DESC:A KIT FOR DELIVERY OF MICROBIAL INOCULANTS AS BIOFERTILIZERS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The Present invention relates to a kit for delivery of biofertilizer in the field which are easy to use, reliable, sealed to prevent contamination, and can be stored on location, for use by those unskilled in the microbiological arts. More particularly the Present invention relates to a kit having two or more components comprising of one or more microbial inoculant preferably vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza fungi, and another component is polymer with measuring device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Huge amount of water and fertilizers are used in agricultural practices. There is lot of water which is not used and is contaminated by chemicals of fertilizers like nitrates which is dangerous for human health. Also, majority of the unused water is washed away to rivers and water bodies. As the water is contaminated with other chemicals such as nitrates and phosphates, it lead to lower oxygen level in water bodies and may lead to death of fishes.

The Arbuscular Mycorrhiza fungi act as biofertilizers and are effective tool for sustainable agriculture as they reduce the use of chemical fertilizers. Microbes have previously been used in agriculture and are known from US 4952229, US 5266096 and US 6232270.

Mycorrhiza fungi is a symbiotic association between fungi and roots of the plants. The Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) fungi colonize the roots of plants, forming a symbiotic association by feeding on plant roots, and also promote plant growth by stimulating the uptake of phosphorus, water and nutrients from the soil (Allen and Allen, 1986, Nelsen, 1987). AM fungi are associated with greater than 90% of all plants including crops like Pulses, Cereals, Cotton, Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers, Ornamental and other Plantation crops, grasses and trees.

The Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) fungi also acts as microbial inoculant biofertilizers used for microbial inoculation of seeds for delivery of high densities of beneficial micro-organisms to soil and the rooting medium, where they can colonise emerging plant roots. However, use of microbial inoculants via seed has been limited by technical challenges in maintaining high numbers of functional microorganisms on seed during seed treatment. The Mycorrhizae formulations known in prior arts include those developed by Mycorrhizal applications, which produces liquid suspensions and wettable powders as seed treatments and in-furrow formulations. However, these are required in large amounts per acre and are not application friendly.

Moreover, these Mycorrhizae formulations are commercially available as inoculant products that are distributed as dry powders or in bulk liquid form to the producers for end-use application. Such distribution of the inoculant products often subjects the microbial inoculants to environmental abuse that results into significant declines in population during their limited shelf life. The dry powders provided in the market contains polymer which degrades the powder and make it unsuitable or less effective for field use. On other hands, the bulk liquid have poor shelf life. Hence, most inoculant products commercially available in the market today tend to have sub-optimal performance in many locations, due at least in part to the fact that such available inoculant products use unhealthy microbes that are not well adapted to local conditions. This is a source of a significant amount of waste in materials, water, and energy relative to the benefits supplied by such products. Hence, there is a requirement of a kit that can provide the AM fungi formulation which is application friendly wherein the kit keeps the formulation stable for long duration on the location and provide sufficient and easy instructions for use by those unskilled in the microbiological arts.

Accordingly, the present invention is focussed to provide a kit that can provide a composition comprising microbial inoculant of Mycorrhizal fungi and atleast one polymer which are provided separately and are freshly mixed during application resulting into highly effective biofertilizer that is required in small amount and can cover large area (acres). Moreover, present invention is focussed towards the kit that keeps the composition stable for long duration on the variable locations, sealed to prevent contamination and is reliable for those unskilled in using microbial inoculants.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

