NITRO-FIX® INOCULANTS

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Nitro-Fix® Inoculants can help assure your legume crop has sufficient nitrogen for faster growth, higher yield and higher protein content.

Nitrogen is one of the most abundant elements, making up almost 80% of the earth's atmosphere. However, this abundant nitrogen in the air is so inert that it is useless to the vast majority of organisms. Nitrogen can enter biological systems only when it has been "fixed" or combined with other elements such as hydrogen or oxygen.

Legumes are unique plants which have the ability to work with certain bacteria (rhizobia) to gather available nitrogen from the soil atmosphere and convert it to usable ammonia nitrogen. Rhizobia bacteria are able to enter the legume root and establish a nodule which basically becomes a factory for ammonia production. This relationship is symbiotic (mutually helpful) since the legume benefits from the "fixed" nitrogen and the rhizobia benefit from the plant sugars and fluids.

RHIZOBIA - Rhizobium is the genus or type of bacteria that can enter into the symbiotic relationship with legumes. Within each genus there are different species. Each major legume group is nodulated by different species of Rhizobium. For example, soybeans are nodulated by Rhizobium japonicum, clovers by Rhizobium trifolii and alfalfa by Rhizobium melliloti. Since there is such a specific relationship between the legume and the bacteria, each legume group has its own separate inoculant.

Within each species of Rhizobium there are many strains. Just as one seed variety may out perform another, certain strains of Rhizobium are superior in their ability to nodulate and fix nitrogen. Nitro-Fix inoculants contain strains that have been selected for maximum benefit.

Nitro-Fix inoculants are peat-base preparations of Rhizobium bacteria which, when applied to the seed of legumes, form a symbiotic relationship with the legume root, converting atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia which is usable by the legume.

Why Inoculate? Of the three primary plant nutrients, N-P-K, nitrogen is often the limiting factor in plant growth and yield. An effectively inoculated and nodulated legume crop will provide its own nitrogen fertilization. Inoculation with superior strains of Rhizobium takes advantage of the full genetic potential of the legume plant. Proper inoculation with Nitro-fix inoculants can assure faster growth, higher yield and higher protein content.

Nitro-Fix inoculants are composed of rhizobia in a fine peat carrier. Many efforts have been made to find a better inoculant carrier than peat. However, finely ground peat, because of its excellent water-holding capacity, remains the carrier of choice for planter box inoculants. The peat carrier allows the rhizobia to live in the package and to stick to the seed. There are 100 million rhizobia per gram of inoculant.

Dating - Since inoculants contain living organisms, they do have a finite shelf-life. Basically inoculants are packaged for each planting season. All Nitro-Fix inoculants are coded with an expiration date after which the product must be discarded.

Packaging - All Nitro-Fix inoculants are packaged in sealed polyethylene bags. You might notice that each bag will have a tiny hole in the side or back. This hole allows for the entrance of oxygen so that the rhizobia can breathe. Since use rates vary for different legumes, the user should check the bag label for the proper rate of application of the inoculant.

Application Method - Nitro-Fix inoculants are formulated to be applied in the planter box or drill. They may be applied dry by mixing onto the seed or alternatively the seed may be moistened with water for even better inoculant adherence. The directions on each package will thoroughly explain the correct application techniques.

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