Stable inoculant compositions and methods for producing them

Abstract

This disclosure provides stable inoculum compositions and methods for improving the survival and / or stability of microorganisms in an inoculum composition. In some embodiments, the microorganisms in an inoculum composition are stabilized by the presence of one or more maltodextrins with a dextrose equivalent value of approximately 15 to approximately 20.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for enhancing the stability and survival of strains of Bradyrhizobium in inoculant compositions.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Inoculant compositions comprising agriculturally beneficial microorganisms are well known in the art. See, e.g., U.S Patent Nos. 5,484,464; 5,586,411; 5,695,541; 5,804,208; 5,916,029; 6,569,425; 6,808,917; 6,824,772; 7,429,477; 8,148,138; 8,278,247; 8,445,256; 8,883,679; 8,921,089; 8,999,698; 9,017,442; 9,101,088; 9,234,251; 9,340,464.

[0003] Because the effectiveness of such inoculant compositions generally depends on the ability of the microorganisms therein to survive and propagate following application, much effort has been made to increase the stability of agriculturally beneficial microorganisms in inoculant compositions. See, e.g., U.S. Patent Nos. 8,011,132 (describing a method of adding trehalose, sucrose or glycerol to the substantially stationary phase of fermentation) and 9,090,884 (describing the microencapsulation of microorganisms in a water-soluble encapsulating material J.G. Streeter, in the Journal of Applied Microbiology 2003, volume 95, no. 3, pages 484-491, found that trehalose, and to a much less extent sucrose, improves the survivability of Bradyrhizobium japonicum during desiccation, whereas maltose was found not to provide this effect.

[0004] Nevertheless, there remains a need for improved compositions and methods for enhancing the stability and survival of microorganisms in inoculant compositions.SUMMARY OF THE CLAIMED INVENTION

[0005] The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for enhancing the survival and / or stability of microorganisms in inoculant compositions.

[0006] A first aspect of the present disclosure is an inoculant composition comprising one or more maltodextrins having a dextrose equivalent value of 15 to 20, maltose and one or more strains of Bradyrhizobium; said one or more maltodextrins and said maltose comprising 5 to 95% of said inoculant composition (w / w, based upon the total weight of said inoculant composition). In some embodiments, the inoculant composition further comprises one or more monosaccharides, one or more oligosaccharides, one or more pesticides, one or more lipo-chitooligosaccharides, one or more chitooligosaccharides, one or more chitinous compounds, one or more flavonoids, one or more oxidation control components, one or more surfactants and / or one or more drying agents.

[0007] A second aspect of the present disclosure is a kit comprising an inoculant composition of the present disclosure and a container housing the inoculant composition.

[0008] A third aspect of the present disclosure is a coated plant propagation material comprising a plant propagation material and a coating that covers at least a portion of an outer surface of the plant propagation material, said coating comprising an inoculant composition of the present disclosure.

[0009] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is a kit comprising a coated plant propagation material of the present disclosure and a container housing the coated plant propagation material.

[0010] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a method that comprises applying an inoculant composition of the present disclosure to a plant propagation material.

[0011] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a method that comprises, consists essentially of or consisting of planting a coated plant propagation material of the present disclosure.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figures 1-3 are graphs showing the survivability of desiccated Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50626 on soybean seeds stored at room temperature and less than 20%, 35-40% or 70-75% relative humidity, respectively. Diamonds = soybeans coated with 300 µl Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50626 suspension. Triangles = soybeans coated with 300 µl Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50626 suspension; 300 µl deionized water containing maltose monohydrate (30% w / w). Squares = soybeans coated with 300 µl Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50626 suspension containing maltose monohydrate (30% w / w); 300 µl deionized water containing maltose monohydrate (30% w / w). Figures 4-6 are graphs showing the survivability of desiccated Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 on soybean seeds stored at 30°C and 11%, 32% or 54% relative humidity, respectively. Open circles = seeds coated with 300 µl Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension. Solid squares = seeds coated with 300 µl Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing maltose monohydrate (30% w / w); 400 µl deionized water containing maltose monohydrate (50% w / w). Open triangles = seeds coated with seeds coated with 300 µl Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing maltose monohydrate (30% w / w); 400 µl deionized water containing maltose monohydrate (30% w / w). Solid circles = seeds coated with seeds coated with 400 µl Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing maltose monohydrate (30% w / w); 300 µl deionized water containing maltose monohydrate (30% w / w). Striped squares = seeds coated with 200 µl deionized water containing maltose monohydrate (30% w / w); 300 µl Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing maltose monohydrate (30% w / w); 200 µl deionized water containing maltose monohydrate (30% w / w). Striped circles = seeds coated with 200 µl deionized water containing maltose monohydrate (30% w / w); 300 µl Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing maltose monohydrate (30% w / w); 200 µl deionized water containing 50% maltose monohydrate (50% w / w). Figures 7-9 are graphs showing the survivability of desiccated Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 on soybean seeds stored at 30°C and 11%, 32% or 54% relative humidity, respectively. Circles = seeds coated with 300 µl Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension. Squares = seeds coated with 400 µl Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing maltose monohydrate (30% w / w); 300 µl deionized water containing maltose monohydrate (30% w / w). Triangles = seeds coated with seeds coated with 400 µl Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing maltose monohydrate (30% w / w); 400 µl deionized water containing trehalose dehydrate (30% w / w). Figures 10-13 are figures showing the survivability of desiccated Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 on soybean seeds stored at 30°C and 54% or 76% relative humidity. Figures 14-16 are graphs showing the survivability of desiccated Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 on soybean seeds stored at 30°C and 11%, 54% or 76% relative humidity, respectively. Figures 17-19 are graphs showing the survivability of desiccated Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 on soybean seeds stored at 30°C and 11%, 54% or 76% relative humidity, respectively. Figure 20 is a graph showing the survivability of desiccated Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 on soybean seeds stored at 25°C and 65% relative humidity. Figure 21 is a graph showing the survivability of desiccated Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 on soybean seeds stored at room temperature and 65% relative humidity, expressed as percent remaining relative to the initial 4 hour time point. Figure 22 is a graph showing the survivability of desiccated Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 on soybean seeds stored at room temperature at 65% relative humidity, expressed as percent remaining relative to the initial 4 hour time point. Figure 23 is a graph showing the survivability of desiccated Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 on soybean seeds stored at room temperature and 65% relative humidity, expressed as percent remaining relative to the initial 4 hour time point. Figure 24 is a graph showing the survivability of Pseudomonas koreensis O82GYH after fluidized bed drying with calcium carbonate and rehydration with phosphate buffered saline (Reference). Figures 25-26 are graphs showing the survivability of desiccated Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 on soybean seeds stored at room temperature and 65% relative humidity. Figure 27 is a graph showing the survivability of Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50626 after spray drying with and without a maltodextrins-based stabilizer. Figure 28 is a graph showing the survivability of spray-dried Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50626 on soybean seeds stored at 10°C and 50% relative humidity. Figure 29 is a graph showing the survivability of spray-dried Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50626 on untreated (solid circles) and treated (open squares) soybean seeds stored at 10°C and 50% relative humidity. Figure 30 is a graph showing the root modulation of plants grown for 9 days from untreated soybean seeds coated with spray-dried Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50626, ACCELERON ®< -treated soybean seeds coated with spray-dried Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50626 and naked control seeds. Figure 31 is a photograph showing plants grown for 25 days from untreated soybean seeds coated with spray-dried Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50626 (middle), ACCELERON ®< -treated soybean seeds coated with spray-dried Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50626 (right) and naked control seeds (left). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] The present disclosure is explained in greater detail below. This description is not intended to be a detailed catalog of all the different ways in which the invention may be implemented or of all the features that may be added to the instant invention.

[0014] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the specification and relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. For the sake of brevity and / or clarity, well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail.

[0015] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, "a maltodextrin" is to be interpreted as "one or more maltodextrins," "a microorganism" is to be interpreted as "one or more microorganisms," "a lipo-chitooligosaccharide" is to be interpreted as "one or more lipo-chitooligosaccharides," etc.

[0016] As used herein, the term "agriculturally beneficial agent" refers to any agent (e.g., chemical or biological agent) or combination of agents the application of which causes or provides a beneficial and / or useful effect in agriculture including agriculturally beneficial microorganisms, biostimulants, nutrients, pesticides (e.g., acaricides, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, and nematicides) and plant signal molecules.

[0017] As used herein, the term "agriculturally beneficial microorganism" refers to a microorganism having at least one agriculturally beneficial property (e.g., the ability to fix nitrogen, the ability to solubilize phosphate and / or the ability to produce an agriculturally beneficial agent, such as a plant signal molecule).

[0018] As used herein, the term "agriculturally acceptable carrier" refers to a material that can be used to deliver an agriculturally beneficial agent to a plant, plant part or plant growth medium (e.g., soil). As used herein, the term "soil-compatible carrier" refers to a material that can be added to a soil without causing / having an unduly adverse effect on plant growth, soil structure, soil drainage, or the like. As used herein, the term "seed-compatible carrier" refers to a material that can be added to a seed without causing / having an unduly adverse effect on the seed, the plant that grows from the seed, seed germination, or the like. As used herein, the term "foliar-compatible carrier" refers to a material that can be added to a plant or plant part without causing / having an unduly adverse effect on the plant, plant part, plant growth, plant health, or the like.

[0019] As used herein, the term "and / or" is intended to include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items, as well as the lack of combinations when interpreted in the alternative ("or").

[0020] As used herein, the term "aqueous" refers to a composition that contains more than a trace amount of water (i.e., more than 0.5% water by weight, based upon the total weight of the composition).

[0021] As used herein, the term "biostimulant" refers to an agent or combination of agents the application of which enhances one or more metabolic and / or physiological processes of a plant or plant part (e.g., carbohydrate biosynthesis, ion uptake, nucleic acid uptake, nutrient delivery, photosynthesis and / or respiration).

[0022] As used herein, the term "BRADY" is to be interpreted as a shorthand substitute for the phrase "Bradyrhizobium elkanii SEMIA 501, Bradyrhizobium elkanii SEMIA 587, Bradyrhizobium elkanii SEMIA 5019, Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50586 (also deposited as NRRL B-59565), Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50587 (also deposited as NRRL B-59566), Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50588 (also deposited as NRRL B-59567), Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50589 (also deposited as NRRL B-59568), Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50590 (also deposited as NRRL B-59569), Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50591 (also deposited as NRRL B-59570), Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50592 (also deposited as NRRL B-59571), Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50593 (also deposited as NRRL B-59572), Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50594 (also deposited as NRRL B-50493), Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50608, Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50609, Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50610, Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50611, Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50612, Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50726, Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50727, Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50728, Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50729, Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50730, Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 566, Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079, Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5080, Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA 6, Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA 110, Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA 122, Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA 123, Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA 127, Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA 129 and / or Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA 532C."

[0023] As used herein, the term "colony forming unit" refers to a microbial cell / spore capable of propagating on or in a substrate (e.g., a soil) when conditions (e.g., temperature, moisture, nutrient availability, pH, etc.) are favorable for microbial growth.

[0024] As used herein, the terms "comprise," "comprises," "comprising," "include," "includes" and "including" specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof.

[0025] As used herein, the terms "effective amount," "effective concentration," and "effective dosage" (and grammatical variants thereof) refer to an amount, concentration or dosage that is sufficient to cause a desired effect (e.g., enhanced microbial survival). The absolute value of the amount / concentration / dosage that is sufficient to cause the desired effect may be affected by factors such as the type and magnitude of effect desired, the type, size and volume of seeds to which the inoculant compositon will be applied, the type(s) of microorganisms in the composition, the number of microorganisms in the composition, the stability of the microorganisms in the inoculant composition and the storage conditions (e.g., temperature, relative humidity, duration). Those skilled in the art will understand how to select an effective amount / concentration / dosage using routine dose-response experiments.

[0026] As used herein, the term "enhanced dispersion" refers to an improvement in one or more characteristics of microbial dispersion as compared to one or more controls (e.g., a control composition that is identical to an inoculant composition of the present disclosure except that it lacks one or more of the components found in the inoculant composition of the present disclosure). Exemplary microbial dispersion characteristics include the percentage of microbes that exist as single cells / spores when the inoculant composition is diluted in water. An inoculant composition that improves one or more microbial dispersion characteristics of the microorganism(s) contained therein as compared to a control composition (e.g., a control composition that is identical to the inoculant composition except that it lacks one or more of the components found in the inoculant composition) provides enhanced dispersion and can be referred to as a "readily dispersable inoculant composition."

[0027] As used herein, the terms "enhanced growth" and "enhanced plant growth" refer to an improvement in one or more characteristics of plant growth and / or development as compared to one or more control plants (e.g., a plant germinated from an untreated seed or an untreated plant). Exemplary plant growth / development characteristics include biomass, carbohydrate biosynthesis, chlorophyll content, cold tolerance, drought tolerance, height, leaf length, leaf mass, leaf number, leaf surface area, leaf volume, nutrient uptake (e.g., calcium, magnesium, nitrogen, phosphorous and / or potassium uptake), rate(s) of photosynthesis, root area, root diameter, root length, root mass, root nodulation (e.g., nodule mass, nodule number, nodule volume), root number, root surface area, root volume, salt tolerance, seed germination, seedling emergence, shoot diameter, shoot length, shoot mass, shoot number, shoot surface area, shoot volume, spread, stomatal conductance and survival rate. Unless otherwise indicated, references to enhanced plant growth are to be interpreted as meaning that compositions and methods of the present disclosure may be capable of enhancing plant growth by enhancing nutrient availability, improving soil characteristics, etc. and are not to be interpreted as suggesting that compositions and methods of the present disclosure act as plant growth regulators.

[0028] As used herein, the term "enhanced stability" refers to an improvement in one or more characteristics of microbial stability as compared to one or more controls (e.g., a control composition that is identical to an inoculant composition of the present disclosure except that it lacks one or more of the components found in the inoculant composition of the present disclosure). Exemplary microbial stability characteristics include the ability to germinate and / or propagate after being coated on a seed and / or stored for a defined period of time and the ability to cause a desired effect (e.g., enhanced plant yield and / or increased pesticidal activity) after being coated on a seed and / or stored for a defined period of time. A microorganism that exhibits improvement in one or more microbial stability characteristics as compared to a control microorganism when each is subjected to the same conditions (e.g., seed coating and storage conditions) displays enhanced stability and can be referred to as a "stable microorganism." An inoculant composition that improves one or more microbial stability characteristics of the microorganism(s) contained therein as compared to a control composition (e.g., a control composition that is identical to the inoculant composition except that it lacks one or more of the components found in the inoculant composition) provides enhanced stability and can be referred to as a "stable inoculant composition."

[0029] As used herein, the term "enhanced survival" refers to an improvement in the survival rate of one or more microorganisms in an inoculant composition as compared to one or more microorganisms in a control composition (e.g., a control composition that is identical to an inoculant composition of the present disclosure except that it lacks one or more of the components found in the inoculant composition of the present disclosure). An inoculant composition that improves the survival rate of one or more of the microorganisms contained therein as compared to a control composition (e.g., a control composition that is identical to the inoculant composition except that it lacks one or more of the components found in the inoculant composition) provides enhanced survival and can be referred to as a stable inoculant composition.

