Ian C Mcleod, 902190 Commons Pkwy, Okemos, MI 48864

4136486, Jan 30, 1979

Jan 6, 1978

5/867312

Alfred A. Franklin - Sarasota FL
Ian C. McLeod - Okemos MI

Microlife Technics, Inc. - Sarasota FL

A01C 106

47 58

A method is described which uses a composition including a small non-toxic amount (less then about 0. 001 part per part of the composition) of a water soluble adhesive agent, particularly an alkali metal salt of carboxymethyl cellulose, with water and with nitrogen fixing bacteria for applying the bacteria on the surfaces of seeds of the plant family leguminosae or on particles surrounding the seeds including soil particles or combinations thereof. The nitrogen fixing bacteria are of a symbiotic species and are selectively isolated from effectively nodulated plants of the variety to be inoculated so that they are efficient in inducing effective root nodulation in the plants. Novel compositions are described which include the bacteria mixed with water and the adhesive agent and which are prepared by a manufacturer, frozen for shipment, and then thawed and substantially diluted with water by the farmer or other user for application.