Professional Documents
Culture Documents
doi: 10.2306/scienceasia1513-1874.2007.33.069
*
Corresponding author, E-mail: nantakon@sut.ac.th
ABSTRACT: Liquid inoculant has become a preferred method for inoculating legumes with bradyrhizobia. Finely
ground peat has been the standard of quality for inoculants for many years. Suitable peat for an inoculant
carrier is difficult to find and limited in supply in many locations. We evaluated six different polymeric
additives (polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), gum arabic,
cassava starch, and sodium alginate) for their ability to support growth and promote survival of several
strains of bradyrhizobia and rhizobia during storage. Some concentrations of various additives to yeast
extract mannitol (YEM) media promoted higher cell density compared to cells cultured in YEM media alone.
There was a large interaction between strains of rhizobia and the additives in relation to cell survival. Shelf-
life of liquid inoculant formulations depended on the strain of rhizobia and additives, when stored at room
temperature. Liquid inoculants formulated with sodium alginate promoted long-term survival of all rhizobial
strains, but its effect on cell survival was not as great as peat. Peat also provided the greatest protection to
cells of bradyrhizobia after application to the seed surface followed by incubation at 40C. Survival of
bradyrhizobia was maintained at 105 cells/seed after 48 hours of incubation. Liquid inoculant formulated
with gum arabic, sodium alginate, PVP, or cassava starch supported survival at only 104-105 cells/seed, while
PEG and PVA additives performed poorly and cell numbers fell to 103 cells/seed at 48 hours after inoculation.
One-week old liquid inoculants with bradyrhizobia were tested for their ability to nodulate and fix nitrogen
under field conditions. We found that liquid inoculant performance was as good as that of peat based
inoculant.
extreme environmental conditions after inoculation Department of Agriculture, Bangkok, Thailand (total
and seed planting. The later issue is perhaps, the most nitrogen, 0.8-1.3%; organic matter, 55-75%; water
important. Inoculated legume seed are sometimes sown holding capacity, 70-140%; pH 4.2-5.0; particle size,
into soil with temperatures reaching 40C.6 High 80-100 mesh). Peat was neutralized with 10% (w/w) of
temperature is an important environmental factor that CaCO3 to obtain the final pH at 7.0. Each 100 g of peat
affects rhizobia survival and nitrogen fixation.7 was packed in a low density polypropylene bag, heat
Additives to liquid inoculant formulations should sealed and sterilized by autoclaving at 121C for 1
have a role in protecting rhizobial cells on seed at high hour. Rhizobia were grown in YEM liquid medium until
temperature and during desiccation. Many kinds of late log phase (>108 cells/ml), and were injected into
polymers have been used for inoculant production sterilized peat to obtain the final moisture at 40%. Peat
because of their ability to limit heat transfer, their good inoculants were well mixed and incubated at room
rheological properties and high water activities.8 These temperature (28-30C) for one week before use. The
polymers, such as methyl cellulose, gum arabic, polyvinyl cell population in peat inoculant was determined by
pyrrolidone (PVP) and alginate are normally used as adding 10 g of inoculant to 90 ml of sterile distilled
adhesive compounds with solid based carriers when water and making a 10-fold dilution series. Then, 0.1
they are applied to seed. Polymers are also used to ml aliquots of the appropriate dilutions were spread on
entrap rhizobia in microbeads.9,10,11 Polymers that are YEM agar medium. Colonies were counted after
soluble in liquid inoculant formulations make for incubation at 28C for 7 days.
convenient batch processing of inoculant and make
seed application a simple process for farmers. Polymers Testing the ef fect of additives on cell gr
effect owth
growth
used in this study were selected based on their YEM medium was blended with different
properties, such as solubility in water, non-toxicity, and concentrations of additives as follows: PVP at 1.0, 2.0,
complex chemical nature, which prevents 3.0 and 5.0% (w/v); PEG at 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 5.0% (w/
microorganisms in the soil from rapidly degrade the v); PVA at 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0% (w/v); Gum Arabic at 0.1,
polymeric coating.9 Our objective is to evaluate the 0.3, 0.5, 0.8% (w/v); Sodium alginate at 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and
performance of polymeric substances that are suitable 0.5% (w/v); and cassava starch at 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 3.0%
for producing quality liquid inoculant that is equivalent (w/v). The experiments were carried out in 125 ml
to peat-based inoculant under field conditions Erlenmeyer flasks containing 50 ml of amended medium.
