inokulants

Inokulants, also spelled inoculants, are preparations containing living microorganisms or biological agents used to inoculate seeds, plants, or tissues to induce beneficial effects such as nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, or disease resistance. The term is used mainly in agriculture and microbiology. In English, the standard spelling is inoculants; inokulants is a variant found in some texts.

Types of inokulants include seed inoculants, which often contain rhizobial strains for legumes or Azospirillum for cereals; mycorrhizal inoculants, comprising beneficial fungi such as Glomus or Rhizophagus species; and soil or root-dip inoculants. Carriers vary and can be peat, lignite, charcoal, or liquid suspensions, which help maintain viability and enable storage and handling.

Application methods typically involve coating seeds, seed treatments, or soil incorporation at planting. Inoculants can improve crop yields and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers by enhancing nutrient availability and uptake. Effectiveness depends on factors such as crop genotype, soil conditions, native microbial communities, and compatibility between the inoculant strain and the host plant.

Production and regulation: inokulants are manufactured under quality control to ensure viability and consistency. Shelf life and proper storage are important for performance. Regulatory frameworks commonly require product registration and truthful labeling of claims regarding efficacy and safety. Safety concerns are generally low for beneficial microbial inoculants, though accuracy in claims and appropriate use are enforced.

See also: biofertilizers, microbial inoculants, starter cultures.