Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing quantities of microbial inoculants for agricultural uses which involves preparing a medium of ground vemiculite, a nutrient and water. Wheat flour is disclosed as a preferred nutrient for fungal cultures. The medium is placed in containers, sterilized and inoculated with a microbial culture which grows out in the containers. The resulting product can be used moist or air-dried for ease in handling and storage. If the product is to be used moist, plastic bags may be used as the containers so that fermentation, formulation and packaging can all be handled in one step.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing novel strains of Rhizobium bacteria for legume inoculants which are both competitive and have high nitrogen fixation characteristics. The method involves first isolating and identifying the naturally predominant strains of the Rhizobium species of interest in a particular locale and then mutagenizing that strain to produce mutant strains which retain the competitiveness and add enhanced nitrogen fixation capabilities.

Abstract: A method for making an agriculturally useful inoculant of dried, dormant bacteria is described. To make the inoculant, a suspension of Rhizobium or other bacteria is maintained, substantially separated from its culture medium, at a temperature in the range of about 0.degree.-30.degree. C. for varying periods of time under aseptic conditions. The bacterial suspension is then mixed with a porous chemically inert granular carrier such that the weight ratio of carrier to bacteria is in the range of about 0.5 to 1.0. Finally, the bacteria-carrier mixture is air dried for a period of about 2 to 10 days under aseptic conditions.

Abstract: An assay method for the detection of a specific nucleotide target sequence in a polynucleotide test extract is disclosed which utilizes a polynucleotide modified probe including both a cDNA sequence substantially complementary to the specific target sequence and a protein binding sequence. The assay is conducted by exposing the modified probe to the polynucleotide test extract for hybridization and then exposing the complex to the protein which binds to the protein binding sequence. An assay, such as an immunoassay, can then be conducted on the test sample to indicate the presence of the specific target sequence by detecting the presence of the binding protein.

Abstract: A plant tissue culture device is disclosed for the culturing of a plurality of plant cell tissue cultures or callus cultures on a liquid medium. The cultures are maintained in culture wells on a culture plate and a porous wick is used to transport nutrient medium to the cultures from a supply of medium in a medium vessel underneath the culture plate.