The Possibility of Using Lyophiled Cultures as Commercial Legume Inoculants

cations of each and two uninoculated controls. Approximately 50 small-seeded legumes or six soybeans were grown in each jar. The seed were planted in i-quart stoneware jars filled with sterile quartz sand. At the time of planting, the jars contained 14%, by weight, of sterile nitrogen-free nutrient solution. The weight of each jar with its contents was maintained by watering with sterile distilled water or with sterile nutrient solution, the latter being used every 4 weeks. A" jars were placed on sterile wires to prevent contamination from the wooden bench. At the end of 6 to 10 weeks (the length of time varied with experiments), the plants in each jar were washed free of sand and the number of nodules per plant determined.