Plant growth-promoting bacteria and methods of use

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to bacteriologically pure bacterial cultures of novel strains of plant growth-promoting bacteria, and inoculums comprising the same. The invention is also directed to plant seeds coated with the inoculums, kits comprising the inoculums and methods for stimulating plant growth by applying the biologically pure bacterial culture or the inoculum to a plant, plant seed, or plant growth medium.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A biologically pure bacterial culture wherein the bacteria in the bacterial culture is:
 (a)  Bacillus aryabhattai  strain CAP53 (NRRL No. B-50819);   (b)  Bacillus aryabhattai  strain CAP56 (NRRL No. B-50817);   (c)  Bacillus flexus  strain BT054 (NRRL No. B-50816v);   (d)  Paracoccus kondratievae  strain NC35 (NRRL No. B-50820);   (e)  Enterobacter cloacae  strain CAP12 (NRRL No. B-50822); or   (f)  Bacillus nealsonii  strain BOBA57 (NRRL No. B-50821).   
     
     
         2 . The biologically pure bacterial culture of  claim 1 , wherein the bacteria in the bacterial culture is  Bacillus aryabhattai  strain CAP53 and the bacteria has a 16S ribosomal RNA sequence having at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or 100% sequence identity with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. 
     
     
         3 . The biologically pure bacterial culture of  claim 1 , wherein the bacteria in the bacterial culture is  Bacillus aryabhattai  strain CAP56 and the bacteria has a 16S ribosomal RNA sequence having at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or 100% sequence identity with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2. 
     
     
         4 . The biologically pure bacterial culture of  claim 1 , wherein the bacteria in the bacterial culture is  Bacillus flexus  strain CAP54 and the bacteria has a 16S ribosomal RNA sequence having at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or 100% sequence identity with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3. 
     
     
         5 . The biologically pure bacterial culture of  claim 1 , wherein the bacteria in the bacterial culture is  Paracoccus kondratievae  strain NC35 and the bacteria has a 16S ribosomal RNA sequence having at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or 100% sequence identity with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4. 
     
     
         6 . The biologically pure bacterial culture of  claim 1 , wherein the bacteria in the bacterial culture is  Enterobacter cloacae  strain CAP12 and the bacteria has a 16S ribosomal RNA sequence having at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or 100% sequence identity with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5. 
     
     
         7 . The biologically pure bacterial culture of  claim 1 , wherein the bacteria in the bacterial culture is  Bacillus nealsonii  strain BOBA57 and the bacteria has a 16S ribosomal RNA sequence having at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or 100% sequence identity with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6. 
     
     
         8 . A biologically pure bacterial culture wherein bacteria in the bacterial culture are mutants of the bacteria of any of  claims 1 - 7  comprising one or more mutations which retain the ability to promote plant growth. 
     
     
         9 . An inoculum for application to plants, plant seeds, or a plant growth medium, wherein the inoculum comprises an effective amount of a biologically pure bacterial culture of any one of  claims 1 - 8  and an agriculturally acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         10 . An inoculum of  claim 9 , wherein the inoculum comprises an effective amount of a mixture comprising at least two biologically pure bacterial cultures of any one of  claims 1 - 9 . 
     
     
         11 . An inoculum of  claim 10 , wherein the mixture comprises  Bacillus aryabhattai  strain CAP53 and  Bacillus aryabhattai  strain CAP56 ; Bacillus aryabhattai  strain CAP53 and  Bacillus flexus  strain CAP54 ; Bacillus aryabhattai  strain CAP53 and  Paracoccus kondratievae  strain NC35 ; Bacillus aryabhattai  strain CAP53 and  Enterobacter cloacae  strain CAP12 ; Bacillus aryabhattai  strain CAP53 and  Bacillus nealsonii  strain BOBA57 ; Bacillus aryabhattai  strain CAP56 and  Bacillus flexus  strain CAP54 ; Bacillus aryabhattai  strain CAP56 and  Paracoccus kondratievae  strain NC35 ; Bacillus aryabhattai  strain CAP56 and  Enterobacter cloacae  strain CAP12 ; Bacillus aryabhattai  strain CAP56 and  Bacillus nealsonii  strain BOBA57 ; Bacillus flexus  strain CAP54 and  Paracoccus kondratievae  strain NC35 ; Bacillus flexus  strain CAP54 and  Enterobacter cloacae  strain CAP12 ; Bacillus flexus  strain CAP54 and  Bacillus nealsonii  strain BOBA57 ; Paracoccus kondratievae  strain NC35 and  Enterobacter cloacae  strain CAP12 ; Paracoccus kondratievae  strain NC35 and  Bacillus nealsonii  strain BOBA57; or  Enterobacter cloacae  strain CAP12 and  Bacillus nealsonii  strain BOBA57. 
     
     
         12 . An inoculum of  claim 10 , wherein the mixture comprises  Bacillus aryabhattai  strain CAP53 , Bacillus aryabhattai  strain CAP56, and  Bacillus flexus  strain CAP54 ; Bacillus aryabhattai  strain CAP53 , Bacillus aryabhattai  strain CAP56, and  Paracoccus kondratievae  strain NC35 ; Bacillus aryabhattai  strain CAP53 , Bacillus aryabhattai  strain CAP56, and  Enterobacter cloacae  strain CAP12 ; Bacillus aryabhattai  strain CAP53 , Bacillus aryabhattai  strain CAP56, and  Bacillus nealsonii  strain BOBA57 ; Bacillus aryabhattai  strain CAP53 , Bacillus flexus  strain CAP54, and  Paracoccus kondratievae  strain NC35 ; Bacillus aryabhattai  strain CAP53 , Bacillus flexus  strain CAP54, and  Enterobacter cloacae  strain CAP12 ; Bacillus aryabhattai  strain CAP53 , Bacillus flexus  strain CAP54, and  Bacillus nealsonii  strain BOBA57 ; Bacillus aryabhattai  strain CAP53 , Paracoccus kondratievae  strain NC35, and  Enterobacter cloacae  strain CAP12 ; Bacillus aryabhattai  strain CAP53 , Paracoccus kondratievae  strain NC35, and  Bacillus nealsonii  strain BOBA57 ; Bacillus aryabhattai  strain CAP56 , Bacillus flexus  strain CAP54, and  Paracoccus kondratievae  strain NC35 ; Bacillus aryabhattai  strain CAP56 , Bacillus flexus  strain CAP54, and  Enterobacter cloacae  strain CAP12 ; Bacillus aryabhattai  strain CAP56 , Bacillus flexus  strain CAP54, and  Bacillus nealsonii  strain BOBA57 ; Bacillus aryabhattai  strain CAP56 , Paracoccus kondratievae  strain NC35, and  Enterobacter cloacae  strain CAP12 ; Bacillus aryabhattai  strain CAP56 , Paracoccus kondratievae  strain NC35, and  Bacillus nealsonii  strain BOBA57 ; Bacillus aryabhattai  strain CAP56 , Enterobacter cloacae  strain CAP12, and  Bacillus nealsonii  strain BOBA57 ; Bacillus flexus  strain CAP54 , Paracoccus kondratievae  strain NC35, and  Enterobacter cloacae  strain CAP12 ; Bacillus flexus  strain CAP54 , Paracoccus kondratievae  strain NC35, and  Bacillus nealsonii  strain BOBA57 ; Bacillus flexus  strain CAP54 , Enterobacter cloacae  strain CAP12, and  Bacillus nealsonii  strain BOBA57 ; Paracoccus kondratievae  strain NC35, or  Enterobacter cloacae  strain CAP12, and  Bacillus nealsonii  strain BOBA57. 
     
