Microbial inoculants have numerous advantages when
compared with chemical fertilizers, fungicides and pesticides:
through careful selection of suitable microbes there is a reduced
risk of environmental damage and potentially human health; they
are safer to apply; their activity is more targeted; they are effective
in small quantities; they are able to multiply given appropriate
conditions (where their population size is controlled by the
plant and indigenous microbes) and may survive to the next
season; they decompose faster and more effectively; and they can
be used on their own or in combination with conventional pest
management