The principal objective of the present invention is to provide a kit for culturing and applying fresh microbial inoculants in the field which are easy to use, reliable, sealed to prevent contamination, and can be stored on location.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a kit that is application friendly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a kit comprising two or more components wherein atleast one component comprising a composition of microbial inoculant of vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza fungi, and atleast one component comprising a polymer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a composition comprising a) a microbial inoculant of vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza fungi, optionally with one or more micro-organism, and atleast one agrochemical acceptable excipient, and b) a polymer, wherein the said composition can be applied directly on soil, seeds or on plant or on plant roots.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a kit comprising of two or more components wherein atleast one component comprising a composition of microbial inoculant of vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza fungi and atleast one component comprising a polymer.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a kit comprising atleast two components wherein, atleast one component comprising of a composition of microbial inoculant of vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza fungi wherein said composition comprises one or more agrochemical excipient and optionally, one or more micro-organism; and atleast one second component comprising of polymer.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a kit comprising atleast two components wherein, atleast one component configured to contain a predetermined amount of composition of microbial inoculant of vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza fungi in a sealed manner; atleast one second component configured to contain a predetermined amount of polymer in a sealed manner; wherein the first component being separated from the second component by at least one dividing member, wherein the dividing member being capable of being removed so as to allow the microbial inoculant and polymer to be combined; wherein said kit optionally comprises of measuring device.

BREIF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Figure 1 represents the results after 11 days of treatment with the biofertilizer on crops – control plot & treated plot.

Figure 2 represents the results after 15 days of treatment on the crops, shows treated and untreated crops.

Figure 3, represents the growth of the crops with the treated crop and the untreated crops results.

Figure 4, illustrates the results of treated and untreated crops of garlic after 15 days of treatment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention as embodied by “A Kit for delivery of microbial inoculants as biofertilizers” succinctly fulfils the above-mentioned need[s] in the art. The present invention has objective[s] arising as a result of the above-mentioned need[s], said objective[s] having been enumerated hereinabove.

The following description is directed to a kit for delivery of microbial inoculants as biofertilizers as much as the objective(s) of the present invention are enumerated, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, the enumerated objective(s) are not exhaustive of the present invention in its entirety, and are enclosed solely for the purpose of illustration. Further, the present invention encloses within its scope and purview, any structural alternative(s) and/or any functional equivalent(s) even though, such structural alternative(s) and/or any functional equivalent(s) are not mentioned explicitly herein or elsewhere, in the present disclosure. The present invention therefore encompasses also, any improvisation[s]/modification[s] applied to the structural alternative[s]/functional alternative[s] within its scope and purview. The present invention may be embodied in other specific form[s] without departing from the essential attributes thereof.

It will be understood that although the terms first, second, etc may be used herein to describe the various elements, these elements should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from the other. For example, a first element could be termed a second element and similarly, a second element could be termed a first element without departing from the scope of the present invention. As used herein, the terms “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

The terms “comprise” and “comprising” are used in the inclusive, open sense, meaning that additional elements may be included. It is not intended to be construed as “consists of only”. Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element or step or group of element or steps but not the exclusion of any other element or step or group of element or steps.

The term “including” is used to mean “including but not limited to”. “Including” and “including but not limited to” are used interchangeably.

The term “bioinoculants” or “microbial inoculants” are used interchangeably throughout the applications.

The character “% w/w” used to denote the weight by total weight of the composition. All concentrations listed herein are in % w/w unless otherwise described.

The terms “composition” and “formulation” are used interchangeably throughout the application.

Present invention is focussed towards providing kit for culturing and applying fresh microbial inoculants in the field which are easy to use, reliable, sealed to prevent contamination, and can be stored on location. Moreover, present invention provides a composition of microbial inoculant which is stable and is required in small amount to avoid wastage during field application.

Accordingly, present invention provides a kit comprising atleast two components wherein,
a) atleast one component comprising a composition of microbial inoculant of vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza fungi along with one or more agrochemical acceptable excipient, wherein said composition optionally comprises one or more micro-organism; and
b) atleast one second component comprising polymer.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a kit comprising atleast two components wherein,
atleast one component configured to contain a predetermined amount of composition of microbial inoculant of vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza fungi in a sealed manner; atleast one second component configured to contain a predetermined amount of polymer in a sealed manner; wherein the first component being separated from the second component by at least one dividing member, wherein the dividing member being capable of being removed so as to allow the microbial inoculant and polymer to be combined; wherein said kit optionally comprises of measuring device.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a kit for biofertilizer wherein said biofertilizer has a composition comprising bioinoculants of vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza spores and a polymer, wherein said bioinoculants of vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza spores optionally comprises one or more micro-organism selected from, but not limited to, Rhizobium leguminosarum, Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Bradyrhizobium japonicum, Mesorhizobium cicero and the like.

