The seminar, entitled “The Use of Biofertilizers as an Alternative to Chemical Fertilizers – Promoting Sustainable Agriculture,” was presented by the student Hawraa Rafid Abd Awn under the supervision of Professor Dr. Abbas Ali Hussein Al-Ameri.
The seminar addressed an important topic related to the use of biofertilizers derived from bacteria, fungi, or algae, which are added to soil or seeds to improve fertility and enhance plant growth naturally. The discussion focused on the role of biofertilizers—particularly bacterial types such as Rhizobium and Azotobacter, and mycorrhizal fungi—in improving soil properties and increasing the growth and productivity of crops such as faba beans, maize, sweet corn, wheat, and other economically important crops.
The seminar also reviewed the effects of biofertilizers on plant growth indicators, including plant height, fresh and dry weight, number of root nodules, and yield. It compared their effects with those of chemical fertilizers and examined the results of combining both types to identify the most effective treatments in enhancing growth and tolerance to environmental conditions.
The seminar concluded with several findings, most notably that using biofertilizers—especially when combining bacterial and fungal types along with a calculated amount of chemical fertilizer—yielded the best results in improving growth and productivity, increasing plant tolerance to environmental stresses, and reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers. This, in turn, contributes to environmental protection, lower production costs, and the achievement of sustainable agriculture goals.