[0030] As used herein, the terms "enhanced yield" and "enhanced plant yield" refer to an improvement in one or more characteristics of plant yield as compared to one or more control plants (e.g., a control plant germinated from an untreated seed). Exemplary plant yield characteristics include biomass; bushels per acre; grain weight per plot (GWTPP); nutritional content; percentage of plants in a given area (e.g., plot) that fail to produce grain; yield at standard moisture percentage (YSMP), such as grain yield at standard moisture percentage (GYSMP); yield per plot (YPP), such as grain weight per plot (GWTPP); and yield reduction (YRED). Unless otherwise indicated, references to enhanced plant yield are to be interpreted as meaning that compositions and methods of the present disclosure may be capable of enhancing plant yield by enhancing nutrient availability, improving soil characteristics, etc. and are not to be interpreted as suggesting that compositions and methods of the present disclosure act as plant growth regulators. As used herein, the term "foliage" refers to those portions of a plant that normally grow above the ground, including leaves, stalks, stems, flowers, fruiting bodies and fruits.

[0031] As used herein, the terms "foliar application," "foliarly applied" and grammatical variations thereof, refer to the application of one or more active ingredients to the foliage of a plant (e.g., to the leaves of the plant). Application may be effected by any suitable means, including spraying the plant with a composition comprising the active ingredient(s). In some embodiments, the active ingredient(s) is / are applied to the leaves, stems and / or stalk of the plant and not to the flowers, fruiting bodies or fruits of the plant.

[0032] As used herein, the term "glass transition temperature" and its abbreviation "Tg" refer to the midpoint of the temperature range over which a composition transitions from a glassy state to a rubbery state.

[0033] As used herein, the term "glassy state" refers to an amorphous solid.

[0034] As used herein, the terms "inoculant composition" and "inoculum" refer to compositions comprising microbial cells and / or spores, said cells / spores being capable of propagating / germinating on or in a substrate (e.g., a soil) when conditions (e.g., temperature, moisture, nutrient availability, pH, etc.) are favorable for microbial growth.

[0035] As used herein, the term "isomer" includes all stereoisomers of the compounds and / or molecules to which it refers, including enantiomers and diastereomers, as well as all conformers, roatmers and tautomers, unless otherwise indicated. Compounds and / or molecules disclosed herein include all enantiomers in either substantially pure levorotatory or dextrorotatory form, or in a racemic mixture, or in any ratio of enantiomers. Where embodiments disclose a (D)-enantiomer, that embodiment also includes the (L)-enantiomer; where embodiments disclose a (L)-enantiomer, that embodiment also includes the (D)-enantiomer. Where embodiments disclose a (+)-enantiomer, that embodiment also includes the (-)-enantiomer; where embodiments disclose a (-)-enantiomer, that embodiment also includes the (+)-enantiomer. Where embodiments disclose a (S)-enantiomer, that embodiment also includes the (R)-enantiomer; where embodiments disclose a (R)-enantiomer, that embodiment also includes the (S)-enantiomer. Embodiments are intended to include any diastereomers of the compounds and / or molecules referred to herein in diastereomerically pure form and in the form of mixtures in all ratios. Unless stereochemistry is explicitly indicated in a chemical structure or chemical name, the chemical structure or chemical name is intended to embrace all possible stereoisomers, conformers, rotamers and tautomers of compounds and / or molecules depicted.

[0036] As used herein, the term "modified microbial strain" refers to a microbial strain that is modified from a strain isolated from nature. Modified microbial strains may be produced by any suitable method(s), including chemical or other form of induced mutation to a polynucleotide within any genome within the strain; the insertion or deletion of one or more nucleotides within any genome within the strain, or combinations thereof; an inversion of at least one segment of DNA within any genome within the strain; a rearrangement of any genome within the strain; generalized or specific transduction of homozygous or heterozygous polynucleotide segments into any genome within the strain; introduction of one or more phage into any genome of the strain; transformation of any strain resulting in the introduction into the strain of stably replicating autonomous extrachromosomal DNA; any change to any genome or to the total DNA composition within the strain isolated from nature as a result of conjugation with any different microbial strain; and any combination of the foregoing. The term modified microbial strains includes a strain with (a) one of more heterologous nucleotide sequences, (b) one or more non-naturally occurring copies of a nucleotide sequence isolated from nature (i.e., additional copies of a gene that naturally occurs in the microbial strain from which the modified microbial strain was derived), (c) a lack of one or more nucleotide sequences that would otherwise be present in the natural reference strain by for example deleting nucleotide sequence, and (d) added extrachromosomal DNA. In some embodiments, modified microbial strains comprise a combination of two or more nucleotide sequences (e.g., two or more naturally occurring genes that do not naturally occur in the same microbial strain) or comprise a nucleotide sequence isolated from nature at a locus that is different from the natural locus.

[0037] As used herein, the term "nitrogen fixing organism" refers to an organism capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen (N 2 ) into a form that may be utilized by a plant or plant part (e.g., ammonia (NH 3 ), ammonium (NH 4 +), etc.).

[0038] As used herein, the term "non-aqueous" refers to a composition that comprises no more than a trace amount of water (i.e., no more than 0.5% water by weight, based upon the total weight of the composition).

[0039] As used herein, the term "nutrient" refers to a compound or element useful for nourishing a plant (e.g., vitamins, macrominerals, micronutrients, trace minerals, organic acids, etc. that are necessary for plant growth and / or development).

[0040] As used herein, the term "onset temperature" refers to the temperature at which a composition begins the transition from a glassy state to a rubbery state.

[0041] As used herein, the term "pest" includes any organism or virus that negatively affects a plant, including organisms and viruses that spread disease, damage host plants and / or compete for soil nutrients. The term "pest" encompasses organisms and viruses that are known to associate with plants and to cause a detrimental effect on the plant's health and / or vigor. Plant pests include arachnids (e.g., mites, ticks, spiders, etc.), bacteria, fungi, gastropods (e.g., slugs, snails, etc.), invasive plants (e.g., weeds), insects (e.g., white flies, thrips, weevils, etc.), nematodes (e.g., root-knot nematode, soybean cyst nematode, etc.), rodents and viruses (e.g., tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV), etc.).

[0042] As used herein, the terms "pesticide" and "pesticidal" refer to agents or combinations of agents the application of which is toxic to a pest (i.e., kills a pest, inhibits the growth of a pest and / or inhibits the reproduction of a pest). Examples of pesticides include acaricides, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, and nematicides, etc.

[0043] As used herein, the term "phosphate-solubilizing microorganism" refers to a microorganism capable of converting insoluble phosphate into a soluble form of phosphate.

[0044] As used herein, the term "plant" includes all plant populations, including agricultural, horticultural and silvicultural plants. The term "plant" encompasses plants obtained by conventional plant breeding and optimization methods (e.g., marker-assisted selection) and plants obtained by genetic engineering, including cultivars protectable and not protectable by plant breeders' rights.

[0045] As used herein, the term "plant cell" refers to a cell of an intact plant, a cell taken from a plant, or a cell derived from a cell taken from a plant. Thus, the term "plant cell" includes cells within seeds, suspension cultures, embryos, meristematic regions, callus tissue, leaves, shoots, gametophytes, sporophytes, pollen and microspores.

[0046] As used herein, the term "plant part" refers to any part of a plant, including cells and tissues derived from plants. Thus, the term "plant part" may refer to any of plant components or organs (e.g., leaves, stems, roots, etc.), plant tissues, plant cells and seeds. Examples of plant parts, include anthers, embryos, flowers, fruits, fruiting bodies, leaves, ovules, pollen, rhizomes, roots, seeds, shoots, stems and tubers, as well as scions, rootstocks, protoplasts, calli and the like.

[0047] As used herein, the term "plant propagation material" refers to a plant part from which a whole plant can be generated. Examples of plant propagation materials include cuttings (e.g., leaves, stems), rhizomes, seeds, tubers and cells / tissues that can be cultured into a whole plant.

[0048] As used herein, the term "protectant" refers to an agent or combination of agents the application of which enhances the survival and / or stability of a microorganism in an inoculant composition.

[0049] As used herein, the term "rubbery state" refers to an amorphous, visoelastic liquid.

[0050] As used herein, the terms "signal molecule" and "plant signal molecule" refer to an agent that, when applied to a plant or plant part, results in enhanced growth and / or development as compared to untreated plants or plant parts (e.g., seeds and plants harvested from untreated seeds). Examples of signal molecules include lipo-chitooligosaccharides, chitooligosaccharides, chitinous compounds, flavonoids, jasmonic acid or derivatives thereof, linoleic acid or derivatives thereof, linolenic acid or derivatives thereof, karrikins, etc.

[0051] As used herein, the terms "spore" and "microbial spore" refer to a microorganism in its dormant, protected state.

[0052] As used herein with respect to inoculant compositions, the term "stable" refers to an inoculant composition in which microorganisms exhibit enhanced stability and / or enhanced survival. In general, an inoculant composition may be labeled "stable" if it improves the survival rate and / or at least one microbial stability characteristic of at least one microorganism contained therein.

[0053] As used herein with respect to microbial spores, the term "survival rate" refers to the percentage of microbial spores that are viable (i.e., capable of propagating on or in a substrate (e.g., on a seed and / or in a soil) when conditions (e.g., temperature, moisture, nutrient availability, pH, etc.) are favorable for microbial growth) at a given period of time.

[0054] The present disclosure provides inoculant compositions and methods for enhancing the stability and / or survival of strains of Bradyrhizobium.

[0055] Inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of one or more strains of Bradyrhizobium in a stabilizing medium, comprising one or more maltodextrins having a dextrose equivalent value of 15 to 20, and maltose; said one or more maltodextrins and said maltose comprising 5 to 95% of said inoculant composition (w / w, based upon the total weight of said inoculant composition).

[0056] In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise one or more agriculturally beneficial microorganisms such as diazotrophs, phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms and biopesticides.

[0057] The microorganisms may be incorporated into inoculant compositions of the present disclosure in any suitable amount(s) / concentration(s).

[0058] In some embodiments, the microorganism(s) is / are present in an amount ranging from about 1 x 10 1< to about 1 x 10 20< colony-forming units (cfu) per gram and / or milliliter of inoculant composition. For example, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may comprise about 1 x 10 1< , 1 x 10 2< , 1 x 10 3< , 1 x 10 4< , 1 x 10 5< , 1 x 10 6< , 1 x 10 7< , 1 x 10 8< , 1 x 10 9< , 1 x 10 10< , 1 x 10 11< , 1 x 10 12< , 1 x 10 13< , 1 x 10 14< , 1 x 10 15< cfu / g or more of agriculturally beneficial microorganisms (e.g., about 1 x 10 2< to about 1 x 10 6< cfu per g / ml of Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 587, Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5019, Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 and / or Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5080).

[0059] In some embodiments, the amount / concentration of microorganisms is an amount effective to enhance the yield of the plant or plant part to which the inoculant composition is applied.

[0060] In some embodiments, the amount / concentration of microorganisms is 1 x 10 4< , 1 x 10 5< , 1 x 10 6< , 1 x 10 7< , 1 x 10 8< , 1 x 10 9< , 1 x 10 10< , 1 x 10 11< , 1 x 10 12< or more cfu per gram / milliliter of inoculant composition.

[0061] It is to be understood that microorganisms may be incorporated into inoculant compositions of the present disclosure in any suitable form, including vegetative form, spore form and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise are devoid of spores. In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise are devoid of vegetative cells.

[0062] In some embodiments, microbial spores comprise about 0.1 to about 50% (by weight) of the inoculant composition. For example, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may comprise about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.25, 3.5, 3.75, 4, 4.25, 4.5, 4.75, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50% or more (by weight) of one or more microbial spores. In some embodiments, the microbial spore amount / concentration is about 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 to about 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 or 25% (by weight) of the inoculant composition.

[0063] In some embodiments, the amount / concentration of spores is that amount / concentration which is effective to enhance the yield of the plant or plant part to which the inoculant composition is applied.

[0064] Microorganisms included in inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may be produced using any suitable method(s), including liquid state fermentation and solid state fermentation. See, generally, Cunningham et al., CAN. J. BOT. 68:2270 (1990); Friesen et al., APPL. MICROBIOL. BIOTECH. 68:397 (2005).

[0065] Microorganisms included in inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may be harvested and / or conceentrated using any suitable method(s), including centrifugation (e.g., density gradient centrifugation, disc stack centrifugation, tubular bowl centrifugation), coagulation, decanting, felt bed collection, filtration (e.g., drum filtration, sieving, ultrafiltration), flocculation, impaction and trapping (e.g., cyclone spore trapping, liquid impingement).

[0066] Microorganisms may be harvested and incorporated into inoculant compositions of the present disclosure during any suitable growth phase. In general, microorganisms are allowed to reach the stationary growth phase before they are harvested and incorporated into inoculant compositions of the present disclosure.

[0067] Maltodextrins may be incorporated into inoculant compositions of the present disclosure in any suitable form. In some embodiments, the maltodextrin(s) included in inoculant compositions of the present disclosure is / are at least 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 99.5% or more pure.

[0068] Inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may comprise any suitable oxidation control component(s), including antioxidants and / or oxygen scavengers. In some embodiments, the oxidation control component is / comprises ascorbic acid and / or glutathione.

[0069] In some embodiments, inoculant compositions comprise one or more antioxidants. For example, in some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise ascorbic acid, ascorbyl palmitate, ascorbyl stearate, calcium ascorbate, carotenoids, lipoic acid, phenolic compounds (e.g., flavonoids, flavones, flavonols), potassium ascorbate, sodium ascorbate, thiols (e.g., glutathione, lipoic acid, N-acetyl cysteine), tocopherols, tocotrienols, ubiquinone and / or uric acid.

[0070] Examples of antioxidants that may be useful in compositions of the present disclosure include those that are soluble in the cell membrane (e.g., alpha tocopherol (vitamin E), ascorbyl palmitate) and those that are soluble in water (e.g., ascorbic acid and isomers or ascorbic acid, sodium or potassium salts of ascorbic acid or isomers or ascorbic acid, glutathione, sodium or potassium salts of glutathione). In some embodiments, use of a membrane-soluble antioxidant necessitates the addition of one or more surfactants to adequately disperse the antioxidant within the inoculant composition.

[0071] In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise one or more commercial antioxidants used in accordance with the manufacturer's recommended amounts / concentrations.

[0072] In some emboodiments, inoculant compositions comprise one or more oxygen scavengers. For example, in some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise ascorbic acid, ascorbate salts, catechol and / or sodium hydrogen carbonate.

[0073] Inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may comprise any suitable pesticide(s), including acaricides, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides and nematicides. In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise one or more biopesticides (e.g., one or more biofungicides, bioinsecticides and / or bionematicides).