     
         13 . An inoculum of  claim 11 , wherein the mixture comprises  Enterobacter cloacae  CAP12 and  Bacillus aryabhattai  CAP53. 
     
     
         14 . An inoculum of  claim 11 , wherein the mixture comprises  Enterobacter cloacae  CAP12 and  Bacillus aryabhattai  CAP56. 
     
     
         15 . An inoculum of  claim 11 , wherein the mixture comprises  Enterobacter cloacae  CAP12 and  Bacillus flexus  CAP54. 
     
     
         16 . An inoculum of  claim 11 , wherein the mixture comprises  Enterobacter cloacae  CAP12 and  Bacillus nealsonii  BOBA57. 
     
     
         17 . An inoculum of  claim 11 , wherein the mixture comprises  Bacillus aryabhattai  CAP53 and  Bacillus aryabhattai  CAP56. 
     
     
         18 . An inoculum of  claim 11 , wherein the mixture comprises  Bacillus flexus  CAP54 and  Bacillus aryabhattai  CAP56. 
     
     
         19 . An inoculum of any one of  claims 9 - 18 , wherein the inoculum further comprises an effective amount of a rhizobacteria. 
     
     
         20 . An inoculum of  claim 19 , wherein the rhizobacteria is a biologically pure bacterial culture of a rhizobacteria strain. 
     
     
         21 . An inoculum of  claim 20 , wherein the rhizobacteria comprises  Bradyrhizobium  genus bacteria,  Rhizobium  genus bacteria, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         22 . An inoculum of  claim 21 , wherein the  Bradirhizobium  genus bacteria comprises  Bradyrhizobium japonicum.    
     
     
         23 . An inoculum of  claim 21 , wherein the  Rhizobium  genus bacteria comprises  Rhizobium phaseoli, Rhizobium leguminosarum , or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         24 . An inoculum of any one of  claims 9 - 23 , wherein the agriculturally acceptable carrier comprises a dispersant, a surfactant, an additive, water, a thickener, an anti-caking agent, residue breakdown, a composting formulation, a granular application, diatomaceous earth, an oil, a coloring agent, a stabilizer, a preservative, a polymer, a coating, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         25 . An inoculum of  claim 24 , wherein the additive comprises an oil, a gum, a resin, a clay, a polyoxyethylene glycol, a terpene, a viscid organic, a fatty acid ester, a sulfated alcohol, an alkyl sulfonate, a petroleum sulfonate, an alcohol sulfate, a sodium alkyl butane diamate, a polyester of sodium thiobutant dioate, a benzene acetonitrile derivative, a proteinaceous material, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         26 . An inoculum of  claim 24 , wherein the proteinaceous material comprises a milk product, wheat flour, soybean meal, blood, albumin, gelatin, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         27 . An inoculum of  claim 24 , wherein the thickener comprises a long chain alkylsulfonate of polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene oleate, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         28 . An inoculum of  claim 24 , wherein the surfactant comprises a heavy petroleum oil, a heavy petroleum distillate, a polyol fatty acid ester, a polyethoxylated fatty acid ester, an aryl alkyl polyoxyethylene glycol, an alkyl amine acetate, an alkyl aryl sulfonate, a polyhydric alcohol, an alkyl phosphate, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         29 . An inoculum of  claim 24 , wherein the anti-caking agent comprises a sodium salt, a calcium carbonate, a sodium sulfite, a sodium sulfate, diatomaceous earth, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         30 . An inoculum of  claim 29 , wherein the sodium salt comprises a sodium salt of monomethyl naphthalene sulfonate, a sodium salt of dimethyl naphthalene sulfonate, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         31 . An inoculum of any one of  claims 9 - 30 , wherein the agriculturally acceptable carrier comprises vermiculite, charcoal, sugar factory carbonation press mud, rice husk, carboxymethyl cellulose, peat, perlite, fine sand, calcium carbonate, flour, alum, a starch, talc, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         32 . An inoculum of any one of  claims 9 - 31 , wherein the inoculum is formulated as a seed coating formulation, a liquid formulation for application to plants or to a plant growth medium, or a solid formulation for application to plants or to a plant growth medium. 
     
     
         33 . An inoculum of  claim 32 , wherein the seed coating formulation is an aqueous or oil-based solution for application to seeds. 
     
     
         34 . An inoculum of  claim 32 , wherein the seed coating formulation is a powder or granular formulation for application to seeds. 
     
     
         35 . An inoculum of  claim 32 , wherein the liquid formulation for application to plants or to a plant growth medium is in a concentrated formulation or a working form formulation. 
     
     
         36 . An inoculum of  claim 32 , wherein the solid formulation for application to plants or to a plant growth medium is a granular formulation or a powder agent. 
     
     
         37 . An inoculum of any one of  claims 9 - 36 , wherein the inoculum further comprises a fertilizer, a micronutrient fertilizer material, an insecticide, a herbicide, a plant growth amendment, a fungicide, a molluscicide, an algicide, a bacterial inoculant, a fungal inoculant, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         38 . An inoculum of  claim 37 , wherein the fertilizer comprises a liquid fertilizer. 
     
