Beneficial soil microbes are bacteria and fungi that improve plant performance through four core mechanisms: nutrient solubilization, nitrogen use efficiency and cycling, root growth promotion via phytohormones, and stress tolerance. Commercial microbial inoculants concentrate specific strains at high CFU counts. Common families include Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Trichoderma, mycorrhizal fungi, and Streptomyces. In selected field trials, microbial inoculants have been associated with yield gains, improved root development, and better nitrogen use efficiency, with results depending on crop, soil, and application method.
A teaspoon of healthy agricultural soil contains between one and ten billion microorganisms. Most are bacteria. A meaningful fraction are fungi. The rest are archaea, protozoa, and microscopic animals. Together they form what soil scientists call the soil microbiome, and they do most of the biological work that turns dirt into a productive growing medium.
Not all of these microbes are beneficial. Some are neutral. A small percentage are plant pathogens. But a defined group of bacteria and fungi consistently improve plant performance through specific, well-characterized biochemical mechanisms. Those are the species that get isolated, fermented at scale, and sold as microbial inoculants and biofertilizers.
This article explains what beneficial soil microbes actually do, how the science behind them works, and where each major strain family fits in modern crop production. It is written for distributors, formulators, agricultural brands, and growers evaluating microbial inoculants and custom biological inputs. ABI manufactures single-strain bacterial and fungal inoculants as well as custom microbial blends for these audiences. Each major topic links to a deeper supporting article and to specific strain product pages.
Field-tested benefits. In selected ABI field trials and grower case studies, results have included yield gains in the 20 to 40 percent range for tomatoes, chilis, and potatoes; substantially larger gains in saline-alkali soil rice trials; root mass and root length improvements in the 30 to 80 percent range; high transplant survival rates compared to untreated controls; and meaningful quality improvements in specialty crops including hemp, coffee, and ornamentals. Some ABI customers have additionally reported reducing applied nitrogen fertilizer by 15 to 20 percent while maintaining or improving yield. These examples are not guarantees of performance. Microbial inoculant results depend on crop, soil biology, fertility program, climate, application timing, and overall management. Detailed case study summaries are available on request through ABI's contact form.
1. What beneficial soil microbes are
The term "beneficial soil microbes" is a working category, not a strict taxonomic one. It refers to bacteria, fungi, and a small number of other microorganisms that have been shown in peer-reviewed research to improve at least one measurable agronomic outcome: yield, biomass, nutrient uptake, root development, stress tolerance, or soil structural improvement [1].
Most live and work in the rhizosphere, the thin layer of soil that surrounds plant roots and that is chemically dominated by root exudates. Plants release between 10 and 40 percent of the carbon they fix through photosynthesis as exudates into the rhizosphere, where it feeds a much denser microbial community than the bulk soil supports [2].
A beneficial microbe earns its place in commercial agriculture by being:
- Reproducibly effective in field conditions, not just in the lab
- Stable through manufacturing, storage, and application
- Compatible with common agricultural inputs and practices
- Safe for the operator, the crop, and the surrounding environment
Most commercial inoculants use spore-forming species because spores survive drying, storage, and transit far better than vegetative cells. This is why Bacillus species and several fungi dominate the catalog of single-strain microbial inoculants and custom microbial blends sold to distributors, formulators, and growers: their spores are stable for months at ambient temperature, which is operationally critical for global distribution.
2. The four core mechanisms
Beneficial soil microbes drive plant performance through four interconnected biochemical mechanisms. Most commercial strains contribute to more than one. Understanding which mechanisms a strain primarily delivers is the foundation of strain selection.
Quick reference: which strain for which job
- Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) — Bacillus. Examples: B. subtilis, B. licheniformis.
- Phosphate solubilization — Bacillus, Penicillium. Examples: B. megaterium, B. amyloliquefaciens, Penicillium bilaiae.
- Potassium solubilization — Bacillus. Example: B. mucilaginosus.
- Root growth and PGPR — Bacillus, Pseudomonas. Examples: B. subtilis, B. velezensis, Pseudomonas fluorescens.
- Organic matter decomposition — Bacillus, Trichoderma. Examples: B. licheniformis, Trichoderma harzianum.
- Stress tolerance and saline soils — multi-strain blends with Bacillus and Trichoderma, including B. velezensis, B. subtilis, and T. harzianum; also see the Custom Blend Builder.