[0074] Inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may comprise any suitable fungicide(s), including biological fungicides and chemical fungicides. Fungicides may be selected so as to provide effective control against a broad spectrum of phytopathogenic fungi (and fungus-like organisms), including soil-borne fungi from the classes Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes, Chytridiomycetes, Deuteromycetes (syn. Fungi imperfecti), Peronosporomycetes (syn. Oomycetes), Plasmodiophoromycetes and Zygomycetes.

[0075] In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise a fungicide (or combination of fungicides) that is toxic to one or more strains of Albugo (e.g., A. candida), Alternaria (e.g., A. alternata), Aspergillus (e.g., A. candidus, A. clavatus, A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. parasiticus, A. restrictus, A. sojae, A. solani), Blumeria (e.g., B. graminis), Botrytis (e.g., B. cinerea), Cladosporum (e.g., C. cladosporioides), Colletotrichum (e.g., C. acutatum, C. boninense, C. capsici, C. caudatum, C. coccodes, C. crassipes, C. dematium, C. destructivum, C. fragariae, C. gloeosporioides, C. graminicola, C. kehawee, C. lindemuthianum, C. musae, C. orbiculare, C. spinaceae, C. sublineolum, C. trifolii, C. truncatum), Fusarium (e.g., F. graminearum, F. moniliforme, F. oxysporum, F. roseum, F. tricinctum), Helminthosporium, Magnaporthe (e.g., M. grisea, M. oryzae), Melamspora (e.g., M. lini), Mycosphaerella (e.g., M. graminicola), Nematospora, Penicillium (e.g., P. rugulosum, P. verrucosum), Phakopsora (e.g., P. pachyrhizi), Phomopsis, Phytiphtoria (e.g., P. infestans), Puccinia (e.g., P. graminis, P. striiformis, P. tritici, P. triticina), Pucivinia (e.g., P. graministice), Pythium, Pytophthora, Rhizoctonia (e.g., R. solani), Scopulariopsis, Selerotinia, Thielaviopsis and / or Ustilago (e.g. U. maydis).

[0076] Additional examples of fungi that may be targeted by inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may be found in Bradley, Managing Diseases, in ILLINOIS AGRONOMY HANDBOOK (2008).

[0077] As discussed above, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may comprise one or more biological fungicides (i.e., one or more microorganisms the presence and / or output of which is toxic to a fungus).

[0078] Examples of chemical fungicides that may be useful in inoculant compositions of the present disclosure include strobilurins, such as azoxystrobin, coumethoxystrobin, coumoxystrobin, dimoxystrobin, enestroburin, fluoxastrobin, kresoxim-methyl, metominostrobin, orysastrobin, picoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, pyrametostrobin, pyraoxystrobin, pyribencarb, trifloxystrobin, 2-[2-(2,5-dimethyl-phenoxymethyl)-phenyl]-3-methoxy-acrylic acid methyl ester and 2-(2-(3-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-1-methyl-allylideneaminooxymethyl)-phenyl)-2-methoxyimino-N-methyl-acetamide; carboxamides, such as carboxanilides (e.g., benalaxyl, benalaxyl-M, benodanil, bixafen, boscalid, carboxin, fenfuram, fenhexamid, flutolanil, fluxapyroxad, furametpyr, isopyrazam, isotianil, kiralaxyl, mepronil, metalaxyl, metalaxyl-M (mefenoxam), ofurace, oxadixyl, oxycarboxin, penflufen, penthiopyrad, sedaxane, tecloftalam, thifluzamide, tiadinil, 2-amino-4-methyl-thiazole-5-carboxanilide, N-(4'-trifluoromethylthiobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-difluoromethyl-1-methyl-1H-pyra- zole-4-carboxamide, N-(2-(1,3,3-trimethylbutyl)-phenyl)-1,3-dimethyl-5-fluoro-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide), carboxylic morpholides (e.g., dimethomorph, flumorph, pyrimorph), benzoic acid amides (e.g., flumetover, fluopicolide, fluopyram, zoxamide), carpropamid, dicyclomet, mandiproamid, oxytetracyclin, silthiofam and N-(6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl) cyclopropanecarboxylic acid amide; azoles, such as triazoles (e.g., azaconazole, bitertanol, bromuconazole, cyproconazole, difenoconazole, diniconazole, diniconazole-M, epoxiconazole, fenbuconazole, fluquinconazole, flusilazole, flutriafol, hexaconazole, imibenconazole, ipconazole, metconazole, myclobutanil, oxpoconazole, paclobutrazole, penconazole, propiconazole, prothioconazole, simeconazole, tebuconazole, tetraconazole, triadimefon, triadimenol, triticonazole, uniconazole) and imidazoles (e.g., cyazofamid, imazalil, pefurazoate, prochloraz, triflumizol); heterocyclic compounds, such as pyridines (e.g., fluazinam, pyrifenox (cf.D1b), 3-[5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-2,3-dimethyl-isoxazolidin-3-yl]-pyridine, 3-[5-(4-methyl-phenyl)-2,3-dimethyl-isoxazolidin-3-yl]-pyridine), pyrimidines (e.g., bupirimate, cyprodinil, diflumetorim, fenarimol, ferimzone, mepanipyrim, nitrapyrin, nuarimol, pyrimethanil), piperazines (e.g., triforine), pirroles (e.g., fenpiclonil, fludioxonil), morpholines(e.g., aldimorph, dodemorph, dodemorph-acetate, fenpropimorph, tridemorph), piperidines (e.g., fenpropidin); dicarboximides (e.g., fluoroimid, iprodione, procymidone, vinclozolin), non-aromatic 5-membered heterocycles (e.g., famoxadone, fenamidone, flutianil, octhilinone, probenazole, 5-amino-2-isopropyl-3-oxo-4-ortho-tolyl-2,3-dihydro-pyrazole-1-carbothioic acid S-allyl ester), acibenzolar-S-methyl, ametoctradin, amisulbrom, anilazin, blasticidin-S, captafol, captan, chinomethionat, dazomet, debacarb, diclomezine, difenzoquat, difenzoquat-methylsulfate, fenoxanil, Folpet, oxolinic acid, piperalin, proquinazid, pyroquilon, quinoxyfen, triazoxide, tricyclazole, 2-butoxy-6-iodo-3-propylchromen-4-one, 5-chloro-1-(4,6-dimethoxy-pyrimidin-2-yl)-2-methyl-1H-benzoimidazole and 5-chloro-7-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-6-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl)-[1,2,4]triazolo-[1,5-a]pyrimidine; benzimidazoles, such as carbendazim; and other active substances, such as guanidines (e.g., guanidine, dodine, dodine free base, guazatine, guazatine-acetate, iminoctadine), iminoctadine-triacetate and iminoctadine-tris(albesilate); antibiotics (e.g., kasugamycin, kasugamycin hydrochloride-hydrate, streptomycin, polyoxine and validamycin A), nitrophenyl derivates (e.g., binapacryl, dicloran, dinobuton, dinocap, nitrothal-isopropyl, tecnazen). organometal compounds (e.g., fentin salts, such as fentin-acetate, fentin chloride, fentin hydroxide); sulfur-containing heterocyclyl compounds (e.g., dithianon, isoprothiolane), organophosphorus compounds (e.g., edifenphos, fosetyl, fosetyl-aluminum, iprobenfos, phosphorus acid and its salts, pyrazophos, tolclofos-methyl), organochlorine compounds (e.g., chlorothalonil, dichlofluanid, dichlorophen, flusulfamide, hexachlorobenzene, pencycuron, pentachlorphenole and its salts, phthalide, quintozene, thiophanate-methyl, thiophanate, tolylfluanid, N-(4-chloro-2-nitro-phenyl)-N-ethyl-4-methyl-benzenesulfonamide) and inorganic active substances (e.g., Bordeaux mixture, copper acetate, copper hydroxide, copper oxychloride, basic copper sulfate, sulfur) and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise acibenzolar-S-methyl, azoxystrobin, benalaxyl, bixafen, boscalid, carbendazim, cyproconazole, dimethomorph, epoxiconazole, fludioxonil, fluopyram, fluoxastrobin, flutianil, flutolanil, fluxapyroxad, fosetyl-Al, ipconazole, isopyrazam, kresoxim-methyl, mefenoxam, metalaxyl, metconazole, myclobutanil, orysastrobin, penflufen, penthiopyrad, picoxystrobin, propiconazole, prothioconazole, pyraclostrobin, sedaxane, silthiofam, tebuconazole, thiabendazole, thifluzamide, thiophanate, tolclofos-methyl, trifloxystrobin and triticonazole. In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise azoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, fluoxastrobin, trifloxystrobin, ipconazole, prothioconazole, sedaxane, fludioxonil, metalaxyl, mefenoxam, thiabendazole, fluxapyroxad and / or fluopyram.

[0079] Additional examples of fungicides that may be included in inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may be found in Bradley, Managing Diseases, in ILLINOIS AGRONOMY HANDBOOK (2008).

[0080] Inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may comprise any suitable herbicide(s), including biological herbicides and chemical herbicides. Herbicides may be selected so as to provide effective control against a broad spectrum of plants, including plants from the families Asteraceae, Caryophyllaceae, Poaceae and Polygonaceae.

[0081] In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise an herbicide (or combination of herbicides) that is toxic to one or more strains of Echinochloa (e.g., E. brevipedicellata, E. callopus, E. chacoensis, E. colona, E. crus-galli, E. crus-pavonis, E. elliptica, E. esculenta, E. frumentacea, E. glabrescens, E. haploclada, E. helodes, E. holciformis, E. inundata, E. jaliscana, E. Jubata, E. kimberleyensis, E. lacunaria, E. macrandra, E. muricata, E. obtusiflora, E. oplismenoides, E. orzyoides, E. paludigena, E. picta, E. pithopus, E. polystachya, E. praestans, E. pyramidalis, E. rotundiflora, E. stagnina, E. telmatophila, E. turneriana, E. ugandensis, E. walteri), Fallopia (e.g., F. baldschuanica, F. japonica, F. sachalinensis), Stellaria (e.g., S. media) and / or Taraxacum (e.g., T. albidum, T. aphrogenes, T. brevicorniculatum, T. californicum, T. centrasiatum, T. ceratophorum, T. erythrospermum, T. farinosum, T. holmboei, T. japonicum, T. kok-saghyz, T. laevigatum T. officinale, T. platycarpum).

[0082] Additional species of plants that may be targeted by inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may be found in Hager, Weed Management, in ILLINOIS AGRONOMY HANDBOOK (2008) and LOUX ET AL., WEED CONTROL GUIDE FOR OHIO, INDIANA AND ILLINOIS (2015).

[0083] As discussed above, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may comprise one or more biological herbicides (i.e., one or more microorganisms the presence and / or output of which is toxic to a plant).

[0084] In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise one or more chemical herbicides. For example, in some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise one or more acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitors, acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors, acetohydroxy acid synthase (AHAS) inhibitors, photosystem II inhibitors, photosystem I inhibitors, protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO or Protox) inhibitors, carotenoid biosynthesis inhibitors, enolpyruvyl shikimate-3-phosphate (EPSP) synthase inhibitor, glutamine synthetase inhibitor, dihydropteroate synthetase inhibitor, mitosis inhibitors, 4-hydroxyphenyl-pyruvate-dioxygenase (4-HPPD) inhibitors, synthetic auxins, auxin herbicide salts, auxin transport inhibitors, nucleic acid inhibitors and / or one or more salts, esters, racemic mixtures and / or resolved isomers thereof. Examples of chemical herbicides that may be useful in inoculant compositions of the present disclosure include 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T), ametryn, amicarbazone, aminocyclopyrachlor, acetochlor, acifluorfen, alachlor, atrazine, azafenidin, bentazon, benzofenap, bifenox, bromacil, bromoxynil, butachlor, butafenacil, butroxydim, carfentrazone-ethyl, chlorimuron, chlorotoluro, clethodim, clodinafop, clomazone, cyanazine, cycloxydim, cyhalofop, desmedipham, desmetryn, dicamba, diclofop, dimefuron, diuron, dithiopyr, fenoxaprop, fluazifop, fluazifop-P, fluometuron, flufenpyr-ethyl, flumiclorac-pentyl, flumioxazin, fluoroglycofen, fluthiacet- methyl, fomesafe, fomesafen, glyphosate, glufosinate, haloxyfop, hexazinone, imazamox, imazaquin, imazethapyr, ioxynil, isoproturon, isoxaflutole, lactofen, linuron, mecoprop, mecoprop-P, mesotrion, metamitron, metazochlor, methibenzuron , metolachlor (and S-metolachlor ), metoxuron, metribuzin, monolinuron, oxadiargyl, oxadiazon, oxyfluorfen, phenmedipham, pretilachlor, profoxydim, prometon, prometry, propachlor, propanil , propaquizafop, propisochlor, pyraflufen-ethyl, pyrazon, pyrazolynate, pyrazoxyfen, pyridate, quizalofop, quizalofop-P (e.g., quizalofop-ethyl, quizalofop-P-ethyl, clodinafop-propargyl, cyhalofop-butyl, diclofop- methyl, fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, fluazifop-P-butyl, haloxyfop-methyl, haloxyfop-R-methyl), saflufenacil, sethoxydim, siduron, simazine, simetryn, sulcotrione, sulfentrazone, tebuthiuron, tembotrione, tepraloxydim, terbacil, terbumeton, terbuthylazine, thaxtomin (e.g., the thaxtomins described in US Patent No.: 7,989,393), thenylchlor, tralkoxydim, triclopyr, trietazine, tropramezone, salts and esters thereof; racemic mixtures and resolved isomers thereof and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise acetochlor, clethodim, dicamba, flumioxazin, fomesafen, glyphosate, glufosinate, mesotrione, quizalofop, saflufenacil, sulcotrione, S-3100 and / or 2,4-D. In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise glyphosate, glufosinate, dicamba, 2,4-D, acetochlor, metolachlor, pyroxasulfone, flumioxazin, fomesafen, lactofen, metribuzin, mesotrione, and / or ethyl 2-((3-(2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-(3-methyl-2,6-dioxo-4-(trifluoromethyl)-2,3-dihydropyrimidin-1(6H)-yl)phenoxy)pyridin-2-yl)oxy)acetate.

[0085] Additional examples of herbicides that may be included in inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may be found in Hager, Weed Management, in ILLINOIS AGRONOMY HANDBOOK (2008) and LOUX ET AL., WEED CONTROL GUIDE FOR OHIO, INDIANA AND ILLINOIS (2015).

