Effects of Microbial Inoculums on Soil Enzyme Activity and Microbial Diversity in a Reclaimed Mining Area

Through a pot experiment, effects of various microbial inoculums on soil microbial diversity and enzyme activity in a typical reclaimed mining area in Shanxi Province were discussed based on quantitative analysis of PLFA, soil urease, phosphatase and sucrase activity. The results showed that the application of microbial inoculums increased microorganism quantity in rhizosphere of rape by 2.3% -66.4%, and quantities of bac- teria, gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes in the treatments with microbial inoculums were significantly higher than the contrast （P 〈0.05）, while there was no obvious change in protist quantity. In comparison with the contrast, the application of various mi- crobial inoculums also improved soil urease, sucrase and phosphatase activity by 4.2% - 61.4%, 18.0% - 32.5% and 64.2% - 199.0% respec- tively. It indicated that the application of microbial inoculums can improve soil microbial diversity and enzyme activity, so it is an effective way to sl^eed UP ecoloQical restoration of soil.

Effects of Seed Dressing with Microbial Inoculum on Nutrient Composition and Biological Yield of Silage Corn

[Objectives]This study was conducted to understand the effects of microbial inocula on the biological yield and nutritional components of corn.[Methods]Silage corn varieties suitable for planting in Hebei Province were selected,and set with an experimental group and a control check group each.Meanwhile,at the late stage of milk ripening of silage corn growth cycle,the nutritional components and indexes of silage corn were determined and analyzed by a near-infrared analyzer and the NIRS technique.Meanwhile,the biological yield of silage corn was determined at the maturation stage of its growth period,aiming at comprehensively evaluating the regulation effects of the microbial inoculum tested on silage corn from the aspects of basic nutritional components,mineral element contents,energy and related indexes of corn,combined with agronomic characters and biological yield.[Results]The microbial inoculum improved the biological yield and nutritional indexes of silage corn,and had a positive regulation effect on the growth of silage corn.[Conclusions]The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for popularizing the planting methods and cultivation methods of silage corn with high yield and high quality.

EFFECT OF HOST PLANTS AND INOCULUM FORMS ON THE INOCULUM POTENTIAL OF ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI

The effects of inoculum forms (single-spore, multi-spores, or colonized root pieces) and host plants (Nicotiana tabacum L., Sorghum sudanense (Piper) Stapf, and Trifolium repens L.) on the development and inoculum potential (IP) of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) :Glo-mus macrocarpum Tul & Tul, donuis mosseae (Nicol & Gerd.) Gerdemann & Trappe, Glomus ver-siforme (Karsten) Berch, and Sclerocystis sinu/osa Gerdemann & Bakhi cultured in pots were investigated. The lag phase of treatment with 50 spores or 0.5 g (fresh weight) of colonized root pieces was 4 weeks, much shorter than that of the treatment with 1 spore (8 weeks); the value of IP (VIP) and percentage of root colonization (PRC) of the former were greater than those of the latter. Only on the early stages of colonization was there difference between the 50 spores and the 0.5 g (fresh weight) of colonized root piece inoculation treatments. The EP per plant inoculated with 0.5 g (fresh weight) of colonized root pieces of AMF was greater than that of the other two treatments except G. versiforme on Nicotiana tabacum, while the PRC of the plants inoculated with 50 spores and 0.5 g (fresh weight) of colonized root pieces of AMF was higher than that of the 1 spore inoculation after 10 weeks. Trie VIP of AMF on Trifolium repens was significantly higher than that on the other two hosts. The VIP of G. mosseae, G. versiforme, and S. sinuosa was respectively greater than that of G. macrocarpum. This suggested that different species of AMF produced different VIP of the inoculum . Nicotiana tabacum was much better than the other host plants which used to be inoculated with single spore, and to produce inocula of AMF.

Effect of Microbial Inoculum Fertilizer on the Growth and Yield of Super Hybrid Rice

The research designed four application quantities of 0, 2 250, 4 500 and 6 750 g/hm2 based on Liangyou No. 959 to explore the effects of microbial inocu- lure fertilizer on growth and yield of super hybrid rice. The results indicate that the treatment with traditional fertilizers and 4 500 g/hm2 HYT microbial inoculum fertilizer performed the best, where average number of tiller was 2.4 more than that of the control; the number of effective ear was 11.05% higher; yield increased by 10.3%. These have demonstrated that microbial inoculum fertilizer is of great value in pro- motion on super hybrid rice production.

