Development and Application of Rhizobacteria Inoculant for Sustainable Crop Production and Enhanced Soil Ecosystem Biodiversity
E. E. Ikenganyia *
Department of Agronomy and Ecological Management, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Nigeria.
M.A.N. Anikwe
Department of Agronomy and Ecological Management, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Nigeria.
C. Chukwu
Department of Agronomy and Ecological Management, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The thrust of this paper is to explore the development and application techniques of rhizobacteria inoculant, tailoring it down to the quality requirements of a good carrier materials for inoculant production, types of carrier materials (organic and synthetic), different kinds of rhizobacteria application methods, advantages and disadvantages of each method. Rhizobacteria helps in the promotion of growth of plant through nutrient uptake, solubilization of plant mineral nutrients such as phosphorus and potassium, production of phytohormones like auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins and ethylene and in the control of plant diseases. Each application method adopted should ensure that the microbes survive and thrive well in ensuring plant growth promotion.
Keywords: Inoculant, application methods, synthetic inoculant, seed coating, pelleting, microbes, rhizobacteria, auxins, cytokinins