Significance of Carrier Material for the Inoculation of Microbes in Legumes

In recent few years, world's attention towards biofertilizers has been immensely increased because of several environmental problems associated with the use of chemical fertilizers which has exerted extra pressure on biofertilizers to perform better under prevailing scenario. Currently, efficiency of biofertilizer is heavily dependent on carrier material because carrier is a delivery vehicle to transfer live microorganisms from an agar slant of laboratory to plant rhziosphere. In literature, more emphasis has been given on selection of bacterial strains for biofertilizer preparation whereas very little work has been reported on the selection of carrier material and its effect on growth and yield of crop. Inoculation of legumes with beneficial rhizobacteria is most desirable practice to improve plant growth and productivity. Despite several benefits conferred by inoculation technology, a major limitation is survival of inoculum in soil and rhizosphere. Incorporation of inoculum in different carrier materials may increase the efficacy of bacterial inocula and permit long term storage.