Improving the survival of rhizobia on Desmanthus and Stylosanthes seed at high temperature

摘要: In response to observed inoculation failures in the tropical forage legumes Desmanthus spp. and Stylosanthes seabrana, research was initiated improve survival of rhizobia on seed at high temperature. We compared freeze-dried conventional peat inoculants laboratory 30–50°C 5–8% relative humidity. Higher numbers [>106 colony forming units (cfu)/seed] were counted inoculated with (≤104) all treatments sampling times (0, 2, 7, 14 21 days after inoculation). Increasing incubation temperature 70°C significantly (P<0.05) reduced number surviving seed, but detectable 1, 2 7 1 inoculation. Freeze-dried stored over silica gel for 325–349 lost 3.5–4.5 log10 cfu/g. a farm shed from April July 0.6–0.8 cfu/seed.month. Survival 1–4 weeks glasshouse without air conditioning (18–51°C) poor (0–1.2 cfu/seed times), attributed exposure combination ambient Laboratory studies confirmed that increasing humidity 5–8 31–63% particularly 50°C. Further work is required greater than under long-term storage. Optimisation this technology has potential increase success sown Australia. inoculant may also have an application preinoculation.