Inoculants and methods for use thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods for enhancing at least one growth parameter of a leguminous plant via co-inoculation of a leguminous plant with at least one rhizobial microorganism together with at least one actinobacterial microorganism. In further aspects, the present invention also relates to leguminous plants co-inoculated with at least one rhizobial microorganism together with at least one actinobacterial microorganism, as well as specific actinobacterial strains and inoculant compositions which are useful in accordance with the present invention.

1 - 62 . (canceled) 
     
     
         63 . A method for enhancing at least one growth parameter of a leguminous plant, the method comprising co-inoculating a progenitor reproductive material of the leguminous plant with:
 a rhizobial microorganism; and   a  Streptomyces  microorganism, wherein the  Streptomyces  microorganism comprises a 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 97% identical to SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO:7, or SEQ ID NO: 9;   wherein the leguminous plant, grown from the co-inoculated progenitor reproductive material, exhibits at least one enhanced growth parameter relative to a leguminous plant of the same taxon that has not been co-inoculated;   wherein the progenitor reproductive material is coated with a first formulation comprising at least about 200 individual cells of the  Streptomyces  microorganism.   
     
     
         64 . The method of claim  1 , wherein the rhizobial microorganism is a  Rhizobium  sp. 
     
     
         65 . The method of claim  1 , wherein the first formulation comprises an additive. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the additive is xanthan gum, and wherein the amount of xanthan gum in the first formulation is 0.3% w/v. 
     
     
         67 . The method of claim  1 , wherein the co-inoculating comprises co-inoculating the seed with a second formulation comprising the rhizobial microorganism. 
     
     
         68 . The method of claim  1 , wherein the rhizobial microorganism is a  Sinorhizobium  sp. 
     
     
         69 . The method of claim  1 , wherein the rhizobial microorganism is a  Bradyrhizobium  sp. 
     
     
         70 . The method of claim  1 , wherein 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence is 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 3. 
     
     
         71 . The method of claim  1 , wherein 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence is 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 3. 
     
     
         72 . The method of claim  1 , wherein 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence is 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 7. 
     
     
         73 . The method of claim  1 , wherein 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence is 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 7. 
     
     
         74 . The method of claim  1 , wherein the 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence is at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 9. 
     
     
         75 . The method of claim  1 , wherein the 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence is 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 9. 
     
     
         76 . The method of claim  1 , wherein the at least one enhanced growth parameter comprises increased production of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). 
     
     
         77 . The method of claim  1 , wherein the at least one enhanced growth parameter comprises increased nitrogen production. 
     
     
         78 . The method of claim  1 , wherein the leguminous seed is a seed of a leguminous plant selected from the group consisting of:  Medicago  sp.,  Trifolium  sp.,  Pisum  sp., Glycine sp., and lucerne. 
     
     
         79 . The method of claim  1 , wherein the leguminous plant of the same taxon that has not been co-inoculated has been treated with the rhizobial microorganism without the  Streptomyces  microorganism. 
     
     
         80 . The method of claim  1 , wherein the leguminous plant of the same taxon that has not been co-inoculated has not been treated with the rhizobial microorganism nor the  Streptomyces  microorganism. 
     
     
         81 . A leguminous plant reproductive material, co-inoculated with at least one rhizobial microorganism and at least one  Streptomyces  microorganism, wherein the leguminous plant reproductive material is a seed coated with a first formulation comprising at least about 200 individual cells of the  Streptomyces  microorganism, and wherein the  Streptomyces  microorganism comprises a 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 97% identical to one or more of: SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 7, or SEQ ID NO: 9. 
     
     
         82 . A method comprising:
 co-inoculating a leguminous seed with:
 a. at least one rhizobial microorganism; and 
 b. at least one  Streptomyces  microorganism comprising a 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 97% identical to one or more of: SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO:7, or SEQ ID NO: 9; 
   wherein the co-inoculation comprises coating the leguminous seed with a first formulation comprising at least about 200 individual cells of the  Streptomyces  microorganism.