Are there different methods of inoculation?
Inoculant cultures may be applied to the seed, may be applied directly to soil, either in the furrow or below the seed, or may be watered onto the soil at or after planting. Each method of inoculation requires that the inoculant be packaged and supplied in different ways, and will supply different numbers of rhizobia. Brockwell and Bottomley (1995) noted that seed inoculation supplies 6 -8 x 1010 rhizobia/ha, while soil and cover inoculation supplies 5 x 10 11 to 2.6 x 1015 rhizobia/ha. The conventional method of inoculation is to mix inoculant cultures with a sticker, such as corn syrup, sugar solution or milk, then roll the seeds in the sticker until they are completely covered. A finely ground peat is used and applied at rates to give a minimum of 103 to 106 rhizobia/seed, depending on seed size. Seeds must then be allowed to dry for several hours so they will run through the planter. Only as much seed as can conveniently be planted in a day should be inoculated at one time. Farmers
