Microbial Inoculants

How to achieve sustainable agricultural production without compromising environmental quality, agro-ecosystem function and biodiversity is a serious consideration in current agricultural practices. Farming systems’ growing dependency on chemical inputs (fertilizers, pesticides, nutrients etc.) poses serious threats with regard to crop productivity, soil fertility, the nutritional value of farm produce, management of pests and diseases, agro-ecosystem well-being, and health issues for humans and animals. At the same time, microbial inoculants in the form of biofertilizers, plant growth promoters, biopesticides, soil health managers, etc. have gained considerable attention among researchers, agriculturists, farmers and policy makers. The first volume of the book Microbial Inoculants in Sustainable Agricultural Productivity - Research Perspectives highlights the efforts of global experts with regard to various aspects of microbial inoculants. Emphasis is placed on recent advances in microbiological techniques for the isolation, characterization, identification and evaluation of functional properties using biochemical and molecular tools. The taxonomic characterization of agriculturally important microorganisms is documented, along with their applications in field conditions. The book exploresthe identification, characterization and diversity analysis of endophytic microorganisms in various crops including legumes/ non-legumes, as well as the assessment of their beneficial impacts in the context of promotingplant growth. Moreover, it provides essential updates onthe diversity and role of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and arbuscular mycorrhizal mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Further chaptersexamine in detailbiopesticides, thehigh-density cultivation of bioinoculants in submerged culture, seed biopriming strategies for abiotic and biotic stress tolerance, andPGPR as abio-control agent. Given its content,the book offers a valuable resource for researchers involved in research and development concerningPGPR, biopesticides and microbial inoculants.

In the recent past, beneficial microorganisms have been sustainably used in agriculture as a safe, economic, and effective alternative to chemical fertilizers or pesticides. These beneficial microbes, including bacteria, actinomycetes, and yeast, were efficiently applied in soil, seeds, fruits, or plants as inoculants, to achieve the optimum agricultural yield.An efficient delivery method or enhanced shelf life of microbial inoculants in the soil or seed is still a matter of concern. The response of local genetic or ecological factors, after microbial applications, are also unknown and less studied. Therefore, Microbial Inoculants: Recent Progress and Applications fulfills the need to explore and learn about an efficient delivery mechanism, selection of microbial strain as inoculants, and related technological advances, for the efficient and productive use of microbial inoculants. Moreover, factors like methods of formulation, interaction between host plant and microbe, impact of inoculation on the metabolomics of plants, the effect of microbial inoculants on soil dynamics, proteomics approach of plant-microbe interaction, as well as the registration and regulation process of bio inoculants for commercial production are described in 16 chapters by the leading academicians and researchers from different parts of the world. Sums up the latest approaches and advancements in the field of microbial inoculants in microbial formulations and applications. Proofs the potential development and applications of microbial inoculants as an alternative to chemical fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides. Shows the impact of microbial inoculants on microbial dynamics, bioavailability and abiotic stress mitigation. Gives insights on emerging challenges with the commercialization of microbial formulations, technology patenting and legal perspectives.

The performance of crops in the soil largely depends on the physico-chemical components of the soil, which regulate the availability of nutrients as well as abiotic and biotic stresses. Microbes are the integral component of any agricultural soil, playing a vital role in regulating the bioavailability of nutrients, the tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses and management of seed-borneand soil-borne plant diseases. The second volume of the book Microbial Inoculants in Sustainable Agricultural Productivity - Functional Applications reflects the pioneering efforts of eminent researchers to explore the functions of promising microbes as microbial inoculants, establish inoculants for field applications and promote corresponding knowledge among farming communities. In this volume, readers will find dedicated chapters on the role of microbes as biofertilizers and biopesticides in the improvement of crop plants, managing soil fertility and plant health, enhancing the efficiency of soil nutrients and establishing systemic phytopathogen resistance in plants, as well as managing various kinds of plant stress by applying microbial inoculants. The impact of microbial inoculants on the remediation of heavy metals, soil carbon sequestration, function of rhizosphere microbial communities and remediation of heavy metal contaminated agricultural soils is also covered in great detail. In this Volume, a major focus is on the approaches, strategies, advances and technologies used to develop suitable and sustainable delivery systems for microbial inoculants in field applications. Subsequent chapters investigate the role of nanomaterials in agriculture and the nanoparticle-mediated biocontrol of nematodes. An overview of the challenges facing the regulation and registration of biopesticides in India rounds out the coverage.

The terms and definitions, product classifications, requirements, test methods, inspection rules, packaging, identifications, transportation and storage of the microbial inoculants in agriculture, that is, the microbial agents, are stipulated by this standard. This standard applies to agricultural microbial inoculants products.

New Insights, Trends and Challenges in the Development and Applications of Microbial Inoculants in Agriculture provides information about how to develop high-quality microbial inoculants (biofertilizers and biopesticides) for increasing crop yields and quality and reducing the economic, environmental and health costs of food production. The book's chapters discuss cutting-edge approaches and techniques to develop bioformulations as reliable, viable solutions for food production, including the importance of a legal framework to guarantee the quality and safety of these bio-products. Additionally, it provides information on the current limitations and future approaches to enhance microbial inoculant development for contributing to global food security. Interest in biofertilizers and the potential for their use in sustainable agriculture is increasing. However, many commercial bioproducts are low quality due to the lack of quality standards which causes a decrease in efficiency, high variability in the field, and loss of confidence from farmers. Presents new updates that are based on new research and approaches in the production of microbial inoculants Focuses on the needs of readers, covering key steps and points that should not be overlooked Links scientific and practical knowledge so readers can apply the knowledge acquired in their research on the development of biofertilizers and biopesticides Helps companies can their inoculant production processes Provides updates on how the criteria and selection of bioproducts based on PGPM can increase efficiency of crops through correct application and evaluation of plant performance

​This book provides a comprehensive information on basic and applied concepts of microbesial strategies adopted for the improvement of vegetables grown in various production systems. The beneficial role of soil microbes including plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), nitrogen fixers, and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria in the improvement of vegetables grown both in normal and contaminated soils is discussed. The role of PGPR in tomato production is dealt separately. The impact of heavy metals on different vegetables and abatement of metal toxicity following metal tolerant PGPR and their consequential impact on vegetables grown in metal polluted soil is discussed. Moreover, recent advances in the management of vegetable diseases employing PGPR are addressed. This volume is therefore of special interest to both academics, professionals and practitioners working in the field of vegetable farming/horticulture, microbiology and plant protection sciences.