Late log phase cultures of rhizobia were inoculated
MATERIALS AND METHODS into test media (0.10% v/v), and grown in an incubator
at 28C, shaking at 200 rpm for 6 and 9 days for fast-
Microorganisms and slow-growing species, respectively. The viable cell
Rhizobia from several genera were used in this populations in YEM medium and YEM with additives
experiment. Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA110 and were determined by plate counts on YEM agar media.
Azorhizobium caulinodans IRBG23 were obtained from Based upon the effect of the additives on cell growth,
Thailand Department of Agriculture, Bangkok, the appropriate concentration of each additive for
Thailand. Rhizobium phaseoli TAL1383, Sinorhizobium different species of rhizobia were selected (Table 2) for
fredii HH103, and Mesorhizobium ciceri USDA2429 were further experiments.
received from the University of Minnesota, USA.
Testing the ef fect of additives on seed ger
effect mination
germination
Medium and liquid inoculant formulation Liquid and peat-based inoculants of B. japonicum
Yeast extract mannitol media3 (YEM) containing (g/ USDA110 were used to evaluate their effect on seed
l) 10.0 mannitol; 0.5 K2HPO4; 0.2 MgSO4.7H2O; 0.1 germination. Twenty milliliters of liquid inoculant
NaCl and 0.5 yeast extract, was the basal medium used formulated with appropriate concentrations of
to evaluate the effect of additives on cell growth (details additives, and slurrys of peat inoculant12 (5 g of peat
of each additive are listed in Table 1). A modified YEM with 15 ml of water) were inoculated onto 100 g of
medium (referred to here as G5 medium4), which is soybean (SJ2) seeds and gently mixed until the seeds
composed of (g/l) 1.0 mannitol; 0.5 K2HPO4; 0.2 were uniformly wet. The three replicates of inoculated
MgSO4.7H2O; 0.1 NaCl; 1.0 yeast extract; 1.0 glucose; seeds were placed in moist vermiculite, and placed
0.5 arabinose; 200 mM Fe-EDTA and 4 ml glycerol, was under light control for 3 days with a light intensity of
used as a basal medium for liquid inoculant formulation 400 mole.m-2.s-1 and temperature ranging from 28-
with selected appropriate concentrations of additives. 30C. The proportion of germinated seeds for each
liquid treatment were determined and compared to
Preparation of peat-based inoculant germination of seed inoculated with peat.
Raw peat material was received from Thailand
ScienceAsia 33 (2007) 71
Polyvinyl Sigma 25.0 large molecular weight (Av. Mol. Wt. 40000), water soluble 4, 9, 16, 19
pyrrolidone (at 2.0 % (w/v)) compound with stabilization and adhesive properties, high
PVP-40T water binding capacity, high phenolic compound binding
(PVP) capacity, useful in reducing toxic substances released from
seed coat
Polyethylene Sigma 18.4 small molecular weight (Av. Mol. Wt. 3000), water soluble 18, 31
glycol (PEG) (at 1.0 % (w/v)) compound with adhesive properties
Polyvinyl Sigma 18.0 large molecular weight (Av. Mol. Wt. 70,000-100,000), 9, 14, 32, 33
alcohol(PVA) (at 0.5 % (w/v)) fully hydrolyzed (98-99.5 %), hot water soluble compound,
with stabilizing properties, useful in reducing the extent of
protein precipitation or the coagulation of cells
Gum arabic Carlo 17.4 biopolymer, large molecular weight compound with adhesive 8, 16, 19
(at 0.3 % (w/v)) properties, emulsification and stabilization, limit heat transfer,
high water activity
Sodium alginate Carlo 38.2 large molecular weight, nontoxic compound with adhesive 8, 23, 34
(at 0.1 % (w/v)) property, limit heat transfer, high water activity, useful in
supporting long term survival of inoculant
Tapioca Flour Thai 35.2 large molecular weight biopolymer compound with stabilizing 8, 32
(Cassava starch) Better (at 1.0 % (w/v)) properties, limit heat transfer, high water activity, used as
Food thickener, and also as a binder
Co. Ltd.
*Viscosity measurements were carried out with a viscometer (Brookfield DV-III Ultra, Brookfield Engineering Laboratories, Inc., USA) and using the spindle no. 2 at 25C with a speed of 200 rpm.
