Nitrogen-fixing bacterial inoculant for improvement of crop productivity and reduction of nitrous oxide emission

摘要

The present invention relates to methods of reducing chemical fertilizer usage and greenhouse gas nitrous oxide emission and to methods of improving plant growth rate and seed productivity in agriculture through the application of a novel artificially manufactured formula containing a nitrogen-fixing bacterium that efficiently colonizes non-legume plants in aerial parts and the root system. The bacteria inocula and methods are particularly suitable for plants in the genera Jatropha, Sorghum, Gossypium, Elaeis, Ricinus, Oryza and Manihot.

主权项

1. A bacterial inoculant for application to plants, said bacterial inoculant comprising an effective quantity of a biologically pure culture of at least one bacterial species, trace metal ions and a carrier;
wherein the trace metal ions are selected from the group consisting of molybdenum (Mo2+) ions, iron (Fe2+) ions, manganese (Mn2+) ions, and any combination of these ions; wherein the carrier is selected from the group consisting of a biopolymer, a sugar, an animal milk, a planting material and a porous, chemically inert carrier; wherein the at least one bacterial species is Enterobacter species R4-368 (NRRL B-50631); and wherein the bacterial species reduces acetylene to ethylene or reduces atmospheric nitrogen (N2) to ammonia (NH3) and improves plant productivity when the bacterial inoculant is applied to a plant.