Microbial inoculants: Recent progress in formulations and methods of application

In agriculture, microbial inoculants are often regarded as viable substitutes or complements to artificial fertilizers and pesticides. Furthermore, there is still a dearth of understanding about their use and implications in real-world situations. In the last 10–15 years, bioformulated plant-beneficial bacteria have gained widespread acceptance as a viable alternative to chemical agroproducts. Farmers are increasingly open to using inoculants nowadays, owing to the availability of multipurpose elite strains and high-quality products on the market, which improve yields at a lower cost than fertilizers. Microbial inoculants also serve to minimize the environmental effects of agrochemicals from the perspective of more environmentally friendly agriculture. The search for creative microbial solutions in places prone to increasing episodes of environmental stress, the manufacture of microbial inoculants for a greater range of crops, and growth of infected areas worldwide are all challenges to be faced. This chapter covers the global market for inoculants, demonstrating which bacteria are often used as inoculants in various countries. We address the main research initiatives that could help improve the usage of microbial inoculants in agriculture.