[0086] Inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may comprise any suitable insecticide(s), including biological insecticides and chemical insecticides. Insecticides may be selected so as to provide effective control against a broad spectrum of insects, including insects from the orders Coleoptera, Dermaptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Homoptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Orthoptera and Thysanoptera. For example, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may comprise one or more insecticides toxic to insects from the families Acrididae, Aleytodidae, Anobiidae, Anthomyiidae, Aphididae, Bostrichidae, Bruchidae, Cecidomyiidae, Cerambycidae, Cercopidae, Chrysomelidae, Cicadellidae, Coccinellidae, Cryllotalpidae, Cucujidae, Curculionidae, Dermestidae, Elateridae, Gelechiidae, Lygaeidae, Meloidae, Membracidae, Miridae, Noctuidae, Pentatomidae, Pyralidae, Scarabaeidae, Silvanidae, Spingidae, Tenebrionidae and / or Thripidae.

[0087] In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise an insecticide (or combination of insecticides) that is toxic to one or more species of Acalymma, Acanthaoscelides (e.g., A. obtectus, ), Anasa (e.g., A. tristis), Anastrepha (e.g., A. ludens), Anoplophora (e.g., A. glabripennis), Anthonomus (e.g., A. eugenii), Acyrthosiphon (e.g., A. pisum), Bactrocera (e.g., B. dosalis), Bemisia (e.g., B. argentifolii, B. tabaci), Brevicoryne (e.g., B. brassicae), Bruchidius (e.g., B. atrolineatus), Bruchus (e.g., B. atomarius, B. dentipes, B. lentis, B. pisorum and / or B. rufipes), Callosobruchus (e.g., C. chinensis, C. maculatus, C. rhodesianus, C. subinnotatus, C. theobromae), Caryedon (e.g., C. serratus), Cassadinae, Ceratitis (e.g., C. capitata), Chrysomelinae, Circulifer (e.g., C. tenellus), Criocerinae, Cryptocephalinae, Cryptolestes (e.g., C. ferrugineus, C. pusillis, C. pussilloides), Cylas (e.g., C. formicarius), Delia (e.g., D. antiqua), Diabrotica, Diaphania (e.g., D. nitidalis), Diaphorina (e.g., D. citri), Donaciinae, Ephestia (e.g, E. cautella, E. elutella, E., keuhniella), Epilachna (e.g., E. varivestris), Epiphyas (e.g., E. postvittana), Eumolpinae, Galerucinae, Helicoverpa (e.g., H. zea), Heteroligus (e.g., H. meles), Iobesia (e.g., I. botrana), Lamprosomatinae, Lasioderma (e.g., L. serricorne), Leptinotarsa (e.g., L. decemlineata), Leptoglossus, Liriomyza (e.g., L. trifolii), Manducca, Melittia (e.g., M. cucurbitae), Myzus (e.g., M. persicae), Nezara (e.g., N. viridula), Orzaephilus (e.g., O. merator, O. surinamensis), Ostrinia (e.g., O. nubilalis), Phthorimaea (e.g., P. operculella), Pieris (e.g., P. rapae), Plodia (e.g., P. interpunctella), Plutella (e.g., P. xylostella), Popillia (e.g., P. japonica), Prostephanus (e.g., P. truncates), Psila, Rhizopertha (e.g., R. dominica), Rhopalosiphum (e.g., R. maidis), Sagrinae, Solenopsis (e.g., S. Invicta), Spilopyrinae, Sitophilus (e.g., S. granaries, S. oryzae and / or S. zeamais), Sitotroga (e.g., S. cerealella), Spodoptera (e.g., S. frugiperda), Stegobium (e.g., S. paniceum), Synetinae, Tenebrio (e.g., T. malens and / or T. molitor), Thrips (e.g.. T. tabaci), Trialeurodes (e.g., T. vaporariorum), Tribolium

[0088] (e.g., T. castaneum and / or T. confusum), Trichoplusia (e.g., T. ni), Trogoderma (e.g., T. granarium) and Trogossitidae (e.g., T. mauritanicus).

[0089] Additional species of insects that may be targeted by inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may be found in CAPINERA, HANDBOOK OF VEGETABLE PESTS (2001) and Steffey and Gray, Managing Insect Pests, in ILLINOIS AGRONOMY HANDBOOK (2008).

[0090] Inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may comprise any suitable nematicide(s) including-biological nematicides and chemical nematicides. Nematicides may be selected so as to provide effective control against a broad spectrum of nematodes, including-phytoparasitic nematodes from the classes Chromadorea and Enoplea.

[0091] In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise a nematicide (or combination of nematicides) that is toxic to one or more strains of Anguina, Aphelenchoides, Belonolaimus, Bursaphelenchus, Ditylenchus, Globodera, Helicotylenchus, Heterodera, Hirschmanniella, Meloidogyne, Naccobus, Pratylenchus, Radopholus, Rotylenshulus, Trichodorus, Tylenchulus and / orXiphinema.

[0092] Additional examples of nematodes that may be targeted by inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may be found in CAPINERA, HANDBOOK OF VEGETABLE PESTS (2001) and Niblack, Nematodes, in ILLINOIS AGRONOMY HANDBOOK (2008).

[0093] As discussed above, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may comprise one or more biological insecticides and / or nematicides (i.e., one or more microorganisms the presence and / or output of which is toxic to an insect and / or nematode).

[0094] In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise one or more chemical insecticides and / or nematicides. For example, in some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise one or more carbamates, diamides, macrocyclic lactones, neonicotinoids, organophosphates, phenylpyrazoles, pyrethrins, spinosyns, synthetic pyrethroids, tetronic acids and / or tetramic acids.

[0095] Examples of chemical insecticides and nematicides that may be useful in inoculant compositions of the present disclosure include acrinathrin, alpha-cypermethrin, betacyfluthrin , cyhalothrin , cypermethrin , deltamethrin , csfenvalcrate , etofenprox , fenpropathrin , fenvalerate, flucythrinate, fosthiazate, lambda-cyhalothrin, gamma-cyhalothrin, permethrin, tau-fluvalinate, transfluthrin, zeta-cypermethrin, cyfluthri, bifenthrin, tefluthrin, eflusilanat, fubfenprox, pyrethrin, resmethrin, imidacloprid, acetamiprid, thiamethoxam, nitenpyram, thiacloprid, dinotefuran, clothianidin, imidaclothiz, chlorfluazuron, diflubenzuron, lufenuron, teflubenzuron, triflumuron, novaluron, flufenoxuron, hexaflumuron, bistrifluoron, noviflumuron, buprofezin, cyromazine, methoxyfenozide, tebufenozide, halofenozide, chromafenozide, endosulfan, fipronil, ethiprole, pyrafluprole, pyriprole, flubendiamide, chlorantraniliprole (e.g., Rynaxypyr), cyazypyr, emamectin, emamectin benzoate, abamectin, ivermectin, milbemectin, lepimectin, tebufenpyrad, fenpyroximate, pyridaben, fenazaquin, pyrimidifen, tolfenpyrad, dicofol, cyenopyrafen, cyflumetofen, acequinocyl, fluacrypyrin, bifenazate, diafenthiuron, etoxazole, clofentezine, spinosad, triarathen, tetradifon, propargite, hexythiazox, bromopropylate, chinomethionat, amitraz, pyrifluquinazon, pymetrozine, flonicamid, pyriproxyfen, diofenolan, chlorfenapyr, metaflumizone, indoxacarb, chlorpyrifos, spirodiclofen, spiromesifen, spirotetramat, pyridalyl, spinctoram, acephate, triazophos, profenofos, oxamyl, spinetoram, fenamiphos, fenamipclothiahos, 4-{[(6-chloropyrid-3-yl)methyl](2,2-difluoroethyl)amino}furan-2(5H)-one, cadusaphos, carbaryl, carbofuran, ethoprophos, thiodicarb, aldicarb, aldoxycarb, metamidophos, methiocarb, sulfoxaflor, cyantraniliprole and tioxazofen and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise abamectin, aldicarb, aldoxycarb, bifenthrin, carbofuran, chlorantraniliporle, chlothianidin, cyfluthrin, cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, cyantraniliprole, deltamethrin, dinotefuran, emamectin, ethiprole, fenamiphos, fipronil, flubendiamide, fosthiazate, imidacloprid, ivermectin, lambda-cyhalothrin, milbemectin, nitenpyram, oxamyl, permethrin, spinetoram, spinosad, spirodichlofen, spirotetramat, tefluthrin, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam and / or thiodicarb. In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise an insecticide selected from the group consisting of clothianidin, thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, cyantraniliprole, chlorantraniliprole, fluopyram and tioxazafen.

[0096] Additional examples of insecticides and nematicides that may be included in inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may be found in Steffey and Gray, Managing Insect Pests, in ILLINOIS AGRONOMY HANDBOOK (2008) and Niblack, Nematodes, in ILLINOIS AGRONOMY HANDBOOK (2008).

[0097] Pesticides may be incorporated into inoculant compositions of the present disclosure in any suitable amount(s) / concentration(s). The absolute value of the amount / concentration / dosage of pesticide(s) that is sufficient to cause the desired effect may be affected by factors such as the type, size and volume of material to which the compositon will be applied, the stability of the microorganisms in the composition and the storage conditions (e.g., temperature, relative humidity, duration). Those skilled in the art will understand how to select an effective amount / concentration / dosage using routine dose-response experiments.

[0098] In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise one or more commercialpesticides used in accordance with the manufacturer's recommended amounts / concentrations.

[0099] Inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may comprise any suitable plant signal molecule(s), including lipo-chitooligosaccharides (LCOs), chitooligosaccharides (COs), chitinous compounds, flavonoids, jasmonic acid or derivatives thereof, linoleic acid or derivatives thereof, linolenic acid or derivatives thereof and karrikins.

[0100] Inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may comprise any suitable LCO(s).

[0101] LCOs, sometimes referred to as symbiotic nodulation (Nod) signals or Nod factors, consist of an oligosaccharide backbone of β-1,4-linked N-acetyl-D-glucosamine ("GIcNAc") residues with an N-linked fatty acyl chain condensed at the non-reducing end. LCOs differ in the number of GIcNAc residues in the backbone, in the length and degree of saturation of the fatty acyl chain and in the substitutions of reducing and non-reducing sugar residues. See, e.g., Denarie, et al., ANN. REV. BIOCHEM. 65:503 (1996); Hamel, et al., PLANTA 232:787 (2010); Prome, et al., PURE & APPL. CHEM. 70(1):55 (1998).

[0102] In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise one or more LCOs represented by formula I: in which G is a hexosamine which can be substituted, for example, by an acetyl group on the nitrogen, a sulfate group, an acetyl group and / or an ether group on an oxygen; R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 5 , R 6 and R 7 , which may be identical or different, represent H, CH 3 CO--, C x H y CO-- where x is an integer between 0 and 17 and y is an integer between 1 and 35, or any other acyl group such as, for example, a carbamoyl; R 4 represents a saturated or mono-, di- or tri-unsaturated aliphatic chain containing at least 12 carbon atoms; and n is an integer between 1 and 4.

[0103] In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise one or more LCOs represented by formula II: in which R represents H or CH 3 CO-- and n is equal to 2 or 3. See, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 5,549,718. A number of Bradyrhizobium japonicum-derived LCOs have also been described, including BjNod-V (C 18:1 ), BjNod-V (A C , C 18:1 ), BjNod-V (C 16:1 ) and BjNod-V (A C , C 16:0 ) (with "V" indicating the presence of five N-acetylglucosamines, "Ac" an acetylation, the number following the "C" indicating the number of carbons in the fatty acid side chain and the number following the ":" indicating the number of double bonds). See, e.g., U.S. Patent Nos. 5,175,149 and 5,321,011. Additional LCOs obtained from bacterial strains include NodRM, NodRM-1, NodRM-3. When acetylated (the R=CH 3 CO--), they become AcNodRM-1 and AcNodRM-3, respectively (U.S. Patent No. 5,545,718).

[0104] In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise one or more LCOs represented by formula III: in which n = 1 or 2; R 1 represents C16, C16:0, C16:1, C16:2, C18:0, C18:1Δ9Z or C18:1Δ11Z; and R 2 represents hydrogen or SO 3 H.

[0105] LCOs included in compositions and methods of the present disclosure may be obtained from any suitable source.

[0106] In some embodiments, the LCO is obtained (i.e., isolated and / or purified) from a bacterial strain. For example, in some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise one or more LCOs obtained from a of Azorhizobium, Bradyrhizobium (e.g., B. japonicum). Mesorhizobium, Rhizobium (e.g., R. leguminosarum), or Sinorhizobium (e.g., S. meliloti).

[0107] In some embodiments, the LCO is obtained (i.e., isolated and / or purified) from a mycorrhizal fungus. For example, in some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise one or more LCOs obtained from a strain of Glomerocycota (e.g., Glomus intraradicus). See, e.g., WO 2010 / 049751 (in which the LCOs are referred to as "Myc factors").

[0108] In some embodiments, the LCO is synthetic. For example, in some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise one or more of the synthetic LCOs described in WO 2005 / 063784, WO 2007 / 117500 and / or WO 2008 / 071674. In some embodiments, the synthetic LCO contains one or more modifications or substitutions, such as those described in Spaink, CRIT. REV. PLANT SCI. 54:257 (2000) and D'Haeze, supra. LCOs and precursors for the construction of LCOs (e.g., COs, which are themselves useful as plant signal molecules) may be synthesized by genetically engineered organisms. See, e.g., Samain et al., CARBOHYDRATE RES. 302:35 (1997); Cottaz, et al., METH. ENG. 7(4):311 (2005); and Samain, et al., J. BIOTECHNOL. 72:33 (1999) (e.g., Fig. 1 therein, which shows structures of COs that can be made recombinantly in E. coli harboring different combinations of genes nodBCHL).

[0109] Further examples of LCOs (and derivatives thereof) that may be useful in compositions and methods of the present disclosure are provided below as formula IV: in which R 1 represents C14:0, 3OH-C14:0, iso-C15:0, C16:0, 3-OH-C16:0, iso-C15:0, C16:1, C16:2, C16:3, iso-C17:0, iso-C17:1, C18:0, 3OH-C18:0, C18:0 / 3-OH, C18:1, OH-C18:1, C18:2, C18:3, C18:4, C19:1 carbamoyl, C20:0, C20:1, 3-OH-C20:1, C20:1 / 3-OH, C20:2, C20:3, C22:1 and C18-26(ω-1)-OH (which according to D'Haeze, et al., Glycobiology 12:79R-105R (2002), includes C18, C20, C22, C24 and C26 hydroxylated species and C16:1Δ9, C16:2 (Δ2,9) and C16:3 (Δ2,4,9)); R 2 represents hydrogen or methyl; R 3 represents hydrogen, acetyl or carbamoyl; R 4 represents hydrogen, acetyl or carbamoyl: R 5 represents hydrogen, acetyl or carbamoyl; R 6 represents hydrogen, arabinosyl, fucosyl, acetyl, SO 3 H, sulfate ester, 3-0-S-2-0-MeFuc, 2-0-MeFuc and 4-0-AcFuc; R 7 represents hydrogen, mannosyl or glycerol; R 8 represents hydrogen, methyl, or -CH 2 OH; R 9 represents hydrogen, arabinosyl, or fucosyl; R 10 represents hydrogen, acetyl or fucosyl; and n represents 0, 1, 2 or 3. Naturally occurring LCOs embraced by this structure are described in D'Haeze, et al., supra.

