Effect of Carrier Materials, Coinoculation and Sterilization on Survival of Plant Growth Promoting Microbes

The study was conducted to investigate diverse carrier materials out of agricultural and environmental waste, that plays a role in maintaining the shelf life plant growth promoting microbes (PGPM) at room temperature for locally produced inoculants Malawi. Five different formulations divided into sterilized unsterilized were prepared, using namely; rice bran plus extract (RBP), biochar (BP), Filter mud (FMP), bran, extracts (RBCP), filter mud, (FMBP). Carrier packed polyethylene pack (six per each treatment), thereafter treatment unsterilized. Each inoculated with either single or multiple inoculants. Survival PGPM, based on colony forming units (CFU) specific selective media namely: modified yeast mannitol, pikovskaya’s, Alexandria basal nitrogen fixing microbes, phosphate, potassium zinc solubilising respectively. Results revealed encapsulated formulation combination RBCP both exerted high stable numbers PGRM along storage compared other formulations. results also show exert which is as result hydrogen peroxide accumulation during sterilization. reveals currently used not favorable local environments because microbial decrease after 20 days temperature. This makes usage rural smallholder farmers no refrigeration facilities.