Effect of Compost Based Substrate and Mycorrhizal Inoculum in Potted Geranium Plants

Two are the critical factors in the commercial production of ornamental plants： the substrate and the fertilization method, since the ＂sustainable floriculture＂ discourages the use of synthetic chemical fertilizers and peat-based substrates. The aim of this paper was to test a peat/compost based substrate and a guano ＋ mycorrhizal inoculum fertilizer mixture, in order to obtain a sustainable quality yield of geranium plants. Geranium cuttings （Pelargonium zonale cv. real polaris and Pelargonium grandiflorum cv. lotus） were grown for two months in a glasshouse. Peat, in the growing substrate, was replaced with high quality compost （20% and 40% as reduction percentages）. The fertilizer mixture was made up of guano （3 g/L） and mycorrhizal inoculum （7.5 L/m^3）. Plants of Pelargonium cv. Real polaris, grown on a substrate made up of peat and 20% of high quality compost, presented the better trade features, so to satisfy the ＂sustainable floriculture＂ need.

Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Elite Indigenous Rhizobia Nodulating Phaseolus bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Nowadays application of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) through rhizobia inoculums is highly promoted as a solution to solve the problem of poor soil fertility in areas where legumes are cultivated. This is due to the fact that, rhizobia enhance nitrogen fixation, induce disease resistance, reduce heavy metal in the soil, facilitate bioavailabity of iron in soil and is environmental friendly. To get rhizobia strains which are suitable for inoculants production, isolation and molecular characterization of elite rhizobia are highly needed. Molecular characterization acts as a spark plug for discovery of many microbes including Rhizobia. Multi Locus Sequence Analysis (MLSA), 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, DNA-DNA hybridization and SDS-PAGE analysis of the whole-cell proteins are the molecular techniques mostly used in characterizing rhizobia. But before deciding to use or not to use rhizobia inoculants in certain areas, knowing the population size of indigenous rhizobia found in that area is very important, because this is a major factor which determines inoculums responses as well gives clues on which areas need or do not need inoculation. The Most Probable Number (MPN) method is mostly used in enumerating rhizobia population of the soil. Given that, in most of the developing countries, including Tanzania, Biological Nitrogen Fixation (BNF) technology is not fully flourished;more efforts in isolation, molecular characterization of elite rhizobia and estimation of indigenous rhizobia population in various areas are required.

History and perspectives of induction technology for agarwood production from cultivated Aquilaria in Asia: a review

Agarwood, the resinous product of Aquilaria spp.(Thymelaeaceae), is highly valued for medicinal and fragrant purposes. Unsustainable forest harvesting contributes to the declining population in the wild, threatening their existence. As a protection effort, cultivation occurred in range countries, mainly in Asia, effectively establishing mass plantations. The success of domesticating Aquilaria relies heavily on technological advancement in agarwood induction, without which the entire thriving industry will collapse. In this paper, we describe efforts since 1929 and current progress and variation in induction as practiced in Asia. The methods include traditional practices and artificial induction via inoculum and chemical inducer, experimented and patented or otherwise. Artificial induction methods are being developed to intensify agarwood production in terms of yield and quality. While traditional methods are commonly applied by rural planters, artificial methods with the use of specific agents/chemicals are seen as more appealing for inducing agarwood, and have a higher demand from entrepreneurs and plantation owners.Several issues related to induction technology faced by stakeholders in agarwood cultivation are presented, such as safety levels, cost, yields, and quality. We conclude by highlighting remaining challenges in induction methods and their associated technologies.