- Mycorrhizal symbiosis — Glomeromycota. Example: Endo Mycorrhizae.
- Rhizosphere balance and root zone health — various. Examples: Paecilomyces lilacinus, Brevibacillus laterosporus, Beauveria bassiana.
- Custom multi-strain formulation — all families. Use the Custom Blend Builder.
The remainder of this section explains each of the four mechanisms in detail.
2.1 Nutrient solubilization
A surprisingly large fraction of the phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients applied to a field as conventional fertilizer never reaches the plant. The nutrients are present in the soil, but they are bound to mineral surfaces or sequestered in organic complexes that plant roots cannot access directly. Beneficial microbes solve this problem by solubilizing bound nutrients, converting them into forms plants can absorb [3].
Phosphate-solubilizing microbes are the most thoroughly studied group. Strains in the genera Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Penicillium, and Aspergillus secrete organic acids (gluconic acid, citric acid, oxalic acid, and others) that chelate calcium, iron, and aluminum bound to phosphate, releasing inorganic phosphate into the soil solution. Some strains additionally produce phosphatase enzymes that hydrolyze organic phosphate compounds, freeing phosphate from plant residues and microbial cell debris.
Bacillus megaterium is one of the most widely studied phosphate-solubilizing bacteria, with peer-reviewed research documenting meaningful improvements in phosphorus availability when supplemented systems are inoculated with phosphate-solubilizing strains [3]. Penicillium bilaiae is the canonical fungal phosphate solubilizer used commercially, with a similar mechanism. Bacillus mucilaginosus is one of the few microbes characterized for potassium solubilization, releasing K+ from minerals like feldspar, mica, and illite through organic acid secretion.
Micronutrient mobilization works through a related but distinct mechanism: siderophore production. Many beneficial bacteria and fungi secrete iron-chelating compounds called siderophores that pick up Fe(III) from soil minerals and shuttle it into the rhizosphere. This is particularly valuable in high-pH or calcareous soils where iron deficiency is common.
For a deeper treatment of phosphate-solubilizing microbes specifically, see the supporting article on phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and fungi.
2.2 Nitrogen cycling and associative fixation
Nitrogen is the nutrient most often limiting in agricultural systems, and the microbial role in nitrogen cycling is more complex than the role in phosphate solubilization.
The most famous form of microbial nitrogen contribution is biological nitrogen fixation, which converts atmospheric N₂ to ammonium plants can use. Symbiotic rhizobia in legume root nodules deliver the bulk of biologically fixed nitrogen in agricultural systems, and rhizobial inoculants have been on the market since the 1890s. Free-living and associative nitrogen fixers, including Azotobacter, Azospirillum, and certain strains of Pseudomonas and Bacillus, contribute smaller but meaningful amounts in non-legume systems.
ABI's strain catalog complements rhizobial nitrogen-fixing programs rather than competing with them. The catalog focuses on the equally important nitrogen-cycling steps that follow fixation: mineralization of organic nitrogen in plant residues and soil amendments, ammonium release through extracellular protease activity, and microbial support for the broader nitrogen cycle. These mechanisms work alongside legume inoculants and conventional nitrogen sources to improve overall nitrogen use efficiency.
Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, and several Trichoderma species produce proteases and other extracellular enzymes that break down protein and chitin in soil organic matter, releasing ammonium that nitrifying bacteria then convert to nitrate. The practical result, documented in peer-reviewed field studies, is improved nitrogen use efficiency and reduced ammonia volatilization losses when microbial inoculants are paired with conventional or organic nitrogen sources [4].
The economic implication of improved nitrogen use efficiency is significant. In one peer-reviewed study, substituting 50 percent of urea with a Bacillus subtilis biofertilizer reduced nitrogen loss from agricultural soil by 54 percent, increased nitrogen use efficiency by 11.2 percent, reduced ammonia volatilization by up to 44 percent, and increased crop yield by 5 percent [4]. In selected ABI customer programs, growers have reported reducing applied nitrogen fertilizer by 15 to 20 percent while maintaining or improving yield. For distributors and growers managing large nitrogen budgets, that reduction translates directly into per-acre cost savings on fertilizer and into reduced environmental losses from ammonia volatilization and nitrate runoff. Actual reductions vary by crop, soil baseline fertility, current nitrogen program, and management.
