Methods for preparing a biostimulant composition, for promoting plant growth, for increasing a plant's tolerance to abiotic stress and related compositions.

Description

1 / 50 Methods for preparing a biostimulant composition to promote plant growth and to increase a plant's tolerance to abiotic stress and related compositions. Cross-reference.

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 455,662, filed March 30, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND

[0002] The disclosure relates, in general, to biostimulant compositions and methods of using such biostimulant compositions to promote plant growth.

[0003] Promoting the efficient production of food crops and other crops is an important goal for both environmental and economic reasons. Plant growth promoters derived from organic materials can help enhance crop growth, improve the effectiveness of agricultural products such as fertilizers, and reduce the environmental impacts of synthetic fertilizers and climate change. There is a need for plant growth-promoting biostimulant compositions that utilize abundant and readily available organic raw materials. SUMMARY

[0004] This disclosure provides plant growth-promoting biostimulant compositions produced from Ecklonia maxima raw material, and methods for using these biostimulant compositions.

[0005] This document discloses a method for promoting plant growth, comprising contacting a plant, a plant seed, or a plant growth medium with a composition comprising microbial digestion products of an organic feedstock comprising Ecklonia maxima seaweed. In some embodiments, the digestion is anaerobic. In some embodiments, the digestion products Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 9 / 76 2 / 50 are produced by microbes endogenous to the marine algae Ecklonia maxima present in the organic raw material. In some embodiments, the digestion products comprise fucose at a concentration of no more than 40 mol% relative to all glycosyl residues in the composition. In some embodiments, the digestion products comprise xylose at a concentration of no more than 15 mol% relative to all glycosyl residues in the composition. In some embodiments, the digestion products comprise mannose at a concentration greater than 7 mol% relative to all glycosyl residues in the composition. In some embodiments, the digestion products comprise one or more of isobutanol, pentadecanenitrile, pentadecanoic acid, octadecenenitrile, hexadecanenitrile, or heneicosane. In some embodiments, the digestion products comprise the molecular species listed in FIG. 39.In some embodiments, the digestion products comprise one or more molecular species corresponding to one or more of the C, F, G, J, O, or P peaks in the LC-MS chromatogram shown in Figure 3. In some embodiments, the digestion products comprise one or more molecular species corresponding to one or more of the A, B, C, D, E, F, or G peaks in the GC-MS chromatogram shown in Figure 4. In some embodiments, the digestion products comprise one or more molecular species corresponding to one or more of the A, B, C, D, or E peaks in the 1H NMR spectrum shown in Figure 5. In some embodiments, the digestion products comprise one or more molecular species corresponding to one or more of the A or B peaks in the 13C NMR spectrum shown in Figure 6.

[0006] In some embodiments, the composition additionally includes endogenous microbes to Ecklonia maxima present in the organic raw material. In some embodiments, the microbes comprise spore-forming microbes. In some embodiments, the dry weight percentage of microbial biomass in the composition is 0.071 to 0.714% relative to the total dry weight of the composition. Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 10 / 76 3 / 50 In some embodiments, the microbes present in the composition comprise one or more of Microbacterium amylolyticum, Thermoanaerobacterium thermosaccharolyticum, Cellulosilyticum lentocellum, Microbulbifer thermotolerans, Collinsella sp., Acinetobacter spp., Acinetobacter towneri, Lentilactobacillus buchneri, Liquorilactobacillus hordei, or Secundilactobacillus paracollinoides. In some embodiments, the percentage by dry weight of the microbial biomass in the composition is less than 0.001% by weight relative to the total dry weight of the composition. In some embodiments, the composition does not comprise microbes.

[0007] In some embodiments, plant growth promotion comprises one or more of the following: enhancement of seed germination, enhancement of early plant development, improvement of root growth, increased nutrient uptake, improvement of abiotic stress tolerance, mitigation of transplant shock, improvement of plant reproduction, and improvement of soil microbial activity. In some embodiments, improvement of abiotic stress tolerance comprises improvement of one or more of the following: salinity tolerance, heat tolerance, cold tolerance, and drought tolerance. In some embodiments, contact comprises furrow application, foliar spray application, application to a root zone, application to a seed, or mixing with the growth medium. In some embodiments, the growth medium is the soil.

[0008] In some embodiments, the composition additionally comprises solid fertilizer particles. In some embodiments, the fertilizer particles are coated with digestion products. In some embodiments, the composition is liquid. In some embodiments, the composition additionally comprises a liquid fertilizer.

[0009] In some forms, the contract involves applying the compound at a rate of 0.5 to 10 quarters per acre. Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 11 / 76 4 / 50 In some methods, contact involves the application of 0.14 to 6.7 g dry weight of digestion products per acre.

[00010] In some modalities, at the time of contact, the plant is experiencing drought conditions or is at risk of experiencing drought conditions. In some modalities, the growing medium is a soil with a high salt content. In some modalities, at the time of contact, the plant is experiencing freezing conditions or is at risk of experiencing freezing conditions. In some modalities, at the time of contact, the plant is experiencing cold stress or is at risk of experiencing cold stress. In some modalities, at the time of contact, the plant is experiencing heat stress or is at risk of experiencing heat stress. In some modalities, the plant has been transplanted. In some modalities, the plant is corn, cotton, tomato, or pepper. In some modalities, the plant is a cotton or corn plant, and the cotton or corn plant is experiencing drought conditions at the time of contact.

[00011] Also disclosed in this document is a composition comprising digestion products produced by the digestion of an organic feedstock comprising the seaweed Ecklonia maxima by microbes. In some embodiments, the microbes comprise microbes endogenous to the seaweed Ecklonia maxima present in the organic feedstock. In some embodiments, the digestion products comprise fucose at a concentration of no more than 40 mol% relative to all glycosyl residues in the composition. In some embodiments, the digestion products comprise xylose at a concentration greater than 15 mol% relative to all glycosyl residues in the composition. In some embodiments, the digestion products comprise mannose at a concentration of more than 7 mol% relative to all glycosyl residues in the composition. In some embodiments, the digestion products comprise one or more isobutanols, Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 12 / 76 5 / 50 pentadecanenitrile, pentadecanoic acid, 9-octadecenenitrile, hexadecanenitrile, or heneicosane. In some embodiments, the digestion products comprise the molecular species listed in FIG. 39. In some embodiments, the digestion products comprise one or more molecular species corresponding to one or more of the C, F, G, J, O, or P peaks in the LC-MS chromatogram shown in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the digestion products comprise one or more molecular species corresponding to one or more of the A, B, C, D, E, F, or G peaks in the GC-MS chromatogram shown in FIG. 4. In some embodiments, the digestion products comprise one or more molecular species corresponding to one or more of the A, B, C, D, or E peaks in the 1H NMR spectrum shown in FIG. 5. In some embodiments, the digestion products comprise one or more molecular species corresponding to one or more of the A or B peaks in the 13C NMR spectrum shown in FIG. 6.

[00012] In some embodiments, the composition additionally includes microbes endogenous to Ecklonia maxima present in the organic raw material. In some embodiments, the microbes comprise spore-forming microbes. In some embodiments, the dry weight percentage of microbial biomass in the composition is 0.071 to 0.714% relative to the total dry weight of the composition. In some embodiments, the microbes present in the composition comprise one or more of Microbacterium amylolyticum, Thermoanaerobacterium thermosaccharolyticum, Cellulosilyticum lentocellum, Microbulbifer thermotolerans, Collinsella sp., Acinetobacter spp., Acinetobacter towneri, Lentilactobacillus buchneri, Liquorilactobacillus hordei, or Secundilactobacillus paracollinoides. In some embodiments, the microbes have been removed from the composition. In some forms, the percentage by dry weight of microbial biomass in the composition is less than 0.001% relative to the total dry weight of the composition.In some forms, the composition does not include microbes. Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 13 / 76 6 / 50

[00013] Also disclosed in this document is a composition comprising one or more molecular species corresponding to one or more of the C, F, G, J, O, or P peaks in the LC-MS chromatogram shown in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the composition comprises one or more molecular species corresponding to one or more of the A, B, C, D, E, F, or G peaks in the GC-MS chromatogram shown in FIG. 4. In some embodiments, the composition comprises one or more molecular species corresponding to one or more of the A, B, C, D, or E peaks in the 1H NMR spectrum shown in FIG. 5. In some embodiments, the composition comprises one or more molecular species corresponding to one or more of the A or B peaks in the 13C NMR spectrum shown in FIG. 6. In some embodiments, the composition comprises xylose at a concentration greater than 15 mol% relative to all glycosyl residues in the composition.In some embodiments, the composition comprises mannose at a concentration greater than 7 mol% relative to all glycosyl residues in the composition. In some embodiments, the composition comprises one or more isobutanol, pentadecanenitrile, pentadecanoic acid, octadecenenitrile, hexadecanenitrile, or heneicosane. In some embodiments, the digestion products comprise the molecular species listed in FIG. 39.

[00014] In some embodiments, the composition additionally comprises microbes. In some embodiments, the microbes comprise spore-forming microbes. In some embodiments, the dry weight percentage of microbial biomass in the composition is 0.071 to 0.714% relative to the total dry weight of the composition. In some embodiments, the microbes present in the composition comprise one or more of Microbacterium amylolyticum, Thermoanaerobacterium thermosaccharolyticum, Cellulosilyticum lentocellum, Microbulbifer thermotolerans, Collinsella sp., Acinetobacter spp., Acinetobacter towneri, Lentilactobacillus buchneri, Liquorilactobacillus hordei, or Secundilactobacillus Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, p. 14 / 76 7 / 50 paracollinoides. In some embodiments, the percentage by dry weight of microbial biomass in the composition is less than 0.001% relative to the total dry weight of the composition. In some embodiments, the composition does not include microbes.

[00015] In some embodiments, the composition is a liquid composition. In some embodiments, the digestion products are present in the liquid composition at 0.06% to 0.08% by weight relative to the total weight of the liquid composition.

[00016] A plant treatment composition is also disclosed comprising any of the above compositions and a fertilizer composition. In some embodiments, the fertilizer composition is a liquid. In some embodiments, the fertilizer composition is a solid. In some embodiments, the fertilizer composition is coated with any of the biostimulant compositions described above.