     
         39 . An inoculum of  claim 38 , wherein the fertilizer comprises ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate nitrate, ammonium chloride, ammonium bisulfate, ammonium polysulfide, ammonium thiosulfate, aqueous ammonia, anhydrous ammonia, ammonium polyphosphate, aluminum sulfate, calcium nitrate, calcium ammonium nitrate, calcium sulfate, calcined magnesite, calcitic limestone, calcium oxide, calcium nitrate, dolomitic limestone, hydrated lime, calcium carbonate, diammonium phosphate, monoammonium phosphate, magnesium nitrate, magnesium sulfate, potassium nitrate, potassium chloride, potassium magnesium sulfate, potassium sulfate, sodium nitrates, magnesian limestone, magnesia, urea, urea-formaldehydes, urea ammonium nitrate, sulfur-coated urea, polymer-coated urea, isobutylidene diurea, K 2 SO 4 -2MgSO 4 , kainite, sylvinite, kieserite, Epsom salts, elemental sulfur, marl, ground oyster shells, fish meal, oil cakes, fish manure, blood meal, rock phosphate, super phosphates, slag, bone meal, wood ash, manure, bat guano, peat moss, compost, green sand, cottonseed meal, feather meal, crab meal, fish emulsion, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         40 . An inoculum of  claim 37 , wherein the micronutrient fertilizer material comprises boric acid, a borate, a boron frit, copper sulfate, a copper frit, a copper chelate, a sodium tetraborate decahydrate, an iron sulfate, an iron oxide, iron ammonium sulfate, an iron frit, an iron chelate, a manganese sulfate, a manganese oxide, a manganese chelate, a manganese chloride, a manganese frit, a sodium molybdate, molybdic acid, a zinc sulfate, a zinc oxide, a zinc carbonate, a zinc frit, zinc phosphate, a zinc chelate, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         41 . An inoculum of  claim 37 , wherein the insecticide comprises an organophosphate, a carbamate, a pyrethroid, an acaricide, an alkyl phthalate, boric acid, a borate, a fluoride, sulfur, a haloaromatic substituted urea, a hydrocarbon ester, a biologically-based insecticide, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         42 . An inoculum of  claim 37 , wherein the herbicide comprises a chlorophenoxy compound, a nitrophenolic compound, a nitrocresolic compound, a dipyridyl compound, an acetamide, an aliphatic acid, an anilide, a benzamide, a benzoic acid, a benzoic acid derivative, anisic acid, an anisic acid derivative, a benzonitrile, benzothiadiazinone dioxide, a thiocarbamate, a carbamate, a carbanilate, chloropyridinyl, a cyclohexenone derivative, a dinitroaminobenzene derivative, a fluorodinitrotoluidine compound, isoxazolidinone, nicotinic acid, isopropylamine, an isopropylamine derivative, oxadiazolinone, a phosphate, a phthalate, a picolinic acid compound, a triazine, a triazole, a uracil, a urea derivative, endothall, sodium chlorate, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         43 . An inoculum of  claim 37 , wherein the fungicide comprises a substituted benzene, a thiocarbamate, an ethylene bis dithiocarbamate, a thiophthalidamide, a copper compound, an organomercury compound, an organotin compound, a cadmium compound, anilazine, benomyl, cyclohexamide, dodine, etridiazole, iprodione, metlaxyl, thiamimefon, triforine, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         44 . An inoculum of  claim 37 , wherein the fungal inoculant comprises a fungal inoculant of the family Glomeraceae, a fungal inoculant of the family Claroidoglomeraceae, a fungal inoculant of the family Gigasporaceae, a fungal inoculant of the family Acaulosporaceae, a fungal inoculant of the family Sacculosporaceae, a fungal inoculant of the family Entrophosporaceae, a fungal inoculant of the family Pacidsporaceae, a fungal inoculant of the family Diversisporaceae, a fungal inoculant of the family Paraglomeraceae, a fungal inoculant of the family Archaeosporaceae, a fungal inoculant of the family Geosiphonaceae, a fungal inoculant of the family Ambisporaceae, a fungal inoculant of the family Scutellosporaceae, a fungal inoculant of the family Dentiscultataceae, a fungal inoculant of the family Racocetraceae, a fungal inoculant of the phylum Basidiomycota, a fungal inoculant of the phylum Ascomycota, a fungal inoculant of the phylum Zygomycota, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         45 . An inoculum of  claim 37 , wherein the bacterial inoculant comprises a bacterial inoculant of the genus  Rhizobium , a bacterial inoculant of the genus  Bradyrhizobium , a bacterial inoculant of the genus  Mesorhizobium , a bacterial inoculant of the genus  Azorhizobium , a bacterial inoculant of the genus  Allorhizobium , a bacterial inoculant of the genus  Sinorhizobium , a bacterial inoculant of the genus  Kluyvera , a bacterial inoculant of the genus  Azotobacter , a bacterial inoculant of the genus  Pseudomonas , a bacterial inoculant of the genus  Azospirillium , a bacterial inoculant of the genus  Bacillus , a bacterial inoculant of the genus  Streptomyces , a bacterial inoculant of the genus  Paenibacillus , a bacterial inoculant of the genus  Paracoccus , a bacterial inoculant of the genus  Enterobacter , a bacterial inoculant of the genus  Alcaligenes , a bacterial inoculant of the genus  Mycobacterium , a bacterial inoculant of the genus  Trichoderma , a bacterial inoculant of the genus  Gliocladium , a bacterial inoculant of the genus  Glomus , a bacterial inoculant of the genus  Klebsiella , or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         46 . A method for stimulating plant growth comprising applying the biologically pure bacterial culture of any one of  claims 1 - 8  or the inoculum of any one of  claims 9 - 45  to a plant, plant seed, or plant growth medium. 
     
     
         47 . A method of  claim 46 , wherein the method further comprises applying glycerol, pyruvate, yeast extract, or polyol to the plant growth medium. 
     
     
         48 . A method of  claim 47 , wherein the polyol comprises mannitol. 
     
     
         49 . A method for stimulating plant growth, the method comprising applying glycerol, pyruvate, yeast extract, polyol, or a combinations thereof to a plant growth medium; and
 applying at least one bacterial culture or at least one inoculum to a plant or plant seed in the plant growth medium, or to the plant growth medium;   wherein the at least one bacterial culture or at least one inoculum is capable of stimulating plant growth.   
     
     
         50 . A method of  claim 49  wherein the polyol comprises mannitol. 
     
     
         51 . A method of any one of  claims 46 - 50 , comprising applying the bacterial culture or inoculum to the plant growth medium. 
     
     
         52 . A method of  claim 51 , comprising applying a liquid or solid inoculum formulation to the plant growth medium. 
     
     
         53 . A method of any one of  claims 46 - 52 , comprising applying the bacterial culture or inoculum to the plant growth medium prior to, concurrently with, or after planting of seeds, seedlings, cuttings, bulbs, or plants in the plant growth medium. 
     
     
         54 . A method of any one of  claims 46 - 50 , comprising applying the bacterial culture or inoculum to plant leaves, roots, or stems. 
     
     
         55 . A method of any one of  claims 46 - 50 , comprising applying the bacterial culture or inoculum to plant seeds. 
     
     
         56 . A method of  claim 55 , comprising coating plant seeds with the bacterial inoculum prior to planting. 
     
     
         57 . A method of any one of  claims 46 - 53 , further comprising storing the plant growth medium for future planting. 
     
     
         58 . A method of any one of  claims 46 - 53 , wherein the plant growth medium comprises soil, water, an aqueous solution, sand, gravel, a polysaccharide, mulch, compost, peat moss, straw, logs, clay, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         59 . A method of  claim 58 , wherein the plant growth medium comprises soil or compost. 
     
     
         60 . A method of any one of  claims 46 - 59 , wherein the plant is a dicotyledon. 
     
