**4. Influence of biofertilizers on nutrition in the production of ginger**

To restore the soil's fertility, biofertilizers are necessary. Use of chemical fertilisers over a lengthy period damages the soil and reduces crop output. On the other side, biofertilizers improve the soil's ability to hold water while also adding vital minerals like nitrogen, vitamins, and proteins. Since they are a natural source of fertiliser, agriculture uses them extensively. Crop yields are said to be increased by bioinoculants like *Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi* (AMF) and Trichoderma, which have growth-promoting properties. They are said to enhance root growth, which results in improved crop nutrient uptake and higher yields. With the application of these bio inoculants, tolerance to abiotic stress and resistance against plant diseases have also been reported [46]. Additionally, AMF inoculation aids in the selective activation of advantageous soil bacteria [47]. The members of the Glomeraceae family provided greater protection from pathogen incursions, while the AMF belonging to the Gigasporaceae family showed noteworthy nutrient absorbing capacity [48]. According to ref. [49], the use of IISR Power Mix G @ 0.5% at 2 and 3 months after planting increased the production of ginger by 11% compared to control. Higher fresh ginger production was achieved in Kerala by using the microbial inoculants AMF (5 g/plant) and Trichoderma (1 kg combined with 90 kg FYM and 10 kg neem cake and 250 g of the combination utilised) during planting time and Trichoderma 1 month after planting. In Himachal Pradesh,

India, Azospirillum inoculation with VAM (*Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizal*) and *Glomus mosseae* improved ginger plant growth and yield [50].
