Compositions and related methods for agriculture

Abstract

Provided herein are agents, compositions, and methods for agricultural use, e.g., for altering the level, activity, or metabolism of one or more microorganisms resident in a host nematode or arthropod (e.g., honeybee or silkworm), the alteration resulting in an increase in the fitness of the host. The invention features a composition that includes an agent (e.g., phage, peptide, small molecule, antibiotic, or combinations thereof) that can alter the host's microbiota in a manner that is beneficial to the host. By promoting favorable microbial levels, microbial activity, microbial metabolism, and/or microbial diversity, the agents described herein may be used to increase the fitness of a variety of beneficial nematodes or arthropods, such as bees and silkworms, utilized in agriculture and commerce.

1 . A method for increasing fitness of an insect, the method comprising: administering to the insect a composition comprising an effective amount of amino-acid-producing bacteria formulated with an insect comestible carrier. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the administration comprises delivering the composition to at least one habitat where the insect grows, lives, reproduces, or feeds. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a liquid, a solid, an aerosol, a paste, a gel, or a gas. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the amino acid is glutamate or methionine. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is a seed coating. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A composition comprising an effective amount of amino-acid-producing bacteria formulated with an insect comestible carrier as a liquid, a solid, an aerosol, a paste, a gel, or a gas. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein the amino-acid-producing bacteria produce glutamate or methionine. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein the carrier is a seed coating. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein the amino-acid-producing bacteria are at a concentration of at least 100,000 cells/ml. 
     
     
         11 . A method for increasing the developmental rate of an insect, the method comprising: administering to the insect a composition comprising an amino-acid-producing bacteria formulated in an insect comestible carrier. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the developmental rate of the insect is increased relative to an insect to which the composition has not been administered. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the amino-acid-producing bacteria was identified or selected, and wherein the bacteria secretes an amino acid at a concentration of at least 0.1 mg/ml in a culture. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the bacteria is administered at a concentration of at least 150,000 cells/ml. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the amino acid is methionine or glutamate. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the insect is honeybee, silkworm, or  Drosophila melanogaster.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein administering the composition further increases insect biomass of the insect relative to an insect to which the composition has not been administered.