Table 2. Additive concentrations selected for formulation of liquid inoculant based on maximum growth of rhizobia
10
12
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
10
12
0
2
4
6
8
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
0
2
4
6
8
1% 1% 1% 1% 1%
2% 2%
2% 2% 2%
3% 3% 3% 3%
3%
PVP
5% 5% 5% 5% 5%
YEM YEM YEM YEM
YEM
0.1 %
( e) Sinorhizobium fredii
0.1 %
( d) Rhizobium phaseoli
0.1 % 0.1 % 0.1 %
( c) Mesorhizobium ciceri
0.5 % 0.5 % 0.5 % 0.5 %
0.5 %
1% 1%
( b) Azorhizobium caulinodans
1% 1% 1%
( a) Bradyrhizobium japonicum
PEG
5% 5% 5% 5% 5%
HH 103
TAL1383
YEM YEM YEM YEM YEM
USDA 2429
IRBG23
0.1 %
USDA 110
PVA
3% 3% 3% 3% 3%
YEM YEM YEM YEM YEM
Gum Arabic
0.1 % 0.1% 0.1 % 0.1 % 0.1 %
0.2 % 0.2 % 0.2 %
0.2 % 0.2 %
0.3 % 0.3 % 0.3 % 0.3 % 0.3 %
0.5 % 0.5 % 0.5 % 0.5 % 0.5 %
Alginate
YEM YEM YEM YEM YEM
concentrations of additives (% w/v). Cassava refers to cassava starch. Additives are described in Table 1.
0.1 % 0.1 %
0.5 % 0.5 % 0.5 % 0.5 % 0.5 %
1% 1%
1% 1% 1%
3% 3% 3%
3% 3%
Cassava
YEM YEM YEM YEM
YEM
ScienceAsia 33 (2007)
Fig 1. The amount of rhizobial cells after culturing in YEM liquid medium and YEM liquid medium amended with different
ScienceAsia 33 (2007) 73
inoculant formulations were tested with soybean all species tested. Increasing the concentration of
variety SJ2 in a field experiment located on the Suranaree alginate in YEM medium above 0.1 % (w/v) reduced the
University of Technology farm. The field soil was number of R. phaseoli TAL1383 and S. fredii HH103 cells
characterized as sandy loam soil, which has pH 6.48, in the culture, but there was no effect on B. japonicum
and contained 0.92, 36.0, 74.5, 1146.0, 160.0, 55.5, USDA110 and A. caulinodans IRBG23 until the
37.8 and 0.2 ppm organic matter, P2O5, K2O, Ca, Mg, Fe, concentration of alginate increased to 0.5 % (w/v). The
Mn and Zn, respectively. Different liquid inoculant selected concentration of additive for each species was
formulations were tested in the field and compared to based on the concentration that supported maximum
peat-based inoculant. Plots were arranged in a growth of the species (Table 2). The designated
Randomized Complete Block Design with four concentrations were used for all further experiments.
replications. Plots were 1.0 m 4.0 m, and seeds were
planted in two rows (60 plants per plot). Seeds were Survival of bradyrhizobia on soybean seed stored in
inoculated in the field using one-week-old liquid elevated temperatures after inoculation
inoculant. Sixty days after planting, nodule number, The role that polymeric additives can play in
plant dry weight and seed weight were determined. protecting rhizobial cells on seed incubated at high
The data were analyzed statistically using the Statistical temperature was investigated and compared with
Analysis System.13 Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and traditional peat-based application of rhizobia to seed
means comparison were made using Duncans Multiple (Fig. 2). The results demonstrated that different
Range Test (DMRT). additives had different abilities to protect rhizobial
cells on seed at high temperature. The number of viable
Liquid inoculant production and survival during cells on seed decreased with time from inoculation for
prolonged storage all formulations. Peat-based carrier maintained the
Cells of B. japonicum USDA110 and other species of highest number of bradyrhizobial cells on seed, with
rhizobia were grown in 2 liter Erlenmeyer flasks 5.1 105 cells/seed surviving at 48 h. Liquid inoculant
containing 1.4 liters of modified G5 medium with containing gum arabic, sodium alginate, PVP, and
appropriate concentrations of additive (Table 2). Air cassava starch could maintain the number of surviving
was continuously pumped through a 0.45 m filter into cells on seed at about 3.7 105, 2.0 105, 8.8 104, and
the medium until reach maximum cell concentrations 1.8 104 cells/seed at 48 h, respectively. Liquid
of 109 cells/ml were reached. A 20 ml aliquot of each inoculant containing PEG and PVA maintained only 2.0
cell culture was inoculated into sterile polypropylene 103 and 2.4 103 cells/seed after 48 h.