In another embodiment, the said microbial inoculant or bioinoculant of vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza fungi comprises Arbuscular Mycorrhiza spores, and optionally one or more agrochemical acceptable excipient.

In another embodiment, the agrochemical acceptable excipients are selected from, but not limited to, casein protein, oil such as castor oil, sesame oil, sunflower oil, ginger oil, groundnut oil, palm oil, cashew oil, coconut oil, vegetable oil, and combinations thereof, inorganic salts such as sodium chloride, sodium sulphate, magnesium chloride, magnesium sulphate, calcium chloride, calcium sulphate, and combinations thereof, surfactants such as non-ionic, anionic, cationic, amphoteric, or combinations thereof, rheological additive, polar additive, and other additional excipients such as wetting agents, diluents, preservatives, solubilizers, stabilizers, binders, film-formers, anti-foaming agents, spreaders, stickers, pH regulators, humectants, dyes, ultra-violet light protectants, a vehicle or other components which facilitate production, storage stability, product handling application and biological efficacy.

In another embodiment, the polar additives are selected from, but not limited to, Jeffsol® AG 1555, Jeffsol® AG 1555 also known as 1,2-propanediol cyclic carbonate, or combination thereof.

In another embodiment, the diluents are selected from, but not limited to, sugars, maltodextrins, humic acid, seaweed extracts, alginates, celluloses, or mixture thereof.

In an optional embodiment, the present invention provides a kit comprising one component containing microbial inoculant of vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza fungi alone; and second component containing polymer.

In another embodiment, the microbial inoculant comprises 1000 Arbuscular Mycorrhiza spores/g of product.

In another embodiment, the composition of microbial inoculant of vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza fungi of one component of the kit comprises Arbuscular Mycorrhiza spores, along with atleast one micro-organism selected from, but not limited to, Rhizobium leguminosarum, Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Bradyrhizobium japonicum, Mesorhizobium cicero and the like.

In another embodiment, the composition of microbial inoculant is provided in the form of granules, powder, microbeads, microcapsules, or encapsulated beads.

In another embodiment, the Arbuscular Mycorrhiza spores possess size that varies from about 20-100µm.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a kit for bioinoculants or microbial inoculant composition of vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza spores provided in one component of the kit, wherein said bioinoculants are further combined with polymer provided in other component of the kit, wherein said polymer is selected from, but not limited to, a polycote polymer which is a liquid polymer emulsion for seed coating such as acrylic polyvinyl alcohol copolymer, xanthan gum, gellan, arabic gum, polyethylene glycol, heavy oils such as soyabean oil, sodium salt of methyl vinyl ether/maleic acid half-ester copolymer, polyvinylpyrrolidone, a lignosulfonate or metal salt thereof such as Ultrazine NA; a sulfonated naphthalene/formaldehyde condensate; a high molecular weight block copolymer with pigment affinic group; polyacrylates; ammonium polycarboxylates; sodium salt of polycarboxic acid; 1,4 bis(2-ethylhexyl)sodiumsulfosuccinate; polyether-polycarbonate sodium salt; maleic acid-olefin co-polymer; ammonium polyacrylate; C6-C15 secondary alcohol and alkyl aryl sulfonate, alkyl naphthalene sulfonate, or combination thereof.

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to methods of improving plant growth comprising applying a composition of the present invention to an area where a plant will grow, including soil, a furrow or a plant root zone or seed. The biofertilizer composition of the present invention can also be applied to half grown crops, plants or roots directly.

In the present invention figure 1 illustrate the results after 11 days of treatment with the biofertilizer on crops – control plot & treated plot, figure 2 represents the results after 15 days of treatment on the crops, shows treated and untreated crops, Figure 3, represents the growth of the crops with the treated crop and the untreated crops results and figure 4, illustrates the results of treated and untreated crops of garlic after 15 days of treatment.