     
         61 . A method of  claim 60 , wherein the dicotyledon is selected from the group consisting of bean, pea, tomato, pepper, squash, alfalfa, almond, anise seed, apple, apricot, arracha, artichoke, avocado, bambara groundnut, beet, bergamot, black pepper, black wattle, blackberry, blueberry, bitter orange, bok-choi, Brazil nut, breadfruit, broccoli, broad bean, Brussels sprouts, buckwheat, cabbage, camelina, Chinese cabbage, cacao, cantaloupe, caraway seeds, cardoon, carob, carrot, cashew nuts, cassava, castor bean, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, cherry, chestnut, chickpea, chicory, chili pepper,  chrysanthemum , cinnamon, citron, clementine, clove, clover, coffee, cola nut, colza, corn, cotton, cottonseed, cowpea,  crambe , cranberry, cress, cucumber, currant, custard apple, drumstick tree, earth pea, eggplant, endive, fennel, fenugreek, fig, filbert, flax, geranium, gooseberry, gourd, grape, grapefruit, guava, hemp, hempseed, henna, hop, horse bean, horseradish, indigo, jasmine, Jerusalem artichoke, jute, kale, kapok, kenaf, kohlrabi, kumquat, lavender, lemon, lentil,  lespedeza , lettuce, lime, liquorice, litchi, loquat, lupine, macadamia nut, mace, mandarin, mangel, mango, medlar, melon, mint, mulberry, mustard, nectarine, niger seed, nutmeg, okra, olive, opium, orange,  papaya , parsnip, pea, peach, peanut, pear, pecan nut, persimmon, pigeon pea, pistachio nut, plantain, plum, pomegranate, pomelo, poppy seed, potato, sweet potato, prune, pumpkin, quebracho, quince, trees of the genus Cinchona,  quinoa , radish, ramie, rapeseed, raspberry, rhea, rhubarb, rose, rubber, rutabaga, safflower, sainfoin, salsify, sapodilla, Satsuma, scorzonera, sesame, shea tree, soybean, spinach, squash, strawberry, sugar beet, sugarcane, sunflower, swede, sweet pepper, tangerine, tea, teff, tobacco, tomato, trefoil, tung tree, turnip, urena, vetch, walnut, watermelon, yerba mate, wintercress, shepherd's purse, garden cress, peppercress, watercress, pennycress, star anise, laurel, bay laurel,  cassia , jamun, dill, tamarind, peppermint, oregano, rosemary, sage, soursop, pennywort, calophyllum, balsam pear, kukui nut, Tahitian chestnut, basil, huckleberry, hibiscus, passionfruit, star apple,  sassafras , cactus, St. John's wort, loosestrife, hawthorn, cilantro, curry plant, kiwi, thyme, zucchini, ulluco, jicama, waterleaf, spiny monkey orange, yellow mombin, starfruit, amaranth, wasabi, Japanese pepper, yellow plum, mashua, Chinese toon, New Zealand spinach, bower spinach, ugu, tansy, chickweed, jocote, Malay apple, paracress, sowthistle, Chinese potato, horse parsley, hedge mustard, campion, agate, cassod tree, thistle, burnet, star gooseberry, saltwort, glasswort, sorrel, silver lace fern, collard greens, primrose, cowslip, purslane, knotgrass, terebinth, tree lettuce, wild  betel , West African pepper, yerba santa, tarragon, parsley, chervil, land cress, burnet saxifrage, honeyherb, butterbur, shiso, water pepper,  perilla , bitter bean, oca, kampong, Chinese celery, lemon basil, Thai basil, water  mimosa , cicely, cabbage-tree, moringa, mauka, ostrich fern, rice paddy herb, yellow sawah lettuce, lovage, pepper grass, maca, bottle gourd, hyacinth bean, water spinach, catsear, fishwort, Okinawan spinach, lotus sweetjuice, gallant soldier, culantro, arugula, cardoon, caigua, mitsuba, chipilin, samphire, mampat, ebolo, ivy gourd, cabbage thistle, sea kale, chaya, huauzontle, Ethiopian mustard, magenta spreen, good king henry, epazole, lamb's quarters, centella plumed cockscomb, caper, rapini, napa cabbage, mizuna, Chinese savoy, kai-lan, mustard greens, Malabar spinach, chard, marshmallow, climbing wattle, China jute, paprika, annatto seed, spearmint, savory, marjoram, cumin, chamomile, lemon balm, allspice, bilberry, cherimoya, cloudberry, damson, pitaya, durian, elderberry, feijoa, jackfruit, jambul, jujube, physalis, purple mangosteen, rambutan, redcurrant, blackcurrant, salal berry, satsuma, ugli fruit, azuki bean, black bean, black-eyed pea, borlotti bean, common bean, green bean, kidney bean, lima bean, mung bean, navy bean, pinto bean, runner bean, mangetout, snap pea, broccoflower, calabrese, nettle, bell pepper, raddichio, daikon, white radish, skirret, tat soi, broccolini, black radish, burdock root, fava bean, broccoli raab, lablab, lupin, sterculia, velvet beans, winged beans, yam beans, mulga, ironweed, umbrella bush, tjuntjula, wakalpulka, witchetty bush, wiry wattle, chia, beech nut, candlenut, colocynth, mamoncillo, Maya nut, mongongo, ogbono nut, paradise nut, and cempedak. 
     
