Optimization of inoculation methods and stability of rhizobacteria for promoting plant health

Inventor (s): Bingru Huang, Ning Zhang, and William Errickson

Date Awarded: March 2021

Summary:

Our technology is the innovation of agricultural biologicals of endophytic rhizobacteria forming symbiosis with plants with plant-growth promoting property. It can be used as biofertilizer to promote shoot and root growth of plants in agricultural (i.e. corn) and horticultural (i.e. tomato) production systems, as well as turfgrass (i.e. perennial ryegrass) management with reduced water, fertilizers and chemicals. The main users include turfgrass industry (i.e. sod producers, golf courses, lawn care, and sports fields), agricultural and horticultural farms and greenhouse production systems. This technology offers novel and effective biologicals that are not currently commercially available. By conducting this project, we are trying to answer the following three questions regarding the application of our technology frequently asked by private companies: 1) What is the most effective and efficient inoculation methods of rhizobacteria for plants used in agricultural and horticultural production systems, seed treatment, foliar spray or soil drenching? 2) What is the stability of rhizobacteria for long-term storage? And 3) What is the efficacy and longevity of the rhizobacteria in field applications? Such information will promotes the adoption and use of the technology by providing the optimal inoculation methods and demonstrating long-term stability of inoculants during storage and transportation.