[0110] Further examples of LCOs (and derivatives thereof) that may be useful in compositions and methods of the present disclosure are provided below as structures V-XXXIII:

[0111] It is to be understood that compositions and methods of the present disclosure may comprise analogues, derivatives, hydrates, isomers, salts and / or solvates of LCOs.

[0112] Thus, in some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or more LCOs represented by one or more of formulas I-IV and / or structures V-XXXIII and / or one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or more analogues, derivatives, hydrates, isomers, salts and / or solvates of LCOs represented by one or more of formulas I-IV and / or structures V-XXXIII.

[0113] LCOs may be incorporated into inoculant compositions of the present disclosure in any suitable amount(s) / concentration(s). The absolute value of the amount / concentration / dosage of LCO(s) that is sufficient to cause the desired effect may be affected by factors such as the type, size and volume of material to which the compositon will be applied, the stability of the microorganisms in the composition and the storage conditions (e.g., temperature, relative humidity, duration). Those skilled in the art will understand how to select an effective amount / concentration / dosage using routine dose-response experiments.

[0114] In some embodiments, the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise about 1 x 10 -20< M to about 1 x 10 -1< M LCO. For example, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may comprise about 1 x 10 -20< M, 1 x 10 -19< M, 1 x 10 -18< M, 1 x 10 -17< M, 1 x 10 -16< M, 1 x 10 -15< M, 1 x 10 -14< M, 1 x 10 -13< M, 1 x 10 -12< M, 1 x 10 -11< M, 1 x 10 -10< M, 1 x 10 -9< M, 1 x 10 -8< M, 1 x 10 -7< M, 1 x 10 -6< M, 1 x 10 -5< M, 1 x 10 -4< M, 1 x 10 -3< M, 1 x 10 -2< M, 1 x 10 -1< M of one or more LCOs. In some embodiments, the LCO concentration is 1 x 10 -14< M to 1 x 10 -5< M, 1 x 10 -12< M to 1 x 10 -6< M, or 1 x 10 -10< M to 1 x 10 -7< M. In some embodiments, the LCO concentration is 1 x 10 -14< M to 1 x 10 -5< M, 1 x 10 -12< M to 1 x 10 -6< M, or 1 x 10 -10< M to 1 x 10 -7< M.

[0115] Inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may comprise any suitable CO(s).

[0116] COs, sometimes referred to as N-acetylchitooligosaccharides, are also composed of GIcNAc residues but have side chain decorations that make them different from chitin molecules [(C 8 H 13 NO 5 ) n , CAS No. 1398-61-4] and chitosan molecules [(C 5 H 11 NO 4 ) n , CAS No. 9012-76-4]. See, e.g., D'Haeze et al., GLYCOBIOL. 12(6):79R (2002); Demont-Caulet et al., PLANT PHYSIOL. 120(1):83 (1999); Hanel et al., PLANTA 232:787 (2010); Muller et al., PLANT PHYSIOL.124:733 (2000); Robina et al., TETRAHEDRON 58:521-530 (2002); Rouge et al., Docking of Chitin Oligomers and Nod Factors on Lectin Domains of the LysM-RLK Receptors in the Medicago-Rhizobium Symbiosis, in THE MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY OF COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES-3 (Springer Science, 2011); Van der Holst et al., CURR. OPIN. STRUC. BIOL. 11:608 (2001); and Wan et al., PLANT CELL 21:1053 (2009); PCT / F100 / 00803 (2000). COs differ from LCOs in that they lack the pendant fatty acid chain that is characteristic of LCOs.

[0117] In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise one or more COs represented by formula XXXIV: in which R 1 represents hydrogen or methyl; R 2 represents hydrogen or methyl; R 3 represents hydrogen, acetyl or carbamoyl; R 4 represents hydrogen, acetyl or carbamoyl: R 5 represents hydrogen, acetyl or carbamoyl; R 6 represents hydrogen, arabinosyl, fucosyl, acetyl, sulfate ester, 3-0-S-2-0-MeFuc, 2-0-MeFuc and 4-0-AcFuc; R 7 represents hydrogen, mannosyl or glycerol; R 8 represents hydrogen, methyl, or -CH 2 OH; R 9 represents hydrogen, arabinosyl, or fucosyl; R 10 represents hydrogen, acetyl or fucosyl; and n represents 0, 1, 2 or 3.

[0118] COs included in compositions and methods of the present disclosure may be obtained from any suitable source.

[0119] In some embodiments, the CO is derived from an LCO. For example, in some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise one or more COs derived from an LCO obtained (i.e., isolated and / or purified) from a strain of Azorhizobium, Bradyrhizobium (e.g., B. japonicum), Mesorhizobium, Rhizobium (e.g., R. leguminosarum), Sinorhizobium (e.g., S. meliloti), or mycorhizzal fungus (e.g., Glomus intraradicus). In some embodiments, the CO is derived from an LCO represented by one or more of formulas I-IV and / or structures V-XXXIII. Thus, in some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may comprise one or more COs represented by one or more of formulas I-IV and / or structures V-XXXIII except that the pendant fatty acid is replaced with a hydrogen or methyl group.

[0120] In some embodiments, the CO is synthetic. Methods for the preparation of recombinant COs are known in the art. See, e.g., Cottaz et al., METH. ENG. 7(4):311 (2005); Samain et al., CARBOHYDRATE RES. 302:35 (1997.); and Samain et al., J. BIOTECHNOL. 72:33 (1999).

[0121] Examples of COs (and derivatives thereof) that may be useful in compositions and methods of the present disclosure are provided below as formula XXXV: in which n = 1 or 2; R 1 represents hydrogen or methyl; and R 2 represents hydrogen or SO 3 H. .

[0122] Further examples of COs (and derivatives thereof) that may be useful in compositions and methods of the present disclosure are provided below as structures XXXVI-XXXIX:

[0123] COs (and derivatives thereof) may be utilized in various forms of purity and may be used alone or in the form of a culture of CO-producing bacteria or fungi. In some embodiments, the CO(s) included in inoculant compositions of the present disclosure is / are at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5% or more pure.

[0124] It is to be understood that compositions and methods of the present disclosure may comprise analogues, derivatives, hydrates, isomers, salts and / or solvates of COs.

[0125] Thus, in some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or more COs represented by one or more of formulas XXXIV-XXXV and / or structures XXXVI-XXXIX and / or one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or more analogues, derivatives, hydrates, isomers, salts and / or solvates of COs represented by one or more of formulas XXXIV-XXXV and / or structures XXXVI-XXXIX.

[0126] COs may be incorporated into inoculant compositions of the present disclosure in any suitable amount(s) / concentration(s). The absolute value of the amount / concentration / dosage of CO(s) that is sufficient to cause the desired effect may be affected by factors such as the type, size and volume of material to which the compositon will be applied, the stability of the microorganisms in the composition and the storage conditions (e.g., temperature, relative humidity, duration). Those skilled in the art will understand how to select an effective amount / concentration / dosage using routine dose-response experiments.

[0127] In some embodiments, the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise about 1 x 10 -20< M to about 1 x 10 -1< M CO. For example, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may comprise about 1 x 10 -20< M, 1 x 10 -19< M, 1 x 10 -18< M, 1 x 10 -17< M, 1 x 10 -16< M, 1 x 10 -15< M, 1 x 10 -14< M, 1 x 10 -13< M, 1 x 10 -12< M, 1 x 10 -11< M, 1 x 10 -10< M, 1 x 10 -9< M, 1 x 10 -8< M, 1 x 10 -7< M, 1 x 10 -6< M, 1 x 10 -5< M, 1 x 10 -4< M, 1 x 10 -3< M, 1 x 10 -2< M, 1 x 10 -1< M of one or more COs. In some embodiments, the CO concentration is 1 x 10 -14< M to 1 x 10 -5< M, 1 x 10 -12< M to 1 x 10 -6< M, or 1 x 10 -10< M to 1 x 10 -7< M. In some embodiments, the CO concentration is 1 x 10 -14< M to 1 x 10 -5< M, 1 x 10 -12< M to 1 x 10 -6< M, or 1 x 10 -10< M to 1 x 10 -7< M.

[0128] Inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may comprise any suitable chitinous compound(s), including chitin (IUPAC: N-[5-[[3-acetylamino-4,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2yl]methoxymethyl]-2-[[5-acetylamino-4,6-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3-yI]methoxymethyl]-4-hydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3-ys]ethanamide), chitosan(IUPAC: 5-amino-6-[5-amino-6-[5-amino-4,6-dihydroxy-2(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3-yl]oxy-4-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3-yl]oxy-2(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4-diol) and isomers, salts and solvates thereof.

[0129] Chitins and chitosans, which are major components of the cell walls of fungi and the exoskeletons of insects and crustaceans, are composed of GIcNAc residues.

[0130] Chitins and chitosans may be obtained commercially or prepared from insects, crustacean shells, or fungal cell walls. Methods for the preparation of chitin and chitosan are known in the art. See, e.g., U.S. Patent Nos. 4,536,207 (preparation from crustacean shells) and 5,965,545 (preparation from crab shells and hydrolysis of commercial chitosan); Pochanavanich, et al., LETT. APPL. MICROBIOL. 35:17 (2002) (preparation from fungal cell walls).

[0131] Deacetylated chitins and chitosans may be obtained that range from less than 35% to greater than 90% deacetylation and cover a broad spectrum of molecular weights, e.g., low molecular weight chitosan oligomers of less than 15kD and chitin oligomers of 0.5 to 2kD; "practical grade" chitosan with a molecular weight of about 15kD; and high molecular weight chitosan of up to 70kD. Chitin and chitosan compositions formulated for seed treatment are commercially available. Commercial products include, for example, ELEXA ®< (Plant Defense Boosters, Inc.) and BEYOND ™< (Agrihouse, Inc.).

[0132] Chitinous compounds may be incorporated into inoculant compositions of the present disclosure in any suitable amount(s) / concentration(s). The absolute value of the amount / concentration / dosage of chitinous compound(s) that is sufficient to cause the desired effect may be affected by factors such as the type, size and volume of material to which the compositon will be applied, the stability of the microorganisms in the composition and the storage conditions (e.g., temperature, relative humidity, duration). Those skilled in the art will understand how to select an effective amount / concentration / dosage using routine dose-response experiments.

[0133] Inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may comprise any suitable flavonoid(s), including anthocyanidins, anthoxanthins, chalcones, coumarins, flavanones, flavanonols, flavans and isoflavonoids, as well as analogues, derivatives, hydrates, isomers, polymers, salts and solvates thereof.

[0134] Flavonoids are phenolic compounds having the general structure of two aromatic rings connected by a three-carbon bridge. Classes of flavonoids include are known in the art. See, e.g., Jain et al., J. PLANT BIOCHEM. & BIOTECHNOL. 11:1 (2002); Shaw et al., ENVIRON. MICROBIOL. 11:1867 (2006). Flavonoid compounds are commercially available, e.g., from Novozymes BioAg, Saskatoon, Canada; Natland International Corp., Research Triangle Park, NC; MP Biomedicals, Irvine, CA; LC Laboratories, Woburn MA. Flavonoid compounds may be isolated from plants or seeds, e.g., as described in U.S. Patents 5,702,752; 5,990,291; and 6,146,668. Flavonoid compounds may also be produced by genetically engineered organisms, such as yeast, as described in Ralston et al., PLANT PHYSIOL. 137:1375 (2005).

[0135] In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise one or more anthocyanidins. For example, in some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise cyanidin, delphinidin, malvidin, pelargonidin, peonidin and / or petunidin.

[0136] In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise one or more anthoxanthins. For example, in some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise one or more flavones (e.g., apigenin, baicalein, chrysin, 7,8-dihydroxyflavone, diosmin, flavoxate, 6-hydroxyflavone, luteolin, scutellarein, tangeritin and / or wogonin) and / or flavonols (e.g., amurensin, astragalin, azaleatin, azalein, fisetin, furanoflavonols galangin, gossypetin, 3-hydroxyflavone, hyperoside, icariin, isoquercetin, kaempferide, kaempferitrin, kaempferol, isorhanmetin, morin, myricetin, myricitrin, natsudaidain, pachypodol, pyranoflavonols quercetin, quericitin, rhamnazin, rhamnetin, robinin, rutin, spiraeoside, troxerutin and / or zanthorhamnin).

[0137] In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise one or more flavanones. For example, in some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise butin, eriodictyol, hesperetin, hesperidin, homoeriodictyol, isosakuranetin, naringenin, naringin, pinocembrin, poncirin, sakuranetin, sakuranin and / or sterubin.

[0138] In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise one or more flavanonols. For example, in some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise dihydrokaempferol and / or taxifolin.

[0139] In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise one or more flavans. For example, in some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise one or more flavan-3-ols (e.g., catechin (C), catechin 3-gallate (Cg), epicatechins (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC) epicatechin 3-gallate (ECg), epigallcatechin 3-gallate (EGCg), epiafzelechin, fisetinidol, gallocatechin (GC), gallcatechin 3-gallate (GCg), guibourtinidol, mesquitol, robinetinidol, theaflavin-3-gallate, theaflavin-3'-gallate, theflavin-3,3'-digallate, thearubigin), flavan-4-ols (e.g., apiforol and / or luteoforol) and / or flavan-3,4-diols (e.g., leucocyanidin, leucodelphinidin, leucofisetinidin, leucomalvidin, luecopelargonidin, leucopeonidin, leucorobinetinidin, melacacidin and / or teracacidin) and / or dimers, trimers, oligomers and / or polymers thereof (e.g., one or more proanthocyanidins).

[0140] In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise one or more isoflavonoids. For example, in some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise one or more isoflavones (e.g, biochanin A, daidzein, formononetin, genistein and / or glycitein), isoflavanes (e.g., equol, ionchocarpane and / or laxifloorane), isoflavandiols, isoflavenes (e.g., glabrene, haginin D and / or 2-methoxyjudaicin), coumestans (e.g., coumestrol, plicadin and / or wedelolactone), pterocarpans and / or roetonoids.

[0141] Inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may comprise any suitable flavonoid derivative, including neoflavonoids (e.g, calophyllolide, coutareagenin, dalbergichromene, dalbergin, nivetin) and pterocarpans (e.g., bitucarpin A, bitucarpin B, erybraedin A, erybraedin B, erythrabyssin II, erthyrabissin-1, erycristagallin, glycinol, glyceollidins, glyceollins, glycyrrhizol, maackiain, medicarpin, morisianine, orientanol, phaseolin, pisatin, striatine, trifolirhizin).

