Journal of Microbial & Biochemical Technology

Johannes Lehmann

Publications

• Research Article
  Pore-Size and Water Activity Effects on Survival of Rhizobium tropici in Biochar Inoculant Carriers
  Author(s): Steven J Vanek, Janice Thies, Bing Wang, Kelly Hanley and Johannes LehmannSteven J Vanek, Janice Thies, Bing Wang, Kelly Hanley and Johannes Lehmann
  
  Research examining biochar (pyrolyzed biomass) as a microbial inoculant carrier may enable broader use of inoculant microbes and elucidate relationships between non-spore forming bacteria, such as rhizobia, and their microhabitats in carriers and soils. We tested 32 biochars as habitat for Rhizobium tropici (CIAT 899) to quantify the effects of pore size distribution, chemical characteristics and clay addition on bacterial abundance, in both in sixmonth storage incubations at 27°C, and under drying conditions. Pressure plate measurements and micrographic analysis yielded correlated estimates of mean macropore (0.3-30 μm) size in the different biochar carriers (r=0.80, p<0.0001). Macropore size was assigned to the first principal component of variation in biochar properties, along with mineral content derived from plant feedstocks. Under moist storage conditions, a number of .. View More»
  DOI: 10.4172/1948-5948.1000300

  Abstract PDF