What is an inoculant and how is it used?

Our atmosphere comprises 78% nitrogen. Nitrogen is critical for the survival and thriving of plants and animals. Inoculation enables legume plants to access nitrogen by using commercially produced bacteria such as rhizobia in the nitrogen fixation process. Let us examine what inoculation is and how it impacts plant growth.

What is an inoculant?

An inoculant is a bacteria or fungus in powder form, used to coat legume seeds before planting. Rhizobium-based inoculants like Preside are rated as the best in the market. By coating the seeds with the inoculant, the germinating plant will have ready access to the bacteria necessary for nitrogen fixation.

Is an inoculant necessary?

While rhizobium bacteria freely exist in the soil, you can't be sure there's enough to fulfil the nitrogen collection needs of your seedlings. There should be enough rhizobium bacteria for the next crop in a section where you initially planted legumes, but soil erosion or poor farming practices can significantly reduce their numbers. Inoculation guarantees that there will be enough bacteria in the next planting season.

How is an inoculant used?

Direct soil application: The inoculant in its granular form is placed along the seed rows before the seeds are laid into the ground. The process is usually mechanised to ensure uniform distribution and disbursement of the correct dose per seed in a given area.

There’s also a liquid formulation where the inoculant is diluted into a solution then sprayed into the seed rows before planting.

Remember that this direct application process is not to be done at the same time as fertilisation. In addition, it is essential to note that this method uses more inoculants than the seed-applied method.

Seed-applied inoculant: Instead of lacing the seed rows with the inoculant, the seeds are dipped in an inoculant mixture before planting. If you are using a peat based or powder formulation you may need to dampen the surface of the seeds first first to improve adherence.

Conclusion

Nitrogen is a critical component for a plant to survive and thrive. While it freely exists in the atmosphere, it is not available to plants and needs to be fixed into the soil. Plants access nitrogen in a useful form through nitrogen fixation. The symbiotic relationship between legumes and bacteria in the root nodules ensures a healthy yield. While useful nitrogen may be present in the soil, there is no guarantee it will be enough to meet the needs of your crops. Therefore, you shouldn't take chances with your harvest. Use a liquid inoculant to guarantee plenty of nitrogen for your crop. Contact us today to access the best solutions in the market.