Rhizobium as a Crop Enhancer and Biofertilizer for Increased Non-legume Production

Nitrogen is a nutrient required for the growth and improvement of non-legume yield such as cereal. Therefore, nitrogen must be therefore supplied by fertilizers. Unfortunately, the use of synthetic nitrogenous fertilizers contributes to contamination of soils and groundwater, leading to human health hazards, and threatens agricultural sustainability. Biological methods of sustainable agriculture are the only way to overcome these problems. Nowadays, biofertilizers have been used as a highly efficient alternative to chemical fertilizers due to their environment-friendly, easy to apply, nontoxic, and low-cost properties. Utilization of rhizobial biofertilization is one of the promising alternative methods and a solution to enhance non-legume production in an economically and eco-friendly way. This chapter focuses on the use of Rhizobium as a bio-enhancer, biofertilizer, and biocontrol agent and on its advantages for increased non-legume production in present agriculture system.