Microbes are an integral part of soil and contribute to soil and plant health.
Microorganisms have the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, solubilize and mobilize phosphorus,produce antibiotics and disease suppressing molecules. Owing to these properties, they are used in agriculture as biofertilizers and biopesticides. They are also important in the treatment of solid waste and sewage. They clean up the environment by degradation of several pollutants like pesticides, hydrocarbons, dyes and paints. They also help in the enhanced recovery of oil and metals from low grade ores or aqueous streams.