[0142] Flavonoids and derivatives thereof may be incorporated into inoculant compositons of the present disclosure in any suitable form, including-polymorphic and crystalline forms.

[0143] Flavonoids may be incorporated into inoculant compositions of the present disclosure in any suitable amount(s) / concentration(s). The absolute value of the amount / concentration / dosage of flavonoid(s) that is sufficient to cause the desired effect may be affected by factors such as the type, size and volume of material to which the compositon will be applied, the stability of the microorganisms in the composition and the storage conditions (e.g., temperature, relative humidity, duration). Those skilled in the art will understand how to select an effective amount / concentration / dosage using routine dose-response experiments.

[0144] Inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may comprise any suitable agriculturally acceptable drying agent(s), including drying powders. For example, in some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise calcium stearate, clay (e.g., attapulgite clay, montmorillonite clay), graphite, magnesium stearate, magnesium sulfate, powdered milk, silica (e.g., fumed silica, hydrophobically-coated silica, precipitated silica), soy lecithin and / or talc.

[0145] Examples of drying agents that may be useful in compositions of the present disclosure include AEROSIL ®< hydrophobic fumed silica powders (Evonik Corporation, Parsippany, NJ), BENTOLITE ®< powders (BYK-Chemie GmbH, Wesel, Germany), INCOTEC ®< powders (INCOTEC Inc., Salinas, CA), SIPERNAT ®< silica powders (Evonik Corporation, Parsippany, NJ) and combinations thereof.

[0146] Additional examples of drying agents that may be included in inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may be found in BURGES, FORMULATION OF MICROBIAL BIOPESTICIDES: BENEFICIAL MICROORGANISMS, NEMATODES AND SEED TREATMENTS (Springer Science & Business Media) (2012).

[0147] In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise one or more commercial drying agents used in accordance with the manufacturer's recommended amounts / concentrations.

[0148] Drying agents may be incorporated into inoculant compositions of the present disclosure in any suitable amount(s) / concentration(s). The absolute value of the amount / concentration / dosage of drying agent(s) that is sufficient to cause the desired effect may be affected by factors such as the type, size and volume of material to which the compositon will be applied, the stability of the microorganisms in the composition and the storage conditions (e.g., temperature, relative humidity, duration). Those skilled in the art will understand how to select an effective amount / concentration / dosage using routine dose-response experiments.

[0149] In some embodiments, the drying agent(s) comprise(s) about 1 to about 95 % (by weight) of the inoculant composition. For example, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may comprise about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or more (by weight) of one or more drying agents. In some embodiments, the drying agent amount / concentration is about 1 to about 65%, about 5% to about 20%, about 10% to about 25%, about 20% to about 50%, or about 30 to about 60% (by weight) of the inoculant composition.

[0150] In some embodiments, the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure comprise about 0.5 to about 10 grams of drying powder per liter of inoculant composition. For example, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may comprise about 0.5, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.25, 3.5, 3.75, 4, 4.25, 4.5, 4.75, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10 grams or more of drying powder per liter of inoculant composition.

[0151] Inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may be formulated into any suitable type of composition, including seed coatings, soil inoculants and foliar inoculants.

[0152] In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure are formulated as amorphous solids.

[0153] In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure are formulated as amorphous liquids.

[0154] In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure are formulated as wettable powders.

[0155] In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure are formulated as liquid compositions that are subsequently dried to produce a powder or granuale. For example, in some embodiments, liquid inoculant compositions of the present disclosure are drum dried, evaporation dried, fluidized bed dried, freeze dried, spray dried, spray-freeze dried, tray dried and / or vacuum dried to produce powders / granuales. Such powders / granuales may be further processed using any suitable method(s), including flocculation, granulation and milling, to achieve a desired particle size or physical format. The precise method(s) and parameters of processing dried powders / granuales that are appropriate in a given situation may be affected by factors such as the desired particle size(s), the type, size and volume of material to which the compositon will be applied, the type(s) of microorganisms in the composition, the number of microorganisms in the composition, the stability of the microorganisms in the composition and the storage conditions (e.g., temperature, relative humidity, duration). Those skilled in the art will understand how to select appropriate methods and parameters using routine experiments.

[0156] In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure are frozen for cryopreservation. For example, in some embodiments, liquid inoculant compositions of the present disclosure are flash-frozen and stored in a cryopreservation storage unit / facility. The precise method(s) and parameters of freezing and preserving inoculant compositions of the present disclosure that are appropriate in a given situation may be affected by factors such as the type(s) of microorganisms in the composition, the number of microorganisms in the composition, the stability of the microorganisms in the composition and the storage conditions (e.g., temperature, relative humidity, duration). Those skilled in the art will understand how to select appropriate methods and parameters using routine experiments.

[0157] The present disclosure extends to kits comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of an inoculant composition of the present disclosure and a container housing the inoculant composition. In some embodiments, the kit further comprises one or more oxygen scavengers, such as activated carbon, ascorbic acid, iron powder, mixtures of ferrous carbonate and metal halide catalysts, sodium chloride and / or sodium hydrogen carbonate.

[0158] The container may comprise any suitable material(s), including materials that reduce the amount of light, moisture and / or oxygen that contact the inoculant composition when the container is sealed.

[0159] In some embodiments, the container comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a material having light permeability of less than about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70 or 75%.

[0160] In some embodiments, the container reduces the amount of ambient light that reaches the inoculant composition by about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 or 100% when sealed.

[0161] In some embodiments, the container reduces the amount of ambient moisture that reaches the inoculant composition by about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 or 100% when sealed.

[0162] In some embodiments, the container comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a material having an oxygen transmission rate of less than about 5, 10, 15, 20. 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 275, 300, 325, 350, 375, 400, 425, 450, 475, or 500 cm 3< / m 2< ·day (as measured in accordance with ASTM D3985).

[0163] In some embodiments, the container reduces the amount of ambient oxygen that reaches the inoculant composition by about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 or 100% when sealed.

[0164] In some embodiments, oxygen is actively removed from the container. Any suitable method(s) may be used to remove oxygen from the container, including vacuum sealing and gas flushing methods. See generally WO2016 / 096821. In some embodiments, ambient air is evacuated from the container under vacuum and replaced with one or more inert gases (e.g., hydrogen, nitrogen, helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, radon, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, hydrogen sulfide, lower alkane and / or halo alkane).

[0165] In some embodiments, kits of the present disclosure comprise 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or more additional containers. The additional containers may comprise any suitable component(s) or composition(s), including agriculturally beneficial microorganisms, biostimulants, drying agents, nutrients, oxidation control components and pesticides. Examples of agriculturally beneficial microorganisms, biostimulants, drying agents, nutrients, oxidation control components and pesticides that may be included in the additional containers are described above.

[0166] In some embodiments, treated plant propagation materials comprise, consist essentially of or consist of a plant propagation material and a coating that covers at least a portion of the outer surface of the plant propagation material, said coating comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of an inoculant composition of the present disclosure.

[0167] The coating may cover any suitable portion of the plant propagation material. In some embodiments, the coating covers at least 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or more of the outer surface of the plant propagation material. In some embodiments, the coating completely covers the outer surface of the plant propagation material.

[0168] The coating may comprise one, two, three, four, five or more layers. In some embodiments, the coating comprises at least one layer that is free or substantially free of microorganisms. For example, in some embodiments, the coating comprises an inner layer that contains one or more microorganisms and one or more outer layers free or substantially free of microorganisms. In some embodiments, the coating comprises at least one layer that is free or substantially free of stabilizing compounds. For example, in some embodiments, the coating comprising an inner layer that contains one or more microorganisms but is free or substantially free of stabilizing compounds and and an outer layer that is equivalent to an inoculant composition of the present disclosure except insofar as it lacks one or more microorganisms.

[0169] In some embodiments, coatings of the present disclosure comprise, consist essentially of or consist of an the inner layer that comprises, consists essentially of or consists of an inoculant composition of the present disclosure and an outer layer that is equivalent to an inoculant composition of the present disclosure except insofar as it lacks one or more microorganisms. For example, coated plant propagation materials of the present disclosure may comprise a seed that is coated with an inner layer comprising one or more maltodextrins (e.g., one or more maltodextrins having a DEV of about 15 to about 20) and one or more microorganisms (e.g., one or more strains of Bradyrhizobium, such as BRADY; and / or one or more strains of Penicillium, such as PENI) and an outer layer that comprises one or more maltodextrins (e.g., one or more maltodextrins having a DEV of about 15 to about 20) but is free of microorganisms.

[0170] In some embodiments, coatings of the present disclosure comprise, consist essentially of or consist of an inoculant composition of the present disclosure and a drying powder. For example, coated plant propagation materials of the present disclosure may comprise a seed that is coated with an inoculant composition comprising one or more maltodextrins (e.g., one or more maltodextrins having a DEV of about 15 to about 20) and one or more microorganisms (e.g., one or more strains of Bradyrhizobium, such as BRADY; and / or one or more strains of Penicillium, such as PENI) and then covered with a drying powder (e.g., a drying power that comprises calcium stearate, one or more clays, graphite, magnesium stearate, magnesium sulfate, powdered milk, silica, soy lecithin and / or talc).

[0171] The coating may have any suitable thickness. The absolute value of the thickness that is sufficient to cause the desired effect may be affected by factors such as the type, size and volume of material to which the compositon will be applied, the type(s) of microorganisms in the composition, the number of microorganisms in the composition, the stability of the microorganisms in the composition and the storage conditions (e.g., temperature, relative humidity, duration). Those skilled in the art will understand how to select an effective amount / concentration / dosage using routine dose-response experiments. In some embodiments, the average thickness of the coating is at least 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5 µm or more. In some embodiments, the average thickness of the coating is about 1.5 to about 3.0 µm.

[0172] Plant propagation materials treated with inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may exhibit a high degree of flowability. In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure enhance the flowability of treated plant propagation material by at least 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 150, 175, 200% or more as as compared to a control composition ((e.g., a control composition that is identical to the inoculant composition of the present disclosure except that it lacks one or more of the components found in the inoculant composition and / or contains one or more components not found in the inoculant compositionof the present disclosure). In some embodiments, seeds coated with inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may exhibit a basic flowability energy of less than 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 2500, 275, 300, 325, 350, 375, 400, 425, 450, 475, 500, 600, 650, 700, 750, 800, 850, 900, 950, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000 mJ or less when measured at an airflow rate of 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 and / or 1000 ml per minute using an FT4 Powder Rheometer ®< (Freeman Technology, Tewkesbury, UK).

[0173] Plant propagation materials treated with inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may exhibit a high degree of plantability. In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure enhance the plantability of treated plant propagation material by at least 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 150, 175, 200% or more as as compared to a control composition ((e.g., a control composition that is identical to the inoculant composition of the present disclosure except that it lacks one or more of the components found in the inoculant composition and / or contains one or more components not found in the inoculant compositionof the present disclosure). In some embodiments, seeds coated with inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may exhibit a plantability of at least 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 95.5, 96, 96.5, 97, 97.5, 98, 98.5, 99, 99.5% or more when measured using a brush-type seed meter, a vaccum seed meter and / or a finger pickup seed meter.

[0174] Plant propagation materials treated with inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may exhibit a low degree of dust-off. In some embodiments, inoculant compositions of the present disclosure enhance the dust-off of treated plant propagation material by at least 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 150, 175, 200% or more as as compared to a control composition ((e.g., a control composition that is identical to the inoculant composition of the present disclosure except that it lacks one or more of the components found in the inoculant composition and / or contains one or more components not found in the inoculant compositionof the present disclosure). In some embodiuments, seeds coated with inoculant compositions of the present disclosure exhibit a dust-off value of less than 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1 gram per 100 kilograms of seed when tested at room temperature (20-25°C) and 30-50% relative humidity using a Type I HEUBACH DUSTMETER ®< (Heubach GmbH, Langelsheim, Germany) set to 30 rotations per minute, an air throughput of 20 liters per minute and total rotation time of 120 seconds. In some embodiments, seeds coated with inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may exhibit a Heubach dust value of less than about 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1 gram per 100 kilogram of treated seed when tested in accordance with the European Seed Association's Heubach Test ("Assessment of free floating dust and abrasion particles of treated seeds as a parameter of the quality of treated seeds" version 1.0).

[0175] Inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may be used to coat any suitable plant propagation materials, including cuttings (e.g., leaves, stems), rhizomes, seeds and tubers. In some embodiments, the plant propagation material is a seed.

[0176] Inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may be used to coat plant propagation materials of any suitable plant type, including row crops and vegetables.

[0177] Examples of plant propagation materials that may be coated with inoculant compositions of the present disclosure include seeds sold by Monsanto Company (St. Louis, MO) under the BOLLGARD II ®< , DROUGHTGARD ®< , GENUITY ®< , RIB COMPLETE ®< , ROUNDUP READY ®< , ROUNDUP READY 2 YIELD ®< , ROUNDUP READY 2 EXTEND ™< , SMARTSTAX ®< , VT DOUBLE PRO ®< , VT TRIPLE PRO ®< , YIELDGARD ®< , YIELDGARD VT ROOTWORM / RR2 ®< , YIELDGARD VT TRIPLE ®< and / or XTENDFLEX ™< tradenames.

[0178] The present disclosure extends to kits comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of a coated plant propagation material of the present disclosure and a container housing the coated plant propagation material. In some embodiments, the kit further comprises one or more oxygen scavengers, such as activated carbon, ascorbic acid, iron powder, mixtures of ferrous carbonate and metal halide catalysts, sodium chloride and / or sodium hydrogen carbonate.

[0179] The container may comprise any suitable material(s), including materials that reduce the amount of light, moisture and / or oxygen that contact the coated plant propagation material when the container is sealed.

[0180] In some embodiments, the container comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a material having light permeability of less than about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70 or 75%.

[0181] In some embodiments, the container reduces the amount of ambient light that reaches said coated plant propagation material by about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 or 100% when sealed.

[0182] In some embodiments, the container reduces the amount of ambient moisture that reaches said plant propagation material by about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 or 100% when sealed.

[0183] In some embodiments, the container comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a material having an oxygen transmission rate of less than about 5, 10, 15, 20. 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 275, 300, 325, 350, 375, 400, 425, 450, 475, or 500 cm 3< / m 2< ·day (as measured in accordance with ASTM D3985).

[0184] In some embodiments, the container reduces the amount of ambient oxygen that reaches said plant propagation material by about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 or 100% when sealed.

[0185] In some embodiments, oxygen is actively removed from the container. Any suitable method(s) may be used to remove oxygen from the container, including vacuum sealing and gas flushing methods. See generally WO2016 / 096821. In some embodiments, ambient air is evacuated from the container under vacuum and replaced with one or more inert gases (e.g., hydrogen, nitrogen, helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, radon, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, hydrogen sulfide, lower alkane and / or halo alkane).

