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Excessive use of chemical fertilizers (CF) has led to degrade agroecosystems, and human and environmental health. In this context, maintaining soil quality has been challenging. As alternatives to CF, ecofriendly substitutes are being tested, but to a lesser extent. Amongst, Biofilm biofertilizers (BFBF) which improve soil and crop yields are being popularized among farmers. Thus far, there is no published research regarding the effect of BFBF on soil quality and crop production at large scale cultivations. Therefore, present study investigated this in lowland rice farming of Sri Lanka. The study was carried out in 54 farmer fields spreading over thousands of hectares in three districts representing major rice growing areas. In each location, two consecutive, uniform paddy fields were applied separately with farmers’ CF practice and the newly introduced BFBF practice. Root zone soil samples were collected and analyzed for 16 physico-chemical and microbial parameters, and grain yield was recorded at harvest. The results showed that the application of BFBF increased soil nutrient contents and microbial communities, and finally it led to increase grain yield over the CF alone practice. A significant relationship between a developed soil quality index (SQI) and grain yield only in the BFBF practice indicated that the soil has a major role to play only in ecofriendly rice cultivation. It is concluded from this study that the CF alone application would not be sufficient to break yield barrier for which the reinstated microbial action of BFBF is a must.

Biofilm biofertilizer application rapidly increases soil quality and grain yield in large scale conventional rice cultivation: a case study