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The effect of packaging films on growth and survival of rhizobia in peat culture
Author(s) -
Griffith G.W.,
Roughley R.J.,
Brown J.F.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
letters in applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.698
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1472-765X
pISSN - 0266-8254
DOI - 10.1111/j.1472-765x.1992.tb00695.x
Subject(s) - rhizobia , polyethylene , low density polyethylene , high density polyethylene , legume , aeration , foil method , strain (injury) , moisture , materials science , food science , botany , horticulture , biology , composite material , nitrogen fixation , bacteria , ecology , anatomy , genetics
The growth and survival of two strains of rhizobia ( Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii strain WU95 and R. spp. strain CB3060) injected into finely milled, sterile peat contained in packets of various packaging films were compared after 2, 4 and 8 weeks storage at 26°C. The films were 50 μm and 100 μm low density polyethylene (LDPE), 50 μm high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyethylene laminated foil and were chosen to provide a range of gas transmission and water permeability properties. Survival of both strains varied directly with the transmission and permeability properties of the film, under controlled storage conditions. These findings provide further evidence that a degree of aeration is necessary for survival of rhizobia in peat‐based legume inoculants. The choice of the most suitable film needs consideration of the moisture characteristic curve of the carrier.