Product Information
Lentil Rhizobium inoculant is applied to the soil to allow plant roots to form nodules and help with the fixing of nitrogen (Erker and Brick, 2014). Rhizobia is a bacteria that infects the root hairs of plants by the binding of the rhizobia to the root hairs with the help of cellulose fibrils (Gage, 2004). The fibrils form caps on the root hairs, and allow the rhizobia to enter the root tissue. The root tip fibres are deformed, and a new root tip is created. The rhizobia form in tubules called infection threads that are a combination of plant and rhizobia structures. The deformed root hairs support the growth of the rhizobia and will eventually develop into nodules (Gage, 2004).
For more information, please see xitebio.ca
Soil Benefits
The biggest benefit of the use of inoculants is the fixing of nitrogen (Stephens and Rask, 2000). Air is 70% nitrogen and the rhizobia in the legume roots convert this to ammonium which is a form accessible for plant use (Erker and Brick, 2014). Plant roots have a symbiotic relationship with the rhizobia, as the rhizobia help them to multiply the root tissue (Erker and Brick, 2014). The importance of having a large root system is to support the plant, as well as obtain water and nutrients, in competition with other plants (Waisel, Eshel, Beckman, and Kafkafi, 2002).
Production
The rhizobia production can be difficult, and slightly more time consuming than the production of other products. The rhizobia take 48 to 72 hours for a 20 to 100 x increase depending on the species of the rhizobia (Burton, 1984). The needs of the bacteria must be met during the production to develop an effective high quality product (Stephens and Rask, 2002). The bacteria cultures are started in test tubes, and transferred to Erlenmeyer flasks or Roux bottles (Burton, 1984). After a period of growth the bacteria are transferred to fermenters depending on the needs of the bacterium. The fermenters should not be mistaken for storage containers (Burton, 1984). A fermenter is a heated agitating container that optimizes the growth of the rhizobia (Gulati, 2004). The amount of bacteria cultures should not be more than the amount that can be combined with a carrier, as the carrier needs to support the life of the bacterium (Burton, 1984). Three major concerns during the processing of the rhizobium are; the quality of the carrier, having adequate numbers of rhizobium per unit of carrier, and the purity of the nitrogen for fixation (Stephens and Rask, 2000).
Three to five percent larger amount of bacterium are used when culturing a slow growing bacteria, to speed up the time of the production. Aiming to produce 1.3 to 1.5 times the required amount should be done as the yield is often less than the theoretical amount (Burton, 1984). A study by Singleton et al. (1997) found that worldwide, approximately 2000 tonnes of inoculant are produced annually. It is likely that this number has increased since this study was done. With 2000 tonnes of inoculant approximately 20 million hectares of legumes can be fertilized (Singleton et al., 1997).
Forms of Inoculant
There are three main types of carriers. The first is peat. Peat is the oldest and one of the most commonly used forms of inoculant (O’Hara et al., 2012). The rhizobia bacteria are placed in the peat once it has been sterilized (O’Hara et al., 2012). The sterilization of the carrier greatly improves the shelf life of the rhizobium (Tittabutr et al., 2012). Rhizobia can survive in the peat for up to 18 months (O’Hara et al., 2012). The second most common type of carrier is granular. Granular inoculant is often made up of either peat or clay. The third most common type of inoculant is liquid. The rhizobia are suspended and protected in the liquid (O’Hara et al., 2012). Liquid inoculant can be poured into the furrow after it has been diluted with water (Erker and Brick, 2014). Inoculant in the liquid form can also be put directly on the seed (Erker and Brick, 2014).
Packaging
Rhizobia have specific packaging requirements due to the fact that they are living organisms. The packaging must be sturdy enough that it can be printed on, but it must also be breathable to allow for gas exchange of the rhizobium (Burton, 1984). The packaging must also allow for the retention of water, to aid the rhizobium in their survival (Burton, 1984).