bags, which were then heat sealed. These liquid
inoculants were stored at room temperature (28-30C) Effect of bradyrhizobial liquid inoculant formulation
and the viability of cells was determined every month with polymeric additives on soybean seed
by plate count. germination and field performance
Polymeric additives were inoculated on soybean
RESULTS seed, and their effects on germination were determined.
Neither peat-based inoculant nor liquid inoculant
Effect of additives on cell growth
8.00 1.0%
The effects of six additives to YEM medium on PEG
the final cell concentration of rhizobia and 7.50
log number of cells/seed
2.0%
bradyrhizobia are shown in Figure 1. There were few 7.00 PVP
adverse effects of any additive on final cell 6.50 0.5%
PVA
concentration; some polymeric additives, such as PVP, 6.00
cassava starch and gum arabic supported cell growth 5.50
0.3%
Gum
among all species at higher levels than in YEM. Some 5.00
Arabic
0.1%
concentrations of PEG, PVA, and sodium alginate tended 4.50 Alginate
to slightly reduce cell density when compared to YEM 1.0%
4.00
media. PEG blended in YEM could promote the growth Cassava
3.50
of cells in all strains of rhizobia except M. ciceri Peat
USDA2429. Also, PVA could support the growth of R. 3.00
0 10 20 30 40 50
phaseoli TAL1383, S. fredii HH103 and A. caulinodans
time (h)
IRBG23, but some concentrations were not appropriate
for M. ciceri USDA2429 and B. japonicum USDA110. Fig 2. Survival of B. japonicum USDA110 on SJ2 soybean seed
Alginate had the largest effect on cell growth, depending after peat and different liquid inoculants were inocu-
on the concentration; alginate affected the growth of lated onto seed and incubated at 40C for 48 h
74 ScienceAsia 33 (2007)
containing polymeric additives had an effect on the USDA2429, R. phaseoli TAL1383 and S. fredii HH103
germination of soybean seeds (data not shown). (Fig. 3d). Inoculant containing PVA was generally less
One-week old liquid inoculants of bradyrhizobia effective, except for its excellent performance with A.
containing different additives were used for a field caulinodans IRBG23, which had a cell concentration of
experiment to evaluate their effects on the number of more than 108 cells/ml after 6 months of storage (Fig.
nodules, plant dry weight and seed weight compared 3e). Gum arabic supported most strains at 108 cells/
to peat-based inoculant (Table 3). The results revealed ml, but R. phaseoli TAL1383 and S. fredii HH103 did not
that liquid inoculant formulation with all polymeric survive with this additive (Fig. 3f). Inoculant containing
additives produced nodulation and yields of soybean cassava starch, maintained the survival of A. caulinodans
equivalent to those produced with the peat inoculant. IRBG23 and B. japonicum USDA110 at cell
concentrations of more than 108 cells/ml for 6 months,
Long-term survival of rhizobia in liquid inoculant respectively. Cassava starch had only a moderate
formulation with different polymeric additives positive effect on the survival of R. phaseoli TAL1383,
Survival of bradyrhizobia and rhizobia from other but M. ciceri USDA2429 and S. fredii HH103 failed to
species in different liquid inoculant formulations were survive (Fig. 3g).