Analyses of the Temporal Development and Yield Losses due to Sheath Blight of Rice (Rhizoctonia solani AG1.1a)

Sheath blight of rice, caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG 1. 1a, has become the most important disease and caused serious yield losses in some major rice-growing regions in China in recent years. In the present study, field plot experiment was conducted to examine the relationships between disease intensity and inoculum density （ID）, the seasonal disease epidemic dynamics, and yield reductions due to disease damages. Results from the experiment demonstrated that the areas under progress curves of disease severity and those of percent rice tillers diseased were positively and closely related to the relative initial ID of the pathogen. The inoculum density-disease （IDD） relationships were simulated and the impractical linear models were obtained. Both logistic and Gompertz functions could be used to simulate the disease progress dynamics in time, but the progress curves of the disease severity were modeled better by the Gompertz than by logistic function. However, the Richards function was found to be the best in simulating the disease progress curves when a most appropriate value was chosen for the shape parameter m by using the computer software Epitimulator. Sheath blight infection decreased rice yield very significantly and a yield reduction of 40% was recorded in rice crop with the highest inoculum density. Rice yield was linearly and negatively correlated with the disease severity and the percent tillers affected. The simulated models for all these relationships were computed through executing Epitimulator software and were presented in this paper.

Transformation of organic matters in fresh leachate during anaerobic degradation under long hydraulic retention time

This study investigated the biodegradability of fresh leachate from a young municipal solid waste landfill at the inoculum to substrate ratios （V/V） of 10/100, 25/100, 50/100 and 100/100, as well as the transformation of organic matters in leachate under prolonged hydraulic retention time （HRT） of 50 d. Fresh leachate showed a good biodegradability, with chemical oxygen demand （COD） removal efficiency as high as 87%-92% and cumulative methane yield close to theoretical value （0.35 L CH4/g CODdeg）. Methane production and COD depletion presented biphasic characteristics associated with the successive utilization of two major intermediates, acetate and propionate, The biphasic degradation of fresh leachate was resulted from the different hydrolysis rates of diverse substrates and the changes in microorganism community structure. After 50 d, the effluents were dominated by high-MW organic compounds （MW 〉 10 kDa） at each inoculum ratio, which might be refractory compounds released from cell lyses.

Minor modifications in obtainable Arabidopsis floral dip method enhances transformation efficiency and production of homozygous transgenic lines harboring a single copy of transgene

Many researchers have developed various methods for in-planta or floral dip transformation of Arabidopsis thaliana, one of the simple protocol and widely used to produce transgenic Arabidopsis. As the efficiency and ease of getting a transformant is very much time consuming effort and less number of the transformants people get, we have developed a little modified transformation protocol to avoid the disparities. Four types of inoculums (inoculum1, inoculum2, inoculum3 and inoculum4) were used to check the transformation efficiency out of which Inoculum3 showed the highest rate of transformation among the four types. 0.07% Twin-20 also acts in same manner as silwet L-77 to increase the rate of transformation efficiency and glucose instead of sucrose can be used in inoculum to transform Arabidopsis. After vacuum infiltration keeping the Agrobacterium infected plants for 7-8 hrs horizontally in low light at 280C temperature condition, considered best to get an increased number of transformed seeds. Modified protocol produced ~12-14% increase in transformants. Selection pots (kanamycin supplemented soil filled pots) in place of selection plates (Kanamycin supplemented Murashige and Skoog agar plates) proved beneficial as no MS medium and no aseptic condition is required for selection of transformed plants. This increase in transformation efficiency consequently increased the percentage of homozygous and single copied stable transgenic lines.

The effect of particle size and amount of inoculum on fungal treatment of wheat straw and wood chips

Background： The aim of this study was to optimize the fungal treatment of lignocellulosic biomass by stimulating the colonization. Wheat straw and wood chips were treated with Ceriporiopsis subvermispora and Lentinula edodes with various amounts of colonized millet grains（0.5, 1.5 or 3.0 % per g of wet weight of substrate） added to the substrates. Also, wheat straw and wood chips were chopped to either 0.5 or 2 cm.Effectiveness of the fungal treatment after 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 wk of incubation was determined by changes in chemical composition, in vitro gas production（IVGP） as a measure for rumen degradability, and ergosterol content as a measure of fungal biomass.Results： Incomplete colonization was observed for C. subvermispora treated wheat straw and L. edodes treated wood chips. The different particle sizes and amounts of inoculum tested, had no significant effects on the chemical composition and the IVGP of C. subvermispora treated wood chips. Particle size did influence L.edodes treatment of wheat straw. The L. edodes treatment of 2 cm wheat straw resulted in a more selective delignification and a higher IVGP than the smaller particles. Addition of 1.5 % or 3 % L. edodes inoculum to wheat straw resulted in more selective delignification and a higher IVGP than addition of 0.5 % inoculum.Conclusion： Particle size and amount of inoculum did not have an effect on C. subvermispora treatment of wood chips. At least 1.5 % L. edodes colonized millet grains should be added to 2 cm wheat straw to result in an increased IVGP and acid detergent lignin（ADL） degradation.