The biofertilizer compositions of the present invention may be applied at a rate of from about 5 to about 400 grams of Mycorrhizae formulation per acre, preferably from about 10 to about 200 grams per acre and more preferably from about 50 to about 150 grams per acre.

The biofertilizer compositions of the present invention may be applied through drip irrigation.

The biofertilizer composition of the present invention is water soluble formulation suitable for all methods of application including biofertigation.

The biofertilizer composition of the present invention contains high counts of spores and propagules of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in a water-soluble formulation for beneficial interactions at soil-plant interface, which promotes the root growth and enhances the uptake of phosphorous and other nutrients from soil.

The biofertilizer composition as made from microbes such as microbial inoculant of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and other micro-organisms, hence are susceptible to environmental abuse and to protect these biofertilizer compositions, a steady and reliable kit is a big necessity. In a preferred embodiment, present invention provides a kit having atleast two components wherein one component comprises the microbial inoculant having a composition as described above, and another component having a polymer as defined above.

In another embodiment, the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) fungi when present in one component of the kit, is in the form selected from one or more of: planktonic, biofilmic, dormant, lyophilized, partially dormant, partially lyophilized, sporulated, dehydrated, and freeze-dried, preferably sporulated.

In another embodiment, the kit further includes a dividing member that can easily be removed for mixing of the microbial inoculant and polymer present in two separate components. This dividing member forms a common wall between two components. The dividing member is selected from, but not limited to, a ringed cap, a film, and the like. In certain embodiments, the dividing member has a quality selected from the group consisting of: tearable; frangible; puncturable; rupturable; dissolvable; and removable.

In another embodiment, the one component is removably connected to another component of the kit. In other embodiments, the one component can be within another component of the kit. In other embodiments, the one component is fixed over another component of the kit.

In another embodiment, the microbial inoculant is sealed in a laminate film packaging, or may be added to one of the components of the kit wherein the component is itself in a sealed condition.

In another embodiment, the polymer is present in sealed bag or laminate packaging in another component of the kit, wherein the seal can be easily teared while use, however is strong enough to protect polymer from degradation during storage as well as mixing with microbial inoculant of first component.

In another embodiment, the kit optionally comprises of a measuring device which is either present in one of the two components, or is removably connected as a separate third component.

In another embodiment, the dimensions and shape of the components itself, can be varied to suit the needs of expense, manufacturer and specific applications.

In another embodiment, the kit is made up of material selected from, but not limited to, polypropylene or polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene (TEFLON™), polystyrene, polysulfone, polymethylpentene, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polycarbonate, polyvinylchloride (PVC), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), or the like. The components of the kit has sufficient structural rigidity to prevent deformation, breakage and/or tearing of same during manufacturing and use.

In another embodiment of the present invention it relates to a Biofertilizer composition comprises of:
(a) vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza fungi in the form of spores of size 20-100 µm in the range of 1-150 grams;
(b) at least one protein source in the range of 0.1-15% w/v;
(c) at least one sugar source 5-20% w/v;
(d) at least one chelating agent 0.1-10%w/v;
(e) a salt in the range of 0.1- 1M & vegetable oil 100-300ml; and
(f) water 50-150ml

In another embodiment of the present invention the said composition is provided in the form of granules, powder, microbeads, microcapsules, or encapsulated beads.
In another embodiment of the present invention the said protein source is preferable be casein in the range of 2% -10%w/v in water and 0.66% -3.33% w/v in emulsion, and the said sugar source is preferable be lactose 10% w/v in water and 3.33% - 5% w/v in emulsion.

In another embodiment of the present invention the said chelating agent is preferable be gluconic acid or its derivates like calcium gluconate is 2.5% w/v in water and 0.83% in emulsion; the said salt is selected from sodium chloride or calcium chloride in the preferable range of 0.3-0.9M in water and 0.1-0.3M in emulsion.