shown in Figure 3. Peat-based inoculant supported
cell survival of every strain above 108 cells/g and 107 DISCUSSION
cells/g for slow-growing and fast-growing species,
respectively, after six months of storage (Fig. 3a). Liquid The results of this research show that there is a
inoculant containing sodium alginate supported degree of interaction between strains of rhizobia and
survival of every strain, especially B. japonicum additives that may benefit liquid inoculant
USDA110, A. caulinodans IRBG23, and M. ciceri performance. Our results indicate that, although some
USDA2429, which remained at cell concentrations from additives can be identified that generally perform better
107-108 cells/ml after 6 months. This carrier could also than others with a wide range of rhizobia and
support the survival of R. phaseoli TAL1383 and S. fredii bradyrhizobia, to maximize performance of liquid
HH103 at 105 cells/ml for 6 months of storage (Fig. 3b). inoculants additives may have to be selected for
Liquid inoculant containing PVP could support the individual species and strains. Some polymeric
survival of B. japonicum USDA110 and A. caulinodans substances, such as PVP have been blended with
IRBG23 up to 6 months at a cell concentration higher medium for normal culturing conditions of
than 108 cells/ml. While the survival of M. ciceri bradyrhizobia with no adverse affect on growth.4 Since
USDA2429 and R. phaseoli TAL1383 was maintained at cells cannot use these polymers as an energy source,
106 cells/ml after 6 months, S. fredii HH103 did not they have other properties supporting the growth and
survive in this formulation (Fig. 3c). Liquid inoculant survival of cells. PVP is used as commercial product to
containing PEG could support the survival of B. increase the yield of yeast in fermentation.14 PVP is
japonicum USDA110 and A. caulinodans IRBG23 at cell believed to detoxify the fermentation media by
concentration higher than 108 cells/ml only 5 months, complexing with the phenolic-type, shelf-limiting toxins
but PEG could not support the survival of M. ciceri in the media.4 However, for other polymers, there are
no reports about how they support cell growth in mass
Table 3. Effectiveness test of B. japonicum USDA110 liquid culture conditions.
inoculant formulation with polymeric additives on Desiccation and high temperature also influence
field performance with soybean SJ2 the survival of cells on seed.15,16 In our experiment, the
inoculated seeds were incubated for 48 hours at 40C
Carriers Nodule number/ Plant dry weight Seed weight under atmospheric pressure without controlling the
plant (kg/hectare) (kg/hectare) humidity. In practice, the temperature of the soil can
Control 2c 993.3 c 1429.8 b be greater than 40C during the midday in tropical
Peat 23 ab 1398.0 ab 1883.0 a regions.6 However, the soil temperature is not constant
PVP (2% w/v) 29 ab 1424.0 ab 1936.0 a at 40C, especially during the night. Cell death under
PEG (1% w/v) 36 ab 1556.0 ab 2014.3 a real field conditions may actually be lower than the
PVA (0.5% w/v) 22 ab 1384.8 ab 1803.0 a
Arabic gum 30 ab 1533.5 ab 1942.0 a
results we obtained in this experiment. These results
(0.3% w/v) confirmed the ability of polymers to protect cells from
Cassava starch 40 a 1785.0 a 2122.8 a extreme changes in environment after inoculation onto
(1% w/v) seed. Although some of the polymers maintained the
Alginate 33 ab 1572.5 ab 2051.8 a cell viability at only 103 cells/seed, it has been reported
(0.1% w/v)
that in soils devoid of specific rhizobia, concentrations
Means with different letters are significantly different at p<0.05 of even 100-1,000 cells per seed could produce
ScienceAsia 33 (2007) 75
(a) (b)
12 12
10 10
log number of cells/ml
8 8
6 6
4 4
2 Peat 2 Alginate
0 0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
(d)
(c) 12 12
10
log number of cells/ml
10
8
8
6
6
4 4
2 PVP 2 PEG
0 0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
(e) 12 (f) 12
log number of cells/ml
10 10
8 8
6 6
4 4
0 0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
(g) months
12
log number of cells/ml
10
Fig 3. Survival of rhizobia in peat (a), and in liquid inoculant
8
containing sodium alginate (b), polyvinyl pyrrolidone
6 (PVP) (c), polyethylene glycol 3000 (PEG) (d), polyvi-
nyl alcohol (PVA) (e), gum arabic (f), and cassava starch
4
(g), at appropriate concentrations for each strain of rhizo-
2 Cassava bia as indicated in Table 2. Symbols: Azorhizobium
({ ), Bradyrhizobium (S ), Mesorhizobium (U ),
0
Rhizobium (), Sinorhizobium ()
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
months
satisfactory nodulation.17 These reports have been based inoculant in soybean nodulation and yield.