     
         62 . A method of  claim 60 , wherein the dicotyledon is from a family selected from the group consisting of Acanthaceae (acanthus), Aceraceae (maple), Achariaceae, Achatocarpaceae (achatocarpus), Actinidiaceae (Chinese gooseberry), Adoxaceae (moschatel), Aextoxicaceae, Aizoaceae (fig marigold), Akaniaceae, Alangiaceae, Alseuosmiaceae, Alzateaceae, Amaranthaceae (amaranth), Amborellaceae, Anacardiaceae (sumac), Ancistrocladaceae, Anisophylleaceae, Annonaceae (custard apple), Apiaceae (carrot), Apocynaceae (dogbane), Aquifoliaceae (holly), Araliaceae ( ginseng ), Aristolochiaceae (birthwort), Asclepiadaceae (milkweed), Asteraceae (aster), Austrobaileyaceae, Balanopaceae, Balanophoraceae (balanophora), Balsaminaceae (touch-me-not), Barbeyaceae, Barclayaceae, Basellaceae (basella), Bataceae (saltwort), Begoniaceae ( begonia ), Berberidaceae (barberry), Betulaceae (birch), Bignoniaceae (trumpet creeper), Bixaceae (lipstick tree), Bombacaceae (kapok tree), Boraginaceae (borage), Brassicaceae (mustard, also Cruciferae), Bretschneideraceae, Brunelliaceae (brunellia), Bruniaceae, Brunoniaceae, Buddlejaceae (butterfly bush), Burseraceae (frankincense), Buxaceae (boxwood), Byblidaceae, Cabombaceae (water shield), Cactaceae (cactus), Caesalpiniaceae, Callitrichaceae (water starwort), Calycanthaceae (strawberry shrub), Calyceraceae (calycera), Campanulaceae (bellflower), Canellaceae (canella), Cannabaceae (hemp), Capparaceae (caper), Caprifoliaceae (honeysuckle), Cardiopteridaceae, Caricaceae ( papaya ), Caryocaraceae (souari), Caryophyllaceae (pink), Casuarinaceae (she-oak), Cecropiaceae (cecropia), Celastraceae (bittersweet), Cephalotaceae, Ceratophyllaceae (hornwort), Cercidiphyllaceae (katsura tree), Chenopodiaceae (goosefoot), Chloranthaceae (chloranthus), Chrysobalanaceae (cocoa plum), Circaeasteraceae, Cistaceae (rockrose), Clethraceae (clethra), Clusiaceae (mangosteen, also Guttiferae), Cneoraceae, Columelliaceae, Combretaceae (Indian almond), Compositae (aster), Connaraceae (cannarus), Convolvulaceae (morning glory), Coriariaceae, Cornaceae (dogwood), Corynocarpaceae (karaka), Crassulaceae (stonecrop), Crossosomataceae (crossosoma), Crypteroniaceae, Cucurbitaceae (cucumber), Cunoniaceae (cunonia), Cuscutaceae (dodder), Cyrillaceae (cyrilla), Daphniphyllaceae, Datiscaceae (datisca), Davidsoniaceae, Degeneriaceae, Dialypetalanthaceae, Diapensiaceae (diapensia), Dichapetalaceae, Didiereaceae, Didymelaceae, Dilleniaceae (dillenia), Dioncophyllaceae, Dipentodontaceae, Dipsacaceae (teasel), Dipterocarpaceae (meranti), Donatiaceae, Droseraceae (sundew), Duckeodendraceae, Ebenaceae (ebony), Elaeagnaceae ( oleaster ), Elaeocarpaceae (elaeocarpus), Elatinaceae (waterwort), Empetraceae (crowberry), Epacridaceae (epacris), Eremolepidaceae (catkin-mistletoe), Ericaceae (heath), Erythroxylaceae (coca), Eucommiaceae, Eucryphiaceae, Euphorbiaceae (spurge), Eupomatiaceae, Eupteleaceae, Fabaceae (pea or legume), Fagaceae (beech), Flacourtiaceae (flacourtia), Fouquieriaceae (ocotillo), Frankeniaceae (frankenia), Fumariaceae (fumitory), Garryaceae (silk tassel), Geissolomataceae, Gentianaceae (gentian), Geraniaceae (geranium), Gesneriaceae (gesneriad), Globulariaceae, Gomortegaceae, Goodeniaceae (goodenia), Greyiaceae, Grossulariaceae (currant), Grubbiaceae, Gunneraceae (gunnera), Gyrostemonaceae, Haloragaceae (water milfoil), Hamamelidaceae (witch hazel), Hernandiaceae (hernandia), Himantandraceae, Hippocastanaceae (horse chestnut), Hippocrateaceae (hippocratea), Hippuridaceae (mare's tail), Hoplestigmataceae, Huaceae, Hugoniaceae, Humiriaceae, Hydnoraceae, Hydrangeaceae ( hydrangea ), Hydrophyllaceae (waterleaf), Hydrostachyaceae, Icacinaceae (icacina), Idiospermaceae, Illiciaceae (star anise), Ixonanthaceae, Juglandaceae (walnut), Julianiaceae, Krameriaceae (krameria), Lacistemataceae, Lamiaceae (mint, also Labiatae), Lardizabalaceae (lardizabala), Lauraceae (laurel), Lecythidaceae (brazil nut), Leeaceae, Leitneriaceae (corkwood), Lennoaceae (lennoa), Lentibulariaceae (bladderwort), Limnanthaceae (meadow foam), Linaceae (flax), Lissocarpaceae, Loasaceae (loasa), Loganiaceae (logania), Loranthaceae (showy mistletoe), Lythraceae (loosestrife), Magnoliaceae ( magnolia ), Malesherbiaceae, Malpighiaceae (barbados cherry), Malvaceae (mallow), Marcgraviaceae (shingle plant), Medusagynaceae, Medusandraceae, Melastomataceae (melastome), Meliaceae (mahogany), Melianthaceae, Mendonciaceae, Menispermaceae (moonseed), Menyanthaceae (buckbean), Mimosaceae, Misodendraceae, Mitrastemonaceae, Molluginaceae (carpetweed), Monimiaceae (monimia), Monotropaceae (Indian pipe), Moraceae (mulberry), Moringaceae (horseradish tree), Myoporaceae ( myoporum ), Myricaceae (bayberry), Myristicaceae (nutmeg), Myrothamnaceae, Myrsinaceae (myrsine), Myrtaceae (myrtle), Nelumbonaceae (lotus lily), Nepenthaceae (East Indian pitcherplant), Neuradaceae, Nolanaceae, Nothofagaceae, Nyctaginaceae (four-o'clock), Nymphaeaceae (water lily), Nyssaceae (sour gum), Ochnaceae (ochna), Olacaceae (olax), Oleaceae (olive), Oliniaceae, Onagraceae (evening primrose), Oncothecaceae, Opiliaceae, Orobanchaceae (broom rape), Oxalidaceae (wood sorrel), Paeoniaceae (peony), Pandaceae, Papaveraceae (poppy), Papilionaceae, Paracryphiaceae, Passifloraceae (passionflower), Pedaliaceae (sesame), Pellicieraceae, Penaeaceae, Pentaphragmataceae, Pentaphylacaceae, Peridiscaceae, Physenaceae, Phytolaccaceae (pokeweed), Piperaceae (pepper), Pittosporaceae ( pittosporum ), Plantaginaceae (plantain), Platanaceae (plane tree), Plumbaginaceae (leadwort), Podostemaceae (river weed), Polemoniaceae ( phlox ), Polygalaceae (milkwort), Polygonaceae (buckwheat), Portulacaceae (purslane), Primulaceae (primrose), Proteaceae (protea), Punicaceae (pomegranate), Pyrolaceae (shinleaf), Quiinaceae, Rafflesiaceae (rafflesia), Ranunculaceae (buttercup orranunculus), Resedaceae (mignonette), Retziaceae, Rhabdodendraceae, Rhamnaceae (buckthorn), Rhizophoraceae (red mangrove), Rhoipteleaceae, Rhynchocalycaceae, Rosaceae (rose), Rubiaceae (madder), Rutaceae (rue), Sabiaceae (sabia), Saccifoliaceae, Salicaceae (willow), Salvadoraceae, Santalaceae (sandalwood), Sapindaceae (soapberry), Sapotaceae (sapodilla), Sarcolaenaceae, Sargentodoxaceae, Sarraceniaceae (pitcher plant), Saururaceae (lizard's tail), Saxifragaceae (saxifrage), Schisandraceae (schisandra), Scrophulariaceae (figwort), Scyphostegiaceae, Scytopetalaceae, Simaroubaceae (quassia), Simmondsiaceae (jojoba), Solanaceae (potato), Sonneratiaceae (sonneratia), Sphaerosepalaceae, Sphenocleaceae (spenoclea), Stackhousiaceae (stackhousia), Stachyuraceae, Staphyleaceae (bladdernut), Sterculiaceae (cacao), Stylidiaceae, Styracaceae (storax), Surianaceae (suriana), Symplocaceae (sweetleaf), Tamaricaceae ( tamarix ), Tepuianthaceae, Tetracentraceae, Tetrameristaceae, Theaceae (tea), Theligonaceae, Theophrastaceae (theophrasta), Thymelaeaceae (mezereum), Ticodendraceae, Tiliaceae (linden), Tovariaceae, Trapaceae (water chestnut), Tremandraceae, Trigoniaceae, Trimeniaceae, Trochodendraceae, Tropaeolaceae (nasturtium), Turneraceae (turnera), Ulmaceae (elm), Urticaceae (nettle), Valerianaceae (valerian), Verbenaceae ( verbena ), Violaceae (violet), Viscaceae (Christmas mistletoe), Vitaceae (grape), Vochysiaceae, Winteraceae (wintera), Xanthophyllaceae, and Zygophyllaceae (creosote bush). 
     
     
         63 . A method of any one of  claims 49 - 59  wherein the plant is a monocotyledon. 
     
     
         64 . A method of  claim 63 , wherein the monocotyledon is selected from the group consisting of corn, wheat, oat, rice, barley, millet, banana, onion, garlic, asparagus, ryegrass, millet, fonio, raishan, nipa grass, turmeric, saffron, galangal, chive, cardamom, date palm, pineapple, shallot, leek, scallion, water chestnut, ramp, Job's tears, bamboo, ragi, spotless watermeal, arrowleaf elephant ear, Tahitian spinach, abaca,  areca , bajra,  betel  nut, broom millet, broom sorghum, citronella, coconut, cocoyam, maize, dasheen, durra, durum wheat, edo, Pique, formio, ginger, orchard grass, esparto grass, Sudan grass, guinea corn, Manila hemp, henequen, hybrid maize, jowar, lemon grass, maguey, bulrush millet, finger millet, foxtail millet, Japanese millet, proso millet, New Zealand flax, oats, oil palm, palm palmyra, sago palm, redtop, sisal, sorghum, spelt wheat, sweet corn, sweet sorghum, taro, teff, timothy grass, triticale, vanilla, wheat, and yam. 
     
     
         65 . A method of  claim 63 , wherein the monocotyledon is from a family selected from the group consisting of Acoraceae (calamus), Agavaceae (century plant), Alismataceae (water plantain), Aloeaceae (aloe), Aponogetonaceae (cape pondweed), Araceae ( arum ), Arecaceae (palm), Bromeliaceae (bromeliad), Burmanniaceae (burmannia), Butomaceae (flowering rush), Cannaceae ( canna ), Centrolepidaceae, Commelinaceae (spiderwort), Corsiaceae, Costaceae (costus), Cyanastraceae, Cyclanthaceae (Panama hat), Cymodoceaceae (manatee grass), Cyperaceae (sedge), Dioscoreaceae (yam), Eriocaulaceae (pipewort), Flagellariaceae, Geosiridaceae, Haemodoraceae (bloodwort), Hanguanaceae (hanguana), Heliconiaceae ( heliconia ), Hydatellaceae, Hydrocharitaceae (tape grass), Iridaceae (iris), Joinvilleaceae (joinvillea), Juncaceae (rush), Juncaginaceae (arrow grass), Lemnaceae (duckweed), Liliaceae (lily), Limnocharitaceae (water poppy), Lowiaceae, Marantaceae (prayer plant), Mayacaceae (mayaca), Musaceae (banana), Najadaceae (water nymph), Orchidaceae (orchid), Pandanaceae (screw pine), Petrosaviaceae, Philydraceae (philydraceae), Poaceae (grass), Pontederiaceae (water hyacinth), Posidoniaceae (posidonia), Potamogetonaceae (pondweed), Rapateaceae, Restionaceae, Ruppiaceae (ditch grass), Scheuchzeriaceae (scheuchzeria), Smilacaceae (catbrier), Sparganiaceae (bur reed), Stemonaceae (stemona), Strelitziaceae, Taccaceae (tacca), Thurniaceae, Triuridaceae, Typhaceae (cattail), Velloziaceae, Xanthorrhoeaceae, Xyridaceae (yellow-eyed grass), Zannichelliaceae (horned pondweed), Zingiberaceae (ginger), and Zosteraceae (eelgrass). 
     
