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Challenges of formulation and quality of biofertilizers for successful inoculation

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Abstract

The interest in biofertilizers is increasing and so is the potential for their use in sustainable agriculture. However, many of the products that are currently available worldwide are often of very poor quality, resulting in the loss of confidence from farmers. The formulation of an inoculant is a crucial multistep process that should result in one or several strains of microorganisms included in a suitable carrier, providing a safe environment to protect them from the often harsh conditions during storage and ensuring survival and establishment after introduction into soils. One of the key issues in formulation development and production is the quality control of the products, at each stage of the process. This review presents the different components and the major steps involved in the formulation of good quality biofertilizers, including the techniques used to assess the quality of the products following production. The quality of currently available inoculants is also reviewed, emphasizing the need for better quality control systems worldwide.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Dr. Lambert Brau for editing this manuscript and for his useful comments to improve its content.

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  1. School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia

    Laetitia Herrmann

  2. CIRAD, UMR Eco&Sols—Ecologie Fonctionnelle & Biogéochimique des Sols & Agroécosystèmes (SupAgro-CIRAD-INRA-IRD), Land Development Department, Office of Science for Land Development, Paholyothin Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand

    Didier Lesueur

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Herrmann, L., Lesueur, D. Challenges of formulation and quality of biofertilizers for successful inoculation. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 97, 8859–8873 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-013-5228-8

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