2.3 Root growth promotion via phytohormones and biofilms
Beneficial microbes do not just feed plants. They also signal to them. Many bacteria in the rhizosphere produce plant-like hormones at low concentrations, directly stimulating root growth, lateral root branching, and root hair development. The two most important hormone classes are auxins (especially indole-3-acetic acid, or IAA) and cytokinins.
Increased root surface area is one of the most commercially valuable effects of microbial inoculation. A larger root system explores more soil volume, accesses more water and nutrients, and stabilizes the plant against stress. Peer-reviewed studies have documented significant increases in root biomass and root architecture following PGPR (plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria) inoculation, with effect sizes that vary by strain, crop, and field conditions [5]. ABI customer trials reflect the same pattern: in a commercial green pepper trial using an ABI multi-strain inoculant, treated plants showed approximately 39 percent greater root mass (126.4 grams versus 91.1 grams wet) and 86 percent longer roots (26 cm versus 14 cm) than untreated controls, with transplant survival of 100 percent versus 70.8 percent in the untreated group.
Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus velezensis, and Pseudomonas fluorescens are all well-documented IAA producers. Beyond hormones, these strains also produce volatile organic compounds like 2,3-butanediol and acetoin that have been shown to enhance plant growth even when the bacteria are physically separated from the plant by an air gap, suggesting a real signaling effect rather than just direct nutrient transfer.
A second mechanism is biofilm formation. Beneficial bacteria like Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus velezensis form structured biofilms on root surfaces, creating a stable microbial presence that persists through wet-dry cycles and competes with less beneficial soil organisms for space and resources. The biofilm also protects the root surface from desiccation and provides a more consistent local environment for root hair development.
2.4 Stress tolerance and plant defense priming
Plants under abiotic stress (drought, salinity, heat, cold, nutrient limitation) perform worse and produce less. Beneficial soil microbes can help plants maintain performance under these conditions through several distinct mechanisms.
The first is ACC deaminase activity. Many PGPR strains produce an enzyme that breaks down 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid, the precursor to the stress hormone ethylene. By reducing ethylene buildup in stressed plants, these microbes effectively dampen the stress response and let the plant continue growing under conditions that would otherwise trigger leaf senescence, root growth arrest, or premature flowering [6].
The second is osmotic adjustment support. Some strains, including several Bacillus species, accumulate compatible solutes like proline and glycine betaine in their cells, and through proximity to plant roots they appear to influence the plant's own osmotic adjustment machinery, particularly under salinity stress.
The third mechanism is the most scientifically interesting and the most carefully framed in commercial communication. Peer-reviewed research has documented that several Bacillus and Trichoderma species produce specialized metabolites (lipopeptides like surfactin, fengycin, and bacillomycin from Bacillus; specialized enzymes and signaling compounds from Trichoderma) that are associated in the scientific literature with induced systemic resistance (ISR), a plant immune-system priming response that has been studied for decades [7]. Research on these mechanisms is extensive. Commercial communication of microbial inoculants in this space is appropriately careful: ABI's products are sold as biofertilizers and microbial inoculants, not as pesticides, and the regulatory framework around pesticidal claims requires EPA registration that is separate from biostimulant marketing.
The practical takeaway for growers and formulators is that a healthy soil microbial community is associated in the literature with stronger overall plant performance under stress, beyond what the simple nutrition story predicts. Understanding why is part of the value of working with characterized strains rather than generic "microbial" products.
Field experience reflects this directly. In one documented commercial trial in Jilin Province, China, an ABI multi-strain microbial inoculant was applied to rice growing in saline-alkali soil with pH levels averaging 9 to 10 and salinity of 0.5 to 0.6 percent, conditions in which most crops fail to establish and seedling emergence is typically below 50 percent. Treated fields yielded 600 kg per 1,000 square meters versus 212.5 kg per 1,000 square meters in adjacent untreated control fields, nearly threefold the control yield. The case is one of the most striking documented examples of how characterized microbial strains can support production in marginal soils.
Yield is the most visible outcome, but microbial inoculants can also affect crop quality. Where root function, nutrient uptake, and stress response influence finished product value, the same biology that drives yield also drives quality.
