Roadmap for biofertilizer development project at Malaysian Nuclear Agency

This paper discusses the roadmap for the Biofertilizer Development Project conducted at the Malaysian Nuclear Agency (Nuclear Malaysia). The project started in 2003 and scheduled to end in 2008. Biofertilizer refers to living microorganisms or materials that contain living microorganisms that contributes to improvement in plant nutrition, soil fertility and crop productivity. The main components of the project are (a) biofertilizer substrate or carrier development, (b) biofertilizer inoculum development based on local indigenous microorganisms (c) biofertilizer product formulation and innovation, and (d) evaluation of efficiency of biofertilizer products on crops under different cropping systems, including under modern agriculture under soilless system. The above components may involve nuclear technology, viz, use of ionising radiation and the use of isotopic tracers. The paper also discusses local and international linkages, including with Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia (FNCA) and the industry, and aspects of commercialisation and technology transfer. (Author)