Indian Government Expands Fertilizer Regulations to Include New Biostimulants and Microbial Formulations
31 May 2025, New Delhi: The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has introduced a significant amendment to the Fertilizer (Inorganic, Organic, or Mixed) (Control) Order, 1985, aimed at enhancing crop productivity and encouraging sustainable farming practices. The new order, titled the Fertilizer (Inorganic, Organic, or Mixed) (Control) Fourth Amendment Order, 2025, introduces comprehensive regulations for biostimulants, microbial formulations, and biochemical fertilizers.
New Standards for Biostimulants
One of the key changes includes the addition of detailed specifications for humic acid, fulvic acid, and seaweed-based biostimulants, setting clear guidelines for their composition, permissible ingredients, and recommended dosages for various crops. For example, humic acid 6% (liquid) must contain a minimum of 6% potassium humate derived from Leonardite, while humic-fulvic acid 76% (powder)must maintain a strict balance of humic and fulvic acids along with stabilizers like dextrose monohydrate. The amendment also outlines application methods, such as foliar sprays for tomatoes at 1.25 liters per hectare and soil applications for chillies at 30 kg per hectare.
Regulations for Seaweed and Botanical Extracts
Additionally, the order introduces standards for seaweed extracts, including formulations from Ascophyllum nodosum and Kappaphycus alvarezii, specifying their alginic acid content, organic carbon levels, and pH ranges. These extracts are recommended for crops like cucumber, paddy, and brinjal, with prescribed doses for foliar and soil applications. The amendment also covers botanical extracts, such as Spirulina and Adhatoda vasica, detailing their protein content, solubility, and crop-specific usage.
Protein Hydrolysates and Microbial Formulations
A notable inclusion is the regulation of protein hydrolysates and amino acid-based fertilizers, derived from both plant and animal sources. These formulations must meet strict criteria for free amino acid content, organic carbon levels, and pH stability. For instance, protein hydrolysate 62.5% (animal source) must contain a minimum of 21.6% free amino acids, while plant-based variants like amino acid 10% (liquid) must maintain specific gravity and solubility standards. The order also provides dosage guidelines, such as 1.25 liters per hectare for green gram and 750 ml per hectare for chillies.
The amendment further expands into live microbial formulations, setting viability limits for products containing Methylococcus capsulatus and Methylobacterium species. For example, microbial consortia must maintain a minimum viable count of 5 x 10^6 CFU/g per strain, ensuring efficacy in crops like paddy, maize, and onion.
Quality Control and Implementation
To ensure quality control, the order defines tolerance limits for microbial counts, requiring Methylococcus capsulatus to maintain at least 5 x 10^7 CFU/g and consortia of Methylobacterium species to retain 2.5 x 10^6 CFU/g per strain. These measures aim to standardize biostimulant efficacy while promoting eco-friendly alternatives to chemical fertilizers.
The new regulations will come into force upon publication in the Official Gazette, marking a significant step toward sustainable agriculture. Farmers and manufacturers must adhere to these guidelines to ensure compliance with the updated Essential Commodities Act, 1955. This move is expected to boost crop yields, reduce environmental impact, and support India’s transition toward organic and precision farming.
Also Read: National Roundtable Calls for Urgent National Policy on Weed Management to Safeguard Food Security
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