Why can inoculation fail?
Inoculation of legume
seed is not a difficult activity, and most inoculant manufacturers
are highly reputable. Inoculation should not fail. However, given
the biological nature of the material involved, failures do occur.
Possible reasons are given below:
- Delays between inoculation and seeding
- Inappropriate materials used as stickers
that are too acid or contain bactericidal substances
- The inoculant strain
used is inappropriate for the legume being inoculated
- Use of old or dessicated inoculant cultures or of improperly
stored inoculants
- High soil temperature, acid soil conditions or a prolonged
period without rain after inoculation and planting
- Poor inoculation technique resulting in too few rhizobia
added or sticking to the seed
- Contact between inoculant rhizobia and pesticides or fertilizer
- High soil N levels inhibiting nodulation
Gomez, et al. (1997) highlight
the variation that can occur in inoculant preparations, and some
of the reasons for low counts in such preparations.
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