Bio-Organic Fertilizers, Biofertilizers, and Nitrogen-Fixing Biofertilizers (N-Bio Booster) Improve Paddy Productivity: A Narrative Review with SWOT Perspectives

Abstract

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the primary staple food for more than half of the global population, making sustainable rice production essential for food security, economic development, and environmental sustainability. Conventional rice cultivation has relied heavily on synthetic fertilizers, particularly nitrogen fertilizers, to maximize grain yield. Although chemical fertilizers have significantly increased rice production over recent decades, their excessive application has contributed to declining soil fertility, nutrient imbalance, greenhouse gas emissions, reduced microbial diversity, water pollution, and increasing production costs. Consequently, bio-organic fertilizers, biofertilizers, and nitrogen-fixing microbial inoculants have emerged as environmentally sustainable alternatives that improve soil health while maintaining or enhancing rice productivity. Bio-organic fertilizers improve soil physical, chemical, and biological properties through organic matter enrichment, whereas biofertilizers containing Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) enhance nutrient availability, stimulate plant growth, and suppress soil-borne pathogens. Nitrogen-fixing biofertilizers, commonly referred to as N-Bio Boosters, further contribute by biologically converting atmospheric nitrogen into plant-available forms, thereby reducing dependence on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. Numerous studies have demonstrated that integrated application of bio-organic fertilizers and nitrogen-fixing microorganisms increases rice yield, nutrient use efficiency, root development, microbial activity, and long-term soil fertility while reducing environmental impacts. This narrative review synthesizes current knowledge regarding the mechanisms, agronomic benefits, and practical applications of bio-organic fertilizers, biofertilizers, and N-Bio Booster technologies in rice cultivation. Their advantages and limitations are further evaluated using a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) perspective. The review concludes that integrated biological nutrient management represents an important strategy for improving sustainable paddy production while simultaneously supporting environmental conservation, climate resilience, and long-term agricultural productivity.

Keywords: Bio-Organic Fertilizer; Biofertilizer; Nitrogen Fixation; Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria; Rice Productivity; Sustainable Agriculture

Citation

Kong Yap C, Hao Tony Peng S, Nadia Sham I. Bio-Organic Fertilizers, Biofertilizers, and Nitrogen-Fixing Biofertilizers (N-Bio Booster) Improve Paddy Productivity: A Narrative Review with SWOT Perspectives. WebLog J Agric Crop Sci. wjacs.2026.h1204. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22168232