Australian Inoculants Research Group

AIRG assure high quality rhizobia inoculant products

Commercially available rhizobia inoculants deliver yield benefits because of their proven ability to fix and provide free Nitrogen (N) to growing crops and pastures. Farmers can be confident that a product purchased in store endorsed with a Green Tick is optimised for success because it has been quality assured via the rigorous, independent testing process of the Australian Inoculants Research Group (AIRG).

Products that carry AIRG’s quality assurance Green Tick logo are certain to contain the correct strain and minimum number of viable root-nodule micro-organisms (rhizobia) as labelled at the point of manufacture. A single elite strain for each host group is used Australia wide and those used in Green Tick endorsed products undergo a robust evidence process of selection by the AIRG. Green Tick manufacturing signatories are also obligated to ensure their labelling includes clear guidance on best practice storage, handling and use so that rhizobia remain viable along the supply chain. This means that product effectiveness in-paddock is maximised and consumers can be confident their purchase, a relatively small production input cost, is one well spent.

The National Code of Practice for Legume Microbial Inoculant Products used in Australian Crops and Pastures sets the benchmarks, protocols and independent testing standards for assessing inoculant products. Inoculant manufacturers who are signatory to the Code, and produce quality standard products, can display the Green Tick on products. The AIRG is the curator of the Code and is currently working with the Nitrogen Fixation Steering Committee, a national panel of experts, to review the Code so that it continues to provide the right quality assurance program for future advancements in rhizobia strains and product development.

Quality Assured Green Tick Program Rhizobial Inoculants- confidence you have the right product for Australian conditions.