Genetically modified seed combined with spore forming bacterium and optional insect control agents and methods for treating plants

Abstract

Products are provided that improve overall plant vigor and yield by combining agriculturally effective amounts of at least one spore-forming bacterium and at least one optional insect control agent to a genetically modified plant, plant part, or seed. This product is particularly effective in the presence of plant parasitic nematode and fungal species. Use of the product leads to an overall reduction in crop losses caused by either plant parasitic nematodes or fungi and this reduction is much greater than using genetically modified seed with just an insect control agent. According to some embodiments, the use of the product results in about a 2%-10% increase in soybean bushel yield, 3%-6.5% increase in cotton yield, and 3%-8% in corn bushel yield. Methods for utilizing and manufacturing the combination are also provided.

1 . A product comprising: at least one spore-forming bacterium; optionally, at least one insect control agent; and at least one genetically modified seed, plant, or plant part. 
     
     
         2 . The product of  claim 1 , wherein said product further comprises at least one insect control agent and at least one genetically modified seed or plant. 
     
     
         3 . The product of  claim 2 , wherein the insect control agent is at least one systemic neonicotinoid insecticide. 
     
     
         4 . The product of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one neonicotinoid insecticide is selected from the group consisting of 1-(6-chloro-3-pyridylmethyl)-N-nitroimidazolidin-2-ylideneamine (imidacloprid), 3-(6-chloro-3-pyridylmethyl)-1,3-thiazolidin-2-ylidenecyanamide (thiacloprid), 1-(2-chloro-1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl)-3-methyl-2-nitroguanidine (clothianidin), nitempyran, N.sup.1-[(6-chloro-3-pyridyl)methyl]-N.sup.2-cyano-N.sup.1-methylacetamidine (acetamiprid), 3-(2-chloro-1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl)-5-methyl-1,3,5-oxadiazinan-4-ylidene(nitro)amine (thiamethoxam) and 1-methyl-2-nitro-3-(tetrahydro-3-furylmethyl)guanidine (dinotefuran). 
     
     
         5 . The product of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one spore-forming bacterium exhibits nematicidal activity. 
     
     
         6 . The product of  claim 2 , wherein said genetically modified seed is insect tolerant. 
     
     
         7 . The product of  claim 2 , wherein said genetically modified seed is transformed with a gene from  B. thuringiensis.    
     
     
         8 . The product of  claim 2 , wherein said genetically modified seed is glyphosate tolerant. 
     
     
         9 . The product of  claim 2 , wherein said genetically modified seed is both insect tolerant and glyphosate tolerant. 
     
     
         10 . The product of  claim 2 , wherein said genetically modified seed is selected from the group consisting of: DELTA AND PINE LAND® glyphosate tolerant and insect tolerant cotton seeds; STONEVILLE™ glyphosate tolerant and insect tolerant cotton seeds; FIBERMAX® glyphosate tolerant and insect tolerant cotton seeds; ASGROW® glyphosate tolerant soybean seeds; PIONEER® glyphosate tolerant and insect tolerant corn seeds; NORTHRUP KING™ glyphosate tolerant soybean seeds; and AGRIEDGE™ glyphosate tolerant and insect tolerant corn seeds from Syngenta. 
     
     
         11 . The product of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one spore-forming bacterium is selected from the group consisting of  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus firmus, Bacillus subtillis , and  Bacillus pumulis.    
     
     
         12 . The product of  claim 11 , wherein the  Bacillus firmus  comprises strain CNCM I-1582. 
     
     
         13 . The product of  claim 11 , wherein the  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  comprises strain IN37a. 
     
     
         14 . The product of  claim 11 , wherein the  Bacillus subtilis  comprises strain GB03. 
     
     
         15 . The product of  claim 11 , wherein the  Bacillus pumulis  comprises strain GB34. 
     
     
         16 . The product of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one additional chemical fungicide. 
     
     
         17 . A method of protecting a genetically modified seed, plant, or plant part from nematodes, comprising applying to the seed, plant, or plant part at least one spore-forming bacterium; and, optionally, at least one insect control agent. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said spore-forming bacterium and optional insect control agent are applied simultaneously to said genetically modified seed, plant, or plant part. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said genetically modified seed, plant, or plant part is insect tolerant. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said genetically modified seed, plant, or plant part is glyphosate tolerant. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said genetically modified seed, plant, or plant part is transformed with a gene from  B. thuringiensis.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said at least one spore-forming bacterium is selected from the group consisting of  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus firmus, Bacillus subtillis , and  Bacillus pumulis.    
     
     
         23 . A method of protecting a genetically modified seed, plant, or plant part from nematodes comprising providing at least one composition comprising 0.0001 to 20% by weight of at least one spore-forming bacterium and 0.001 to 20% by weight of at least one insect control agent; and applying the composition to the seed, plant, or plant part. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the composition is applied by a method selected from the group consisting of: drip irrigation, sprinklers, foliar spray, seed coating, soil injection or soil drenching. 
     
     
         25 . A composition for protecting a genetically modified seed, plant, or plant part from nematodes comprising: (i) at least one spore-forming bacterium in an amount of from about 2% by weight to 80% by weight; (ii) at least one insect control agent in an amount of from about 1% by weight to about 80% by weight; and (iii) a solvent. 
     
     
         26 . The composition of  claim 29 , wherein said spore-forming bacterium is selected from the group consisting of:  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus firmus, Bacillus subtillis , and  Bacillus pumulis.    
     
     
         27 . A method of manufacturing a genetically modified seed treated with at least one spore-forming bacteria and an optional insect control agent comprising: (i) applying said spore-forming bacteria and optional insect control agent to said genetically modified seed; and (ii) mixing said genetically modified seed to achieve a substantially uniform treatment. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein a continuous coating machine is used to apply said spore-forming bacteria and optional insect control agent. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein a computer system monitors the flow of genetically modified seed into the continuous coating machine. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein a batch coating process is used to apply said spore-forming bacteria and optional insect control agent. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said batch coating process comprises: (i) weighing a set amount of genetically modified seed; (ii) placing the seed into a closed treating chamber; (iii) adding the spore-forming bacteria and optional insect control agent into the treating chamber; and (iv) mixing said genetically modified seed, spore-forming bacteria, and optional insect control agent.