     
         66 . A method of any one of  claims 46 - 59 , wherein the plant is a gymnosperm. 
     
     
         67 . A method of  claim 66 , wherein the gymnosperm is from a family selected from the group consisting of Araucariaceae, Boweniaceae, Cephalotaxaceae, Cupressaceae, Cycadaceae, Ephedraceae, Ginkgoaceae, Gnetaceae, Pinaceae, Podocarpaceae, Taxaceae, Taxodiaceae, Welwitschiaceae, and Zamiaceae. 
     
     
         68 . A method of any one of  claims 46 - 67 , wherein the average height of the plant is increased by at least about 5% as compared to the average height of plants grown under the same conditions but that have not been treated with the bacterial culture or inoculant. 
     
     
         69 . A method of any one of  claims 46 - 68 , wherein the average height of the plant is increased by at least about 10% as compared to the average height of plants grown under the same conditions but that have not been treated with the bacterial culture or inoculant. 
     
     
         70 . A method of any one of  claims 46 - 69 , wherein the average height of the plant is increased by at least about 15% as compared to the average height of plants grown under the same conditions but that have not been treated with the bacterial culture or inoculant. 
     
     
         71 . A method of any one of  claims 46 - 70 , wherein the average height of the plant is increased by at least about 20% as compared to the average height of plants grown under the same conditions but that have not been treated with the bacterial culture or inoculant. 
     
     
         72 . A method of any one of  claims 46 - 71 , wherein the average leaf diameter of the leaves of plant is increased by at least about 5% as compared to the average leaf diameter of plants grown under the same conditions but that have not been treated with the bacterial culture or inoculant. 
     
     
         73 . A method of any one of  claims 46 - 72 , wherein the average leaf diameter of the leaves of plant is increased by at least about 10% as compared to the average leaf diameter of plants grown under the same conditions but that have not been treated with the bacterial culture or inoculant. 
     
     
         74 . A method of any one of  claims 46 - 73 , wherein the average leaf diameter of the leaves of plant is increased by at least about 15% as compared to the average leaf diameter of plants grown under the same conditions but that have not been treated with the bacterial culture or inoculant. 
     
     
         75 . A method of any one of  claims 46 - 74 , wherein the average leaf diameter of the leaves of plant is increased by at least about 20% as compared to the average leaf diameter of plants grown under the same conditions but that have not been treated with the bacterial culture or inoculant. 
     
     
         76 . A plant seed coated with the inoculum of any one of  claims 9 - 45  or with the bacterial culture of any one of  claims 1 - 8 . 
     
     
         77 . A plant seed of  claim 76 , wherein the seed is a dicotyledon seed. 
     
     
         78 . A plant seed of  claim 77 , wherein the dicotyledon is selected from the group consisting of bean, pea, tomato, pepper, squash, alfalfa, almond, anise seed, apple, apricot, arracha, artichoke, avocado, bambara groundnut, beet, bergamot, black pepper, black wattle, blackberry, blueberry, bitter orange, bok-choi, Brazil nut, breadfruit, broccoli, broad bean, Brussels sprouts, buckwheat, cabbage, camelina, Chinese cabbage, cacao, cantaloupe, caraway seeds, cardoon, carob, carrot, cashew nuts, cassava, castor bean, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, cherry, chestnut, chickpea, chicory, chili pepper,  chrysanthemum , cinnamon, citron, clementine, clove, clover, coffee, cola nut, colza, corn, cotton, cottonseed, cowpea,  crambe , cranberry, cress, cucumber, currant, custard apple, drumstick tree, earth pea, eggplant, endive, fennel, fenugreek, fig, filbert, flax, geranium, gooseberry, gourd, grape, grapefruit, guava, hemp, hempseed, henna, hop, horse bean, horseradish, indigo, jasmine, Jerusalem artichoke, jute, kale, kapok, kenaf, kohlrabi, kumquat, lavender, lemon, lentil,  lespedeza , lettuce, lime, liquorice, litchi, loquat, lupine, macadamia nut, mace, mandarin, mangel, mango, medlar, melon, mint, mulberry, mustard, nectarine, niger seed, nutmeg, okra, olive, opium, orange,  papaya , parsnip, pea, peach, peanut, pear, pecan nut, persimmon, pigeon pea, pistachio nut, plantain, plum, pomegranate, pomelo, poppy seed, potato, sweet potato, prune, pumpkin, quebracho, quince, trees of the genus Cinchona,  quinoa , radish, ramie, rapeseed, raspberry, rhea, rhubarb, rose, rubber, rutabaga, safflower, sainfoin, salsify, sapodilla, Satsuma, scorzonera, sesame, shea tree, soybean, spinach, squash, strawberry, sugar beet, sugarcane, sunflower, swede, sweet pepper, tangerine, tea, teff, tobacco, tomato, trefoil, tung tree, turnip, urena, vetch, walnut, watermelon, yerba mate, wintercress, shepherd's purse, garden cress, peppercress, watercress, pennycress, star anise, laurel, bay laurel,  cassia , jamun, dill, tamarind, peppermint, oregano, rosemary, sage, soursop, pennywort, calophyllum, balsam pear, kukui nut, Tahitian chestnut, basil, huckleberry, hibiscus, passionfruit, star apple,  sassafras , cactus, St. John's wort, loosestrife, hawthorn, cilantro, curry plant, kiwi, thyme, zucchini, ulluco, jicama, waterleaf, spiny monkey orange, yellow mombin, starfruit, amaranth, wasabi, Japanese pepper, yellow plum, mashua, Chinese toon, New Zealand spinach, bower spinach, ugu, tansy, chickweed, jocote, Malay apple, paracress, sowthistle, Chinese potato, horse parsley, hedge mustard, campion, agate, cassod tree, thistle, burnet, star gooseberry, saltwort, glasswort, sorrel, silver lace fern, collard greens, primrose, cowslip, purslane, knotgrass, terebinth, tree lettuce, wild  betel , West African pepper, yerba santa, tarragon, parsley, chervil, land cress, burnet saxifrage, honeyherb, butterbur, shiso, water pepper,  perilla , bitter bean, oca, kampong, Chinese celery, lemon basil, Thai basil, water  mimosa , cicely, cabbage-tree, moringa, mauka, ostrich fern, rice paddy herb, yellow sawah lettuce, lovage, pepper grass, maca, bottle gourd, hyacinth bean, water spinach, catsear, fishwort, Okinawan spinach, lotus sweetjuice, gallant soldier, culantro, arugula, cardoon, caigua, mitsuba, chipilin, samphire, mampat, ebolo, ivy gourd, cabbage thistle, sea kale, chaya, huauzontle, Ethiopian mustard, magenta spreen, good king henry, epazole, lamb's quarters, centella plumed cockscomb, caper, rapini, napa cabbage, mizuna, Chinese savoy, kai-lan, mustard greens, Malabar spinach, chard, marshmallow, climbing wattle, China jute, paprika, annatto seed, spearmint, savory, marjoram, cumin, chamomile, lemon balm, allspice, bilberry, cherimoya, cloudberry, damson, pitaya, durian, elderberry, feijoa, jackfruit, jambul, jujube, physalis, purple mangosteen, rambutan, redcurrant, blackcurrant, salal berry, satsuma, ugli fruit, azuki bean, black bean, black-eyed pea, borlotti bean, common bean, green bean, kidney bean, lima bean, mung bean, navy bean, pinto bean, runner bean, mangetout, snap pea, broccoflower, calabrese, nettle, bell pepper, raddichio, daikon, white radish, skirret, tat soi, broccolini, black radish, burdock root, fava bean, broccoli raab, lablab, lupin, sterculia, velvet beans, winged beans, yam beans, mulga, ironweed, umbrella bush, tjuntjula, wakalpulka, witchetty bush, wiry wattle, chia, beech nut, candlenut, colocynth, mamoncillo, Maya nut, mongongo, ogbono nut, paradise nut, and cempedak. 
     
