Conditions Affecting Shelf-Life of Inoculated Legume Seed

摘要: Microbial inoculants are becoming more available as sustainable alternatives to fertilizers and other agrichemicals in broad-acre cropping. However, with the exception of legume little is understood about effective delivery survival inoculum. Legume applied both seed soil but inoculation most economical technique. Large quantities pasture Australia inoculated by commercial coating companies, long-term seed-applied inoculum variable monitoring viability requires specialist microbiology skills facilities. The aim our research was define optimum storage conditions for rhizobia on evaluate water activity a means shelf-life. relationship between varied according species, preparation, ingredients, initial time suggesting that would need be defined each different combination. Although drying seeds after significantly reduced viable numbers rhizobia, dried commercially coated lucerne 11 weeks less than had not been dried. highest were maintained when remained dry activities 0.47 0.38. quality could improved reducing death rate during preparation providing survival.