History of soil fertility enhancement with inoculation methods

Abstract

The first bacteria capable of biological nitrogen-fixation and for this reason for the replacement of inorganic fertilizers was found in the root-nodules of leguminous plants more than 100 years ago. The other nitrogen-fixing bacteria, the associative azospirillums, on the other hand do not create visible systems, alterations in the root system. They were therefore found and reported only about 40 years ago. The isolated and identified bacteria are well-used in the agriculture since then, but still we can find unknown elements behind of their functioning. Nowadays second and third generations of microbial inoculums are applied. The soil-plant-microbe systems are so multifactorial arrangements, than there are several biotic and abiotic factors influencing of their real functioning. We should learn more how those systems are really working. The beneficial effects of those microbial inoculums will be discussed in this review with a historical background.