Fusion proteins and methods for stimulating plant growth, protecting plants, and immobilizing bacillus spores on plants

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to fusion proteins containing a targeting sequence that targets the fusion protein to the outer spore wall of a member of the Bacillus cereus family. The invention also relates to recombinant Bacillus cereus family members expressing said fusion proteins and formulations containing said recombinant Bacillus cereus family members expressing said fusion proteins. Also described are methods of stimulating plant growth, protecting plants from pathogens, and improving stress resistance in plants by applying the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member or the formulation to a plant or plant growth medium. The invention also relates to a method for immobilizing spores of a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member expressing a fusion protein on a plant.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese patent application No. 201480015271.2. The application date of the original application is March 17, 2014. The name of the invention is “Fusion protein and method for stimulating plant growth, protecting plants and fixing Bacillus spores on plants”.

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61 / 799,262, filed March 15, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention generally relates to fusion proteins comprising a targeting sequence, exosporium protein, or exosporium protein fragment that targets the fusion protein to the exosporium of a Bacillus cereus family member. The present invention also relates to recombinant Bacillus cereus family members expressing the fusion protein and formulations containing the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member expressing the fusion protein. The present invention further relates to methods for stimulating plant growth, protecting plants from pathogens, and improving stress tolerance in plants by applying the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member or formulation to plants or plant growth media. The present invention also relates to methods for immobilizing spores of a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member expressing the fusion protein on plants or plant material. Background of the Invention

[0005] The area around the roots of plants is called the rhizosphere. In the rhizosphere, bacteria, fungi and other organisms compete for nutrients and bind to the root structure of the plant. Both harmful and beneficial bacteria and fungi can occupy the rhizosphere. Bacteria, fungi and the root system of plants may be affected by the effects of peptides, enzymes and other proteins in the rhizosphere. Using some of these peptides, enzymes or other proteins to strengthen the soil or treat plants will have a beneficial effect on the total population of beneficial soil bacteria and fungi, forming a healthier overall soil environment for plant growth, improving plant growth, and providing plants with protection against certain bacterial and fungal pathogens. However, earlier efforts to introduce peptides, enzymes and other proteins into the soil to induce such beneficial effects on plants have been hindered by the low survival rates of enzymes, proteins and peptides in the soil. In addition, the prevalence of proteases naturally present in the soil leads to the degradation of proteins in the soil. The environment around the roots of plants (the rhizosphere) is a unique mixture of bacteria, fungi, nutrients and roots, which has a different quality from the original soil. The symbiotic relationship between these organisms is unique and can be modified to better contain exogenous proteins. High concentrations of fungi and bacteria in the rhizosphere cause even greater degradation of proteins due to abnormally high levels of proteases and other elements that are harmful to proteins in the soil. In addition, enzymes and other proteins introduced into the soil can quickly disperse away from plant roots.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need in the art for methods for effectively delivering peptides, enzymes, and other proteins to plants (e.g., to plant roots) and for extending the period during which such molecules remain active. Furthermore, there is a need in the art for methods for selectively targeting such peptides, enzymes, and proteins, particularly to the rhizosphere and to plant leaves and roots. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention relates to fusion proteins comprising at least one plant growth stimulating protein or peptide, at least one protein or peptide that increases stress resistance in a plant, or at least one plant binding protein or peptide. The plant growth stimulating protein or peptide includes a peptide hormone, a non-hormone peptide, or an enzyme involved in the production or activation of a plant growth stimulating compound. The fusion protein further comprises a targeting sequence, an exosporium protein, or an exosporium protein fragment. The targeting sequence, exosporium protein, or exosporium protein fragment can be: (a) a targeting sequence comprising an amino acid sequence having at least about 43% identity to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 54%; (b) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1; (c) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1; (d) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 1; (e) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity to SEQ ID NO: 2; (f) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-27 of SEQ ID NO: 3; (g) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 12-27 of SEQ ID NO: 3; (h) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 3; (i) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity to SEQ ID NO: 4; (j) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-38 of SEQ ID NO: 5; (k) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 1 NO:5; (l) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:5; (m) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:6; (n) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-28 of SEQ ID NO:7; (o) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 13-28 of SEQ ID NO:7; (p) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:7; (q) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:8; (r) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO:9; (s) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO:9; (t) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:9; (u) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:10; (v) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO:11; (w) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:12. (x) comprising a targeting sequence of amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 11; (y) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 12; (z) comprising a targeting sequence of amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 13;(aa) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 13; (ab) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 13; (ac) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 14; (ad) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-43 of SEQ ID NO: 15; (ae) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 28-43 of SEQ ID NO: 15; (af) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 15; (ag) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 16; (ah) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-27 of SEQ ID NO: 17; (ai) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 12-27 of SEQ ID NO: 17; (aj) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 17; (ak) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 18; (al) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 19; (am) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: (an) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 19; (ao) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 20; (ap) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 21; (aq) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 21; (ar) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 21; (as) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 22; (at) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO: 23; (au) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO: 23; (av) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 23; (aw) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 24; (ax) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO: 25; (ay) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 26 (a) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 26; (b) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-30 of SEQ ID NO: 27; (bc) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 15-30 of SEQ ID NO: 27; and (bd) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 27.(be) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:28; (bf) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO:29; (bg) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO:29; (bh) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:29; (bi) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:30; (bj) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO:31; (bk) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO:31; (bl) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:31; (bm) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:32; (bn) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-15 of SEQ ID NO:33; (bo) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:33; (bp) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:32; NO:34; (bq) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-16 of SEQ ID NO:35; (br) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:35; (bs) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:36; (bt) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-29 of SEQ ID NO:43; (bu) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 14-29 of SEQ ID NO:43; (bv) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:43; (bw) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:44; (bx) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-35 of SEQ ID NO:45; (by) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO:45; (bz) a targeting sequence comprising an amino acid sequence identical to SEQ ID NO:45; (ca) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-29 of SEQ ID NO:43; NO:46; (cb) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-43 of SEQ ID NO:47; (cc) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 28-43 of SEQ ID NO:47; (cd) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:47; (ce) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:48; (cf) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-32 of SEQ ID NO:49; (cg) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 17-32 of SEQ ID NO:49; (ch) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:49;(ci) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:50; (cj) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO:51; (ck) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO:51; (cl) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:51; (cm) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:52; (cn) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO:53; (co) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO:53; (cp) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:53; (cq) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:54; (cr) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-30 of SEQ ID NO:55; (cs) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 15-30 of SEQ ID NO:55; (ct) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: NO:55; (cu) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:56; (cv) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-130 of SEQ ID NO:57; (cw) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 115-130 of SEQ ID NO:57; (cx) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:57; (cy) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:58; (cz) an exosporium protein fragment comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:59; (da) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:60; (db) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:61; (dc) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:62; (dd) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:63; (de) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:64; (df) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:65; (dg) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: (dl) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:71; (dm) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:72; and (dn) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:73.(dt) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 79; (du) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 80; (dv) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 81; (dw) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 82; (dx) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 83; (dx) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 84; (dx) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 85; (dx) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 86. NO:83; (dy) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:84; (dz) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 22-31 of SEQ ID NO:1; (ea) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 22-33 of SEQ ID NO:1; (eb) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 20-31 of SEQ ID NO:1; (ec) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 14-23 of SEQ ID NO:3; (ed) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 14-25 of SEQ ID NO:3; or (ef) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 12-23 of SEQ ID NO:3.