[0186] In some embodiments, kits of the present disclosure comprise 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or more additional containers. The additional containers may comprise any suitable component(s) or composition(s), including agriculturally beneficial microorganisms, biostimulants, drying agents, nutrients, oxidation control components and pesticides. Examples of agriculturally beneficial microorganisms, biostimulants, drying agents, nutrients, oxidation control components and pesticides that may be included in the additional containers are described above.EXAMPLES

[0187] Unless otherwise stated, the percentages described in the following examples are weight percentages based on the total weight of the composition being described.

[0188] Unless otherwise stated, the microbial suspensions described in the following examples comprise microbes that were grown to stationary phase prior to use.

[0189] Unless otherwise stated, seeds were coated in the following examples in accordance with Seed Coating Protocol 1 or Seed Coating Protocol 2: Seed Coating Protocol 1: Desired volumes of seeds and coating material were placed in a gallon-size plastic bag. The bag was inflated until the seeds / coating material occupy approximately one-third of the volume contained within the bag, then sealed. The sealed bag was shaken for one minute, then opened to allow the seeds to dry at room temperature (21-23°C) for four hours. In experiments comprising multiple coatings, each subsequent coating material was added to the bag immediately upon opening, the bag was re-inflated and sealed, and the seeds were shaken with the outer coating material for one minute prior to the drying step. Seed Coating Protocol 2: Seeds were coated with the desired volume of coating material using a laboratory-scale liquid seed treater (HEGE 11, Winterstieger, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT), then placed in an open gallon-size plastic pag and allowed to dry at room temperature (21-23°C) for four hours. In double-coating experiments, the outer coating material was added to the system after the first coating step.

[0190] Unless otherwise stated, the on-seed survivability assays described in the following examples were carried out in accordance with Survivability Protocol 1 or Survivability Protocol 2: Survivability Protocol 1: At each designated time point, 50 seeds were placed in a 250ml Erlenmeyer flask with 50 ml 0.85% NaCl buffer, then shaken on an orbital shaker at 200 rpm for 15 minutes at 21-24°C. Flask buffer was serially diluted into 0.85% NaCl buffer (using 10-fold dilutions), vortexed and plated on Yeast Extract Mannitol Agar + Polymixin B in triplicate (100 µl per plate). Plates were incubated for approximately seven days at 30°C. Colonies were counted, and plates containing between 30 and 300 colonies were selected for recordation. Survivability Protocol 2: At each designated time point, 100 seeds were placed in a 250ml Erlenmeyer flask with 100 ml 0.85% NaCl buffer, 0.4ml TWEEN ®< 80 and a one-inch magnetic stir bar, then shaken on a magnetic stir plate at 800 rpm for 15 minutes at 21-24°C. Flask buffer was serially diluted into 0.85% NaCl buffer (using 10-fold dilutions), vortexed and plated on Yeast Extract Mannitol Agar + Vancomycin + Cycloheximide in triplicate (100 µl per plate). Plates were sealed in gallon-size plastic bags and incubated for approximately seven days at 30°C at 65% relative humidity. Colonies were counted, and plates containing between 30 and 300 colonies were selected for recordation. Example 1 Maltose enhanced the survivability of desiccated Bradyrhizobium

[0191] Untreated soybean seeds (ASGROW ®< ; Monsanto Company, St. Louis, MO) were weighed out into 100 g allotments. Each allotment of seeds was coated according to Seed Coating Protocol 1 with one of the double-layer coatings set forth in Table 1: Table 1. Inner Coating (300 µl per 100g seed) Outer Coating (300 µl per 100g seed) Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50626 suspensionnoneBradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50626 suspensiondeionized water containing 30% maltose monohydrateBradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50626 suspension containing 30% maltose monohydratedeionized water containing 30% maltose monohydrate Coated seeds were stored at room temperature and less than 20%, 35-40% or 70-75% relative humidity and then assayed for on-seed survivability. Figures 1-3 .Example 2 Maltose enhanced the survivability of desiccated Bradyrhizobium

[0192] Untreated soybean seeds (ASGROW ®< ; Monsanto Company, St. Louis, MO) were weighed out into 100 g allotments. Each allotment of seeds was coated according to Seed Coating Protocol 1 with one of the double-layer coatings set forth in Table 2: Table 2. Innermost Coating (per 100g seed) Inner Coating (per 100g seed) Outer Coating (per 100g seed) none300 µl Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspensionnonenone300 µl Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 30% maltose monohydrate400 µl deionized water containing 50% maltose monohydratenone300 µl Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 30% maltose monohydrate400 µl deionized water containing 30% maltose monohydratenone400 µl Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 30% maltose monohydrate300 µl deionized water containing 30% maltose monohydrate200 µl deionized water containing 30% maltose monohydrate300 µl Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 30% maltose monohydrate200 µl deionized water containing 30% maltose monohydrate200 µl deionized water containing 50% maltose monohydrate300 µl Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 30% maltose monohydrate200 µl deionized water containing 50% maltose monohydrate Coated seeds were stored at 30°C and 11%, 32% or 54% relative humidity and then assayed for on-seed survivability. Figures 4-6 .Example 3 Maltose and trehalose enhanced the survivability of desiccated Bradyrhizobium

[0193] Untreated soybean seeds (ASGROW ®< ; Monsanto Company, St. Louis, MO) were weighed out into 100 g allotments. Each allotment of seeds was coated according to Seed Coating Protocol 1 with one of the double-layer coatings set forth in Table 3: Table 3. Inner Coating (per 100g seed) Outer Coating (per 100g seed) 300 µl Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspensionnone400 µl Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 30% maltose monohydrate300 µl deionized water containing 30% maltose monohydrate400 µl Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 30% maltose monohydrate300 µl deionized water containing 30% trehalose dihydrate Coated seeds were stored at 30°C and 11%, 32% or 54% relative humidity and then assayed for on-seed survivability. Figures 7-9 .Example 4 Maltodextrins enhanced the survivability of desiccated Bradyrhizobium

[0194] Untreated soybean seeds (ASGROW ®< AG2733; Monsanto Company, St. Louis, MO) were weighed out into 100 g allotments. Each allotment of seeds was coated according to Seed Coating Protocol 1 with one of the double-layer coatings set forth in Table 4: Table 4. Inner Coating (400 µl per 100g seed) Outer Coating (300 µl per 100g seed) Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 30% maltose monohydratedeionized water containing 30% maltose monohydrateBradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 30% MALTRIN ®< M100deionized water containing 30% MALTRIN ®< M100Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 30% MALTRIN ®< M150deionized water containing 30% MALTRIN ®< M150Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 30% MALTRIN ®< M200deionized water containing 30% MALTRIN ®< M200Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 30% MALTRIN ®< M250deionized water containing 30% MALTRIN ®< M250 Coated seeds were stored at 30°C and 54% or 76% relative humidity and then assayed for on-seed survivability. Figures 10-13 . The on-seed survivability of Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 at 54% relative humidity was increased by both MALTRIN® M150 (88%) and M200 (137%), as compared to maltose monohydrate. The on-seed viability of Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 at 76% relative humidity was increased by both MALTRIN® M150 (741%) and M200 (709%), as compared to maltose monohydrate.Example 5 Combinations of maltodextrins enhanced the survivability of desiccated Bradyrhizobium

[0195] Untreated soybean seeds (ASGROW ®< AG3433; Monsanto Company, St. Louis, MO) were weighed out into 100 g allotments. Each allotment of seeds was coated according to Seed Coating Protocol 1 with one of the double-layer coatings set forth in Table 5: Table 5. Inner Coating (400 µl per 100g seed) Outer Coating (300 µl per 100g seed) Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 22.5% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 7.5% MALTRIN ®< M200deionized water containing 22.5% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 7.5% MALTRIN ®< M200Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 15% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 15% MALTRIN ®< M200deionized water containing 15% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 15% MALTRIN ®< M200Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 7.5% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 22.5% MALTRIN ®< M200deionized water containing 7.5% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 22.5% MALTRIN ®< M200Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 22.5% MALTRIN ®< M100 + 7.5% MALTRIN ®< M200deionized water containing 22.5% MALTRIN ®< M100 + 7.5% MALTRIN ®< M200Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 15% MALTRIN ®< M100 + 15% MALTRIN ®< M200deionized water containing 15% MALTRIN ®< M100 + 15% MALTRIN ®< M200Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 30% Maltose monohydratedeionized water containing 30% Maltose monohydrate Coated seeds were stored at 30°C at 11%, 54% or 76% relative humidity and then assayed for on-seed survivability. Figures 14-16 .Example 6 Combinations of maltodextrins and sucrose enhanced the survivability of desciccated Bradyrhizobium

[0196] Untreated soybean seeds (ASGROW ®< AG3433; Monsanto Company, St. Louis, MO) were weighed out into 100 g allotments. Each allotment of seeds was coated according to Seed Coating Protocol 1 with one of the double-layer coatings set forth in Table 6: Table 6. Inner Coating (400 µl per 100g seed) Outer Coating (300 µl per 100g seed) Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 30% MALTRIN ®< M100 (circles in the graphs below)deionized water containing 30% MALTRIN ®< M100Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 26% MALTRIN ®< M100 + 4% Sucrose (triangles in the graphs below)deionized water containing 26% MALTRIN ®< M100 + 4% SucroseBradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 22% MALTRIN ®< M100 + 8% Sucrose (squares in the graphs below)deionized water containing 22% MALTRIN ®< M100 + 8% Sucrose Coated seeds were stored at 30°C at 11%, 54% or 76% relative humidity and then assayed for on-seed survivability. Figures 17-19 .Example 7 Combinations of maltodextrin and maltose enhanced on-seed survivability of Bradyrhizobium

[0197] Untreated soybean seeds (ASGROW ®< AG4831; Monsanto Company, St. Louis, MO) were weighed out into 100 g allotments. Each allotment of seeds was coated according to Seed Coating Protocol 2 with 400 µl of one of the coatings set forth in Table 7: Table 7. Single Coating Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 17.5% (65% GLOBE ®< Plus 15 DE + 35% Maltose monohydrate)Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 26.3% (65% GLOBE ®< Plus 15 DE + 35% Maltose monohydrate)Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 32.4% (65% GLOBE ®< Plus 15 DE + 35% Maltose monohydrate)Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 35.0% (65% GLOBE ®< Plus 15 DE + 35% Maltose monohydrate)Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 39.4% (65% GLOBE ®< Plus 15 DE + 35% Maltose monohydrate)Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 43.8% (65% GLOBE ®< Plus 15 DE + 35% Maltose monohydrate)Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 48.1% (65% GLOBE ®< Plus 15 DE + 35% Maltose monohydrate)Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 52.5% (65% GLOBE ®< Plus 15 DE + 35% Maltose monohydrate)Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 56.9% (65% GLOBE ®< Plus 15 DE + 35% Maltose monohydrate)Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 61.3% (65% GLOBE ®< Plus 15 DE + 35% Maltose monohydrate) Coated seeds were stored at 25°C at 65% relative humidity and then assayed for on-seed survivability. Figure 20 .Example 8 Combinations of maltodextrins and maltose / trehalose enhanced the survivability of desiccated Bradyrhizobium

[0198] Untreated soybean seeds (ASGROW ®< AG2031; Monsanto Company, St. Louis, MO) were weighed out into 100 g allotments. Each allotment of seeds was coated with one of the following according to Seed Coating Protocol 1 with one of the double-layer coatings set forth in Table 8: Table 8. Inner Coating (350 µl per 100g seed) Outer Coating (350 µl per 100g seed) A Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 9.750% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 9.75% MALTRIN ®< M200 + 10.500% Maltose monohydratedeionized water containing 9.750% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 9.75% MALTRIN ®< M200 + 10.500% Maltose monohydrateB Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 14.625% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 4.875% MALTRIN ®< M200 + 10.500% Maltose monohydratedeionized water containing 14.625% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 4.875% MALTRIN ®< M200 + 10.500% Maltose monohydrateC Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 19.500% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 10.500% Maltose monohydratedeionized water containing 19.500% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 10.500% Maltose monohydrateD Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 4.500% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 13.500% MALTRIN ®< M200 + 12.000% Trehalose dihydratedeionized water containing 4.500% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 13.500% MALTRIN ®< M200 + 12.000% Trehalose dihydrateE Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 10.800% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 7.200% MALTRIN ®< M200 + 12.000% Trehalose dihydratedeionized water containing 10.800% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 7.200% MALTRIN ®< M200 + 12.000% Trehalose dihydrateF Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 18.000% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 12.000% Trehalose dihydratedeionized water containing 18.000% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 12.000% Trehalose dihydrateG Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 3.750% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 11.250% MALTRIN ®< M200 + 15.000% Trehalose dihydratedeionized water containing 3.750% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 11.250% MALTRIN ®< M200 + 15.000% Trehalose dihydrateH Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 9.000% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 6.000% MALTRIN ®< M200 + 15.000% Trehalose dihydratedeionized water containing 9.000% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 6.000% MALTRIN ®< M200 + 15.000% Trehalose dihydrateI Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 15.000% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 15.000% Trehalose dihydratedeionized water containing 15.000% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 15.000% Trehalose dihydrate Coated seeds were stored at room temperature at 65% relative humidity and then assayed for on-seed survivability. Figure 21 .Example 9 Mixtures of maltodextrin and trehalose enhanced the survivability of desiccated Bradyrhizobium

[0199] Untreated soybean seeds (ASGROW ®< AG2031; Monsanto Company, St. Louis, MO) were weighed out into 100 g allotments. Each allotment of seeds was coated according to Seed Coating Protocol 1 with one of the double-layer coatings set forth in Table 9 or one of the sigle-layer coatings set forth in Table 10: Table 9. Inner Coating (350 µl per 100g seed) Outer Coating (350 µl per 100g seed) Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 12% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 8% Trehalose dihydratedeionized water containing 12% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 8% Trehalose dihydrateBradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 12% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 8% Trehalose dihydrateBradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 12% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 8% Trehalose dihydrateBradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 15% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 10% Trehalose dihydratedeionized water containing 15% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 10% Trehalose dihydrateBradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 15% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 10% Trehalose dihydrateBradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 15% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 10% Trehalose dihydrateBradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 18% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 12% Trehalose dihydratedeionized water containing 18% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 12% Trehalose dihydrateBradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 18% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 12% Trehalose dihydrateBradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 18% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 12% Trehalose dihydrate Table 10. Single Coating (700 µl per 100g seed) Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 24% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 16% Trehalose dihydrateBradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 30% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 20% Trehalose dihydrateBradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 36% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 24% Trehalose dihydrate Coated seeds were stored at room temperature at 65% relative humidity and then assayed for on-seed survivability. Figure 22 .Example 10 Ascorbic acid and glutathione reduced the adverse effects of light on the survivability of desiccated Bradyrhizobium in maltodextrin-containing inoculant compositions

