Complex of mutualistic microbes designed to increase plant productivity

Abstract

The present disclosure provides agricultural compositions and methods of using these compositions to increase plant growth, pathogen resistance and drought tolerance. The agricultural compositions disclosed herein comprise mixtures of mutualistic beneficial fungi such as Laccaria bicolor and Piriformispora indica, and bacterial strains of Pseudomonas.

1 .- 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A composition comprising a Piriformispora  indica  strain and a  Pseudomonas fluorescens  strain. 
     
     
         25 . The composition of  claim 24 , wherein said  Pseudomonas fluorescens  strain is the strain designated as GM41 (ATCC PTA-122788). 
     
     
         26 . The composition of  claim 25 , wherein said Piriformispora  indica  strain is present in the composition at about 100 cell per gram and said  Pseudomonas  is present in the composition at a concentration between 1×10 2  CFU/mL and 1.6×10 6  CFU/mL. 
     
     
         27 . The composition of  claim 26 , wherein said composition is a liquid formulation and further comprises components suitable for plant growth. 
     
     
         28 . The composition of  claim 26 , wherein said composition is a solid formulation and further comprises components suitable for plant growth. 
     
     
         29 . The composition of  claim 28 , further comprising a binding agent selected from the group consisting of pullulan, paraffin, pitch and calcium nitrate. 
     
     
         30 .- 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A method of promoting plant pathogen resistance comprising treating plants with the composition of  claim 24 . 
     
     
         33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein said  Pseudomonas fluorescens  strain is the strain designated as GM41 (ATCC PTA-122788). 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein said Piriformispora  indica  strain is present in the composition at about 100 cell per gram and said  Pseudomonas  is present in the composition at a concentration between 1×10 2  CFU/mL and 1.6×10 6  CFU/mL. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said composition is a liquid formulation and further comprises components suitable for plant growth. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said composition is a solid formulation and further comprises components suitable for plant growth. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising a binding agent selected from the group consisting of pullulan, paraffin, pitch and calcium nitrate.