Microbial Consortial Products for Sustainable Agriculture: Commercialization and Regulatory Issues in India

Rhizosphere microorganisms directly and indirectly influence the composition and productivity of natural plant communities. Hence, belowground microbial species richness has been proposed as a predictor of aboveground plant diversity and productivity. Though research-based evidences clearly show the advantages of microbial consortia-based products due to their multifunctionality, limited attention is being given to develop quality standards for registration. This chapter focuses on the uses, commercialization, and regulatory issues of various bacterial consortia in sustainable agriculture.