Materials and methods for controlling nematodes with pasteuria spores in seed coatings

Abstract

The subject invention provides novel and advantageous materials and methods for controlling phytopathogenic and/or soil-dwelling nematodes by attaching an effective amount of Pasteuria spores to a seed and delivering the seeds to the situs of nematodes.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for controlling phytopathogenic and/or soil-dwelling nematodes, comprising attaching a  Pasteuria  composition comprising an effective amount of  Pasteuria  spores to a seed; and planting the seed. 
     
     
         2 . The method, according to  claim 1 , wherein the  Pasteuria  composition, when applied to the seed, is present at a concentration ranging from about 10 6  to about 10 9  spores per seed. 
     
     
         3 . The method, according to  claim 1 , wherein the  Pasteuria  composition further comprises a liquid or solid carrier. 
     
     
         4 . The method, according to  claim 3 , wherein the solid carrier is selected from the group consisting of dry powders, wettable powders, wettable granules, dry granules, particles, polymeric matrices, and slurries. 
     
     
         5 . The method, according to  claim 4 , wherein the solid carrier comprises granules. 
     
     
         6 . The method, according to  claim 4 , wherein the solid carrier is a polymeric matrix selected from the group consisting of polyacrylamide, starch, clay, silica, alumina, soil, sand, polyurea, polyacrylate, and any of the combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The method, according to  claim 1 , wherein an adherent has been applied to the seed, and wherein the adherent is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl acetate copolymers, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol copolymer, methyl cellulose, hydroxymethyl cellulose, hydroxymethyl propyl cellulose dextrin, alginate, molasses, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polysaccharides, protein, fat, oil, polysaccharide, gum Arabic, gelatin, syrups, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The method, according to  claim 1 , wherein the  Pasteuria  spores are selected from the group consisting of  Pasteuria penetrans, Pasteuria ramose, Pasteuria thornei, Pasteuria nishizawae , and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The method, according to  claim 1 , wherein the phytopathogenic and/or soil-dwelling nematodes are selected from the group consisting of  Meloidogyne arenaria, Pratylenchus brachyurus, Rotylenchulus reniformis, Belonolaimus longicaudatus , and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The method, according to  claim 1 , wherein the seed is selected from the group consisting of seeds for green beans, tomatoes, cotton, corn, soy, wheat, barley, rice, canola, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The method, according to  claim 1 , wherein the seed further comprises a second agriculturally beneficial ingredient selected from the group consisting of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, fertilizers, and bio-control agents. 
     
     
         12 . A seed having at least part of the surface area coated with a  Pasteuria  composition, wherein the  Pasteuria  composition comprises an effective amount of  Pasteuria  spores for nematode control.