Requirements
In the soil the rhizobium also have specific requirements for their populations to flourish. Rhizobia are sensitive to pH, and to the salinity of the soil (Catroux, Hartmann, and Revellin, 2001). The moisture content of the soil may also affect the effectiveness of the rhizobium (Catroux, Hartmann, and Revellin, 2001).
Product Type
Lentil rhizobia inoculant is not a niche product. For any producer of lentils or soybeans the inoculant will help to improve yields, without the use of nitrogen based fertilizers (Stephens and Rask, 2000). The yields of other crops will also improve, because the legumes will leave nitrogen that is available to the other plants that can be grown on the same of land. Inoculant is available to many farmers, and many see benefits from the use of inoculants.
Canadian Manufacturers
In Canada, there are a few companies who produce rhizobium inoculants in combinations of all three forms. Three companies based out of Saskatchewan are: Becker Underwood Canada, Farmers of North America, and Novozymes BioAg (Government of Saskatchewan, 2012). XiteBio Technologies Inc. is another company based out of Winnipeg Manitoba that focuses on the production of liquid inoculant (XiteBio, 2013).
XiteBio produces a product PeasRhizo for the inoculation of lentils and peas (Manas Banerjee, CEO of XiteBio, personal communication, November 21, 2014). This product comes in a liquid form, and is sold in cases containing 4, 3L jugs of inoculant (Manas Banerjee, CEO of XiteBio, personal communication, November 21, 2014). The cost of the rhizobia varies depending on the product cost, the amount of handling required, as well as the volume. The cost is also affected by any extra packaging required for shipping. XiteBio also carries other products that may be beneficial for export to Nepal such as SoyRhizo (XiteBio, 2013). SoyRhizo is primarily for soybean use, and promotes the wild strains of rhizobia as well as adding new bacteria to the soil (XiteBio, 2013). All of XiteBio’s products are manufactured in Winnipeg Manitoba by XiteBio Technologies Inc. (Manas Banerjee, personal communication, November 22, 2014).
Application
The liquid form is the easiest to apply (Hynes et al., 1995). It can be applied directly to the seed or in the furrow during planting (XiteBio, 2013). For on the seed application, the inoculant is applied at 2.5 fluid oz. per pound or 75mL for 25kg of seed. In the furrow application is slightly different. It is applied at 0.5 fluid oz. per 1000 feet or 15mL per 305m row (XiteBio, 2013). For the application of liquid inoculant the liquid should be prepared according to the manufacturer’s directions, and can then be mixed directly with the seed at the ratios provided by the manufacturer (XiteBio 2013). The inoculant can also be sprayed into the furrow after being mixed with water according to the manufacturer’s directions (Erker and Brick, 2014). The inoculant should be applied within 12 hours of mixing (XiteBio, 2013).
Environmental Impact
The environmental impact will be greatly affected by the use of lentil rhizobia inoculants. There are pros and cons to both the use of inoculants and fertilizers (Figure 1). PeasRhizo is non-toxic to both animals and humans. The only side effect is that it may cause mild skin irritation after prolonged exposure (XiteBio, 2013).
Lentil Rhizobium inoculant is applied to the soil to allow plant roots to form nodules and help with the fixing of nitrogen (Erker and Brick, 2014). Rhizobia is a bacteria that infects the root hairs of plants by the binding of the rhizobia to the root hairs with the help of cellulose fibrils (Gage, 2004). The fibrils form caps on the root hairs, and allow the rhizobia to enter the root tissue. The root tip fibres are deformed, and a new root tip is created. The rhizobia form in tubules called infection threads that are a combination of plant and rhizobia structures. The deformed root hairs support the growth of the rhizobia and will eventually develop into nodules (Gage, 2004).
For more information, please see xitebio.ca
Soil Benefits
The biggest benefit of the use of inoculants is the fixing of nitrogen (Stephens and Rask, 2000). Air is 70% nitrogen and the rhizobia in the legume roots convert this to ammonium which is a form accessible for plant use (Erker and Brick, 2014). Plant roots have a symbiotic relationship with the rhizobia, as the rhizobia help them to multiply the root tissue (Erker and Brick, 2014). The importance of having a large root system is to support the plant, as well as obtain water and nutrients, in competition with other plants (Waisel, Eshel, Beckman, and Kafkafi, 2002).
