Question

Which of the following is a biofertilizer?
A. Funaria
B. Fern
C. Anabaena
D. Fungus

Answer 1

Hint: A biofertilizer is a liquid or dry suspension or mixture of bacterial, fungal, or algal species with suitable carrier materials. These are natural fertilizers that when applied to specific crops boost their growth and yield.

Complete answer: Fertilizers are substances that are used to enhance the fertility of cultivation land that eventually leads to better growth and yield of crops. Usually, chemical fertilizers are used by farmers that reduce and affect soil fertility over time and also pose harm to consumers. In solution to this, biofertilizers are natural fertilizers without any chemical compositions. They are made of bacteria, fungal, or algal cultures that live in symbiotic relation to leguminous plants. These microbes are beneficial in fixing atmospheric nitrogen for the plants. Also, they prevent the pathogenesis of plants.
Some microbes live in symbiotic relations while others are free-living. Both are beneficial in improving soil quality, plant health, and nutrition.
To know which of the given species is used as biofertilizers, let us understand each species one by one.
-Funaria or cord moss is a moss species. They form mat-like appearances as they grow in abundant clusters. These are autotrophic plant-like organisms that usually grow in moist shady areas. These are not used as biofertilizers as their growth can lead to stagnant water conditions, harm to crops due to nutrient exhaustion, and competition for growth.
-A Fern is a vascular plant that reproduces by spores. It is not used as a biofertilizer as it is not a microbe. Also, it has no role in fertility enhancement, nitrogen fixation, etc.
-Anabaena is a Cyanobacteria species. It is known especially for its nitrogen-fixing properties. It lives symbiotically with plants like mosquito fern. It also releases some neurotoxins that help to protect the crops from grazing pressure by animals.
-The fungus is spore-producing organisms that usually grow over dead and decaying matter. Many of the fungal species are used as biofertilizers but not all fungus is biofertilizers.
Therefore, the right answer is option C, i.e., Anabaena.

Note: Anabaena is a blue-green alga and is highly beneficial for the plants. It enhances soil fertility and fixes atmospheric nitrogen for plants by its special cells called heterocysts. The biofertilizers are organic fertilizers and are much beneficial and safer to use than chemical fertilizers. Thus, they should be used in place of chemical fertilizers as they are eco-friendly.