Abstract:
Biofertilizer technology continues to be derailed by the short shelf life of inoculants. The
present study investigated the suitability of wheat-bran (WB), rice-husks (RH), farmyard-manure
(FYM), bagasse (BG), and sawdust (SD) in the formulation of potato-derived Klebsiella grimontii
(MPUS7), Serratia marcescens (NGAS9), and Citrobacter freundii (LUTT5) under refrigerated (8 ◦C) and
room (25 ± 2 ◦C) storage. The physicochemical properties of the materials were assessed before
sterilization and introduction of the inoculants and assessment of their viability for 8 months. Most of
the physicochemical properties of the materials varied significantly (p < 0.05). Bagasse supported the
maximum growth of MPUS7 (5.331 log CFU g−1) under refrigeration and LUTT5 ( 4.094 log CFU g−1)
under both conditions. Under room storage, the maximum growth of MPUS7 (3.721 log CFU g−1)
occurred in WB. Formulations that remained viable under room storage can easily be integrated into
existing agricultural distribution systems that lack refrigeration