Quality, not just quantity
The four mechanisms above drive yield, but the same biology drives crop quality outcomes that matter as much or more in specialty crops. ABI customer trials have documented quality improvements alongside yield gains across diverse crop systems. In a hemp trial, plants grown with an ABI multi-strain inoculant showed total cannabinoid content of 19.6 percent versus 15.6 percent in untreated controls, an improvement of approximately 25 percent in finished product value. In organic coffee production in Latin America, treated plants produced denser cherry clusters with superior taste quality and visibly less foliage stress versus controls. In commercial chili production in Mexico, treated plants produced both higher total yield (18,607 kg versus 15,358 kg per harvest cut) and a higher proportion of large-grade fruit. In commercial orchids, treated beds produced 64 to 71 flowering branches versus 36 in controls, with flower-bud counts more than doubling and flowering occurring up to 4 months earlier.
Quality improvements compound the commercial case for microbial inoculants in specialty crop systems where price per unit is sensitive to grade, appearance, or composition.
3. How microbial inoculants are manufactured
Commercial microbial inoculants are not soil. They are concentrated, quality-controlled cultures of specific strains, grown to high cell or spore densities under controlled fermentation, then dried and formulated for storage and field application. The manufacturing process determines product viability, shelf life, and field performance, and the differences between manufacturers are real.
The standard process is:
- Strain selection and master cell bank. A specific strain is chosen for documented agronomic effects, sequenced and characterized, and stored as a master cell bank under ultra-low temperatures.
- Seed culture. Small volumes of the master cell bank are revived and scaled up through stages.
- Production fermentation. The strain is grown in large bioreactors in a defined medium, typically for 24 to 72 hours, until it reaches stationary phase and (for spore-formers) has produced a high spore yield.
- Harvest and stabilization. The fermentation broth is concentrated by centrifugation, and the cells or spores are stabilized for drying.
- Drying. The stabilized concentrate is spray-dried or freeze-dried to produce a low-moisture powder. Drying is the most viability-critical step in the process.
- Quality control. Each batch is tested for colony-forming-unit (CFU) count, strain identity (typically by 16S or ITS sequencing), absence of contaminants, and physical properties like particle size and moisture content.
- Formulation and packaging. The dry powder is blended with carriers if needed, then packaged in moisture-resistant pails or drums.
ABI's manufacturing operates on this template, with most strains delivering between 10 and 300 billion CFU per gram of finished powder, depending on the species and the customer's specification. CFU count matters because a higher count means fewer grams of product are required to deliver the dose research has shown to be effective. For deeper detail on what CFU counts actually represent and how to interpret them, see the supporting article on CFU counts in microbial inoculants.
4. The major strain families
Beneficial soil microbes are taxonomically diverse, but a manageable number of genera dominate the commercial catalog of agricultural microbial strains. Each family has characteristic mechanisms and commercial use cases. ABI manufactures single-strain microbial inoculants and custom microbial blends across all the families described below.
Bacillus
Spore-forming, gram-positive bacteria with the broadest commercial use. Bacillus species are stable through manufacturing and storage, tolerant of harsh field conditions, and active across a wide range of soil pH and temperature. Different species emphasize different mechanisms:
- B. subtilis — PGPR, biofilm formation, lipopeptide production. Use case: broad PGPR programs, root colonization.
- B. velezensis — PGPR, lipopeptide production. Use case: PGPR + ISR research applications.
- B. megaterium — phosphate solubilization. Use case: P-availability programs.
- B. amyloliquefaciens — phosphate solubilization, biofilm. Use case: P-availability + PGPR programs.
- B. mucilaginosus — potassium solubilization. Use case: K-availability from soil minerals.
- B. licheniformis — protease production, organic matter cycling. Use case: compost and residue decomposition.
- B. pumilus — PGPR, biofilm formation. Use case: complementary PGPR programs.
- B. methylotrophicus — PGPR, methylotrophic activity. Use case: carbon cycling and rhizosphere support.
- Brevibacillus laterosporus — PGPR, plant interactions. Use case: root health and rhizosphere balance.
Pseudomonas
Gram-negative bacteria, non-spore-forming, with very strong PGPR characteristics. Pseudomonas fluorescens is the most widely studied species for root colonization, siderophore production, and rhizosphere ecology. Pseudomonas protegens is a complementary species with documented secondary-metabolite activity in research literature. Pseudomonas products require slightly more careful storage than Bacillus products because they do not produce dormant spores, but their performance under good handling conditions is exceptional.