Evaluation of host resistance and fungicide application as tools for the management of root rot of field pea caused by Aphanomyces euteiches

Aphanomyces root rot(ARR) of field pea(Pisum sativum), caused by Aphanomyces euteiches, can cause severe root damage, wilting, and large yield losses under wet soil conditions. To identify ways to manage this disease, the effect of A. euteiches inoculum density on field pea was studied under greenhouse and field conditions in 2015 and 2016. Increases in inoculum density reduced seedling emergence, root nodulation, and plant vigor, and resulted in increased root rot severity in both field and greenhouse tests. Seed treatments with the fungicides Apron Advance(thiabendazole + fludioxonil + metalaxyl) + Vibrance(difenoconazole + metalaxylM + sedaxane), INTEGO Solo(ethaboxam), BAS 516F(boscalid + pyraclostrobin), BAS 720F(metalaxyl + pyraclostrobin + fluxapyroxad), and BAS 516F + BAS 720F(3:1) were evaluated for their efficacy against ARR. All seed treatments except Apron Advance + Vibrance reduced root rot severity under controlled conditions. BAS 516F, BAS 720F and INTEGO Solo improved plant vigor and all treatments reduced seedling blight to varying degrees under greenhouse conditions, but not in the field. A collection of 22 pea genotypes was evaluated for resistance to root rot in field plot experiments. Line 00–2067 showed the least severe root rot symptoms,whereas ‘Spring D' showed the lowest reduction in yield. The results suggest that there may be an opportunity to combine partial host resistance and fungicidal seed treatments to adequately manage ARR of field pea.

Source of mycorrhizal inoculum influences growth of Faidherbia albida seedlings

Poor land use management and practice inhibit the growth and establishment of tree seedlings in dryland areas.We assessed arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi(AM)status of Faidherbia albida(Del.)A.Chev.trees grown on different land uses.We quantified the growth and nutrient uptake of F.albida seedlings inoculated with AM from different sources.These efforts were based on soil and fine root samples from the rhizosphere soils of F.albida trees.AM root colonization was determined using the gridline intersect method.Spores were extracted by the wet sieving and decanting method and identified to genus level.The seedling experiment had a completely randomized onefactorial design with four treatments and five replications.Faidherbida albida seedlings were grown in a greenhouse.All in situ F.albida trees were colonized by AM fungi.AM root colonization of F.albida trees was significantly higher(P<0.0086)in area exclosures than on lands used for grazing or cultivation.Spore abundance was significantly higher(P<0.0014)in area exclosures followed by cultivated land and grazing land.Glomus was the dominant genus in all land-uses.AM-inoculated F.albida seedlings grew better(P<0.05)than non-inoculated controls.Seedlings inoculated with AM from area exclosure had significantly(P<0.05)higher growth and nutrient uptake than those inoculated with AM from grazing and cultivated land.This emphasizes the importance of the native soil AM potential for better establishment of seedlings to achieve optimum plant growth improvement and assist in rehabilitation of degraded arid lands.

Integrated Effects of Rhizobial Inoculum and Inorganic Fertilizers on Wheat Yield and Yield Components

An experiment was conducted in pots under natural condition with two factor factorial completely randomized design (CRD) (CRD) to investigate the integrated effect of rhizobia inoculums and inorganic fertilizers on growth and yield of wheat crop at The University of Agriculture Peshawar, during 2012-2013. The experiment was comprised of four inoculums (no, lentil, peas and chickpeas) and two NPK levels (recommended 120:90:60 kg·ha-1 & 20% less of recommended). It was observed that inoculation of wheat by rhizobia significantly increased tillers per plant by a maximum of 42%, plant height by 13%, grain per spike by 16%, 100 grain weight by 10%, biological and grain yield by 10% over un-inoculated (control) treatment. Among inoculums, peas inoculum was found to be the most efficient for all traits except plant height where chickpea inoculum performed better. Similarly recommended NPK significantly increased tillers per plant by 33%, plant height by 19%, grain per spike by 9%, 100 grain weight by 10%, biological yield by 8% and grain yield by 10% compared with 20% less of recommended NPK. Interactive effect of inoculum x NPK was significant for tillers per plant, grain per spike, grain yield and non-significant for plant height, 100 grain weight and biological yield. However, it was evident from the results that inoculation improved all traits both under recommended and 20% less of recommended NPK. The persistent good performance of peas and lentil rhizobial inoculation in wheat growth exhibited that this could be used as a plant growth promoting rhizobacteria for wheat and other cereal crops in prevailing soil and climatic conditions.

