Green to green: harnessing bio-fertilizers for sustainable pulse production and food security

The global population has surpassed eight billion, with India surpassing China in population count. This increase in population exacerbates food insecurity. The Green Revolution initiated between 1947 and 1960, addressed historical food insecurity through the intensive use of chemical fertilizers, groundwater, and pesticides. However, overreliance on these inputs led to soil infertility and environmental pollution. Depleted soil nutrients, altered microbiota, and increased toxicity pose significant challenges to sustainable agriculture. In India, where agriculture is a primary source of income, especially in arid regions, farmers resort to excessive chemical fertilizer application, further deteriorating soil health. In response, research on bio-fertilizers as sustainable alternatives has gained traction. Bio-fertilizers, comprised of beneficial microbial inoculants, offer promising solutions by enhancing soil fertility, nutrient availability, and crop resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses. This review focuses on global pulse cultivation and highlights bio-fertilizers potential to replace chemical inputs, promoting sustainable agriculture and food security.