Trichoderma
Filamentous fungi that colonize plant roots and the surrounding soil, producing a wide range of enzymes and metabolites. Trichoderma species break down organic matter, support root development, and have been studied extensively in peer-reviewed research for their interactions with the soil microbial community. T. harzianum is the most widely commercialized species, with documented activity across diverse crop systems. T. koningiopsis, T. longibrachiatum, and T. asperellum are complementary species with somewhat different metabolite profiles.
Mycorrhizal fungi
Symbiotic fungi that form direct connections with plant roots, extending the root system's effective absorption volume by orders of magnitude. Endomycorrhizae (specifically arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, or AMF) form intracellular structures called arbuscules within root cortex cells and are the relevant type for most agricultural crops, including all of the major row crops, vegetables, and fruit. Ectomycorrhizae form external sheaths around root tips and are relevant primarily in forestry and a few orchard species. ABI supplies Endo Mycorrhizae as a standalone inoculant and as a component of custom blends.
Other commercial strains
Paecilomyces lilacinus (taxonomically reclassified as Purpureocillium lilacinum) is a chitin-degrading fungus that has been studied in peer-reviewed research for its rhizosphere interactions and root zone effects. Beauveria bassiana is a naturally-occurring soil fungus, well-known in the scientific literature for its ecological role and its presence in healthy soil microbiomes. Streptomyces rochei is a filamentous bacterium in a genus famous for its diverse secondary-metabolite production and studied applications in soil health programs.
For deep-dive articles on individual strains, see the strain-specific posts in the Cluster B series.
Need a bulk quote on a specific Bacillus, Trichoderma, Pseudomonas, or other strain? ABI manufactures single-strain microbial inoculants and custom microbial blends for distributors, formulators, and private-label brands. Browse Bacteria strains, browse Fungi strains, or request a custom blend specification.
5. How to choose a microbial inoculant
For a grower or formulator deciding among commercially available microbial inoculants, four questions drive the choice.
What is the target function? Phosphate availability, potassium availability, root growth promotion, organic matter decomposition, and stress tolerance support are different jobs, and the strains optimized for each are different. A custom blend can combine strains that emphasize complementary mechanisms.
What is the application method? Seed treatment, in-furrow application, drip-line fertigation, foliar spray, and compost or substrate inoculation each impose different requirements on product format. Powder formulations work for most applications. Liquid formulations are better for drip lines and foliar but have shorter shelf life. The supporting article on liquid versus powder formulations covers the trade-offs in detail.
What is the crop system? Specialty crops respond differently than row crops. Greenhouse and protected-ag systems differ from field systems. Organic systems require certified-compatible inputs. Each context narrows the strain choice and the formulation choice.
What is the manufacturing source? CFU counts, strain identity verification, batch QC, and supply-chain transparency matter, especially for distributors and private-label brands building their own product lines. Working directly with a manufacturer rather than through trading-house intermediaries simplifies traceability and shortens the path from QC concern to QC fix.
ABI manufactures a broad catalog of bacterial and fungal strains at our Wisconsin facility and supports both off-the-shelf single-strain inoculants and custom blends specified by the customer. The custom blend builder lets distributors and formulators specify strains, CFU concentrations, and carrier preferences in a single workflow.
Available formats. ABI supplies high-CFU microbial powders in bulk packaging for distributors, formulators, OEM customers, and private-label brands. Available options include single strains and multi-strain blends, custom CFU specifications, carrier selection, and packaging matched to the customer's distribution and labeling requirements. Specifications and quotes are available through the contact form or the custom blend builder.
6. FAQ
What is the difference between a biofertilizer and a biopesticide?
Biofertilizers and microbial inoculants are products that support plant growth, nutrient uptake, and overall soil health. They are regulated as soil amendments or biostimulants, depending on the jurisdiction. Biopesticides, by contrast, are products that make explicit claims about controlling pests, weeds, or diseases and require formal pesticide registration with regulators like the US EPA. ABI's products are biofertilizers and microbial inoculants. They are not registered as pesticides.
How long do beneficial soil microbes live in the soil after application?
Persistence varies by strain, soil conditions, and management. Spore-forming species can persist for months in viable form, while non-spore-forming species typically establish a working population within the rhizosphere of inoculated plants and decline once the host is removed. Most commercial application programs recommend reapplication at intervals matched to the crop cycle.
Are microbial inoculants compatible with conventional fertilizer programs?
