This Draft Uganda Standard specifies requirements, sampling and test methods for biofertilizers. This standard does not include requirements for conventional chemical fertilizers.
Biofertilizers are products containing carrier based (solid or liquid) living microorganisms which are agriculturally useful in terms for instance of nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubilisation or nutrient mobilization, to increase the productivity of the soil and/or crop. Biofertilizers are most commonly referred to the use of soil microorganisms to increase the availability and uptake of mineral nutrients for plants.
Whether the existence of a microorganism increases the growth of plants by making nutrients more available or replacing soil nutrients or increasing plant access to nutrient, as long as the nutrient status of the plant has been enhanced by the microorganisms, the substance that was applied to the plant or soil containing the microorganisms, can be characterized as a biofertilizers.
Biofertilizers, known as microbial products, act as nutrient suppliers and soil conditioners that lower agricultural burden and conserve the environment. Good soil condition is imperative to increased crop production, as well as human and/or animal health welfare. Thus, the materials used to sustain good soil condition, are treated as environmental matters. However, there are still some problems to be met on the use of microbial products. More precise quality control must be made in favour of the customers. With this in mind, we will do our best to develop better production techniques and to improve the management system for microbial products.
Although the effects of biofertilizers are different among nations due to variances in climate and soil conditions, the importance of biofertilizers on environmental conservation in the 21st century must not be ignored. In the same manner, various biotechnologies should be accepted for increasing the biofertilizers effects with concern for the environment.
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