[00017] A method for promoting plant growth is also disclosed, comprising contacting a plant, a plant seed, or a plant growth medium with any of the compositions described above. In some embodiments, plant growth promotion comprises one or more of the following: enhancing seed germination, enhancing early plant development, improving root growth, increasing nutrient uptake, improving abiotic stress tolerance, mitigating transplant shock, improving plant reproduction, and improving soil microbial activity. In some embodiments, improving abiotic stress tolerance comprises improving one or more of the following: salinity tolerance, heat tolerance, cold tolerance, and drought tolerance. In some embodiments, contact comprises furrow application, foliar spray application, or application to a root zone.In some modalities, contact involves the application of 0.14 to 6.7 g by dry weight of the digestion products. Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 15 / 76 8 / 50 per acre. Incorporation by Reference

[00018] All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this descriptive report are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application were specifically and individually indicated for incorporation by reference. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00019] The new features of the disclosure are presented in detail in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present disclosure will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description, which presents illustrative embodiments in which the principles of the disclosure are used, and to the appended drawings.

[00020] FIG. 1: GC-MS chromatogram of Ascophyllum nodosum powder (upper chromatogram) and Ecklonia maxima powder (lower chromatogram).

[00021] FIG. 2: Results of an analysis of glycosyl residue content in MBT-A and MBT-E products.

[00022] FIG. 3: LC-MS chromatograms of products MBT-A (top) and MBT-E (bottom).

[00023] FIG. 4: GC-MS chromatograms of the MBT-E (top) and MBT-A (bottom) products. Arrows point to single peaks in MBT-E identified with Mass Hunter quantitative software and Agilent Technologies (Palo Alto, CA, USA) qualitative software, based on a match factor > 70% and areas > 1 x 10⁵

[00024] FIG. 5: 1H NMR spectra of MBT-A (top) and MBT-E (lower).

[00025] FIG. 6: 13C NMR spectra of MBT-A (top) and MBT-E (lower).

[00026] FIG. 7: Chlorophyll content in cotton leaves Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 16 / 76 9 / 50 during drought stress conditions (SPAD1 and SPAD2 recorded on days 15 and 26 after the start of the water regime for drought stress, respectively).

[00027] FIG. 8: Proline accumulation during drought stress conditions (proline concentrations were recorded 30 days after the start of the drought stress water regime).

[00028] FIG. 9: Height of cotton plants during drought stress conditions (plant height was recorded on day 90 after the start of the drought stress water regime).

[00029] FIG. 10: Cotton boll production during drought stress conditions (boll count on days 80 after the start of the drought stress water regime). The size of the cotton bolls measured in centimeters (cm) and bolls with a size greater than or equal to 2 cm were not considered.

[00030] FIG. 11: Average cotton production of plants treated with MBT-E and untreated control plants.

[00031] FIG. 12: Relative water content of corn leaves during drought stress conditions, measured 26 days after the start of the drought stress water regime.

[00032] FIG. 13: Proline accumulation during drought stress conditions (proline concentrations were recorded 30 days after the start of the drought stress water regime).

[00033] FIG. 14: Average length and weight of the corn cob, measured immediately before harvest.

[00034] FIG. 15: Corn yield resulting from the indicated treatments.

[00035] FIG. 16: Surface area of ​​the shoot resulting from the indicated treatments. Asterisks indicate statistically significant differences.

[00036] FIG. 17: Surface area of ​​the resulting root Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 17 / 76 10 / 50 treatments indicated. Asterisks indicate statistical significance.

[00037] FIG. 18: Root length resulting from the indicated treatments. Asterisks indicate statistical significance.

[00038] FIG. 19: Surface area of ​​the shoot resulting from the indicated treatments. Asterisks indicate statistical significance.

[00039] FIGS. 20A-C: (A) Growth rate under drought conditions resulting from the indicated treatments. (B) Growth rate after recovery resulting from the indicated treatments. (C) Growth rate resulting from the indicated treatments. Asterisks indicate statistical significance.

[00040] FIG. 21: Leaf temperature resulting from the indicated treatments. UTC = untreated control.

[00041] FIG. 22: Percentage variation in stomatal conductance at the indicated times resulting from the indicated treatments.

[00042] FIG. 23: Percentage variation in stomatal conductance at the indicated times resulting from the indicated treatments.

[00043] FIG. 24: Percentage variation in stomatal conductance at the indicated times resulting from the indicated treatments.

[00044] FIG. 25: Percentage variation in stomatal conductance at the indicated times resulting from the indicated treatments.

[00045] FIG. 26: Percentage variation in stomatal conductance at the indicated times resulting from the indicated treatments.

[00046] FIG. 27: Chlorophyll content in cotton leaves at the indicated times, resulting from the indicated treatments.

[00047] FIG. 28: Surface area of ​​the resulting bud Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 18 / 76 11 / 50 treatments indicated. Asterisks indicate statistical significance.

[00048] FIG. 29: Classification of plants resulting from the indicated treatments. Asterisks indicate statistical significance.

[00049] FIG. 30: Weight of the fresh shoot resulting from the indicated treatments. Asterisks indicate statistical significance.

[00050] FIG. 31: Shoot surface area and growth rates resulting from the indicated treatments. Asterisks indicate statistical significance.

[00051] FIG. 32: Surface area of ​​the shoot resulting from the indicated treatments. Asterisks indicate statistical significance.

[00052] FIG. 33: Chlorophyll content (SPAD) resulting from the indicated treatments. Asterisks indicate statistical significance.

[00053] FIG. 34: Stem diameter resulting from the indicated treatments.

[00054] FIGS. 35A-B: (A) Height at harvest resulting from the indicated treatments. (B) Total biomass resulting from the indicated treatments.

[00055] FIG. 36: Electrical conductivity in the soil resulting from the indicated treatments.

[00056] FIG. 37: Yield of bell peppers resulting from the indicated treatments.

[00057] FIG. 38: Nutrient content resulting from the indicated treatments.

[00058] FIG. 39: Single peaks in the GC-MS chromatogram of MBT-E compared to MBT-A.

[00059] FIG. 40: Analysis of the bacterial community in two seaweed raw materials: Eklonia maxima (EMF) and Ascophylum nodosum (ANF) raw materials. DNA was extracted from Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 19 / 76 12 / 50 raw material of powdered seaweed and the bacterial community were characterized by sequencing the amplicon of the small ribosomal RNA gene (i.e., 16S rRNA gene). The bacterial community profiles were presented as a UPGMA clustering analysis tree.

[00060] FIG. 41: Analysis of the bacterial community in solutions of MBT-E and MBT-A seaweed products. DNA was extracted from concentrated solutions of the product (4X) and the bacterial community was characterized by sequencing the amplicon of the small ribosomal RNA gene (i.e., 16S rRNA gene). The bacterial community profiles were presented as a UPGMA cluster analysis tree. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00061] The modalities described in this document include biostimulant compositions and methods to enhance plant growth and increase plant tolerance to abiotic stress, including, for example, drought, cold, heat and salinity stress. The compositions include microbial digestion products produced by the digestion of the marine algae Ecklonia maxima. I. Digestion Process

[00062] In some embodiments, a biostimulant composition is produced by a digestion process of an organic raw material comprising the seaweed Ecklonia maxima. In some embodiments, the organic raw material additionally comprises chitin and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The organic raw material may be a fluid aqueous paste of powdered seaweed Ecklonia maxima, chitin, and Saccharomyces yeast. In some embodiments, the digestion is anaerobic. Without intending to be limited to theory, it is believed that, during the digestion process, the microbes endogenous to the seaweed Ecklonia maxima and chitin digest the biomolecules and other nutrients present in the seaweed, chitin, and yeast. Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, p. 20 / 76 13 / 50 producing digestion products that include compounds that promote plant growth, tolerance to abiotic stress, and soil health. The biostimulant may also contain microbes that contribute to the beneficial plant properties of the biostimulant product. The microbes present in the biostimulant product may be derived from the microbial population present in the seaweed raw material.

[00063] A digestion process to produce the biostimulant can be carried out in a digestion system that includes a series of tanks through which the raw material flows continuously. The fluid from the top of each tank can flow continuously to the next tank, and the outflow rate of the product can match the inflow rate of the raw material, providing a hydraulically balanced flow throughout the system. Each tank within the system can have a unique and stable microbial consortium, with distinct physiological characteristics and digestion capabilities compared to the consortia in other tanks of the system.

[00064] In some embodiments of a digestion process, powdered Ecklonia maxima algae, chitin, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast can be mixed with water to prepare an organic feedstock for an anaerobic digestion system. The anaerobic digestion system may include a mixing tank in which the organic feedstock is mixed to form a homogeneous fluid paste. The fluid paste can then flow continuously and hydraulically balanced through a series of 4 digestion tanks. More or fewer tanks may be used, and the hydraulic flow rate may be altered to obtain the desired result. In the first digestion tank, the fluid paste may be agitated at a rate that allows heavier or undigested solids to settle to the bottom. An outlet at the top of the first digestion tank may allow the fluid to drain into the second digestion tank. An outlet at Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 21 / 76 The bottom section of the first digestion tank (14 / 50) can transfer the settled solids back to the mixing tank. Each of the three subsequent digestion tanks, which can be referred to as packed bed reactors, may have submerged fixed medium substrates that provide a surface for biofilm growth. The flow rate of the digestion system can be chosen to allow sufficient residence time within each of the digestion tanks for a stable and unique microbial consortium to form within each of the digestion tanks. The microbes in the consortia may be derived from microbes originally present in the organic feedstock. The microbes may digest the seaweed Ecklonia maxima, chitin, and yeast to produce digestion products.The outflow from the top of the fourth digestion tank can be used as a biostimulant to promote plant growth or improve soil quality, as described in more detail below.

[00065] In some embodiments, the biostimulant compositions are prepared by a process described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0324406, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, using Ecklonia maxima, chitin and Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast as a raw material.

[00066] Biostimulant compositions produced by a digestion process as described above may be used as is or may be further processed before use. For example, the output stream from the digestion system, referred to herein as the “base product,” may be concentrated, sterilized, filtered, pasteurized, or dehydrated before use, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the base product may be concentrated 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, 6x, 7x, 8x, 9x, 10x or more. In some embodiments, the base product may be sterilized by filtration to remove Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 22 / 76 15 / 50 any bacteria or other microbes present in the composition.