     
         79 . A plant seed of  claim 77 , wherein the dicotyledon is from a family selected from the group consisting of Acanthaceae (acanthus), Aceraceae (maple), Achariaceae, Achatocarpaceae (achatocarpus), Actinidiaceae (Chinese gooseberry), Adoxaceae (moschatel), Aextoxicaceae, Aizoaceae (fig marigold), Akaniaceae, Alangiaceae, Alseuosmiaceae, Alzateaceae, Amaranthaceae (amaranth), Amborellaceae, Anacardiaceae (sumac), Ancistrocladaceae, Anisophylleaceae, Annonaceae (custard apple), Apiaceae (carrot), Apocynaceae (dogbane), Aquifoliaceae (holly), Araliaceae ( ginseng ), Aristolochiaceae (birthwort), Asclepiadaceae (milkweed), Asteraceae (aster), Austrobaileyaceae, Balanopaceae, Balanophoraceae (balanophora), Balsaminaceae (touch-me-not), Barbeyaceae, Barclayaceae, Basellaceae (basella), Bataceae (saltwort), Begoniaceae ( begonia ), Berberidaceae (barberry), Betulaceae (birch), Bignoniaceae (trumpet creeper), Bixaceae (lipstick tree), Bombacaceae (kapok tree), Boraginaceae (borage), Brassicaceae (mustard, also Cruciferae), Bretschneideraceae, Brunelliaceae (brunellia), Bruniaceae, Brunoniaceae, Buddlej aceae (butterfly bush), Burseraceae (frankincense), Buxaceae (boxwood), Byblidaceae, Cabombaceae (water shield), Cactaceae (cactus), Caesalpiniaceae, Callitrichaceae (water starwort), Calycanthaceae (strawberry shrub), Calyceraceae (calycera), Campanulaceae (bellflower), Canellaceae (canella), Cannabaceae (hemp), Capparaceae (caper), Caprifoliaceae (honeysuckle), Cardiopteridaceae, Caricaceae ( papaya ), Caryocaraceae (souari), Caryophyllaceae (pink), Casuarinaceae (she-oak), Cecropiaceae (cecropia), Celastraceae (bittersweet), Cephalotaceae, Ceratophyllaceae (hornwort), Cercidiphyllaceae (katsura tree), Chenopodiaceae (goosefoot), Chloranthaceae (chloranthus), Chrysobalanaceae (cocoa plum), Circaeasteraceae, Cistaceae (rockrose), Clethraceae (clethra), Clusiaceae (mangosteen, also Guttiferae), Cneoraceae, Columelliaceae, Combretaceae (Indian almond), Compositae (aster), Connaraceae (cannarus), Convolvulaceae (morning glory), Coriariaceae, Cornaceae (dogwood), Corynocarpaceae (karaka), Crassulaceae (stonecrop), Crossosomataceae (crossosoma), Crypteroniaceae, Cucurbitaceae (cucumber), Cunoniaceae (cunonia), Cuscutaceae (dodder), Cyrillaceae (cyrilla), Daphniphyllaceae, Datiscaceae (datisca), Davidsoniaceae, Degeneriaceae, Dialypetalanthaceae, Diapensiaceae (diapensia), Dichapetalaceae, Didiereaceae, Didymelaceae, Dilleniaceae (dillenia), Dioncophyllaceae, Dipentodontaceae, Dipsacaceae (teasel), Dipterocarpaceae (meranti), Donatiaceae, Droseraceae (sundew), Duckeodendraceae, Ebenaceae (ebony), Elaeagnaceae ( oleaster ), Elaeocarpaceae (elaeocarpus), Elatinaceae (waterwort), Empetraceae (crowberry), Epacridaceae (epacris), Eremolepidaceae (catkin-mistletoe), Ericaceae (heath), Erythroxylaceae (coca), Eucommiaceae, Eucryphiaceae, Euphorbiaceae (spurge), Eupomatiaceae, Eupteleaceae, Fabaceae (pea or legume), Fagaceae (beech), Flacourtiaceae (flacourtia), Fouquieriaceae (ocotillo), Frankeniaceae (frankenia), Fumariaceae (fumitory), Garryaceae (silk tassel), Geissolomataceae, Gentianaceae (gentian), Geraniaceae (geranium), Gesneriaceae (gesneriad), Globulariaceae, Gomortegaceae, Goodeniaceae (goodenia), Greyiaceae, Grossulariaceae (currant), Grubbiaceae, Gunneraceae (gunnera), Gyrostemonaceae, Haloragaceae (water milfoil), Hamamelidaceae (witch hazel), Hernandiaceae (hernandia), Himantandraceae, Hippocastanaceae (horse chestnut), Hippocrateaceae (hippocratea), Hippuridaceae (mare's tail), Hoplestigmataceae, Huaceae, Hugoniaceae, Humiriaceae, Hydnoraceae, Hydrangeaceae ( hydrangea ), Hydrophyllaceae (waterleaf), Hydrostachyaceae, Icacinaceae (icacina), Idiospermaceae, Illiciaceae (star anise), Ixonanthaceae, Juglandaceae (walnut), Julianiaceae, Krameriaceae (krameria), Lacistemataceae, Lamiaceae (mint, also Labiatae), Lardizabalaceae (lardizabala), Lauraceae (laurel), Lecythidaceae (brazil nut), Leeaceae, Leitneriaceae (corkwood), Lennoaceae (lennoa), Lentibulariaceae (bladderwort), Limnanthaceae (meadow foam), Linaceae (flax), Lissocarpaceae, Loasaceae (loasa), Loganiaceae (logania), Loranthaceae (showy mistletoe), Lythraceae (loosestrife), Magnoliaceae ( magnolia ), Malesherbiaceae, Malpighiaceae (barbados cherry), Malvaceae (mallow), Marcgraviaceae (shingle plant), Medusagynaceae, Medusandraceae, Melastomataceae (melastome), Meliaceae (mahogany), Melianthaceae, Mendonciaceae, Menispermaceae (moonseed), Menyanthaceae (buckbean), Mimosaceae, Misodendraceae, Mitrastemonaceae, Molluginaceae (carpetweed), Monimiaceae (monimia), Monotropaceae (Indian pipe), Moraceae (mulberry), Moringaceae (horseradish tree), Myoporaceae ( myoporum ), Myricaceae (bayberry), Myristicaceae (nutmeg), Myrothamnaceae, Myrsinaceae (myrsine), Myrtaceae (myrtle), Nelumbonaceae (lotus lily), Nepenthaceae (East Indian pitcherplant), Neuradaceae, Nolanaceae, Nothofagaceae, Nyctaginaceae (four-o'clock), Nymphaeaceae (water lily), Nyssaceae (sour gum), Ochnaceae (ochna), Olacaceae (olax), Oleaceae (olive), Oliniaceae, Onagraceae (evening primrose), Oncothecaceae, Opiliaceae, Orobanchaceae (broom rape), Oxalidaceae (wood sorrel), Paeoniaceae (peony), Pandaceae, Papaveraceae (poppy), Papilionaceae, Paracryphiaceae, Passifloraceae (passionflower), Pedaliaceae (sesame), Pellicieraceae, Penaeaceae, Pentaphragmataceae, Pentaphylacaceae, Peridiscaceae, Physenaceae, Phytolaccaceae (pokeweed), Piperaceae (pepper), Pittosporaceae ( pittosporum ), Plantaginaceae (plantain), Platanaceae (plane tree), Plumbaginaceae (leadwort), Podostemaceae (river weed), Polemoniaceae ( phlox ), Polygalaceae (milkwort), Polygonaceae (buckwheat), Portulacaceae (purslane), Primulaceae (primrose), Proteaceae (protea), Punicaceae (pomegranate), Pyrolaceae (shinleaf), Quiinaceae, Rafflesiaceae (rafflesia), Ranunculaceae (buttercup orranunculus), Resedaceae (mignonette), Retziaceae, Rhabdodendraceae, Rhamnaceae (buckthorn), Rhizophoraceae (red mangrove), Rhoipteleaceae, Rhynchocalycaceae, Rosaceae (rose), Rubiaceae (madder), Rutaceae (rue), Sabiaceae (sabia), Saccifoliaceae, Salicaceae (willow), Salvadoraceae, Santalaceae (sandalwood), Sapindaceae (soapberry), Sapotaceae (sapodilla), Sarcolaenaceae, Sargentodoxaceae, Sarraceniaceae (pitcher plant), Saururaceae (lizard's tail), Saxifragaceae (saxifrage), Schisandraceae (schisandra), Scrophulariaceae (figwort), Scyphostegiaceae, Scytopetalaceae, Simaroubaceae (quassia), Simmondsiaceae (jojoba), Solanaceae (potato), Sonneratiaceae (sonneratia), Sphaerosepalaceae, Sphenocleaceae (spenoclea), Stackhousiaceae (stackhousia), Stachyuraceae, Staphyleaceae (bladdernut), Sterculiaceae (cacao), Stylidiaceae, Styracaceae (storax), Surianaceae (suriana), Symplocaceae (sweetleaf), Tamaricaceae ( tamarix ), Tepuianthaceae, Tetracentraceae, Tetrameristaceae, Theaceae (tea), Theligonaceae, Theophrastaceae (theophrasta), Thymelaeaceae (mezereum), Ticodendraceae, Tiliaceae (linden), Tovariaceae, Trapaceae (water chestnut), Tremandraceae, Trigoniaceae, Trimeniaceae, Trochodendraceae, Tropaeolaceae (nasturtium), Turneraceae (turnera), Ulmaceae (elm), Urticaceae (nettle), Valerianaceae (valerian), Verbenaceae ( verbena ), Violaceae (violet), Viscaceae (Christmas mistletoe), Vitaceae (grape), Vochysiaceae, Winteraceae (wintera), Xanthophyllaceae, and Zygophyllaceae (creosote bush). 
     