[0200] Untreated soybean seeds (ASGROW ®< AG2031; Monsanto Company, St. Louis, MO) were weighed out into 100 g allotments. Each allotment of seeds was coated according to Seed Coating Protocol 1 with one of the double-layer coatings set forth in Table 11: Table 11. Inner Coating (350 µl per 100g seed) Outer Coating (350 µl per 100g seed) Light 1 Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 16.90% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 9.1% Maltose monohydrateBradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 16.90% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 9.1% Maltose monohydrateLight 2 Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 16.90% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 9.1% Maltose monohydrate + 0.10% Ascorbic acid + 0.15% glutathioneBradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 16.90% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 9.1% Maltose monohydrate + 0.10% Ascorbic acid + 0.15% glutathioneLight 3 Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 16.90% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 9.1% Maltose monohydrate + 0.20% Ascorbic acid + 0.30% glutathioneBradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 16.90% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 9.1% Maltose monohydrate + 0.20% Ascorbic acid + 0.30% glutathioneDark Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 16.90% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 9.1% Maltose monohydrateBradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 16.90% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 9.1% Maltose monohydrate Coated seeds were stored at room temperature in a light or dark desiccator at 65% relative humidity and then assayed for on-seed survivability. Figure 23 .Example 11 (Reference) Combinations of maltodextrin and maltose enhanced the survivability of desiccated Pseudomonas

[0201] An aqueous suspension comprising Pseudomonas koreensis O82GYH (1 x 10 10< CFU per ml ) was split into aliquots. MALTRIN ®< M150 and maltose monohydrate were added to half of the aliquots to final concentrations of 26% and 14%, respectively. Each aliquot was dried in a Freund-Vector VFC-Lab 1 Flo-Coater ®< fluidized bed dryer (Freund-Vector Corporation, Marion, IA), top spray only, using calcium carbonate as the carrier. The resultant powders were packaged and sealed in plastic bags and stored at room temperature and ambient relative humidity for 48 hours prior to rehydration with phosphate buffered saline comprising 0.85% sodium chloride on a Wrist Action ®< Shaker (Burrell Scientific LLC, Pittsburgh, PA) for 30 minutes. The rehydrated samples were assayed for survivability. Figure 24. Example 12 Combinations of maltodextrin, maltose, ascorbic acid and glutathione enhanced the survivability of desiccated Bradyrhizobium

[0202] Untreated soybean seeds (ASGROW ®< AG2031; Monsanto Company, St. Louis, MO) were weighed out into 100 g allotments. Each allotment of seeds was coated according to Seed Coating Protocol 1 with 540 µl of one of the sigle-layer coatings set forth in Table 12: Table 12. Single Coating Light 85 / 15 Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 27.54% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 4.86% Maltose monohydrate + 0.0007% Ascorbic acid + 0.00105% glutathioneLight 75 / 25 Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 24.30% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 8.10% Maltose monohydrate + 0.0007% Ascorbic acid + 0.00105% glutathioneLight 65 / 35 Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 21.06% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 11.34% Maltose monohydrate + 0.0007% Ascorbic acid + 0.00105% glutathioneLight 55 / 45 Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 17.82% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 14.58% Maltose monohydrate + 0.0007% Ascorbic acid + 0.00105% glutathioneLight 45 / 55 Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 14.58% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 17.82% Maltose monohydrate + 0.0007% Ascorbic acid + 0.00105% glutathioneLight Biopower Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 25.93% Nitragin Biopower ®< Dark 85 / 15 Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 27.54% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 4.86% Maltose monohydrate + 0.0007% Ascorbic acid + 0.00105% glutathioneDark 75 / 25 Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 24.30% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 8.10% Maltose monohydrate + 0.0007% Ascorbic acid + 0.00105% glutathioneDark 65 / 35 Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 21.06% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 11.34% Maltose monohydrate + 0.0007% Ascorbic acid + 0.00105% glutathioneDark 55 / 45 Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 17.82% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 14.58% Maltose monohydrate + 0.0007% Ascorbic acid + 0.00105% glutathioneDark 45 / 55 Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 14.58% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 17.82% Maltose monohydrate + 0.0007% Ascorbic acid + 0.00105% glutathioneDark Biopower Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 suspension containing 25.93% Nitragin Biopower ®< Coated seeds were stored at room temperature in a light or dark desiccator at 65% relative humidity and then assayed for on-seed survivability. Figures 25-26 .Example 13 Maltodextrin-based stabilizer enhanced the survivability of spray-dried Bradyrhizobium

[0203] Aqueous liquid inoculant compositions comprising Bradyrhizobium japnicum NRRL B-50626 with or without a maltodextrin-based stabilizer (28% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 12% maltose monohydrate + 0.074% potassium phosphate monobasic + 0.08% potassium phosphate dibasic in deionized water) were spray-dried using a BUCHI Mini Spray Dryer B-290 (BUCHI Corp.,New Castle, DE) equipped with a three-fluid nozzle. The inner fluid-Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50626 suspension or Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50626 suspension containing the maltodextrin-based stabilizer (10% w / w)-contained 1 x 10 10< cfu per ml. Deionized water containing the maltodextrin-based stabilizer (10% w / w) was used as the outer fluid. The flow rates of the inner and outer fluids were equalized and run at a 15% pump speed (4.5 ml per minute). Inlet temperature was 135°C. Outlet temperature was 67°C. The aspirator and regulator were both run at the maximum setting using room air at ambient temperature and humidity. As shown Figure 27, the maltodextin-based stabilizer significantly increased the survivability of Bradyrhizobium japnicum NRRL B-50626during the spray-drying process.Example 14 Maltodextrin-based stabilizer enhanced the survivability of spray-dried Bradyrhizobium

[0204] Four grams of water was added to 100 grams of soybean seeds (ASGROW ®< AG2035; Monsanto Company, St. Louis, MO). The wet seeds were then coated with 0.2 grams of a mixture (Table 13) comprising Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50626 that were spray-dried with a maltodextrin stabilizer as described in Example 19 above. Table 13. Seed-Coating Mixture 25% (w / w) spray-dried Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-5062625% (w / w) adhesive powder consisting of 64.93% MALTRIN ®< M150 + 34.96% maltose monohydrate + 0.022 % potassium phosphate monobasic + 0.089% potassium phosphate dibasic50% (w / w) drying agent consisting of 61% INCOTEC ®< F028 drying powder + 39% linoleic acid Coated seeds were stored at 10°C and 50% relative humidity and then assayed for on-seed survivability. As shown in Figure 28 , the spray-dried Bradyrhizobium remained stable on the seed for at least 249 days.Example 15 Maltodextrin-based stabilizer enhanced the survivability of spray-dried Bradyrhizobium

[0205] Four grams of water was added to 100 grams of untreated soybean seeds (ASGROW ®< AG2035; Monsanto Company, St. Louis, MO) or soybean seeds (ASGROW ®< AG2035; Monsanto Company, St. Louis, MO) pre-treated with ACCELERON ®< seed treatment product (Monsanto Company, St. Louis, MO). The wet seeds were then coated with 0.2 grams of a mixture (Table 14) comprising Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-50626 that were spray-dried with a maltodextrin stabilizer as described in Example 19 above. Table 14. Seed-Coating Mixture 25% (w / w) spray-dried Bradyrhizobium japonicum NRRL B-5062625% (w / w) adhesive powder consisting of 64.93% GLOBE ®< Plus 15 DE + 34.96% maltose monohydrate + 0.022 % potassium phosphate monobasic + 0.089% (w / w) potassium phosphate dibasic50% (w / w) drying agent consisting of 61% INCOTEC ®< F028 drying powder + 39% linoleic acid Coated seeds were stored at 10°C and 50% relative humidity and then assayed for on-seed survivability. As shown in Figure 29 , the spray-dried Bradyrhizobium remained stable on both untreated and treated seeds for at least 57 days. When planted alongside naked control seeds in autoclaved soil, the coated seeds exhibited earlier root nodulation (Figure 30 ) and a significant increase in both plant size and chlorophyll content (Figure 31 ).

Claims

1. An inoculant composition, comprising: one or more maltodextrins having a dextrose equivalent value of 15 to 20; maltose; and one or more strains of Bradyrhizobium; said one or more maltodextrins and said maltose comprising 5 to 95% of said inoculant composition (w / w, based upon the total weight of said inoculant composition).

2. The inoculant composition of claim 1, wherein the one or more maltodextrins and said maltose comprising 30 to 60% of said inoculant composition (w / w, based upon the total weight of said inoculant composition).

3. The inoculant composition of claim 2, wherein said maltodextrin(s) and said maltose are present in a maltrodextrin:maltose ratio of 15:85 to 85:15, optionally about 65:35 or about 35:65.

4. The inoculant composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said one or more strains of Bradyrhizobium comprises one or more strains of Bradyrhizobium in a concentration ranging from 1 x 101 to 1 x 1015 colony-forming units per gram and / or milliliter of said inoculant composition, optionally at least 1 x 104, 1 x 105, 1 x 106, or 1 x 107 colony-forming units per gram and / or milliliter of said inoculant composition.

5. The inoculant composition of any one of the preceding claims further comprising one or more pesticides, optionally: one or more insecticides and / or nematicides, optionally one or more carbamates, diamides, macrocyclic lactones, neonicotinoids, organophosphates, phenylpyrazoles, pyrethrins, spinosyns , synthetic pyrethroids , tetronic acids and / or tetramic acids; one or more fungicides, optionally one or more aromatic hydrocarbons, benzimidazoles, benzthiadiazole, carboxamides, carboxylic acid amides, morpholines, phenylamides, phosphonates, quinone outside inhibitors, thiazolidines, thiophanates, thiophene carboxamides and / or triazoles; and / or one or more herbicides, optionally one or more acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitors, acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors, acetohydroxy acid synthase (AHAS) inhibitors, photosystem II inhibitors, photosystem I inhibitors, protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO or Protox) inhibitors, carotenoid biosynthesis inhibitors, enolpyruvyl shikimate-3-phosphate (EPSP) synthase inhibitor, glutamine synthetase inhibitor, dihydropteroate synthetase inhibitor, mitosis inhibitors, 4-hydroxyphenyl-pyruvate-dioxygenase (4-HPPD) inhibitors, synthetic auxins, auxin herbicide salts, auxin transport inhibitors, and / or nucleic acid inhibitors.

6. The inoculant composition of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising one more lipo-chitooligosaccharides.

7. The inoculant composition of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more chitooligosaccharides.

8. The inoculant composition of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more chitinous compounds, optionally one or more chitins and / or one or more chitosans.

9. The inoculant composition of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more flavonoids, optionally: one or more anthocyanidins, optionally cyanidin, delphinidin, malvidin, pelargonidin, peonidin and / or petunidin; one or more anthoxanthins, optionally one or more flavones, such as apigenin, baicalein, chrysin, 7,8-dihydroxyflavone, diosmin, flavoxate, 6-hydroxyflavone, luteolin, scutellarein, tangeritin and / or wogonin; and / or flavonols, such as amurensin, astragalin, azaleatin, azalein, fisetin, furanoflavonols galangin, gossypetin, 3-hydroxyflavone, hyperoside,icariin, isoquercetin, kaempferide, kaempferitrin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, morin, myricetin, myricitrin, natsudaidain, pachypodol, pyranoflavonols quercetin, quericitin, rhamnazin, rhamnetin, robinin, rutin, spiraeoside, troxerutin and / or zanthorhamnin; one or more flavanones, optionally butin, eriodictyol, hesperetin, hesperidin, homoeriodictyol, isosakuranetin, naringenin, naringin, pinocembrin, poncirin, sakuranetin, sakuranin and / or sterubin; one or more flavanonols, optionally dihydrokaempferol and / or taxifolin; flavans, such as flavan-3-ols (e.g., catechin (C), catechin 3-gallate (Cg), epicatechins (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC) epicatechin 3-gallate (ECg), epigallcatechin 3-gallate (EGCg), epiafzelechin, fisetinidol, gallocatechin (GC), gallcatechin 3-gallate (GCg), guibourtinidol, mesquitol, robinetinidol, theaflavin-3-gallate, theaflavin-3'-gallate, theflavin-3,3'-digallate, thearubigin), flavan-4-ols (e.g., apiforol and / or luteoforol) and / or flavan-3,4-diols (e.g., leucocyanidin, leucodelphinidin, leucofisetinidin, leucomalvidin, luecopelargonidin, leucopeonidin, leucorobinetinidin, melacacidin and / or teracacidin); and / or one or more isoflavonoids, optionally one or more isoflavones, such as biochanin A, daidzein, formononetin, genistein and / or glycitein; isoflavanes, such as equol, ionchocarpane and / or laxifloorane; isoflavandiols; isoflavenes, such asglabrene, haginin D and / or 2-methoxyjudaicin; coumestans, such as coumestrol, plicadin and / or wedelolactone; pterocarpans; and / or roetonoids; and / or one or more neoflavonoids, optionally calophyllolide, coutareagenin, dalbergichromene, dalbergin and / or nivetin; and / or one or more pterocarpans, optionally bitucarpin A, bitucarpin B, erybraedin A, erybraedin B, erythrabyssin II, erthyrabissin-1, erycristagallin, glycinol, glyceollidins, glyceollins, glycyrrhizol, maackiain, medicarpin, morisianine, orientanol, phaseolin, pisatin, striatine and / or trifolirhizin.

10. The inoculant composition of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more oxidation control components, optionally: one or more antioxidants, optionally ascorbic acid, one or more isomers and / or salts of ascorbic acid, ascorbyl palmitate, ascorbyl stearate, calcium ascorbate, one or more carotenoids, lipoic acid, one or more phenolic compounds (e.g., one or more flavonoids, flavones and / or flavonols), potassium ascorbate, sodium ascorbate, one or more thiols (e.g., glutathione, lipoic acid and / or N-acetyl cysteine), one or more tocopherols, one or more tocotrienols, ubiquinone and / or uric acid) and / or one or more oxygen scavengers, optionally ascorbic acid one or more isomers and / or salts of ascorbic acid and / or sodium hydrogen carbonate.

11. The inoculant composition of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more drying agents, optionally calcium stearate, one or more clays, graphite, magnesium stearate, magnesium sulfate, powdered milk, one or more silica powders, soy lecithin and / or talc.

12. The inoculant composition of any one of claims 1-11, wherein said composition is a wettable powder or granuale.

13. A coated plant propagation material, comprising: a plant propagation material, optionally a seed; and a coating that covers at least a portion of an outer surface of said plant propagation material, said coating comprising the inoculant composition of any one of claims 1-12.

14. A kit, comprising: the inoculant composition of any one of claims 1-12 or the coated plant propagation material of claim 13; and a container housing said inoculant composition or coated plant propagation material.

15. A method, comprising applying the inoculation composition of any one of claims 1-12 to a plant propagation material, optionally a seed.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein applying the inoculant composition of any one of claims 1-12 to the plant propagation material comprises: drying the inoculant composition of any one of claims 1-12; and applying the dried inoculant composition of any one of claims 1-12 to the plant propagation material.

17. A method, comprising planting the coated plant propagation material of claim 13 in a growth medium, optionally a soil.

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