[00067] Digestion system parameters, such as flow rate and solids content of the organic raw material, can be varied to achieve the desired properties in the base product of the outflow biostimulant. II. Physical Properties and Composition of the Biostimulant

[00068] The embodiments described in this document include biostimulant compositions that include chemical species and / or microbes that promote plant growth, including increasing the ability of plants to tolerate abiotic stresses such as cold, heat, drought and salinity. The biostimulant compositions described in this document may include dead microorganisms, sporulated microorganisms, fragments of dead microorganisms, viable microorganisms, fermentation products of microorganisms, enzymes, biological plant growth regulators, organic acids, chelating agents or a combination thereof.

[00069] The embodiments described in this document also include biostimulant compositions that include digestion products produced by the digestion of an organic feedstock comprising the seaweed Ecklonia maxima. The biostimulant may include metabolites produced by microbes endogenous to the organic feedstock, which may be derived from the seaweed feedstock or from other components of the organic feedstock, such as, for example, chitin. Such metabolites may include, for example, sugars and fatty acids. The digestion products may also include dead microorganisms, fragments of dead microorganisms, products of microorganism fermentation, enzymes, biological plant growth regulators, organic acids, chelating agents, or a combination thereof.

[00070] The biostimulant compositions described in this document may include one or more sugars. In some Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 23 / 76In some embodiments, the biostimulant composition can be characterized by the glycosyl residue content of the biostimulant composition. In some embodiments, the biostimulant composition may include one or more rhamnose, fucose, xylose, mannose, or glucose, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the biostimulant composition does not include galactose or includes galactose at less than 1 mol% compared to other glycosyl residues present in the biostimulant composition. In some embodiments, the biostimulant composition comprises fucose at less than about 40, 30, or 15 mol% compared to all other glycosyl residues present in the biostimulant composition. In some embodiments, the biostimulant composition comprises xylose at at least about 15, 20, 25, or 30 mol% compared to all other glycosyl residues present in the biostimulant composition.In some forms, the biostimulant composition comprises mannose in at least approximately 6.8% of its components. 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 or 20% by mole compared to other glycosyl residues present in the biostimulant composition.

[00071] In some embodiments, the biostimulant compositions described in this document can be characterized by mass spectrometry or NMR spectroscopy. In some embodiments, the biostimulant composition has an LC-MS chromatogram, as shown in the lower panel of FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the biostimulant composition includes one or more molecular species corresponding to any one or more peaks in the LC-MS chromatogram, as shown in the lower panel of FIG. 3, or any combination of these molecular species. In some embodiments, the biostimulant composition comprises a molecular species corresponding to the peak labeled A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, or V in the LCMS chromatogram shown in the lower panel of FIG. 3, or any combination thereof. Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 24 / 76 17 / 50 of these molecular species. In some embodiments, the biostimulant composition comprises one or more molecular species corresponding to one or more peaks in the LC-MS chromatogram shown in the lower panel of FIG. 3 that are not present in the LC-MS chromatogram shown in the upper panel of FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the biostimulant composition comprises a molecular species corresponding to the peak labeled C, F, G, J, M, N, O, P, or Q, or any combination of these molecular species. In some embodiments, the biostimulant composition does not comprise a molecular species corresponding to a peak present in the LC-MS chromatogram shown in the upper panel of FIG. 3, which is absent in the LC-MS chromatogram shown in the lower panel of FIG. 3.

[00072] In some embodiments, the biostimulant composition has a GC-MS chromatogram, as shown in the upper panel of FIG. 4. In some embodiments, the biostimulant composition includes one or more molecular species corresponding to any one or more peaks in the GC-MS chromatogram, as shown in the upper panel of FIG. 4, or any combination of these molecular species. In some embodiments, the biostimulant composition comprises a molecular species corresponding to the peak labeled A, B, C, D, E, F, or G in the GC-MS chromatogram shown in the upper panel of FIG. 4, or any combination of these molecular species. In some embodiments, the biostimulant composition comprises one or more molecular species corresponding to one or more peaks in the GC-MS chromatogram shown in the upper panel of FIG. 4 that are not present in the GC-MS chromatogram shown in the lower panel of FIG. 4.In some embodiments, the biostimulant composition does not comprise a molecular species corresponding to a peak that is present in the GC-MS chromatogram shown in the lower panel of FIG. 4 but is absent from the GC-MS chromatogram shown in the upper panel of FIG. 4. Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 25 / 76 18 / 50 In some embodiments, the biostimulant composition comprises one or more of the molecular species listed in FIG. 39, or any combination of these molecular species.

[00073] In some embodiments, the biostimulant composition has a 1H NMR spectrum, as shown in the lower spectrum of FIG. 5. In some embodiments, the biostimulant composition includes one or more molecular species corresponding to any one or more peaks in the lower 1H NMR spectrum of FIG. 5, or any combination of these molecular species. In some embodiments, the biostimulant composition comprises a molecular species corresponding to the peak labeled A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, or K in the lower 1H NMR spectrum of FIG. 5, or any combination of these molecular species. In some embodiments, the biostimulant composition comprises one or more molecular species corresponding to one or more peaks in the lower 1H NMR spectrum of FIG. 5 that are not present in the upper 1H NMR spectrum of FIG. 5.In some embodiments, the biostimulant composition comprises a molecular species corresponding to the peak labeled A, C, D, or E in FIG. 5, or any combination of these molecular species. In some embodiments, the biostimulant composition does not comprise a molecular species corresponding to a peak present in the upper 1H NMR spectrum of FIG. 5, which is absent in the lower 1H NMR spectrum of FIG. 5.

[00074] In some embodiments, the biostimulant composition has a 13C NMR spectrum, as shown in the lower spectrum of FIG. 6. In some embodiments, the biostimulant composition includes one or more molecular species corresponding to any one or more peaks in the lower 13C NMR spectrum of FIG. 6, or any combination of these molecular species. In some embodiments, the biostimulant composition comprises a molecular species corresponding to the peak labeled Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 26 / 76 19 / 50 as A, B, C, D, E, or F in the lower 13C NMR spectrum of FIG. 6, or any combination of these molecular species. In some embodiments, the biostimulant composition comprises one or more molecular species corresponding to one or more peaks in the lower 13C NMR spectrum of FIG. 6 that are not present in the upper 13C NMR spectrum of FIG. 6. In some embodiments, the biostimulant composition comprises a molecular species corresponding to the peak marked A or B in FIG. 6 or any combination of these molecular species. In some embodiments, the biostimulant composition does not comprise a molecular species corresponding to a peak present in the upper 13C NMR spectrum of FIG. 6 that is absent in the lower 13C NMR spectrum of FIG. 6.

[00075] In some embodiments, the biostimulant compositions include viable microbes. In some embodiments, the microbes include bacteria derived from the bacterial population present in the raw material of the seaweed Ecklonia maxima. The bacteria may include one or more of the bacteria listed in Table 1. In some embodiments, the biostimulant includes one or more bacterial species that are not found in a product derived from the microbial digestion products of other seaweed species, such as Ascophyllum nodulum. In some embodiments, the biostimulant includes Microbacterium amylolyticum, Thermoanaerobacterium thermosaccharolyticum, Cellulosilyticum lentocellum, Microbulbifer thermotolerans, Collinsella sp., Acinetobacter spp., Acinetobacter towneri, Lentilactobacillus buchneri, Liquorilactobacillus hordei or Secundilactobacillus paracollinoides or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, any one of these bacterial species comprises at least 0.00001, 0.00005, 0.0001, 0.0005, 0.001, 0.0015 or 0.002% of the bacterial species present in the biostimulant, as determined by metagenomic sequencing. Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, p. 27 / 76 20 / 50

[00076] In some embodiments, the biostimulant is sterilized by filtration and does not comprise viable microbes. In some embodiments, the dry weight of the microbial biomass is less than 0.0001% relative to the total dry weight of the composition.

[00077] In some embodiments, the biostimulant comprises 0.05 to 0.8% of the dry weight of the microbial biomass relative to the total dry weight of the biostimulant composition. In some embodiments, the dry weight percentage is at least about, at most about, or about 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, or 0.8%, or a range between any two of these values.

[00078] In some embodiments, the biostimulant comprises from 100 to 5 x 10⁵ CFU / ml of bacteria. In some embodiments, the biostimulant comprises at least about, at most about, or about 100, 500, 1 x 10³, 5 x 10³, 1 x 10⁴, 5 x 10⁴ or 1 x 10⁵ CFU / ml of bacteria, or a range between any two of these values.

[00079] In some embodiments, the biostimulant has a pH of 7.5 to 8.5. In some embodiments, the electrical conductivity of the biostimulant is approximately 900, 950, 1000, 1050, or 1100 μS / cm. In some embodiments, the density of the biostimulant is approximately 0.997 to 0.999 g / cm3 or approximately 0.998 g / cm3. In some embodiments, the biostimulant has a solids content of 0.01 to 2%. In some embodiments, the solids content is approximately 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9 or 2.0, or a range between any two of these values. In some modalities, the chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the biostimulant is 10 to 200 mg / L. In some modalities, the COD is 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, 125, 150, 175, or 200 mg / L, or is between any two of these values. Conductivity and COD values ​​vary with the concentration rate of the biostimulant and increase with increasing concentration. Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 28 / 76 21 / 50 III. Methods of Use

[00080] Modalities of biostimulant compositions can be used in plant growth promotion methods for a variety of plants and different conditions. In some modalities, contact of a plant, a seed, or a growth medium with the biostimulant promotes plant growth, for example, by increasing growth rate, crop yield, production, stem thickness, fruit abundance and / or size, grain production, leaf surface area, root surface area, root length, root depth, shoot thickness, or total mass, compared to a plant that did not receive the treatment.In some embodiments, plant growth promotion comprises one or more of the following: enhancement of seed germination, enhancement of early plant development, increased nutrient uptake, mitigation of transplant shock, improved plant reproduction, and improved soil microbial activity. In some embodiments, any one or more of these plant qualities are increased by at least 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, or 50 percent or more, compared to the same plant that did not receive the treatment. In some embodiments, contact of a plant, seed, or growth medium with the biostimulant promotes plant growth, for example, by increasing the plant's tolerance to abiotic stress. Such abiotic stress may include drought stress, heat stress, cold stress, or stress from high salt concentrations.In some modalities, increased tolerance to one or more abiotic stresses leads to increased growth rate, harvest yield, production, stem thickness, fruit abundance and / or size, grain production, leaf surface area, root surface area, root length, root depth, shoot thickness, or total mass, compared to the same. Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 29 / 76 22 / 50 plants under similar stress conditions that did not receive the treatment. In some modalities, treatment with the biostimulant promotes plant growth, increasing its ability to recover from abiotic stress more quickly than would occur without treatment.