Production
The rhizobia production can be difficult, and slightly more time consuming than the production of other products. The rhizobia take 48 to 72 hours for a 20 to 100 x increase depending on the species of the rhizobia (Burton, 1984). The needs of the bacteria must be met during the production to develop an effective high quality product (Stephens and Rask, 2002). The bacteria cultures are started in test tubes, and transferred to Erlenmeyer flasks or Roux bottles (Burton, 1984). After a period of growth the bacteria are transferred to fermenters depending on the needs of the bacterium. The fermenters should not be mistaken for storage containers (Burton, 1984). A fermenter is a heated agitating container that optimizes the growth of the rhizobia (Gulati, 2004). The amount of bacteria cultures should not be more than the amount that can be combined with a carrier, as the carrier needs to support the life of the bacterium (Burton, 1984). Three major concerns during the processing of the rhizobium are; the quality of the carrier, having adequate numbers of rhizobium per unit of carrier, and the purity of the nitrogen for fixation (Stephens and Rask, 2000).
Three to five percent larger amount of bacterium are used when culturing a slow growing bacteria, to speed up the time of the production. Aiming to produce 1.3 to 1.5 times the required amount should be done as the yield is often less than the theoretical amount (Burton, 1984). A study by Singleton et al. (1997) found that worldwide, approximately 2000 tonnes of inoculant are produced annually. It is likely that this number has increased since this study was done. With 2000 tonnes of inoculant approximately 20 million hectares of legumes can be fertilized (Singleton et al., 1997).
Forms of Inoculant
There are three main types of carriers. The first is peat. Peat is the oldest and one of the most commonly used forms of inoculant (O’Hara et al., 2012). The rhizobia bacteria are placed in the peat once it has been sterilized (O’Hara et al., 2012). The sterilization of the carrier greatly improves the shelf life of the rhizobium (Tittabutr et al., 2012). Rhizobia can survive in the peat for up to 18 months (O’Hara et al., 2012). The second most common type of carrier is granular. Granular inoculant is often made up of either peat or clay. The third most common type of inoculant is liquid. The rhizobia are suspended and protected in the liquid (O’Hara et al., 2012). Liquid inoculant can be poured into the furrow after it has been diluted with water (Erker and Brick, 2014). Inoculant in the liquid form can also be put directly on the seed (Erker and Brick, 2014).
Packaging
Rhizobia have specific packaging requirements due to the fact that they are living organisms. The packaging must be sturdy enough that it can be printed on, but it must also be breathable to allow for gas exchange of the rhizobium (Burton, 1984). The packaging must also allow for the retention of water, to aid the rhizobium in their survival (Burton, 1984).
Requirements
In the soil the rhizobium also have specific requirements for their populations to flourish. Rhizobia are sensitive to pH, and to the salinity of the soil (Catroux, Hartmann, and Revellin, 2001). The moisture content of the soil may also affect the effectiveness of the rhizobium (Catroux, Hartmann, and Revellin, 2001).
Product Type
Lentil rhizobia inoculant is not a niche product. For any producer of lentils or soybeans the inoculant will help to improve yields, without the use of nitrogen based fertilizers (Stephens and Rask, 2000). The yields of other crops will also improve, because the legumes will leave nitrogen that is available to the other plants that can be grown on the same of land. Inoculant is available to many farmers, and many see benefits from the use of inoculants.
Canadian Manufacturers
In Canada, there are a few companies who produce rhizobium inoculants in combinations of all three forms. Three companies based out of Saskatchewan are: Becker Underwood Canada, Farmers of North America, and Novozymes BioAg (Government of Saskatchewan, 2012). XiteBio Technologies Inc. is another company based out of Winnipeg Manitoba that focuses on the production of liquid inoculant (XiteBio, 2013).
