Plant-endophyte combinations and uses therefor

Abstract

The disclosure provides materials and methods for conferring improved plant traits or benefits on plants. The materials can include a formulation comprising an exogenous endophytic bacterial population, which can be disposed on an exterior surface of a seed or seedling, typically in an amount effective to colonize the plant. The formulations can include at least one member selected from the group consisting of an agriculturally compatible carrier, a tackifier, a microbial stabilizer, a fungicide, an antibacterial agent, an herbicide, a nematicide, an insecticide, a plant growth regulator, a rodenticide, and a nutrient.

1 . A seed or seedling of an agricultural plant having disposed on an exterior surface of the seed or seedling a formulation comprising an exogenous endophytic bacterial population consisting essentially of an endophytic bacterium comprising a 16S rRNA nucleic acid sequence at least 95% identical to a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1-10, wherein the exogenous endophytic bacterial population is disposed on an exterior surface of the seed or seedling in an amount effective to colonize the plant, the formulation further comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of an agriculturally compatible carrier, a tackifier, a microbial stabilizer, a fungicide, an antibacterial agent, an herbicide, a nematicide, an insecticide, a plant growth regulator, a rodenticide, and a nutrient. 
     
     
         2 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method for preparing a seed comprising an endophytic bacterial population, said method comprising applying to an exterior surface of a seed a formulation comprising an exogenous endophytic bacterial population consisting essentially of a  Bacillus  sp. endophytic bacterium comprising a 16S rRNA nucleic acid sequence consisting of comprising SEQ ID NO: 7. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the formulation further comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of an agriculturally compatible carrier, a tackifier, a microbial stabilizer, a fungicide, an antibacterial agent, an herbicide, a nematicide, an insecticide, a plant growth regulator, a rodenticide, and a nutrient. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the endophytic bacterial population is applied in an amount effective to be detectable within a target tissue of a mature agricultural plant grown from the seed comprising the endophytic bacterial population, the target tissue selected from a fruit, a seed, a leaf, a stem, a shoot, a flower, or a root, or portion thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the endophytic bacterial population is applied in an amount effective to be detectable in an amount of at least about 100 CFU of the endophytic bacterial population per gram fresh weight of the target tissue. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the seed is a monocot seed. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the monocot seed is a corn seed. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the endophytic bacterial population is applied in an amount effective to increase water use efficiency of a plant grown from the seed comprising the endophytic bacterial population by at least 5% when compared with a plant grown from an un-inoculated seed under the same conditions. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the endophytic bacterial population is applied in an amount effective to increase photosynthetic rates of a plant grown from the seed comprising the endophytic bacterial population by at least 8% when compared with a plant grown from an un-inoculated seed under the same conditions. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the endophytic bacterial population is applied in an amount effective to increase the biomass of a plant, or plant part, grown from the seed comprising the endophytic bacterial population under abiotic-stress free conditions by at least 5% when compared with a plant grown from an un-inoculated seed under the same conditions. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the endophytic bacterial population is applied in an amount effective to increase fruit or grain biomass or yield of a plant grown from the seed comprising the endophytic bacterial population by at least 5% when compared with a plant grown from an un-inoculated seed under the same conditions. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the endophytic bacterial population is applied in an amount effective to increase the rate of seed germination of the seed comprising the endophytic bacterial population by at least 5% when compared with an un-inoculated seed under the same conditions. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the endophytic bacterial population is applied in an amount effective to increase plant height of a plant grown from the seed comprising the endophytic bacterial population by at least 5% when compared with a plant grown from an un-inoculated seed under the same conditions. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  16 , wherein the seed is a corn seed, the formulation comprises at least about 1,000 CFU of the endophytic bacterium applied on the exterior surface of the seed, and the formulation comprises a microbial stabilizer. 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A method for conferring one or more fitness benefits to an agricultural plant comprising:
 a. Providing a seed;   b. Contacting said seed with a formulation comprising an exogenous endophytic bacterial population consisting essentially of a  Bacillus  sp. endophytic bacterium comprising a 16S rRNA nucleic acid sequence consisting of comprising SEQ ID NO: 7, wherein the exogenous endophytic bacterial population is disposed on an exterior surface of the seed in an amount effective to colonize a plant grown from the contacted seed, wherein the formulation further comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of an agriculturally compatible carrier, a tackifier, a microbial stabilizer, a fungicide, an antibacterial agent, an herbicide, a nematicide, an insecticide, a plant growth regulator, a rodenticide, and a nutrient; and   c. Allowing the seed to grow under conditions that permit the endophytic bacterium to colonize the plant.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the one or more of the fitness benefits are selected from the group consisting of increased germination, increased biomass, increased flowering time, increased plant biomass, increased fruit or grain yield, increased biomass of the fruit or cob, and increased drought tolerance. 
     
     
         33 .- 83 . (canceled)