Chlorella compositions and methods of use thereof to enhance plant growth

Abstract

The present invention provides a mixture comprising: a) a first liquid composition comprising a culture of microalgae, the microalgae comprising whole pasteurized Chlorella cells; and b) a second liquid composition comprising a culture of microalgae, the microalgae comprising lysed pasteurized Chlorella cells; wherein a combination of the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition exhibits synergy. Also provided is a method of treating a plant, a plant part, or the locus surrounding the plant to enhance plant growth, the method comprising applying an effective amount of the mixture.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 a) applying an effective amount of a first liquid composition to a locus surrounding a plant, said first liquid composition comprising a culture of microalgae comprising whole pasteurized  Chlorella  cells; and   b) applying an effective amount of a second liquid composition to the locus surrounding the plant, said second liquid composition comprising a culture of microalgae comprising lysed pasteurized  Chlorella  cells,   wherein application of the first liquid composition to the locus surrounding the plant in combination with application of the second liquid composition to the locus surrounding the plant produces synergistic enhancement of at least one characteristic of the plant.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition are applied simultaneously. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition are applied sequentially. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition are applied as a soil drench or in-furrow treatment. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the whole pasteurized  Chlorella  cells and/or the lysed pasteurized  Chlorella  cells are pasteurized at a temperature ranging from 50° C. to 90° C. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the lysed pasteurized  Chlorella  cells are lysed with a bead mill, a shear mill, a pulsed electron field (PEF), high pressure homogenization, an enzyme, a chemical solvent, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first liquid composition and/or the second liquid composition further comprise at least one culture stabilizer. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one culture stabilizer comprises one or more of potassium sorbate, phosphoric acid, ascorbic acid, sodium benzoate, and citric acid. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one culture stabilizer is a pH stabilizer. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one culture stabilizer prevents growth of contaminants. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one characteristic comprises one or more of: accelerated seed germination, accelerated seedling emergence, improved seedling emergence, improved leaf formation, accelerated leaf formation, improved plant maturation, accelerated plant maturation, increased plant yield, increased plant growth, increased plant quality, increased plant health, increased fruit yield, increased fruit sweetness, increased fruit growth, and increased fruit quality 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one characteristic comprises one or more of: shoot growth, root growth, marketable yield, and chlorophyll content.