confirmed by the results of our field test (Table 3), Various polymers, such as PVP, PEG and gum arabic,
which demonstrated that there were no statistical have adhesive properties. They have a sticky consistency,
differences among liquid inoculant polymers and peat- which may enhance cell adherence to seed, and their
76 ScienceAsia 33 (2007)
viscous nature may slow the drying process of the stabilization. The improvement of survival is analogous
inoculant after application to seed.18 PVP also has a to the protective colloid effect where bacteria represent
high water binding capacity, which could maintain water one colloid and the suspension the other.9 The polymer
around the cells for their metabolism.4,9 PVP and gum is absorbed in a thin molecular layer on the surface of
arabic have been reported to protect cells against toxic the individual colloidal particles resulting in a stabilized
seed coat factors.16,19 In addition, as concentrations of suspension that prevents coalescence of cells,14 which
salts increase in the cell environment as the liquid might block the O2 and nutrient diffusion from media
inoculant dries, stabilizing polymers such as PVA may to cells.
be useful in reducing the extent of protein precipitation The survival of cells was also dependent on the
or coagulation of cells. Maintenance of macromolecular strain of rhizobia. Slow-growing rhizobia have been
structure may improve biological integrity, thus leading reported to survive longer than fast-growing rhizobia
to improved survival.9 Biopolymers such as cassava in liquid and peat-based inoculants and in the soil.25,26
starch, alginate and gum arabic have the ability to limit In liquid inoculant, rhizobia must encounter nutrient
heat transfer and also have high water activities.8 These starvation and O2 depletion during storage. These
might be the mechanisms that improve the survival of stress conditions may induce changes in the cell such
rhizobial cells on the seed and gives rise to nodulation as changes in cell morphologies, and reductions in cell
and nitrogen fixation in the field that is equivalent to division, cell protein content, and DNA and RNA
peat-based inoculant. synthesis.27 Therefore, the ability to establish a low
For commercial purposes a safe storage period of rate of endogenous metabolism and the ability to utilize
6 months is desirable. Peat is widely used in the final endogenous energy reserves are mechanisms by which
stage of the preparation of legume inoculants, and bacteria maintain viability under stress conditions.25
generally constitutes a suitable carrier for this This might be the reason why the production of liquid
purpose.20 It is a common perception that rhizobia do inoculant appears more appropriate for slow-growing
not survive well in liquid inoculant, especially when rhizobia than fast-growing rhizobia.28
stored without refrigeration.4 In our experiment, the Rhizobial inoculant should not be stored for very
storage temperature was 28-30C, which could reduce long periods since induced physiological changes of
cell survival in all carriers. Because of the cost of rhizobial cells may increase the time to nodulation.
building large cold storage at the manufacturing plant Therefore, the efficiency of rhizobial inoculant may
and the inconvenience to farmers to keep inoculant decrease over the time of storage.29 In one reported
refrigerated, we used a relatively high range of field test, inoculant stored for one year produced a
temperature for assessing cell survival during storage. lower percentage of nodule occupancy than recently
In liquid inoculant, rhizobial cells encounter produced inoculant.30 Therefore, proper storage and
starvation stress or nutrient depletion21. After cells management of rhizobial inoculant in the distribution
enter into the stationary phase prior to packaging, network is important to ensure proper product
nutrient depletion may be severe and may cause the performance.
higher reduction of viable cell in liquid inoculant
compared to peat. The rate of decline in viable cells ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
differed between strains and formulation of liquid
inoculant. We showed that the survival of cells was The authors are greatly indebted to Dr. Achara
dependent on both the additive types and strain of Nantagij, who provided peat and excellent advice. This
rhizobia. work was supported by the Royal Golden Jubilee Ph.D.
The reason these polymers maintain viable cells at Program (RGJ) of The Thailand Research Fund,
a high concentration is not exactly known. Alginate is TheNational Research Council of Thailand (NRCT),
the most common polymeric material for encapsulation Suranaree University of Technology (Thailand), and a
of microorganisms for commercial use.22 The main grant from the Japan Society for the Promotion of
advantages of alginate inoculants are their nontoxic Science (JSPS) (Japan).
nature, degradability and slow release of the entrapped
microorganisms into the soil.1 It has been reported that REFERENCES
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16, 729-70.
temperature.23 Furthermore, alginate may be amended 2. Smith RS (1992) Legume inoculant formulation and
with nutrients to improve short-term survival upon application. Can J Microbiol 3838, 485-92.
inoculation.24 Moreover, some polymeric additives 3. Somasegaran P and Hoben HJ (1994) Handbook for rhizobia,
such as PVP, PVA and starch have stabilization property. methods in legume-rhizobium technology. Springer-Verlag New
This protective property is known as colloidal York Inc, NY.
ScienceAsia 33 (2007) 77