Soil microbial inoculants for sustainable agriculture: Limitations and opportunities

The burgeoning global market for soil microbial inoculants use in agriculture is being driven by pressure to increase sustainable crop production managing pests and diseases without environmental impacts. Microbial inoculants, based predominantly on bacteria fungi, are applied as alternatives conventional inorganic fertilizers (biofertilizers) or carry out specific functions including biocontrol of (biopesticides), bioremediation enhancement characteristics. While some such rhizobia have a long successful history use, others performed inconsistently the field failed live up their promise suggested laboratory testing. A more precise understanding ecology modes action inoculant strains key optimizing efficacy guiding targeted situations where they address limitations production. This will require greater collaboration between science disciplines, microbiology, plant science, molecular biology agronomy. Inoculants must be produced formulated ensure effective establishment practicality implementation alongside existing cropping practices. New approaches strain selection construction beneficial consortia should lead efficacious products. Extensive rigorous evaluation under range conditions has rarely been undertaken urgently needed validate emerging products underpin growers, especially that largely unregulated at present.