A Review of Biofertilizer Application in Wheat Cultivation in Iran and the Related Research Findings

Wheat is the main staple food in Iran where itaccounts foralmost one third of the area under crop cultivation. Being the most important sources of nutrients supplied to wheat farms, chemical fertilizers have caused environmental problems due to their excessiveapplication beyond plant requirements. One solution to resolve these problems and to achieve sustainable agriculture is biofertilizer applicationsince thesecompounds enhanceplant growth by fixing molecular nitrogen, dissolving insoluble elements such as phosphorus and zinc, releasing soil potassium, producing siderophore to increaseironavailability, oxidating sulfur, and producing growth promoting materials. Research has confirmedenhanced wheat growth and yield as a result of biofertilizer application.  Biofertilizers are also reportedly able to reduce the adverseeffects of environmental stresses such as drought and salinity on wheat by producing ACC-deaminase enzyme, osmolite compounds, and extracellular polysaccharides. Not only has biofertilizer production witnessed a dramatic rise worldwide, especially in developed countries,but Iran has also recently produced and introduced a variety of biofertilizers for various crops, including wheat. A number of guidelines and quality standards for biofertilizer productionhave also been developed in some countries such as Iran. Research has shown that seed inoculationis an effective and economical method of biofertilizer applicationand, further, thatskilled professionals, technical know-how, and infrastructure available to the private sector in Iran may be regarded as the potentials and opportunities forincreasing biofertilizer production and applicationinwheat farming. However, their use is reportedly limited by the poororganic contentofIranian soils;the heterotrophicbacteria used in their production;the chemical fertilizersabundantlyavailable on the market;the need for special equipment and preparations;and the lack of proper communication amongthe research, production, and extension sectors. Research in the field may be boosted by investigating the responses of different lands to biofertilizers for wheat production and fundamental molecular research may be carried out to achieve enhanced growth promoting properties and establisha symbiotic nitrogen fixation.Biofertilizer production and consumption may also be increased by calling in the mass media to publicize the benefits of their application. Finally, basic and molecular research isrecommended on the growth stimulant properties of microorganisms.