[00081] In some embodiments, a plant or growing medium is brought into contact with the biostimulant composition before, during, or after abiotic stress. For example, treatment with the biostimulant before abiotic stress may, in some embodiments, allow the plant to withstand abiotic stress better than a similar plant that did not receive the treatment. In some embodiments, the plant or growing medium is brought into contact with the biostimulant when the plant is at risk of abiotic stress, but before the abiotic stress has occurred. It can be determined that the plant is at risk of abiotic stress based, for example, on weather patterns or forecasts for the location where the plant is growing.In some modalities, a treatment to help alleviate cold stress can be applied during a time of year when frosts are more likely to occur, such as in early spring or late autumn, depending on the plant's geographic location. In some modalities, a treatment to help alleviate heat or drought stress can be applied in late summer, when the plant is at risk of experiencing relatively high temperatures.

[00082] People skilled in the technique will be able to determine a plant's relative risk to certain abiotic stresses based on the plant type, the plant's geographic location, and local weather patterns and forecasts.

[00083] In some modalities, the biostimulant is applied to the plant while it is undergoing abiotic stress. Whether a plant is undergoing abiotic stress can be determined by people skilled in the technique based on the type of plant and the Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 30 / 76 23 / 50 specific circumstances in which the plant is growing. For example, drought stress can be determined based on observation of soil moisture content and plant condition. Because some plant species and varieties are inherently more drought-tolerant than others, soil and air moisture conditions that stress one species or variety may not stress another. The same applies to other potential stresses, such as heat, cold, and salinity stress.

[00084] In some embodiments, the biostimulant is applied when a plant has passed, is passing, or is expected to pass through temperatures equal to or lower than about 15, 10, 5, or 0 °C. In some embodiments, the biostimulant is applied when a plant has passed, is passing, or is expected to pass through temperatures equal to or higher than about 20, 25, 30, 35, or 40 °C. In some embodiments, the biostimulant is applied when a plant has passed, is passing, or is expected to pass through a soil moisture content lower than about 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 5, or 1% for a period of at least about 6, 12, 24, or 48 hours or 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 days.

[00085] In some embodiments, the biostimulant is applied within 12, 24, 36, or 48 hours, or 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 days after the plant has suffered or is expected to suffer abiotic stress. In some embodiments, the biostimulant is applied when the probability of the plant suffering abiotic stress within 12, 24, 36, or 48 hours, or 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 days after application is determined to be at least about 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90%.

[00086] In some embodiments, the biostimulant is applied when no abiotic stress has been or is expected to be experienced. In addition to increasing tolerance to abiotic stress, the biostimulant composition modalities disclosed in this document may promote plant growth in the absence of Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 31 / 76 24 / 50 abiotic stress.

[00087] In some embodiments, the biostimulant is applied to the plant or growth medium before transplanting the plant. In some embodiments, the biostimulant is applied to the plant or growth medium after transplanting the plant. In some embodiments, the biostimulant is applied to the plant or growth medium while the plant is being transplanted. In some embodiments, the biostimulant is applied to a growth medium (e.g., soil) into which the plant will be transplanted.

[00088] In some applications, the plant treated with the biostimulant composition may be, for example, crops, vegetables, flowers, foliage plants, lawns, trees, shrubs, and the like. Non-limiting examples of crops include corn, rice, wheat, barley, rye, oats, sorghum, cotton, soybeans, peanuts, buckwheat, beets, rapeseed, sunflowers, sugarcane, cannabis, and tobacco. Non-limiting examples of vegetables include nightshade vegetables (eggplant, tomato, bell pepper, chili pepper, potato, etc.), cucurbit vegetables (cucumber, pumpkin, zucchini, watermelon, melon, squash, etc.), cruciferous vegetables (Japanese radish, white turnip, horseradish, kohlrabi, Chinese cabbage, cabbage, brown mustard, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.), aster vegetables (burdock, crown daisy, artichoke, lettuce, etc.), liliaceous vegetables (chives, onion, garlic and asparagus), umbelliferous vegetables (carrot, parsley, celery, parsnip, etc.), chenopodiaceous vegetables (spinach, Portuguese chard, etc.).Examples of fruits include: lamiaceous vegetables (Korean perilla, mint, basil, etc.), strawberries, sweet potatoes, Japanese mountain yam, and colocasia. Non-limiting examples of fruits include pome fruits (apple, pear, Japanese pear, Chinese quince, quince, etc.), drupes (peach, plum, nectarine, Chinese plum, cherry, apricot, prune, etc.), citrus fruits (mikan, orange, lemon, rima, grapefruit, etc.). Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 32 / 76 25 / 50 etc.), nuts (chestnuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, pistachios, cashews, macadamia nuts, etc.), berries (blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, raspberries, etc.), grapes, persimmons, olives, Japanese plums, bananas, coffee, dates, and coconuts. Non-limiting examples of trees include fruit trees, melaleuca, mulberry, angiosperms, and roadside trees (ash, birch, corm, eucalyptus, ginkgo biloba, lilac, maple, oak, poplar, Judas tree, Chinese gum, plane tree, zelkova, Japanese thuja, fir, hemlock, juniper, pine, spruce, and Japanese yew). The term plant or plants refers to native and genetically modified plants. In some embodiments, the biostimulant is applied to a seed of any of the plants described above.

[00089] In certain embodiments, the biostimulant compositions described in this document are applied to the soil, applied to fertilizer used to fertilize plants, applied directly to plants, or applied to both the soil and the plants. The compositions may also be applied directly to plant seed. In addition to the soil, the biostimulant compositions may be applied to other plant growing media, such as, for example, a hydroponic growing medium. The compositions may be used in furrow applications, foliar applications, or both. In some embodiments, the biostimulant composition is applied alone. When applied alone, in some embodiments, the composition is applied before or after the application of a conventional fertilizer and / or pesticide.When applied before or after the application of a conventional fertilizer and / or pesticide, the composition is applied close enough in time to the conventional fertilizer and / or pesticide so that the formulation can have the desired effect of enhancing the effect of the conventional fertilizer and / or pesticide. In some embodiments, the composition is applied in conjunction with a fertilizer and / or pesticide. Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, p. 33 / 76 26 / 50 conventional. The composition can be mixed with a conventional fertilizer and / or pesticide or applied simultaneously with a conventional fertilizer and / or pesticide.

[00090] In some embodiments, the biostimulant compositions described in this document are mixed with a conventional fertilizer or pesticide in a ratio of approximately 3:1 to approximately 1:100 of biostimulant to conventional fertilizer or pesticide. In some embodiments, the biostimulant compositions are mixed with a conventional fertilizer or pesticide at a ratio of approximately 1:20 of biostimulant to conventional fertilizer or pesticide. The biostimulant compositions described in this document may also be coated onto conventional fertilizer or pesticide particles. The fertilizer or pesticide particles may be coated, for example, by spray-drying the biostimulant onto the fertilizer surface or by mixing a dehydrated powder form of the biostimulant with the particles, with or without a binder or carrier.

[00091] In certain embodiments, conventional fertilizer is a starter fertilizer. In some embodiments, conventional fertilizer includes at least one of ammonia, urea, ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, ammonium thiosulfate, monoammonium phosphate (MAP), diammonium phosphate (DAP), potassium chloride (MOP), potassium sulfate (SOP), and potassium nitrate (NOP). In some embodiments, the starter fertilizer is a 10-34-0 starter fertilizer.

[00092] In certain embodiments, the biostimulant compositions described in this document are applied to the soil or plants in an amount of about 0.5 to about 10 quarts per acre. In some embodiments, the formulations are applied in an amount of about 4 quarts per acre. In some embodiments, the biostimulant composition is applied in an amount of about 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 34 / 76 27 / 50 rooms per acre. In some embodiments, the amount of biostimulant composition applied is characterized by the dry weight of the substances present in the applied biostimulant composition. The dry weight of a given volume of liquid biostimulant composition is the weight of all substances in the volume of biostimulant, except water. In some embodiments, an amount of biostimulant is applied that provides 0.10 to 10 g dry weight of digestion products to be applied per acre. In some embodiments, the amount of biostimulant applied provides at least about, at most about, or about 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 g dry weight of digestion products per acre, or a range within any two of these values.In some embodiments, the amount of biostimulant applied provides at least about, at most about, or about 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 g in dry weight of biostimulant components to be applied, or a range between any two of these values. The amount of biostimulant composition applied may also be characterized in terms of the number of colony-forming units of bacteria applied. In some embodiments, the amount of biostimulant applied provides at least about, at most about, or about 5 x 10³, 1 x 10⁴, 5 x 10⁴, 1 x 10⁵, 5 x 10⁵, 1 x 10⁶, or 5 x 10⁶ CFU of bacteria to be applied per acre, or a range between any two of these values.

[00093] In some embodiments, the biostimulant compositions described in this document may be applied in dry form. A biostimulant base product may be dehydrated to prepare a powder product that is applied to a growing medium (e.g., soil), a plant, or a seed.

[00094] In some modalities, the amount of biostimulant applied is an effective amount to achieve the desired effect of promoting plant growth. By Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 35 / 76 28 / 50 For example, an effective amount of a biostimulant base product, such as the MBT-E product described in the Examples below, to increase cotton plant height compared to untreated plants is 0.5 or 1 quart per acre (qt. / A). In some embodiments, the biostimulant composition is applied in an effective amount to increase the plant's tolerance to drought, salinity, heat or cold stresses, or to achieve any other desirable outcome described in this document that the biostimulant composition is capable of achieving.