     
         80 . A plant seed of  claim 76 , wherein the seed is a monocotyledon seed. 
     
     
         81 . A plant seed of  claim 80 , wherein the monocotyledon is selected from the group consisting of corn, wheat, oat, rice, barley, millet, banana, onion, garlic, asparagus, ryegrass, millet, fonio, raishan, nipa grass, turmeric, saffron, galangal, chive, cardamom, date palm, pineapple, shallot, leek, scallion, water chestnut, ramp, Job's tears, bamboo, ragi, spotless watermeal, arrowleaf elephant ear, Tahitian spinach, abaca,  areca , bajra,  betel  nut, broom millet, broom sorghum, citronella, coconut, cocoyam, maize, dasheen, durra, durum wheat, edo, Pique, formio, ginger, orchard grass, esparto grass, Sudan grass, guinea corn, Manila hemp, henequen, hybrid maize, jowar, lemon grass, maguey, bulrush millet, finger millet, foxtail millet, Japanese millet, proso millet, New Zealand flax, oats, oil palm, palm palmyra, sago palm, redtop, sisal, sorghum, spelt wheat, sweet corn, sweet sorghum, taro, teff, timothy grass, triticale, vanilla, wheat, and yam. 
     
     
         82 . A plant seed of  claim 80  wherein the monocotyledon is from a family selected from the group consisting of Acoraceae (calamus), Agavaceae (century plant), Alismataceae (water plantain), Aloeaceae (aloe), Aponogetonaceae (cape pondweed), Araceae ( arum ), Arecaceae (palm), Bromeliaceae (bromeliad), Burmanniaceae (burmannia), Butomaceae (flowering rush), Cannaceae ( canna ), Centrolepidaceae, Commelinaceae (spiderwort), Corsiaceae, Costaceae (costus), Cyanastraceae, Cyclanthaceae (Panama hat), Cymodoceaceae (manatee grass), Cyperaceae (sedge), Dioscoreaceae (yam), Eriocaulaceae (pipewort), Flagellariaceae, Geosiridaceae, Haemodoraceae (bloodwort), Hanguanaceae (hanguana), Heliconiaceae ( heliconia ), Hydatellaceae, Hydrocharitaceae (tape grass), Iridaceae (iris), Joinvilleaceae (joinvillea), Juncaceae (rush), Juncaginaceae (arrow grass), Lemnaceae (duckweed), Liliaceae (lily), Limnocharitaceae (water poppy), Lowiaceae, Marantaceae (prayer plant), Mayacaceae (mayaca), Musaceae (banana), Najadaceae (water nymph), Orchidaceae (orchid), Pandanaceae (screw pine), Petrosaviaceae, Philydraceae (philydraceae), Poaceae (grass), Pontederiaceae (water hyacinth), Posidoniaceae (posidonia), Potamogetonaceae (pondweed), Rapateaceae, Restionaceae, Ruppiaceae (ditch grass), Scheuchzeriaceae (scheuchzeria), Smilacaceae (catbrier), Sparganiaceae (bur reed), Stemonaceae (stemona), Strelitziaceae, Taccaceae (tacca), Thurniaceae, Triuridaceae, Typhaceae (cattail), Velloziaceae, Xanthorrhoeaceae, Xyridaceae (yellow-eyed grass), Zannichelliaceae (horned pondweed), Zingiberaceae (ginger), and Zosteraceae (eelgrass). 
     
     
         83 . A plant seed of  claim 76 , wherein the seed is a gymnosperm seed. 
     
     
         84 . A plant seed of  claim 76 , wherein the gymnosperm is from a family selected from the group consisting of Araucariaceae, Boweniaceae, Cephalotaxaceae, Cupressaceae, Cycadaceae, Ephedraceae, Ginkgoaceae, Gnetaceae, Pinaceae, Podocarpaceae, Taxaceae, Taxodiaceae, Welwitschiaceae, and Zamiaceae. 
     
     
         85 . A kit for stimulating plant growth comprising an inoculum of any one of  claims 9 - 45  and instructions for applying the inoculum to plants, plant seeds, or a plant growth medium.