XiteBio produces a product PeasRhizo for the inoculation of lentils and peas (Manas Banerjee, CEO of XiteBio, personal communication, November 21, 2014). This product comes in a liquid form, and is sold in cases containing 4, 3L jugs of inoculant (Manas Banerjee, CEO of XiteBio, personal communication, November 21, 2014). The cost of the rhizobia varies depending on the product cost, the amount of handling required, as well as the volume. The cost is also affected by any extra packaging required for shipping. XiteBio also carries other products that may be beneficial for export to Nepal such as SoyRhizo (XiteBio, 2013). SoyRhizo is primarily for soybean use, and promotes the wild strains of rhizobia as well as adding new bacteria to the soil (XiteBio, 2013). All of XiteBio’s products are manufactured in Winnipeg Manitoba by XiteBio Technologies Inc. (Manas Banerjee, personal communication, November 22, 2014).
Application
The liquid form is the easiest to apply (Hynes et al., 1995). It can be applied directly to the seed or in the furrow during planting (XiteBio, 2013). For on the seed application, the inoculant is applied at 2.5 fluid oz. per pound or 75mL for 25kg of seed. In the furrow application is slightly different. It is applied at 0.5 fluid oz. per 1000 feet or 15mL per 305m row (XiteBio, 2013). For the application of liquid inoculant the liquid should be prepared according to the manufacturer’s directions, and can then be mixed directly with the seed at the ratios provided by the manufacturer (XiteBio 2013). The inoculant can also be sprayed into the furrow after being mixed with water according to the manufacturer’s directions (Erker and Brick, 2014). The inoculant should be applied within 12 hours of mixing (XiteBio, 2013).
Environmental Impact
The environmental impact will be greatly affected by the use of lentil rhizobia inoculants. There are pros and cons to both the use of inoculants and fertilizers (Figure 1). PeasRhizo is non-toxic to both animals and humans. The only side effect is that it may cause mild skin irritation after prolonged exposure (XiteBio, 2013).
Figure 1: The pros and cons of fertilizers and rhizobial inoculant.
References
Burton, J. (1984). Mass Culture of Rhizobia. Legume Inoculant Production Manual (p. 18, 30). Hawaii: n.p.
Catroux, G., Hartmann, A., Revellin, C., (2001) Trends in rhizobial inoculant production and use. Plant and Soil, 230, 21-30
Erker B, Brick M. (2014) Legume Seed Inoculants. Retrieved from http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/crops/00305.html
Gage, D. (2004). Infection and Invasion of Roots by Symbiotic, Nitrogen-Fixing Rhizobia during Nodulation of Temperate Legumes. Microbiology and molecular biology reviews, 68(2): 280-300 doi: 10.1128/MMBR.68.2.280-300.2004
[GC] The Government of Canada. (2012). Canada's state of trade: Trade and investment update 2012. Retrieved from http://www.international.gc.ca/economist-economiste/performance/state-point/state_2012_point/2012_7.aspx?lang=eng
Government of Saskatchewan. (2012). Pulse crop product information. Retrieved from: http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Default.aspx?DN=178edffd-3e23-4f30-bf11-ddf793890645
Gulati S. L. (2004). New nonsynthetic medium for rhizobium culture production from wastes. Biotechnology and Bioengeneering. 21(9): 1507–1515. DOI: 10.1002/bit.260210902.html
Hynes R.K., Craig K. A., Covert D., Rennie R. J., and Smith S. R. (1995). Liquid Rhizobial Inoculants for Lentil and Field Pea. Alliance of Crop, Soil and Environmental Science Societies, 8(4), 547-552. Retrieved from https://dl.sciencesocieties.org/publications/jpa/abstracts/8/4/547
O’Hara G., Howieson J., Drew E., Ballard R., Herridge D., Gemmell G., … Ballard N,. (2012). Inoculating legumes: A practical guide. Kingston ACT. Grains Research and Development Corporation.