[00095] Compositions comprising a biostimulant composition and other components described in this document (e.g., a fertilizer) may be formed by mixing the components in a tank (i.e., tank mixing). After mixing, the formulations may be bottled or otherwise packaged (e.g., in drums), applied to a field or crop, or mixed with other components. When bottled or otherwise packaged, the end user may mix the formulation with other components prior to application. The biostimulant composition may be mixed with conventional fertilizer by tank mixing, including spray mixing with minimal additional mixing, or may be mixed with conventional fertilizer.

[00096] In some embodiments, the biostimulant is applied only once. In some embodiments, a single application is sufficient to promote plant growth, as described in this document. In some embodiments, a biostimulant composition is applied 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 times during a growing season. In some embodiments, applications occur at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6-week intervals. IV. Certain Definitions

[00097] In the description above, certain specific details are presented in order to provide a complete understanding of various modalities. However, one skilled in the art will understand that Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 36 / 76 29 / 50 The provided modalities can be practiced without these details. Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the descriptive report and the claims that follow, the word "understand" and variations thereof, such as "understands" and "understanding," should be interpreted in an open and inclusive sense, that is, as including, but not limited to. As used in this descriptive report and the attached claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents, unless the content clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term "or" is generally used in its inclusive and / or sense, unless the content clearly indicates otherwise. Additionally, the headings provided in this document are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the claimed modalities.

[00098] The term about or approximately means within an acceptable range of error for the specific value, as determined by a person skilled in the art, which will depend in part on how the value is measured or determined, for example, on the limitations of the measuring system. For example, about may mean within 1 or more than 1 standard deviation, according to practice, of the value given. When specific values ​​are described in the application and claims, unless otherwise indicated, the term about should be assumed to mean an acceptable range of error for the specific value. EXAMPLES

