core Mechanisms of Microbial Fertilizers
| Mechanism | Representative Strains | Efficiency | Impact on Crops |
| Biological Nitrogen Fixation | Azotobacter, Rhizobia | 40-200kg N/ha/year | Reduce nitrogen fertilizer by 30-50% |
| Phosphorus/Potassium Solubilization | Phosphate-solubilizing Bacillus | Increase utilization by 20-30% | Promote root development |
| Hormone Secretion | Pseudomonas fluorescens | IAA production 2-50μg/mL | Increase biomass by 15-30% |
| Disease Suppression | Bacillus subtilis | Pathogen inhibition 60-90% | Reduce pesticide use |
Four Pathways for Fertilizer Reduction and Efficiency Improvement
1. Precision Fertilization Technology
Implementing soil-crop-microbe trinity regulation:
- Soil testing-based variable rate fertilization
- Rhizosphere microbial community dynamic monitoring
- Drone + multispectral precision topdressing
2. Smart Equipment Upgrade
- Specialized microbial fertilizer applicators (avoiding high-temperature sterilization)
- Temperature-controlled smart storage and transportation systems
- IoT-based microbial activity monitoring terminals
3. Green Product Innovation
- Develop heat/drought-resistant functional strains (survival rate increased to 80%)
- Nano-coated slow-release microbial fertilizers
- Compound functional microbial consortia formulations
4. Professional Service Systems
- Establish “Microbial Fertilizer+” technology extension alliances
- Train 2 million agricultural microbial technicians (MOA 2025 target)
- Develop mobile apps for real-time diagnostic guidance
Practical Application Results
According to 2023 CAAS trial data, microbial fertilizers performed across crops:
- Rice:25% urea reduction with 8.5% yield increase
- Corn:Phosphorus utilization improved from 22% to 37%
- Vegetables:Nitrate content reduced by 30-50%
- Fruit trees:Vitamin C content increased by 15-20%
Case Study: Wheat-Corn Rotation System
| Indicator | Conventional Fertilization | Microbial Fertilizer + 20% Reduction | Change Rate |
| Fertilizer Input (kg/mu) | 45 | 36 | ↓20% |
| Yield (kg/mu) | 520 | 558 | ↑7.3% |
| Soil Organic Matter (g/kg) | 12.3 | 13.8 | ↑12.2% |
| Net Profit (yuan/mu) | 680 | 820 | ↑20.6% |
Fertilizer Production Line
Bio-organic Fertilizer Production Line
Equipment Composition
- Pre-processing equipment:Crushers and screens for preparing organic materials.
- Fermentation equipment:Turntables and tanks for controlled microbial fermentation.
- Post-processing equipment:Granulators, dryers, coolers, and screens for final product formation.
- Mixing equipment:For blending fermented material with additives like microbial agents.
- Packaging equipment:Automatic packers.
- Control system:PLC systems for monitoring temperature, humidity, and oxygen levels.
Application Scenarios
- Agricultural waste treatment:Large-scale processing of livestock manure, straw, and mushroom residues.
- Environmental upgrades:Helping farms, food waste centers, and processing plants meet environmental standards.
- Fertilizer industry transformation:Supporting organic-inorganic compound fertilizer production or new organic fertilizer plants.
Core value: Transforming pollutants into commercial organic fertilizer meeting NY 884 standards, achieving both environmental compliance and economic benefits.
