Bhramaprakash, G. PARPITHA, P. S2017-08-022017-08-022015-07-10Th-11056http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810027069An investigation was carried out to study the influence of packaging materials on survival of microbial inoculants. Survival of Bradyrhizobium japonicum, Bacillus megaterium and Pseudomonas fluorescens in lignite and talc formulations were monitored upto six month of storage in different packaging materials such as aluminium and polythene bag. Lignite based B. japonicum and B. megaterium recorded highest viable cells compared to talc based inoculants. B. japonicum and B. megaterium packed in polythene bag supported 100 per cent cells from the beginning to an end of storage period. Good survival of B. japonicum packed in aluminium cover was noticed in case of lignite formulation. In case of talc formulation, polythene bag showed better population of B. japonicum. Polythene bag supported better survival of B. megaterium in both lignite and talc formulation. Maximum viable cells of P. fluorescens was recorded in talc formulation compared to lignite formulation. Survival of P. fluorescens was best in aluminium cover compared to polythene bag. The aluminium cover was the suitable for packaging of lignite or talc based P. fluorescens. It is evident from this investigation, lignite or talc can be a carrier material for the survival of microbial inoculants. Regarding to packaging materials, polythene bag was the best packaging material for Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Bacillus megaterium. Aluminium cover was the best for Pseudomonas fluorescens. However, both packaging materials were not harmful for survival of microorganisms and maintain good viable cells as per the BIS standards up to 180 days of storage.ennullThesis