[00099] The following examples are provided to better illustrate some embodiments of the present disclosure, but are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure; it will be understood, by their illustrative nature, that other procedures, methodologies or techniques known to those skilled in the art may be used alternatively. Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, p. 37 / 76 30 / 50 Example 1: Microbial digestion of the marine algae Ecklonia maxima and characterization of the digestion products. [000100] Powdered Ecklonia maxima seaweed, chitin, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast were mixed with water to prepare an organic feedstock for an anaerobic digestion system. The anaerobic digestion system included a first tank in which the organic feedstock was mixed to prepare a homogeneous fluid paste. The fluid paste was then continuously and hydraulically balanced through a series of 4 digestion tanks. In the first digestion tank, the fluid paste was agitated at a rate that allowed the heavier or undigested solids to settle to the bottom. An outlet at the top of the first digestion tank carried the fluid to the second digestion tank. An outlet at the bottom of the first digestion tank carried the settled solids back to the first tank.Each of the three subsequent tanks, referred to as packed bed reactors, had submerged fixed medium substrates that provided a surface for biofilm growth. The flow rate of the digestion system allowed sufficient residence time within each of the digestion tanks for the formation of a stable and unique microbial consortium. The microbes in the consortia were derived from the microbes originally present in the organic feedstock. The microbes digested the seaweed Ecklonia maxima, chitin, and yeast to produce digestion products. The outflow from the top of the fourth digestion tank, referred to in this document as the base product (BP) of MBT-E, was a translucent liquid with a slight brownish tint. [000101] Ecklonia maxima powder used as raw material was evaluated by GC-MS and compared to an Ascophyllum nodosum powder used as raw material for the commercial product sold as Maritime™ by Loveland Agri Products (also referred to in this document as MBT-A). The GC-MS chromatogram is shown in Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, p. 38 / 76 31 / 50 FIG. 1, with the upper chromatogram from Ascophyllum nodosum and the lower chromatogram from Ecklonia maxima. Each of the respective chromatograms has unique peaks, as indicated by the arrows. The chromatograms also indicate that the two seaweed foods exhibit different relative abundances of common chemical species. [000102] The chemical composition of Maritime™ BP (MBT-A) and MBT-E BP was also analyzed and compared. Sugar residues present in the base products were analyzed by GC-MS of per-O-trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatives of methylglycoside monosaccharides generated from the samples by HCl methanolysis, as previously described by Santander et al. (2013) Microbiology 159:1471. Inositol was added to each sample as an internal standard. After lyophilization and derivatization, the samples were extracted with hexane for GC-MS analysis of TMS methyl glycosides using an Agilent 7890A GC interconnected to a 5975C MSD, equipped with a fused silica capillary column. Supelco Equity-1 (30 m x 0.25 mm ID). The results are shown in FIG. 2. The LC-MS chromatograms of the two base products are shown in FIG. 3, with MBT-A at the top and MBT-E at the bottom. [000103] MBT-A and MBT-E extracts with dichloromethane were analyzed by GC-MS according to the following procedure: 0.25 L of each sample was extracted with CH2Cl2 (0.25 L x 2 times) and a mixture of CH2Cl2:MeOH (2:1) (0.25 L x 2 times). The solvent extracts were filtered and dried under vacuum to provide a dry material. To compare chemical profiles of different batches, GC-MS analyses were performed. Samples were derivatized using N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) + 1% TMCS, and 13C14-palmitic acid was used as an internal standard. GC-MS analyses were performed with an Agilent GC system (Palo Alto, CA, USA) 8890 series equipped with a CTC-Pal injector and a 5977B grating mass selective detector. Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 39 / 76 32 / 50 a DB-1MS column (J&W, Palo Alto, CA, USA) (60 m x 0.25 mm inner diameter, 0.25 μm film thickness). Data acquisition and analysis were performed using Agilent Mass Hunter quantitative and qualitative software from Agilent Technologies (Palo Alto). (Palo Alto, CA, USA). GC-MS chromatograms for MBT-A and MBT-E are shown in FIG. 4, with single peaks identified by arrows. FIG. 39 lists molecular species found only in MBTE. These were identified using Mass Hunter Quantitative software and Agilent Technologies' qualitative software (Palo Alto, CA, USA), based on a matching factor > 70% and areas > 1 x 105. [000104] Extracts of the base products containing methanol were analyzed by 1H NMR and 13C NMR, whose spectra are shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, respectively. The arrows indicate selected single peaks. [000105] The base product of MBT-E was treated by reverse osmosis to create 4x and 8x concentrated versions of MBT-E. [000106] The bacteria present in the raw material of Ecklonia maxima and in the base product of MBT-E were identified by 16S rRNA sequencing. Table 1 below shows the bacteria present in the raw material and in the product of MBT-E. Table 1: Bacteria identified in the raw material of Ecklonia maxima and in the MBT-E product. Taxonomy Genus Species hoeflea sp. jc234 Actinotalea delta proteobacterium babl1 Agrobacterium agrobacterium vitis gu178812.1 rhodococcus zopfii str. yq 1 Dinoroseobacter dinoroseobacter shibae conexibacter sp. bs10 Frigoribacterium sphingobacterium sp. gr16 Fucophilus fucophilus fucoidanolyticus flavisolibacter sp. mdt2 37 Halomones halomones venusta syntrophorhabdus aromaticivorans Hoeflea eu000236.1 psychromonas arctica str. Ketogulonicigeni ketogulonicigeni Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 40 / 76 33 / 50 kopri 22215 um um vulgare bacillus sp. sge135(2010) Loktanella dyadobacter sp. b2 Luteimonas eubacterium sp. pei061 Oceanicola ay543020.1 brochothrix thermosphacta mf 154 Octadecabacter sphingopyxis sp. pr52 21 Opitutus candidatus odyssella thessalonicensis Ornithinimicrobium cytophaga sp. prpr22 Paracoccus paracoccus yeei nr 028663.1 rhizobium yanglingense str. sh22623 Phaeobacter phaeobacter gallaeciensis eu730969.1 single species ecosystem in the depths of a wellbore with terrestrial fracture water level mp104 2.8 km deep clone sgnx0254 Pseudomonas pseudomonas luteola x84808.1 leptolyngbya foveolarum str. komarek 1964 / 112 Rhodobacter rhodobacter spp. chitinophaga pinensis Roseobacter ectothiorhodospira sp. ja741 Salinibacterium eu256444.1 mesorhizobium loti str. ccbau 85072 Serinicoccus [000107] Metagenomic sequencing was performed to identify spore-forming bacteria in the MBT-E product. The spore-forming bacterial content determined by metagenomic sequencing constituted approximately 0.7% of the total population (1 x 102 - 3 x 103 CFU / ml based on the percentage of the total bacterial count). The operational taxonomic units of spore-forming bacteria include Bacillus spp., Aneurinibacillus thermoaerophilus, Virgibacillus spp. (including V. phasianinus and V. dokdonensis), Psychrobacillus sp., and Paenibacillus sphorae. [000108] The bacteria identified by metagenomic sequencing in the MBT-E product were compared with those present in MBT-A / Maritime™. The following list includes members of the MBT-E community that are present in statistically significantly higher quantities than in the MBT-A product. The percentages listed represent the percentage of Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 41 / 76 34 / 50 is the total population present in MBT-E, and the number x listed represents how many times larger the microbe population is in MBT-E compared to MBT-A. • Saccharolytic and cellulosic communities: Microbacterium amylolyticum (0.0018%), Thermoanaerobacterium thermosaccharolyticum (0.0002%), Cellulosilyticum lentocellum (0.00005%), Microbulbifer thermotolerans (0.0015%, 1.38x), a genus that can also degrade complex carbohydrates such as cellulose, alginate, and chitin. • Collinsella sp. (0.00003%, 2.19x): A genus that can degrade bile acids (e.g., cholic acid) into secondary bile acids through the production of an NADPH-dependent 7-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. • Acinetobacter spp. (0.00043%, 2.6x), including A. towneri, are degraders of aromatic compounds, allow the solubilization of iron and zinc and the release of nutrients through the production of siderophores, contain fungi-suppressing genes and contribute to pathogen-suppressing soils. • Several communities of non-spore-forming lactic acid bacteria (LAB) include Lentilactobacillus buchneri (0.00005%, 2.41x), Liquorilactobacillus hordei (0.000023%, 4.01x) and Secundilactobacillus paracollinoides (0.00013%, 1.83x). [000109] The 4x concentrated MBT-E also presented the following properties: clear yellow liquid with pH between 7.5 and 8.5, electrical conductivity of 900 to 1100 (uS / cm), density of 0.998 (g / cm3), solids content of 0.07%, viscosity of 1.29 (cP), COD of 20 to 150 (mg / L), total bacterial count between 5.0 x 104 and 5.0 x 105 CFU / ml and spore-forming count between 2 x 102 and 3 x 103 CFU / ml. Example 2: Plant growth-promoting properties of MBT-E [000110] Two experiments were conducted using soil from the city of Denton (compost biosolids) and soil from Whitesboro. Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 42 / 76 35 / 50 for drought stress relief in corn and cotton under rain protection. Corn and cotton plants were thinned based on their uniform growth after germination. Materials and Methods: [000111] Plant physiological traits: Plant physiological traits, such as stomatal conductance (gsw), transpiration rate (E), chlorophyll a fluorescence / quantum yield (QY), electron transport rate (ETR), and leaf temperature (T), were measured using a LICOR 600 Portable Photosynthesis System (Li-Cor, Inc. Lincoln, NE, USA) after the start of the drought stress water regime and irrigation of the pots to 20-30% of soil moisture capacity. Ambient leaf temperature was measured as follows: Ambient leaf temperature (Tamb) = Tfolha — Tref. On days 15 and 26 after the start of the drought stress water regime, plant physiological parameters were measured between 11:00 and 15:00 on fully expanded cotton leaves from each plant. On days 7, 17, 26, and 32 after the start of the drought stress water regime, plant physiological parameters were measured between 11:00 and 15:00 on fully expanded corn leaves from each plant. [000112] Leaf chlorophyll content: Leaf chlorophyll content was measured from a fully expanded leaf using a chlorophyll meter, SPAD (Soil Plant Analysis Development-502, Konica Minolta, Tokyo, Japan). The central position of the leaf was selected to measure leaf chlorophyll content in order to avoid variations. [000113] Proline assays: Proline extraction and determination assays were conducted to determine leaf proline production during the drought stress period, using a method described by Carillo and Yves, PROTOCOL: Extraction and determination of proline (2011). Proline assays were conducted 30 days after the start of the water regime. Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 43 / 76 36 / 50 for drought stress. The leaf disc was collected, measured, and homogenized in 100% ethanol as an extract (e.g., 0.015 g / 0.5 mL). Standards known as proline solutions were prepared ranging from 0.01 to 0.1 mM in 100% ethanol. The reaction mixture was prepared using 1% (w / v) ninhydrin in 60% (v / v) acetic acid and 20% ethanol. The combined mixture was transferred to a 96-well plate, heated to 95 °C in a water bath for 20 minutes, and cooled to room temperature. The 96-well plate was read at 520 nm on the plate reader. [000114] Relative Water Content (RWC): To determine the relative water content of the leaf, fresh, fully expanded leaves were collected and measured using the following equation described by Teulat et al., QTL for relative water content in field-grown barley and its stability in Mediterranean environments. Theor. Appl. Genet. 2003, 108:181188 (2003). RWC (%) = (Fresh weight - Dry weight) / (Fully turgid weight - Dry weight) X 100 [000115] Statistical analyses and experimental design: In the rain shelter tests, the pots were arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with six treatments and 20 replications for the maize experiment and eight treatments and 20 replications for the cotton experiments, with each replication being a single plant in a single pot. Data on plant physiological parameters, leaf chlorophyll content, proline assays, biomass, and meta-analysis were analyzed using JMP 16 software (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA) using the Fit model with a significance level of p < 0.1. Results [000116] Drought stress relief in cotton experiment: plants treated with MBT-E BP performed better than the untreated control in relieving drought stress in cotton in a rain shelter test at the following rates Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 44 / 76 37 / 50 of 0.5 and 1 qt / A. All physiological parameters of the plant, such as stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, quantum yield, electron transport rate, leaf chlorophyll and proline contents, were increased by treating the plants with MBT-E during the drought stress period. The effects on cotton leaf temperature are shown in FIG. 21 and FIG. 22. The effects on stromal conductance are shown in FIG. 23. The effects on transpiration rate are shown in FIG. 24. The effects on quantum yield (% of intercepted light energy that is used in photosynthesis and not lost as heat) are shown in FIG. 25. The effects on electron transport rate are shown in FIG. 26. The effects on leaf chlorophyll content are shown in FIG. 27. SPAD (leaf chlorophyll content) readings ranged from 44 to 51, and the highest leaf chlorophyll contents were found in plants treated with MBT-E under drought stress conditions. SPAD readings for MBT-E were 50.46 at a rate of 0.5 qt. / A and 51.25 at a rate of 1 qt. / A, which were recorded 15 days after the start of the drought stress water regime (FIG. 7; Table 2). Leaf temperature was reduced in plants treated with MBT-E compared to the untreated control. Ambient leaf temperatures were 2.13 °C at a rate of 0.5 qt / A and 2.31 °C at a rate of qt / A for plants treated with MBT-E. Plants treated with MBT-E showed higher proline concentrations than the untreated control. Proline concentrations in plants treated with MBT-E were 28.66 at a rate of 0.5 qt. / A and 27.75 at a rate of 1 qt. / A 30 days after the start of the drought stress water regime (FIG. 8). Cotton boll production increased more in plants treated with MBT-E at a rate of 1 qt. / A than in the untreated control. Average cotton plant heights were 61.15 cm at a rate of 0.5 qt. / A and 62.35 cm at a rate of 1 qt. / A for plants treated with. Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, p. 45 / 76 38 / 50 MBT-E (FIG. 9). The average cotton boll production per plant was 45 for MBT-E (FIG. 10). Plants treated with MBT-E significantly increased cotton production by 0.5 and 1 qt / A (FIG. 11). [000117] Relief of drought stress in maize experiment: The same trend was also observed in the relief of drought stress in maize by applying MBT-E at vegetative growth stage 6 (V6) and vegetative tasseling (Vt). The stomatal conductance of plants treated with MBT-E was higher than that of untreated control plants at the V6 growth stage. The transpiration rate of plants treated with MBT-E increased more than that of untreated control plants at the V6+Vt growth stage. The quantum yield and electron transport rate of plants treated with MBT-A and E increased compared to the untreated control. All plants treated with MBT-E had reduced leaf temperature during drought stress. Plants treated with MBT-E showed lower leaf temperature at the Vt growth stage than the untreated control. Ambient leaf temperatures were 0.38, 0.37, 0.11 and 0.15 °C at the Vt growth stage for MBT-E (Table 3). SPAD (leaf chlorophyll content) readings ranged from 18 to 51, and the highest leaf chlorophyll contents were found in plants treated with MBT-E under drought stress conditions at the V6+Vt growth stage (Table 4). The relative leaf water content (%) of plants treated with MBT-E was higher than that of the untreated control at the V6 and V6+Vt growth stages (FIG. 12). Proline concentrations of MBT-E values ​​were 21.50 at the Vt growth stage and 22.44 at the V6+Vt growth stage 30 days after the start of the drought stress water regime (FIG. 13). Ear length and dry weight of corn increased with the MBT-E treatment (FIG. 14). The highest average corn grain yield was Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 46 / 76 39 / 50 observed in plants that were treated with MBT-E at the V6+Vt growth stage (FIG. 15). [000118] In another experiment, the effects of BP treatment of MBT-E, 4x and 8x on maize growth rates under drought stress conditions were tested by the following experiment: maize, variety WS095 2021, was germinated in Berger multipurpose planting mix in a growth chamber at 22 °C for 14 days. They were maintained with 100% water capacity. At 14 days, they were fertilized with Jacks fertilizer. The treatments were applied as foliar treatments with 10 ml total per treatment being provided to each plant. The treated plants were placed in a growth chamber illuminated at 22 °C for 14 days. Each plant was maintained with 30% water capacity to create drought stress. The treatments were all sterilized by filtration and applied in 0.8% dilutions with filter-sterilized water.The treatments were: 1) water as a negative control, 2) AccomplishLM™ as a positive control, MBT-E base product (BP), 4x concentrated MBT-E BP (4xCP), and 8x concentrated MBT-E BP (8xCP). A single plant was used as a replicate, with 7 replicates per treatment. Plant metrics were analyzed after 14 days. The results are shown in Figures 20A-C. Example 3: Plant growth-promoting properties of MBT-E tested in Arabidopsis [000119] The MS medium used in these Examples was prepared by adding 4.43 g of MS basal salts (Murashige and Skoog Basal Medium, Sigma Aldrich, M5519), 0.2 g of myo-inositol, 1 g of MES, and 20 g of sucrose to 2 L of water. The pH was then adjusted to 5.7. 