Azotobacter Isolation and Screening Methods–A Review

Abstract

Sustainable organic farming is one of the best methods to be adapted for the good agricultural practice. To maintain the ecological balance and to protect the diverse microbial growth we have to avoid the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. So as to protect ourselves and to overcome the adverse effects of these pesticides, we are in search of the useful soil microorganisms as biofertilizers. When inoculated in the farmyards they can increase the plant growth by supplying the nutrients useful for the crops and also protect them from the harmful pathogens. In this attempt plant growth regulating microbes are to be isolated and used. Azotobacter is a free living nitrogen fixing useful bacteria which can be used for the sustainable farming practices. In the present investigation a review is presented how different scientists have used methods in isolating these bacteria from soil and screen them using different morphological and biochemical tests.