Yes, with reasonable handling. Most beneficial strains are tolerant of standard nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers at typical application rates. Direct mixing with concentrated chemical fungicides, bactericides, or strong oxidizers should be avoided. The detailed compatibility article in the Cluster C series covers specific combinations.
Do microbial inoculants work in cold soils?
Performance depends on the strain. Many Bacillus species are active across a wide temperature range, including cool spring soils where seed treatments are commonly applied. Mycorrhizal colonization tends to accelerate as soil temperatures rise into the 60 to 70 degree Fahrenheit range. Strain-specific application timing is part of getting the most out of any program.
Are these products safe for organic production?
Many strains are compatible with organic systems, but regulatory approval varies by certifier and region. Always verify the specific product formulation against your certifier's input requirements before use.
How do CFU counts translate to field performance?
CFU per gram is a measure of cell or spore concentration in the finished product. Higher counts mean fewer grams are required to deliver the dose research has shown effective for a given application. CFU is necessary but not sufficient: strain identity, viability through storage, and formulation quality all matter as well. The CFU article in Cluster C covers what to look for.
What is PGPR?
PGPR stands for plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, a category that includes most of the beneficial soil bacteria discussed in this article. PGPR strains support plant performance through some combination of nutrient solubilization, phytohormone production, biofilm formation, and stress response modulation. Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Azospirillum, and several other genera include PGPR species.
Which beneficial soil microbe should I choose for my crop or formulation?
The best strain depends on the target function. Bacillus megaterium and Penicillium bilaiae are commonly used for phosphorus availability. Bacillus mucilaginosus is the standard choice for potassium solubilization. Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus velezensis are widely used for PGPR functions, root colonization, and biofilm formation. Trichoderma harzianum and other Trichoderma species are commonly chosen for organic matter cycling and root-zone support. ABI can also develop a custom microbial blend matched to your crop, application method, CFU target, and formulation requirements.
Can microbial inoculants reduce my nitrogen fertilizer use?
Yes, in many systems. Peer-reviewed research has documented meaningful improvements in nitrogen use efficiency when microbial inoculants are paired with conventional or organic nitrogen sources, including up to 54 percent reductions in nitrogen loss from soil and up to 44 percent reductions in ammonia volatilization in Bacillus subtilis trials [4]. In selected ABI customer programs, growers have reported reducing applied nitrogen fertilizer by 15 to 20 percent while maintaining or improving yield. Actual reductions depend on crop, soil baseline fertility, current nitrogen program, and management. Microbial inoculants do not replace nitrogen fertilizer; they improve the efficiency with which applied or soil-resident nitrogen reaches the plant.
What yield improvements have growers reported with ABI's microbial inoculants?
Documented commercial trials and grower case studies with ABI multi-strain inoculants have reported yield gains generally in the 20 to 40 percent range for tomatoes, potatoes, and chili peppers. In stress-soil systems such as saline-alkali rice, documented gains have been substantially larger. Specialty crop trials in hemp, coffee, and ornamentals have additionally reported quality improvements, including a documented 25 percent increase in total cannabinoid content in hemp. Results vary by crop, soil, application method, and management. Case study summaries are available on request.
Can I buy individual microbial strains in bulk?
Yes. ABI manufactures single-strain bacterial and fungal inoculants for bulk, wholesale, OEM, and private-label customers. Available strain families include Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Trichoderma, Penicillium, mycorrhizal fungi, Streptomyces, and other agricultural microbial strains.
Can ABI produce a custom microbial blend?
Yes. ABI combines compatible bacterial and fungal strains into custom microbial blends specified by target function, CFU concentration, application method, carrier, and packaging format. Distributors and private-label brands use the custom blend builder to spec a formulation, then receive a quote and lead time.
What CFU concentrations does ABI supply?
ABI supplies high-CFU microbial powders ranging from approximately 10 billion to 300 billion colony-forming units per gram of finished product, depending on the species and customer specification. Custom concentrations are available on request for distributor and private-label customers.
Where can I buy these strains in bulk or for private label?
ABI manufactures more than two dozen bacterial and fungal strains at our Wisconsin facility and supplies bulk, wholesale, OEM, and private-label customers globally. Specifications and quotes are available through the contact page or the custom blend builder.
References
FAQ
Browse ABI's strain catalog
Single-strain microbial inoculants and custom blends, manufactured in Wisconsin. Bulk, wholesale, and private label.