500 ml of the resulting solution were poured into each of 4 glass vials containing 1.77 g of Phytagel. The vials were autoclaved and the medium was poured into Petri dishes, where it was allowed to solidify. With the aim of collecting Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 47 / 76 40 / 50 root data: the treated seedlings were grown in 0.01% MS medium with the addition of 0.66 g / l CaCl2 and 3.4 g / l Phytagel, the pH of which was adjusted to 5.7 before autoclaving. The medium was then poured into Petri dishes for solidification. For the purpose of collecting shoot data, the MS medium used in the treatment preparation was a liquid MS medium comprising MS basal salts plus 2 g / l MES. [000120] The effect of 4x and 8x MBTE BP treatment on shoot surface area in Arabidopsis was tested by the following experiment: surface-sterilized Arabidopsis thaliana seeds were germinated for 7 days at 20 °C in plates containing MS medium solidified with phytagel. The seeds were then placed in rockwool cubes that were moistened with 40 ml of each treatment. The treatments were all sterilized by filtration and applied in 0.8% dilutions with filter-sterilized water. The treatments were: 1) water as a negative control, 2) a commercially available biostimulant, AccomplishLM™ as a positive control, MBT-E base product (BP), 4x concentrated MBT-E BP (4xCP) and 8x concentrated MBT-E BP (8xCP), which were diluted to 0.8% in liquid MS medium. Four rockwool cubes, each containing a seedling, constituted one replication. Each treatment had four replications.The treated plants were placed in LED-lit grow boxes in a randomized complete block design and grown for 14 days at approximately 20 °C. The cubes were kept moist by adding 8 ml of water every 2 days. After 14 days, the leaf area of ​​each plant was measured using ImageJ software from photographic images of the shoots. The results are shown in Figure 16. All MBT-E treatments resulted in a significant increase in shoot surface area. [000121] The effects of treatment with BP of MBT-E, 4x and 8x on root length in Arabidopsis were tested by Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 48 / 76 41 / 50 The following experiment: surface-sterilized Arabidopsis thaliana seeds were germinated for 6 days at 20 °C in plates containing MS medium solidified with phytagel. The seeds were treated by immersing each seedling root in their respective treatments. The treatments were: 1) water as a negative control, 2) AccomplishLM™ as a positive control, MBT-E base product (BP), 4x concentrated MBT-E BP (4xCP) and 8x concentrated MBT-E BP (8xCP), which were diluted to 0.8% in liquid MS medium. The treated seedlings were then placed on water-agar plates (3 seedlings per plate constituted one replicate) containing 0.01% v / v bromocresol purple. There were 4 replicates per treatment. The treatments and replications were placed in LED grow carts in a randomized complete block design and grown for 12 days at approximately 20 °C.After 7 days, the root area of ​​each plant was measured by scanning and using WinRhizo software. The results are shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18. Asterisks indicate statistical significance. [000122] The effects of MBT-E, 4x and BP treatments The effects of 8x drought stress on Arabidopsis were tested in the following experiment: surface-sterilized Arabidopsis thaliana seeds were germinated for 7 days at 20 °C in plates containing MS medium solidified with phytagel. Each treated seed was then placed in medicine containers containing peat moss, moistened with 30 ml of a treatment. All treatments were sterilized by filtration and applied in 0.8% dilutions with filter-sterilized water. The treatments were: 1) water as a negative control, 2) AccomplishLM™ as a positive control, 3) MBT-E base product (BP), 4x concentrated MBT-E BP (4xCP), and 8x concentrated MBT-E BP (8xCP). Four medicine containers, each with one seedling, constituted a replication. Each treatment had four replications. The plants Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 49 / 76 42 / 50 treated seedlings were placed in an illuminated growth chamber (Percival Model 136LL) at 22 °C for 14 days. Drought stress was created by maintaining the seedlings at 20% water capacity. LED grow carts were used in a randomized complete block design and grown for 14 days at approximately 20 °C. After 12 days, the leaf area of ​​each plant was measured using ImageJ software from photographic images of the shoots. The results are shown in FIG. 19. Asterisks indicate statistical significance. Example 4: Effects of MBT-E under cold stress conditions [000123] The effects of MBT-E on Arabidopsis under cold stress conditions were tested by the following experiment: Surface-sterilized Arabidopsis thaliana seeds were germinated for 7 days at 20 °C in plates containing MS medium solidified with phytagel. Each treated seed was then placed in medicine containers containing peat moss, moistened with 30 ml of a treatment. All treatments were sterilized by filtration and applied at 0.8% dilutions with filter-sterilized water. The treatments were: 1) water as a negative control, 2) AccomplishLM™ as a positive control, 3) MBT-E base product (BP), 4x concentrated MBT-E BP, and 8x concentrated MBT-E BP. Four medicine containers, each with one seedling, constituted one replication. Each treatment had four replications. The treated plants were placed in an illuminated growth chamber (Percival Model LT41VL) at 12 °C for 21 days, using a randomized complete block design. Observations were made at 14 and 21 days.The leaf area of ​​each plant was measured using ImageJ software from photographic images of the shoots. The results for the surface area of ​​the shoots after cold treatment are shown in FIG. 28. Asterisks indicate statistical significance. Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 50 / 76 43 / 50 [000124] The effects of MBT-E on tomato under cold stress conditions were tested by the following experiment: Rutgers variety tomato was germinated in Berger multipurpose mix and grown in a growth chamber (Percival Model 136LL) at 22 °C for 14 days. They were maintained with 100% water capacity. Fourteen days after planting, they were fertilized with Jacks fertilizer. Treatments were provided as foliar applications, with each plant receiving a total of 10 ml of the treatment solution. The treatments were: 1) water as a negative control, 2) MBTE base product (BP), 3) 4x concentrated MBT-E BP (4xCP), and 4) 8x concentrated MBT-E BP (8xCP). The treated plants were placed in a randomized complete block design in an illuminated growth chamber (Percival Model LT41VL) that was programmed to provide cold stress, first providing 16 °C for 1 h, 8 °C for 1 h, 4 °C for 2 h and -4 °C for 2 h.Following this cold regime, the plants were evaluated using a cold stress rating scale from 0 to 5, where 0 indicated no observed stress in the shoots and 5 indicated complete shoot death. The results for the cold stress rating are shown in FIG. 29. The results for fresh weight recovery are shown in FIG. 30. [000125] Other effects of cold stress on Arabidopsis were tested by the following experiment: surface-sterilized Arabidopsis thaliana seeds were germinated for 7 days at 20 °C in plates containing MS medium solidified with phytagel. Each treated seed was then placed in culture containers containing peat moss, which were moistened with 30 ml of a treatment. The treatments were all sterilized by filtration and applied in 0.8% dilutions with filter-sterilized water. The treatments were: water as a negative control, MBTE base product (BP), and 4x concentrated MBT-E BP (4xCP). Four containers Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 51 / 76 44 / 50 plants for cultivation, each with one seedling, constituted a replication. Each treatment had four replications. The treated plants were placed in a growth chamber illuminated at 12 °C for 21 days, using a randomized complete block design. Observations were made at 14, 21, and 27 days post-treatment (DAT). The leaf area of ​​each plant was measured using ImageJ software from photographic images of shoots. The results for shoot surface area are shown in FIG. 31. Example 5: Effects of MBT-E on salinity tolerance [000126] The effect of MBT-E on salinity tolerance was tested by the following experiment: surface-sterilized Arabidopsis thaliana seeds were germinated for 7 days at 20 °C in plates containing MS medium solidified with phytagel. The seeds were then placed in rockwool cubes that were moistened with 40 ml of each treatment. The treatments were all sterilized by filtration and applied in 0.2% dilutions with filter-sterilized water. The treatments were: water as a negative control, base product (BP) of MBT-E, and BP of 4x concentrated MBT-E (4xCP). All treatments also contained 75 mM NaCl. Four rockwool cubes, each with one seedling, constituted a replication. Each treatment had four replications. The treated plants were placed in LED grow carts in a randomized complete block design and grown for 14 days at approximately 20 °C.The cubes were kept moist by adding 8 ml of water every 2 days. After 14 days, the leaf area of ​​each plant was measured using ImageJ software from photographic images of the shoots. The results are shown in FIG. 32. [000127] The effect of MBT-E on salinity tolerance in maize was tested by the following experiment: Dynagro maize seeds were planted in a medium of MVP 4:1 peatace / Sungro Blackgold peat. The maize was thinned for uniformity 12 Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 52 / 76 45 / 50 days after planting, fertilized with Jack's 20-20-20 at 25 1b (11.34 kg) N / A and subjected to salinity stress with 75 millimoles of NaCl. A foliar application of MBT-E was performed at 1 qt / A and 2 qt / A 21 days after planting. SPAD, imaging, and LiCor measurements were performed on 3 dates before corn harvest for biomass. The results for leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD) are shown in FIG. 33.[000128] The effect of MBT-E on salinity tolerance in Zinnia was tested by the following experiment: seeds of dwarf Zinnia elegans were planted in an Isolite / Sunshine Mix LC1 3:1 peat substrate, thinned for uniformity and fertilized with Jack's 20-20-20 at 50 1b (22.7 kg) / A. Soil electrical conductivity (EC) measurements were taken before planting the seeds and several times throughout the experiment. NaCl was applied at a total of 100 millimoles in three applications. MBT-E was applied as a foliar treatment 34 days after sowing, at a rate of 1 qt / A and 2 qt / A. The metrics for this experiment included stem diameter, heights, total biomass, and a final soil EC reading at harvest. The results for stem diameters at harvest are shown in FIG. 34. The results for height at harvest and total dry biomass are shown in FIGS. 35A-B. The results for soil electrical conductivity after treatment with MBT-E are shown in FIG.36. Example 6: Field trial with MBT-E for promoting the growth of bell pepper plants. [000129] Bell pepper seedlings were transplanted to raised beds in Yuma, Arizona. Prior to planting, the beds received MAP (monoammonium phosphate) fertilizer at a rate of 136 kg per acre. The control treatment (without MBT-E addition) was planted in 4 replicates in two beds, with each replicate being 75 feet (22.9 meters) long. The MBT-E treatment was planted in 8 replicates in 4 Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 53 / 76 46 / 50 plots, with each replication being 75 feet (22.9 meters) long. Three weeks after planting, the plants were fertigated with a subsurface drip irrigation system using UAN 32 fertilizer (urea ammonium nitrate), with each treatment (without MBT-E addition or with MBT-E addition at 2 qts per acre). The treatments without MBT-E and with MBT-E were applied only at this initial fertilization time. Subsequently, the plants received fertilizer two more times throughout the growing season. The plants were harvested on June 17, 2022. After harvest, yield (FIG. 37) and tissue nutrient (FIG. 38) data were collected. The leaf tissue of the plants treated with MBT-E showed increased levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium compared to the leaf tissue of the control plants. Example 7: Analysis of the microbial population of seaweed raw materials and biostimulant products [000130] Two different batches of seaweed raw material powders (Eklonia maxima for MBT-E and Ascophyllum nodosum for MBT-A) were sampled, with five or three technical replications each, respectively. DNA was extracted from 0.025 g of powder using bead beating extraction and phenolchloroform cleanup. For MBT-A 4X and MBT-E, two or three different solution batches were sampled, with four or three technical replications, respectively. 100 ml of the concentrated product solution was filtered, bacterial cells were collected from the filter, and then DNA was extracted using the MP Biomedicals DNA Soil Pro kit. [000131] Amplicon-based DNA sequencing for samples was performed by Molecular Research (MRDNA, Shallowater, TX) using their standard methods for bacterial analysis, using the 16S-515F primer, 20,000 reads per sample on the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 system. Additionally, MRDNA performed QA / QC, chimera checking, and OTU binning. Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 54 / 76 47 / 50 (operational taxonomic units). The MRDNA output was analyzed on the R statistical analysis platform, using the vegan package, to display the community analysis profiles as UPGMA-based cluster analysis trees. [000132] Cluster analysis trees for the Ascophyllum and Ecklonia raw materials are shown in FIG. 40. The bacterial communities in EMF and AMF raw material powders are distinctly different. All EMF community samples cluster and originate from the same branch, showing some slight separation and differences between the two EMF batches analyzed (1 and 2). However, these EMF samples are very similar to each other, as they branch off from one another. All AMF community samples cluster and originate from the same branch. The Height scale on the left is analogous to the percentage differences between the samples. The taller the branch, the more different the samples. Since the EMF and AMF raw material powder communities do not overlap in the same branch series, it can be concluded that the EMF and AMF raw material powders have different microbial communities. [000133] Cluster analysis trees for MBT-A and MBT-E are shown in FIG. 41. The bacterial communities of MBT-E 4X and MBT-A 4X are distinctly different. The communities of MBT-E and MBT-A are clearly separated and do not overlap in a series of branches. The three MBT-E batches are very similar to each other, and the communities of MBT-A-1 and 2 are more similar to each other than those of MBT-A-3. These MBTE batch communities overlap in a series of branches. Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 55 / 76 48 / 50 Table 2. Physiological parameters of the plant, plant height and cotton boll production that were recorded during drought stress conditions in cotton (1 and 2 indicate the two different data recording dates: 14 and 25 days after treatment application) (Stomatal conductance - gsw, transpiration rate - E, quantum yield - QY, electron transport rate - ETR, leaf chlorophyll content - SPAD, relative water content - RWC and temperature - T) E2 QY1 QY2 T1 T2 SPAD1 SPAD2 Proline Plant height Cotton bolls Treatment Rate gswl gsw1 E1 ETR1 ETR2 Control untreated 0.5 qt. / A 0.039936 0.00284 1.694 0.1341 0.4953098 0.4209 240.536 171.032 2.1635 4.012 44.735 45.675 20.6 57.75 20 MBT-E 0.5 qt. / A 0.112762 0.037345 3.8833 1.7214 0.6318967 0.54106 320.997 242.348 -0.206 2.1325 49.035 50.465 28.66 61.15 30 Untreated control 1 qt. / A 0.040097 0.008776 1.7479 0.4414 0.5299897 0.36085 285.285 142.643 2.103 4.3145 45.905 47.695 21.31 57.85 13 MBT-E 1 qt. / A 0.083765 0.056386 3.1874 2.2543 0.625238 0.547 316.754 274.003 0.18 2.3105 Table 3. Physiological parameters of the plant recorded during drought stress conditions in corn (1, 2, 3 and 4 days after application indicate the four different dates of data recording: 10, 16, 30 and 37). Time Treatment application gsw1 gsw2 gsw3 gsw4 E1 E2 E3 E4 QY1 QY2 QY3 QY4 ETR1 ETR2 ETR3 ETR4 T1 T2 T3 T4 Control untreated Vt - 0.0026 0.054 0.023 0.013 - 0.13 1.1 0.94 0.48 0.107 0.393 0.303 0.127 46.33 152.55 166.97 109.48 3.1 3.1 1.85 1.25 MBT-E Vt 0.022 0.089 0.067 0.057 0.79 2.35 1.51 1.99 0.34 0.53 0.51 0.397 112.2 222.42 172.42 178.93 0.38 0.37 0.11 0.15 Untreated control V6+Vt 0.008 0.074 0.019 0.014 0.16 2.39 0.44 0.56 0.109 0.334 0.44 0.228 50.31 141.09 72.11 126.48 0.61 0.58 0.62 2.03 MBT-E V6+Vt 0.061 0.127 0.11 0.06 1.59 3.91 2.18 1.7 0.34 0.481 0.419 0.417 152.88 216.71 152.52 164.08 1.04 1.03 3.19 0.9 Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, pp. 56 / 76 49 / 50 Table 4. Physiological parameters of the plant, relative water content in the leaf and proline accumulation recorded during drought stress conditions in maize (1, 2, 3 and 4 indicate the four different data recording dates in 2021: 10, 16, 30 and 37 days after treatment application) Treatment Application Time SPAD1 SPAD2 SPAD3 SPAD4 RWC (%) Proline Ear Length (cm) Ear Dry Weight (g) Yield Untreated Control Vt 38.31 45.9 26.16 23.68 31.16 16.8802 5.87 4.55 7.64 MBT-E Vt 47.35 50.9 42.15 28.72 39.009 21.5059 7.55 6.45 8.87 Untreated Control V6+Vt 42.75 37.85 20 18.73 30.84 16.8802 6.2 4.05 6.73 MBT-E V6+Vt 51.26 51.44 32.86 27.73 39.5 22.4425 9.4 6.35 20.47 Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 57 / 76 50 / 50 [000134] Although preferred embodiments of this disclosure have been shown and described in this document, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided only as examples. Numerous variations, alterations, and substitutions will now occur for those skilled in the art without departing from the disclosure. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the present disclosure may be employed in the practice of the present disclosure. The following claims are intended to define the scope of this disclosure and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents are covered by them. Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, p. 58 / 76

