SeedQuest Spotlight - GTG Germain's Technology Group - Nature's approach to crop management

The latter group of mechanisms includes competition, mycoparasitism, antibiosis and induced resistance. Though clearly defined, these mechanisms are not mutually exclusive and single microorganisms may act through a combination of these factors working together.

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria (species of Rhizobium) provide atmospheric nitrogen for plant growth by forming symbiotic associations with leguminous plants in root nodules. Rhizobial inoculants have a proven pedigree of success in many commercial formulations.

Formation of root nodules on a clover seedling

Similarly mycorrhizal fungi can improve the phosphate status of plants by forming symbiotic associations with roots and this has been exploited commercially on small- scale plots particularly for transplanted and perennial crops and in soil-disturbed areas.

Biocontrol agents act by colonising the susceptible part of the plant (the ‘infection court’) that requires protection. Around fifty commercial biocontrol products are currently available for use on field grown and protected crops and as post-harvest applications. Almost half are formulations of species of Trichoderma, Bacillus and Pseudomonas. Most of these products are applied directly into the furrow, onto seeds at sowing time, onto the established crop or onto harvested, stored produce. Few of these products are formulations that can be applied as part of a commercial seed treatment process.

Increasing application rates of Rhizobium show a growth benefit on clover

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