SUITABILITY OF SOME LOCAL AGROINDUSTRIAL WASTES AS CARRIER MATERIALS FOR CYANOBACTERIAL INOCULANT

Survival and nitrogenase efficiency of Nostoc commune and N. austinii were evaluated monthly in four carrier materials (sugarcane bagasse, w heat straw, wheat bran and peat) at 10, 30 and 40 degrees C. Survival, as well as nitrogenase activity, of both species was much better in p eat. Followed by wheat bran, sugarcane bagasse than in wheat straw at 10 and 30 degrees C up to three months, the activity of N. commune bei ng better than N. austinii. None of the materials tested was found to be superior to peat as carrier of Nostoc species but the results indic ated that wheat bran and sugarcane bagasse can be used as inoculant ca rriers with relative success. Storage of inoculants in these carriers is feasible at 30 degrees C up to three months.