Inoculant composition for plants

Abstract

The invention relates to an inoculant composition for plants, comprising a carrier medium, at least one species of microorganism having a beneficial effect on the plants, and a copolymer of (1) vinyl pyrrolidone and (2) vinyl acetate or styrene or substituted styrene.

We claim: .[.1. A seed having a coating comprising at least one species of microorganism having a beneficial effect on the seed or resulting plant, and a copolymer of (1) vinyl pyrrolidone and (2) vinyl acetate or styrene or a substituted styrene..]. .[.2. An inoculant composition for plants, comprising a carrier medium, at least one species of microorganism having a beneficial effect on the plants, and a copolymer of (1) vinyl pyrrolidone and (2) vinyl acetate or styrene or a substituted styrene..]. .[.3. The composition of claim 2, wherein the plants are legume crops and said microorganism is Rhizobium bacteria..]. .[.4. The composition of claim 2, wherein said carrier medium is peat..]. .[.5. The composition of claim 3, wherein said carrier medium is peat..]. .[.6. The composition of claim 2, wherein said copolymer is a copolymer of viyl pyrrolidone and vinyl acetate in respective proportions by weight of from 50:50 to 70:30..]. .[.7. The composition of claim 3, wherein said copolymer is a copolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone and vinyl acetate in respective proportions by weight of from 50:50 to 70:30..]. .[.8. The composition of claim 4, wherein said copolymer is a coplymer of vinyl pyrrolidone and vinyl acetate in respective proportions by weight of from 50:50 to 70:30..]. .[.9. The composition of claim 5, wherein said copolymer is a copolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone and vinyl acetate in respective proportions by weight of 
     
        from 50:50 to 70:30..]. .Iadd.10.  A seed having a coating consisting essentially of at least one species of microorganism selected from the group consisting of bacteria of the genera Rhizobium, Bacillus, Azotobacter, Arthrobacter, Pseudomons, Azospirillium, Cyanobacteria, and mycorrhizal fungi having a beneficial effect in the seed or resulting plant, and a copolymer selected from the group consisting of (1) a copolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone and vinyl acetate in respective proportions by weight of from 50:50 to 70:30, (2) a copolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone and styrene, and (3) a copolymer of vinyl pyrroldione and a substituted 
     
     
        styrene. .Iaddend. .Iadd.11.  The seed of claim 10, wherein said seed is the seed of a legume crop plant and said microorganism is a Rhizobium bacteria. .Iaddend. .Iadd.12. The seed of claim 10, wherein said copolymer is a copolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone and vinyl acetate in respective proportions by weight of 50:50 to 70:30. .Iaddend. .Iadd.13. The seed of claim 10, wherein said copolymer is a copolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone and styrene. .Iaddend. .Iadd.14. The seed of claim 10, wherein said copolymer is a copolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone and a substituted styrene. .Iaddend. .Iadd.15. An inoculant composition for plants, consisting essentially of a carrier medium, at least one species of microorganism selected from the group consisting of bacteria of the genera Rhizobium, Bacillus, Azotobacter, Arthrobacter, Pseudomonas, Azospirillum, Cyanobacteria, and mycorrhizal fungi having a beneficial effect on the plants, and a copolymer selected from the group consisting of (1) a copolymer of vinyl pyrroldione and vinyl acetate in respective proportions by weight of from 50:50 to 0:30, (2) a copolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone and styrene, and (3) a copolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone and a substituted styrene. .Iaddend. .Iadd.16. The composition of claim 15, wherein said plants are legume plants and said microorganism is a Rhizobium bacteria. .Iaddend. .Iadd.17. The composition of claim 15, wherein said carrier medium is peat. .Iaddend. .Iadd.18. The composition of claim 16, wherein said carrier medium is peat. .Iaddend. .Iadd.19. The composition of claim 15, wherein said copolymer is a copolymer of vinyl pyrroldione and vinyl acetate in respective proportions by weight of from 50:50 to 70:30. .Iaddend. .Iadd.20. The composition of claim 16, wherein said copolymer is a copolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone and vinyl acetate in respective proportions by weight of from 50:50 to 70:30. .Iaddend. .Iadd.21. The composition of claim 15, wherein said copolymer is a copolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone and styrene. .Iaddend. .Iadd.22. The composition of claim 16, wherein said copolymer is a copolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone and styrene. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23. The composition of claim 15, wherein said copolymer is a copolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone and a substituted styrene. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24. The composition of claim 16, wherein said copolymer is a copolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone and a substituted styrene. .Iaddend.