Claims

1 / 4 CLAIMS 1. Method for preparing a biostimulant composition characterized in that it comprises: (a) providing a digestion system comprising two or more tanks in a series, wherein each of the two or more tanks comprises at least a portion of a fluid, wherein the fluid comprises at least a portion of an organic feedstock comprising the seaweed Ecklonia maxima; and (b) operating the digestion system by: (i) digestion of at least a portion of an organic feedstock comprising the seaweed Ecklonia maxima by a microbe; (ii) transfer of a first portion of the fluid from a first tank in the series to a second tank in the series; and (iii) collection of the biostimulant composition from an outlet flow port of one of the two or more tanks.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the digestion of (b)(i) occurs by anaerobic digestion.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of the two or more tanks comprises a packed bed reactor.

4. A method, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the microbe is endogenous to the marine algae Ecklonia maxima present in the organic raw material.

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the microbe comprises a spore-forming microbe.

6. Method, according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the microbe comprises one or more bacteria of a genus selected from the group that Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 59 / 76 2 / 4 consists of Actinotalea, Agrobacterium, Dinoroseobacter, Frigoribacterium, Fucophilus, Halomonas, Hoeflea, Ketogulonicigenium, Loktanella, Luteimonas, Oceanicola, Octadecabacter, Opitutus, Ornithinimicrobium, Paracoccus, Phaeobacter, Pseudomonas, Rhodobacter, Roseobacter, Salinibacterium and Serinicoccus.

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the organic raw material further comprises chitin or yeast.

8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the organic raw material comprises yeast, wherein the yeast comprises Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast.

9. Method, according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the organic raw material further comprises a fluid paste of the seaweed Ecklonia maxima, chitin and yeast.

10. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises the removal of the microbe from the biostimulant composition.

11. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it further comprises the continuous flow of a first portion of the fluid from the first tank to the second tank.

12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises the continuous flow of a second portion of the fluid from the second tank to a third tank.

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that it further comprises the continuous flow of a third portion of the fluid from the third tank to a fourth tank.

14. Method, according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it further comprises agitating at least a portion of the fluid in at least one of the two or more tanks, thereby allowing a biosolid of the fluid to settle at the bottom of at least one tank.

15. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the digestion of (b)(i) produces a digestion product comprising one or more of isobutanol, pentadecanenitrile, pentadecanoic acid, octadecenenitrile, hexadecanenitrile or heneicosane.

16. Method, according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the organic raw material does not comprise the seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum.

17. Method, according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that it further comprises sterilization by filtration of the biostimulant composition.

18. Method, according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that it further comprises dehydrating the biostimulant composition.

19. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the biostimulant composition comprises rhamnose, fucose, xylose, mannose or glucose, or any combination thereof.

20. Composition characterized in that it comprises one or more digestion products produced by microbial digestion of an organic raw material comprising the seaweed Ecklonia maxima by a microbe, wherein the microbe comprises one or more bacteria of a genus selected from the group consisting of Actinotalea, Agrobacterium, Dinoroseobacter, Frigoribacterium, Fucophilus, Halomonas, Hoeflea, Ketogulonicigenium, Loktanella, Luteimonas, Oceanicola, Octadecabacter, Opitutus, Ornithinimicrobium, Paracoccus, Phaeobacter, Pseudomonas, Rhodobacter, Roseobacter, Salinibacterium and Serinicoccus.

21. Method for promoting plant growth, Petition 870260029413, dated 30 / 03 / 2026, page 61 / 76 4 / 4 characterized in that it comprises: contacting a plant, a plant seed or a growth medium for the plant with a composition comprising microbial digestion products of an organic raw material comprising the seaweed Ecklonia maxima.

22. Composition for plant treatment, characterized in that it comprises: a composition comprising one or more digestion products produced by the digestion of an organic raw material comprising the seaweed Ecklonia maxima by microbes.

23. Method for increasing the tolerance of a plant to abiotic stress characterized in that it comprises applying a biostimulant composition to a plant or to the growth medium of a plant, wherein the biostimulant composition comprises microbial digestion products of an organic raw material comprising the seaweed Ecklonia maxima.

24. Composition characterized by the fact that it comprises one or more molecular species corresponding to one or more of the C, F, G, J, O or P peaks in the LC-MS chromatogram shown in FIG.

3.

25. Biostimulant composition characterized by comprising products of the digestion of the seaweed Ecklonia maxima and a microbial consortium comprising one or more of Microbacterium amylolyticum, Thermoanaerobacterium thermosaccharolyticum, Cellulosilyticum lentocellum, Microbulbifer thermotolerans, Collinsella sp., Acinetobacter spp., Acinetobacter towneri, Lentilactobacillus buchneri, Liquorilactobacillus hordei or Secundilactobacillus paracollinoides. Petition 870260029413, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, p. 62 / 76

Images