Frequently asked questions:

1. What is seed inoculation?

Seed inoculation is the practice of effectively introduces a high number of the nitrogen-fixing bacteria (Rhizobium or Bradyrhizobium) on the surface of legume seeds prior to planting. The bacteria infect the root, resulting in the formation of root nodules that fix nitrogen from the air, and make it readily available to the plant. This process is called symbiotic nitrogen fixation.

2. Which is the advantage of inoculation?

The advantage of a good inoculation is to provide each planted seed with the correct amount of good quality bacteria for an effective nodulation. Thus each plant will be able to fix as much nitrogen as required. Extensive field trials around the world have demonstrated that a significant increase in yields can be expected from the use of a good quality inoculant. Also an increase in protein content has been observed in soybean. Inoculation is one of the most important practices in sustainable agriculture.

3. Why to inoculate old soybean ground?

Different rhizobia strains may differ in their ability to fix nitrogen. Extensive field trials have demonstrated that naturalized strains of Bradyrhizobium usually are less efficient in fixing nitrogen. Many experimental stations have been selecting strains based on their ability to fix nitrogen. Inoculation with Nodulest 10 will provide each seed with the correct amount of top quality bacteria for an effective nodulation. Thus each plant will be able to fix as much nitrogen as required.

4. Which strain is used in Nodulest 10?

The strain USDA 138 is used in the Nodulest 10 sold in the United States, and for Canada the strain 532 C is used.

5. What happen if we use a fungicide?

Our results show that fungicides can affect the viability of the bacteria and their infecting capacity more or less drastically depending on the product and the formulation involved. The compatibility of the fungicide with the bacteria must be assessed prior to a massive treatment. For more information contact rad@biagrosa.com . Depending on fungicide compatibility, an increase in the dose of the inoculant may be necessary to achieve an appropriate number of viable bacteria per seed.

6. How to check the effectiveness of the inoculation?

The best way to evaluate if the inoculantion has been successful is to carefully dig up some plants 20 days after emergency, and gently wash the roots with water. Nodules in the main root are a consequence of an early infection, usually due to the inoculation. Early infection guarantee a good nitrogen supply from the beginning of the soybean cycle. In this way, by the time the crop requires maximum nitrogen fixation, the plant will have the best quantity, location and nodule size.

7. What will be seen if we have not done a proper inoculation in soils with no soybean history?

Usually yellow-color spots will be found in certain areas of the field, indicating an uneven distribution of the inoculant. This yellow spots will correspond with no nodules in the plants.

8. Why should I use double doses in new areas?

It is highly recommended to use double doses in areas with no history of soybean cultivation because the soybean crop generates suitable conditions for the survival and multiplication of the bacteria. It must be addressed that soybean and Bradyrhizobium are living a "symbiotic relationship" (which means each one requires the other one for living).

9. Can I use the same inoculant in any legume?

No. There is a specific inoculant for each legume.

10. What is pre-inoculation with Nodulest 10?

Pre-inoculation with Nodulest 10 is a special technology which allows the farmer to treat the seeds 30 days prior to planting. Using Nodulest Adhesive S 1 and Nodulest Additive S 2 , rhizobia cells are protected to assure that a very high number of cells are alive on the surface of the seeds after storage.

11. How to be sure that nodules are fixing nitrogen?

Nodules with a well developed structure and red inside color are actively fixing nitrogen. Other inside colors, like green or white, indicate that the nodule is not fixing nitrogen.

12. How does the position of nodules affect their efficiency?

It has been proved that those nodules located on the main root can fix ten times more nitrogen than the ones in secondary roots (based on dry weight). An early infection will determine a bigger number of nodules in the main root. See question 6.

13. What happens with high nitrogen content in the soil?

It has been found that soils with high nitrogen content can inhibited an early nodulation.

14. I have been growing soybean for several years, but I can not find yield increases in spite of the inoculation. Why?
In this case, you should ask yourself:

a. Am I using a good quality inoculant?

b. Am I following the company instruction of use and recommendations?

c. Am I using the correct strain for my situation?

d. How is the nitrogen content in my soil?

e. Has my soil analyses indicated any macro or micronutrient deficiency for the yield expected?

In case you can not answer this questions, please contact the Technical Team of Laboratorios Biagro S.A. in Argentina, at rad@biagrosa.com .

Thank you.