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What Is Inoculation?
Legumes growing together with soil bacteria called rhizobia work together to take
atmospheric nitrogen (N2) found in soil air spaces and transformor fixit into a plantavailable form through the process called Biological Nitrogen Fixation (BNF) (Fig. 1). Even
though the atmosphere is almost 80% N, the N2 gas is such that plants can't use it for their
own growth and development unless it is fixed. However, neither legumes nor the rhizobia
can do the job alone. The process must occur as part of a mutually beneficialor symbiotic
relationship with soil-dwelling rhizobia bacteria. Rhizobia form root nodules on the host
legume, thereby providing the plant with transformed N in exchange for a portion of the
carbohydrates made by the plant.
that nodules contain effective rhizobia. The presence of nodules alone does not ensure that N
is being actively fixed. Some rhizobia are ineffective, meaning that they can form nodules, but
do not fix nitrogen. To check for effective rhizobia and nitrogen fixation in the field, dig out
several plants and wash root systems in water to remove soil. Then select 23 nodules from
each plant and slice them in half. Nodules that have pink or red interiors indicate that the
rhizobia are hard at work fixing nitrogen, while greenish or white interiors contain ineffective
rhizobia. Inoculation of your seeds prior to planting is one proven way to have the correct type
of bacteria present within the vicinity of the legume's growing root.
When is it Necessary to Inoculate?
Species specificity and cross inoculation groups
Figure 2. Well-formed nodules on the root system of a vetch plant. Photo credit: Julie
Grossman, North Carolina State University.
Rhizobia bacteria are picky little critters and are fairly specific about which legume species
they will select as a host to form nodules. It is important that you purchase the correct type of
bacteria for your legume seed. Some species of rhizobia can infect more than one species of
legume. For example, peas and vetch all form nodules with the rhizobia species Rhizobium
leguminosarum, while true clovers are all infected by R. trifolii. The groups of legumes
infected by the same rhizobia are called cross-inoculation groups (Table 1.). Sometimes the
correct type of bacteria that can form nodules with the legume you are planting is already
present in the field. In order to ensure that the correct type of bacteria is ready and waiting
for your germinating seed in the soil, farmers commonly practice inoculation with specific
groups of bacteria recommended for your legume type.
organic production, or the box is thoroughly cleaned prior to use. Flow of the inoculant should
be calibrated in order to ensure a steady flow of material to the field. Frozen concentrated
and liquid inoculant cultures are also available. In this case, the frozen cultures should be
thawed and diluted according to manufacturers' directions and added to a water tank for field
application in the seed row. Field application of inoculants requires more volume of inoculant
to be added than seed-applied, in order to ensure the inoculant comes in contact with your
legume seed.
In seed-applied inoculant, a more common practice among small-scale organic producers, the
bacteria is mixed with the seed prior to planting. Seed should not be mixed in a small space
such as a planter box, but instead on a large surface where all of the seeds have the
opportunity to come into contact with the inoculant. Suggested places for mixing your seed
include the bed of your pickup truck, a tarp on the ground, or in a tub.
Stickersadhesives that can be used to ensure that the peat inoculant adheres to your seed
are commonly used to ensure good contact between the seed and bacteria. Research has
shown increase in nodulation when stickers are used. Stickers can be commercially purchased
or made at home using dilutions of milk or molasses (1 part sticker to 10 parts water is
common). To use a sticker, mix seeds with just enough sticker to moisten the seeds, then add
the inoculant to the moistened seeds. Be careful not to add too much liquid or the moisture
could cause premature germination of your seeds. Air dry your seeds in the shade, then plant
within 24 hours. Air drying the seeds will keep the moist seeds and inoculum from adhering to
and plugging up your planter. If planting is not possible immediately after inoculation,
inoculate again. Some seed comes pre-inoculated with a sticker. This type of inoculant should
be treated with the same precautions as other types.
How Much Inoculant Should I Use?
The amount of inoculant to add to your seeds or field often depends on the length of time
that has elapsed since the field was last inoculated. For new plantings, follow the inoculant
manufacturer's directions on the package. Some farmers have found that after an initial
inoculation event no inoculation is necessary in future years for good nodulation to occur. No
general recommendation can be provided regarding survival of rhizobia in a field after a
single inoculation event, as survial depends on individual field conditions such as soil type,
pH, soil moisture, and rhizobia type.
What are the Precautions for Organic Farming Systems?
Growers should be aware of specific issues when using purchased inoculants in organic
production of grains, cover-, and forage crops. Of interest to certified organic growers is the
prohibition on the use of genetically modified organisms, ionizing radiation, or sewage sludge
in the production of the inoculants. Some inoculants are produced using recombinant DNA
technologysuch inoculants cannot be used in organic production.
The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) is a non-profit organization that provides
external review of products for use in organic systems. When the OMRI review panel approves
both the active and non-active (inert) ingredients of a product for compliance, then the
product becomes OMRI-listed and can display an "OMRI-approved" label. A critical part of