ISSN 2320-5407 International Journal of Advanced Research (2014), Volume 2, Issue 8, 266-278 266 Journal homepage: http://www.journalijar.com INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RESEARCH RESEARCH ARTICLE Comparative Effects of Biofertilizers, Chemical Fertilizer and Fungicide on Growth of Brassica nigra Rabia Badar 1 and Shamim A.Qureshi 2 1 Department of Botany, Jinnah University for Women, Nazimabad, Karachi-74600, Pakistan 2 Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan Manuscript Info Abstract Manuscript History: Received: 15 June 2014 Final Accepted: 19 July 2014 Published Online: August 2014 Key words: Biofertilizer, Chemical fertilizer, Fungicide, Brassica nigra. *Corresponding Author Rabia Badar The present study examined the outcome of biofertilizers, chemical fertilizer and fungicide alone and in combinations on growth and biochemical parameters of Brassica nigra at the 30th and 60th day of germination. Result showed significant enhancement in growth and biochemical parameters of plants as compared to control plants. Trichoderma hamatum and rhizobial isolates treatments alone and in combination with each other and with chemical fertilizer were found effective in improving the shoot and root lengths, total chlorophyll, carbohydrate, crude protein, and mineral (nitrogen and phosphorus) content of Brassica nigra. It indicates that biofertilizers alone and in combination enhanced total carbohydrate, protein and nitrogen contents may boost the soil fertility by improving its organic and inorganic content. Therefore, biofertilizers could be a good alternate of chemical fertilizer and fungicide for improving the growth and productivity of Brassica nigra. Copy Right, IJAR, 2014,. All rights reserved Introduction In Pakistan, here are a lot of causes that limit the sustainable development of crops as well as soil salinity, alkalinity, erosion, minimum water availability, shortage of agricultural land and improper practices; all these severely affect the soil fertility (Bhutto & Bazmi, 2007). To resume the fertility of soil and stimulate the agriculture productivity, chemical fertilizers are the first choice of farmers, though; their consecutive, excessive and inappropriate use can cause some health and environmental risks (Smith et al., 2008). Beside these environmental hardships, plant pathogens are another serious threat to agriculture like fungi are considered as unsupportive agents and reported for serious losses of crop yield, value and income (Keane,2012; González-Fernández et al.,2010) which can be prevented by chemical fungicides globally (Dias,2012). Now-a-days, biotechnologists are finding few alternatives of these synthetic fertilizers and fungicides and constantly making efforts to create an extra beneficial soil position for outstanding crop production and defense during controlling and manipulating the soil micro-flora through biofertilizers, organic modifications and cultural & management practices (Laditi,2012). Biofertilizers are really a combination of potentially dynamic live microorganisms (bacteria or fungi) which directly or indirectly effect the crop development and yield through number of methods (Ahemad & Khan, 2011; Pandya & Saraf, 2010). In addition, use of biofertilizers also reduces the chances of environmental hazards and increases the stability of soil ecosystem (Mia & Shamsuddin , 2010). Studies reported that better the diversity and quantity of microbial residents, the high is the order of their contact by means of plant roots and the additional established the ecosystem (Nihorimbere et al., 2010). In this regard, endophytic microorganisms both bacteria and fungi provide both growth stimulators and biocontrol agents