Influence of Traditional Inoculum and Fermentation Time on the Organoleptic Quality of "Attiéké”

To improve the process of “Attiéké” production by the standardization of the traditional inoculums, the effects of inoculums amount (6%, 8%, 10% and 12%) and fermentation time (6, 12 and 18 h) were studied and analyzed for their microbiological and sensory qualities using standard analytical procedures. The microbial analysis showed that Lactobacillus species (9.14 Log cfu/g) as the most important popular microorganism in the paste, followed by enterococci (7.64 Log ufc/g) species, yeasts and moulds (7.30 Log cfu/g) respectively. Sensory analysis revealed significant effects (p < 0.05), of inoculums quantity and fermentation time on the “Attiéké” quality. “Attiéké” obtained with 10% inoculums and after 12 hours of fermentation was identified as the optical inoculums amount and time for “Attiéké” production. The importance of traditional starter inoculums in “Attiéké” processing could be necessary to standardization at small and industrial scale the process of production.

Anaerobic Digestion of Food Waste Using UASB Sludge from a Poultry Slaughterhouse as Inoculum

In 2010, Brazil endorsed a new national policy of solid wastes, which has a very ambitious target to close up all the dumping areas and to manage adequately all the municipal solid waste, disposing in landfills only the refuse of treated municipal solid waste after 2019. Food waste is the largest representative of organic waste produced in Brazilian municipalities, which can produce both fertilizer and biogas through anaerobic digestion （AD） process, reducing in both cases greenhouse gases emissions. AD assays of some samples of restaurant food wastes were performed in batch laboratory, 500 mL reactors for determination of optimized start-up conditions. The tests were conducted in triplicate, using anaerobic sludge from a poultry slaughterhouse wastewater treatment as inoculum to start up the anaerobic biodigestors. The effect of three different substrates to inoculum mixing ratios 10：90 （S1）, 20：80 （S2） and 30：70 （S3） was evaluated. The food waste used as substrate was previously homogenized and submitted to aerobic mechanical mixing for four days before it was fed in the reactors in anaerobic conditions at the mentioned proportions with the inoculum. The reactors were maintained at 35 ℃ and under mechanical mixing at 60 rpm. The methane production was monitored until its stabilization. Results showed that S1 presented the best performance during the initial 12 d, when it totalized 526 NmLCH4/gVSsubstrate.

Effect of Lactate and Starter Inoculum on Biogas Production from Fresh Maize and Maize Silage

Lactate is a key intermediate during anaerobic digestion of carbohydrates;however, it fails to receive significant consideration in biogas plants. We examined the influence of lactic acid on biogas production. Two commonly used feeds, fresh maize and maize silage, were selected as substrates due to their difference in lactic acid contents. Additionally, inocula from an agriculture-based biogas plant, a waste water treatment plant and a standardised laboratory reactor were selected to investigate the impact of starter culture on the process. Experiments demonstrated increased total biogas yield of up to 45% in the lactate-rich maize silage over the lactate-devoid fresh maize, but only in cases where the starting inocula had been previously exposed to lactic acid. Our findings suggest lactic acid is a significant intermediate in biogas production and merits consideration. Additionally, the ability of the starter inoculum to utilize lactic acid is an important factor in process optimization and enhanced biogas production.

