Microbial inoculants and fertilizer compositions comprising the same

Abstract

Provided herein are microbial inoculants for use in increasing plant growth, plant productivity and / or soil quality, comprising strains of one or more bacterial species selected from Lactobacillus parafarraginis, Lactobacillus buchneri, Lactobacillus rapi and Lactobacillus zeae. Optionally the microbial inoculants also comprise a strain of Acetobacter fabarum and / or a strain of Candida ethanolica. Also provided are fertilizer compositions comprising said microbial inoculants.

Description

FIELD OF THE ART

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to microbial inoculants, particularly for use as fertilizers, comprising one or more microbial species or strains as described herein, and to fertilizer compositions comprising such organisms. The disclosure also relates to methods of promoting plant growth, increasing availability of nutrients in the soil and remediating degraded soils and pastures using microbial inoculants and fertilizer compositions of the present disclosure.BACKGROUND

[0002] The use of fertilizers to enhance plant and crop production and overcome poor soil quality is widespread. Most commonly employed commercially available fertilizers are inorganic chemical fertilizers. Such chemical fertilizers can be expensive to produce, can be hazardous to use and are often associated with environmentally damaging consequences, such as nitrate contamination in run off and ground water. Environmental sustainability can be promoted by limiting the use of chemical f...

Images