In another embodiment of the present invention it relates to the process for preparation of the biofertilizer composition as claimed in claim 8, comprises the steps of:
Preparing a slurry of protein source and sugar source in water followed by heating at 60-90? to obtain a homogenous mixture;
dispersing the fungal spore inoculum after cooling the homogenous mixture as obtained in step (a);
adding cheating agent to the mixture as obtained in step (b) to adjust the pH to 5.5-6.5, followed by addition of vegetable oil with continues stirring at 1000-1200rpm for 2-3hours to obtain the solid mass;
Coating the solid mass as obtained in step (c) with coating agent, hardened with inorganic salts, then freeze dried.

Preferred are plastics that do not scavenge oxygen. Alternatively, a bag-in box-format where the external box provides suitable rigidity for the interior flexible bag can also be used.

EXAMPLES
The examples used herein for such illustration are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the following examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

KIT
Component 1 of the kit: Microbial Inoculant (Microbead A):
Protein source Casein 2% in water w/v 0.66% in emulsion w/v
Sugar Lactose 10% in water w/v 5% in emulsion w/v
Microbe culture Mycorrihzal spores 2% in water w/v 0.66% in emulsion w/v
acid Gluconic acid 2.5% in water w/v 0.83% in emulsion w/v
water 100ml
Vegetable oil 200ml
Seasame oil:100ml
Groundnut oil: 100ml
Calcium chloride 0.3-0.9M in water 0.1-0.3M in emulsion

Process: Prepared a slurry of protein and sugar in water. Made a homogeneous mixture by heating at 83°C and dispersing the AM fungal spore (Mycorrihzal spores) to the cooled slurry. Gluconic acid or its derivatives like calcium gluconate, was added to adjust the pH to 5.5-6.5. Added vegetable oil and stirred at 1000 rpm for 2 hours to separate the oil and solid mass.

Component 1 of the kit: Microbial Inoculant (Microbead B):
Protein source casein 10% in water w/v 3.33% in emulsion w/v
Sugar lactose 10% in water w/v 3.33% in emulsion w/v
Coating agent Gellam gum 0.25% in water w/v 0.08% in emulsion w/v
Microbe culture Mycorrihzal spores 2% in water w/v 0.66% in emulsion w/v
acid Gluconic acid 2.5% in water w/v 0.83% in emulsion w/v
water 100ml
Vegetable oil 200ml
Vegetable oil
Sodium chloride 0.3-0.9M in water 0.1-0.3M in emulsion

Process: Prepared a slurry of protein and sugar in water. Made a homogeneous mixture by heating at 83°C and dispersing the AM fungal spore (Mycorrihzal spores) to the cooled slurry. Gluconic acid or its derivatives like calcium gluconate, was added to adjust the pH to 5.5-6.5. Added vegetable oil and stirred at 1000 rpm for 2 hours to separate the oil and microbeads. The beads are coated with a coating agent, hardened using inorganic salts, and freeze dried.

Component 2 of the kit: Polymer
Polymer are present in separate bag in component 2 of the kit. Polymers selected for the microbeads A or B are Xanthum gum, Gellam gum, Arabic gum and soybean oil.

SOIL APPLICATION
Mix 100 grams of Microbial Inoculant component 1 (Microbeads A or B) in 100 ml water make the solution. Then add 10 ml of polymer component 2 provided along with Microbial Inoculant in the kit and mix thoroughly. The final solution has to be coated with 4 Kg sand. The 4 Kgs of sand coated mix of the product can be used for soil application by broadcasting. It can be further mixed with 25 Kgs locally available Vermicompost / FYM / Sand after thorough mixing for uniform coverage of the field, if required.

Application: First application is to be carried out on 15-20 DAS/DAT and second application on 25-30 DAS/DAP.

SOIL DRENCHING
Mix 100 g of the product with 100 lit. of water and drench the soil before sowing/transplanting using a Hand operated sprayer, after removing its nozzle.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Benefits of Biofertilizer:
1. Scavenges a large area of soil farther and deeper for absorption of nutrients especially phosphorus & micronutrients, water and transports directly into the plant root system through its extended root zone.
2. Acts as a barrier and protects crop from harmful plant diseases and nematodes by enhancing resistance of plants.
3. Aids root proliferation, improves quality of the crops, enhances seed germination efficiency and increases fruiting & flowering of crops.
4. Helps to increase overall health of the plants for sustainable production and productivity of crops.
5. Forms symbiotic association with roots of agricultural and horticultural crops.
6. Establishes a network of mycelial mat on the root called as Mycorrhizal roots, which acts as a bridge between root and soil.