Improving Compost Process Efficiency by Leachates Inoculation and Shredding of the Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste at Bordo Poniente Composting Plant,Mexico City

Management of MSW(Municipal Solid Waste)is a major downside in most of the biggest cities.The composting of the organic fraction of MSW is one of the oldest and simplest ways of organic waste stabilization.It is a self-heating biological conversion that generates appropriate finished merchandise such as soil conditioner or fertilizers.Mexico City generates about 12,500 ton/day of MSW,44%of it is food scraps and yard trimmings which are the OFMSW(Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste),2,500 ton/day of it is composted at the BPCP(Bordo Poniente Composting Plant)yielding 500 ton/day of compost.The purpose of this study was to evaluate three treatments to accelerate the composting process,so eventually the city could increase the amount of the OFMSW at BPCP.We compared three different treatments;one of them showed a significant reduction in time of the composting process(p≤0.05)i.e.,it took less time to reach the thermophilic stage,maturity and stabilization phases.Maturity was achieved at 35 days and 60 days to stabilize.We conclude that shredding the feedstock plus leachate inoculum addition at the beginning of the process,reduces the composting time in about 61%with respect to the time it takes at the BPCP,where lasted 90 days.

Hygienic Quality and Nutritional Value of Attiékéfrom Local and Imported Cassava Dough Produced with Different Traditional Starters in Burkina Faso

Attiéké is an essentially flavour starchy food produced from fermented cassava root. The product is widely consumed in Burkina Faso. The objective of the present study was to investigate the biochemical and the microbiological characteristics of attiéké from Burkina Faso. The samples (36) were collected from six (6) producers. Cassava dough which is used for attiéké production contains from 70.67% ± 0.25% to 86.02% ± 0.2% as starch. The undesirable organic elements rate is about 1.28% ± 0.14% to 26.46% ± 0.53%. The inorganic impurities rate is about 0 to 7 ± 0.1 mg/100g. Cassava dough acidity varies from 1.8 ± 0.2 to 12.4 ± 0.1;and its pH from 3.48 ± 0.01 to 4.20 ± 0.01. Lactic bacteria are the main microorganisms involved in cassava dough fermentation (5.17 to 9.30 log cfu/g). Yeasts and molds number is low (<6.53 log cfu/g). Attiéké moister is about 50.6% ± 0.00% to 55.12% ± 0.7% and its protein contents from 0.77 to 1.74 ± 0.13 g/100g. The content in lipid of attiéké shows an important variation and is about 0.15 to 3.28 ± 0.32 g/100g. Carbohydrates content varies from 36.6 ± 0.04 to 47.01 ± 0.1 g/100g and its ashes content is from 140 to 780 ± 20 mg/100g. Attiéké acidity and pH are less weak than cassava dough. They vary respectively from 0.92% ± 0.05% to 4.08% ± 0.57% and from 3.7 to 4.4 ± 0.01. As a main energizer food, attiéké energizing value is from 161.95 to 215.26 Kcal/100g. All the attiéké analyzed was exempt of aflatoxin (B1, B2, G1, G2) and ochratoxin A. The local attiéké has higher acidity, fermented bacteria load, protein and minerals salt than the imported one. The process mastery is the mainly factor that determines nutritional and sanitary quality of attiéké.

Persistence and Impact of a PGPR on Microbial Communities of Biosolids and Soil Amended with Them

Survival of the plant-growth promoting rhizobacteria （PGPR） strain Pseudomonasfluorescens 92 in two batches ofbiosolids and soil amended with them and functional and structural shifts occurring in the resident bacterial communities were assessed. Viability of the rifampicin resistant gfp-tagged P. fluorescens 92RTcgfp, inoculated in microcosms consisting of biosolids, soil amended with biosolids and soil, drastically decreased 3-7 days after inoculation in treatments containing biosolids and soil amended with them. The PGPR counts in biosolids were always lower than in soil throughout the experiment whereas, in soil amended with biosolids, were similar or higher depending on the batch of biosolid. Analysis of the community-level physiological profiling （CLPP） revealed a strong impact of the strain on the metabolic activities, as seen in a general uniformity of the inoculated microcosms profiles. According to single-strand conformation polymorphism （SSCP） analysis, the presence of the PGPR had no effect on the resident soil and biosolid eubacterial population, whereas it induced a transient shift in the composition of the resident pseudomonads. In conclusion, biosolids themselves are not suitable as inoculum vehicle for the PGPR nevertheless, their combined incorporation into soil increases the inoculum survival and buffers the competition effects with the resident communities.