Singleton P.W., Boonkerd N., Carr T.J., and Thompson J.A. (1997). Technical and market constraints limiting legume inoculant use in Asia. O.P. Rupela, C. Johansen, D.F. Herridge (Eds.), Extending Nitrogen Fixation Research to Farmers’ Fields, ICRISAT, Patancheru, AP, India, pp. 17–38.
Stephens, J.H.G., Rask, H.M., (2000). Inoculant production and formulation. Field Crops Research, 65(2-3), 249-258.
Tittabutr P., Teamthisong K., Buranabanyat B., Teaumroong N., & Boonkerd N. (2012). Gamma irradiation and autoclave sterilization peat and compost as the carrier for rhizobial inoculant production. Journal of Agricultural Science 4(12):9-67. doi:10.5539/jas.v4n12p59.
Tupy M.L. (2006, January 3). Free trade benefits all. The Washington times.
Waisel, Y., Eshel A., Beeckman T., Kafkafi U. (2002). Plant Roots: The Hidden Half (3rd Edition). New York, New York: CRC.
XiteBio Technologies inc. (2013). Retrieved from: http://xitebio.ca/.
Burton, J. (1984). Mass Culture of Rhizobia. Legume Inoculant Production Manual (p. 18, 30). Hawaii: n.p.
Catroux, G., Hartmann, A., Revellin, C., (2001) Trends in rhizobial inoculant production and use. Plant and Soil, 230, 21-30
Erker B, Brick M. (2014) Legume Seed Inoculants. Retrieved from http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/crops/00305.html
Gage, D. (2004). Infection and Invasion of Roots by Symbiotic, Nitrogen-Fixing Rhizobia during Nodulation of Temperate Legumes. Microbiology and molecular biology reviews, 68(2): 280-300 doi: 10.1128/MMBR.68.2.280-300.2004
[GC] The Government of Canada. (2012). Canada's state of trade: Trade and investment update 2012. Retrieved from http://www.international.gc.ca/economist-economiste/performance/state-point/state_2012_point/2012_7.aspx?lang=eng
Government of Saskatchewan. (2012). Pulse crop product information. Retrieved from: http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Default.aspx?DN=178edffd-3e23-4f30-bf11-ddf793890645
Gulati S. L. (2004). New nonsynthetic medium for rhizobium culture production from wastes. Biotechnology and Bioengeneering. 21(9): 1507–1515. DOI: 10.1002/bit.260210902.html
Hynes R.K., Craig K. A., Covert D., Rennie R. J., and Smith S. R. (1995). Liquid Rhizobial Inoculants for Lentil and Field Pea. Alliance of Crop, Soil and Environmental Science Societies, 8(4), 547-552. Retrieved from https://dl.sciencesocieties.org/publications/jpa/abstracts/8/4/547
O’Hara G., Howieson J., Drew E., Ballard R., Herridge D., Gemmell G., … Ballard N,. (2012). Inoculating legumes: A practical guide. Kingston ACT. Grains Research and Development Corporation.
Singleton P.W., Boonkerd N., Carr T.J., and Thompson J.A. (1997). Technical and market constraints limiting legume inoculant use in Asia. O.P. Rupela, C. Johansen, D.F. Herridge (Eds.), Extending Nitrogen Fixation Research to Farmers’ Fields, ICRISAT, Patancheru, AP, India, pp. 17–38.
Stephens, J.H.G., Rask, H.M., (2000). Inoculant production and formulation. Field Crops Research, 65(2-3), 249-258.
Tittabutr P., Teamthisong K., Buranabanyat B., Teaumroong N., & Boonkerd N. (2012). Gamma irradiation and autoclave sterilization peat and compost as the carrier for rhizobial inoculant production. Journal of Agricultural Science 4(12):9-67. doi:10.5539/jas.v4n12p59.
Tupy M.L. (2006, January 3). Free trade benefits all. The Washington times.
Waisel, Y., Eshel A., Beeckman T., Kafkafi U. (2002). Plant Roots: The Hidden Half (3rd Edition). New York, New York: CRC.
XiteBio Technologies inc. (2013). Retrieved from: http://xitebio.ca/.