Benefits of Kit of the present invention:
1. Easy to use, reliable, and sealed to prevent contamination.
2. Keeps the biofertilizer formulation stable for long duration on the variable locations.
3. Application friendly for use by those unskilled in the microbiological arts.
4. Provides ready to use, simple method for an operator untrained in the microbiological arts to produce fresh, efficient biofertilizer for application to seeds, plants, soils, and other intended uses in the field.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:

1. A kit comprising two or more components wherein atleast one component comprising a composition of microbial inoculant of vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza fungi and atleast one component comprising a polymer.

2. The kit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said composition of microbial inoculant of vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza fungi comprises microbial inoculant of vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza fungi, atleast one agrochemical excipient and optionally one or more micro-organism.

3. The kit as claimed in claim 2, wherein said one or more micro-organism is selected from the group comprising of Rhizobium leguminosarum, Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Bradyrhizobium japonicum, Mesorhizobium cicero or mixture thereof.

4. The kit as claimed in claim 2, wherein said agrochemical acceptable excipient is selected from casein protein, castor oil, sesame oil, sunflower oil, ginger oil, groundnut oil, palm oil, cashew oil, coconut oil, vegetable oil, sodium chloride, sodium sulphate, magnesium chloride, magnesium sulphate, calcium chloride, calcium sulphate, non-ionic, anionic, cationic, amphoteric surfactants, rheological additive, polar additive, wetting agents, diluents, preservatives, solubilizers, stabilizers, binders, film-formers, anti-foaming agents, spreaders, stickers, pH regulators, humectants, dyes, ultra-violet light protectants, a vehicle or combination thereof.

5. A kit comprising atleast two components wherein, atleast one component configured to contain a predetermined amount of composition of microbial inoculant of vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza fungi in a sealed manner;
atleast one second component configured to contain a predetermined amount of polymer in a sealed manner;
wherein the first component being separated from the second component by at least one dividing member, wherein the dividing member being capable of being removed so as to allow the microbial inoculant and polymer to be combined;
wherein said kit optionally comprises of measuring device.

6. The kit as claimed in claimed in claims 1 and 5, wherein said microbial inoculant comprises 1000 Arbuscular Mycorrhiza spores/g of product.

7. The kit as claimed in claims 1 and 5, wherein said polymer is selected from polycote polymer, xanthan gum, gellan, arabic gum, polyethylene glycol, soyabean oil, sodium salt of methyl vinyl ether/maleic acid half-ester copolymer, polyvinylpyrrolidone, a lignosulfonate or metal salt thereof, a sulfonated naphthalene or formaldehyde condensate, a high molecular weight block copolymer with pigment affinic group, polyacrylates, ammonium polycarboxylates, sodium salt of polycarboxic acid, 1,4 bis(2-ethylhexyl)sodiumsulfosuccinate, polyether-polycarbonate sodium salt, maleic acid-olefin co-polymer, ammonium polyacrylate, C6-C15 secondary alcohol and alkyl aryl sulfonate, alkyl naphthalene sulfonate, or combination thereof.

8. The vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza fungi present in one component of the kit as claimed in claims 1 and 5, are in the form of planktonic, biofilmic, dormant, lyophilized, partially dormant, partially lyophilized, sporulated, dehydrated, or freeze-dried.

9. A composition of microbial inoculant of vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza fungi comprising microbial inoculant of vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza fungi, atleast one agrochemical excipient and optionally one or more micro-organism, wherein said fungi is present in form of spores of size about 20-100 µm.

10. The composition as claimed in claim 9, wherein said composition is provided in the form of granules, powder, microbeads, microcapsules, or encapsulated beads.

Dated this, 25th day of Sept, 2023 For Mankind Agritech Private Ltd.

Dr. Anil Kumar
Chief Scientific Officer