[0008] The present invention also relates to fusion proteins comprising a targeting sequence, an exosporium protein or an exosporium protein fragment, and at least one protein or peptide that protects plants from pathogens. The targeting sequence, exosporium protein, or exosporium protein fragment can be: (a) a targeting sequence consisting of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and having at least about 43% identity to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 54%; (b) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 1-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1; (c) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1; (d) a targeting sequence consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1; (e) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 60; (f) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-27 of SEQ ID NO: 3; (g) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 12-27 of SEQ ID NO: 3; (h) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 3; (i) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity to SEQ ID NO: 4; (j) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-38 of SEQ ID NO: 5; (k) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: NO:5; (l) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:5; (m) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:6; (n) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-28 of SEQ ID NO:7; (o) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 13-28 of SEQ ID NO:7; (p) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:7; (q) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:8; (r) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO:9; (s) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO:9; (t) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:9; (u) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:10; (v) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO:11; (w) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:12. (x) comprises a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 11; (y) comprises an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 12; (z) comprises a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 13; (aa) comprises a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 13; (ab) comprises a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 13;(ac) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 14; (ad) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-43 of SEQ ID NO: 15; (ae) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 28-43 of SEQ ID NO: 15; (af) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 15; (ag) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 16; (ah) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-27 of SEQ ID NO: 17; (ai) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 12-27 of SEQ ID NO: 17; (aj) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 17; (ak) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 18; (al) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 19; (am) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 19; (an) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 28-33 of SEQ ID NO: 19; (ao) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-27 of SEQ ID NO: 19; (a) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO:23; (au) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO:23; (av) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:23; (aw) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:24; (ax) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO:25; (ay) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO:25; (az) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO:21; (ba) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO:25; NO:26; (bb) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-30 of SEQ ID NO:27; (bc) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 15-30 of SEQ ID NO:27; (bd) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:27; (be) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:28; (bf) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO:29;(bg) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO:29; (bh) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:29; (bi) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:30; (bj) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO:31; (bk) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO:31; (bl) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:31; (bm) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:32; (bn) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-15 of SEQ ID NO:33; (bo) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:33; (bp) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:34; (bq) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-16 of SEQ ID NO:35; (br) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:35; (bs) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO:31; NO:36; (bt) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-29 of SEQ ID NO:43; (bu) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 14-29 of SEQ ID NO:43; (bv) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:43; (bw) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:44; (bx) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-35 of SEQ ID NO:45; (by) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO:45; (bz) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:45; (ca) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:46; (cb) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-43 of SEQ ID NO:47; (cc) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 28-43 of SEQ ID NO:47; (cd) a targeting sequence comprising an amino acid sequence identical to SEQ ID NO:47; (ce) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-43 of SEQ ID NO:47; (cj) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO:51;(ck) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO:51; (cl) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:51; (cm) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:52; (cn) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO:53; (co) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO:53; (cp) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:53; (cq) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:54; (cr) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-30 of SEQ ID NO:55; (cs) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 15-30 of SEQ ID NO:55; (ct) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:55; (cu) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:56; (cv) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: NO:57; (cw) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 115-130 of SEQ ID NO:57; (cx) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:57; (cy) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:58; (cz) an exosporium protein fragment consisting of an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:59; (da) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:61; (db) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:62; (dc) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:63; (dd) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:64; (de) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:65; (df) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:66; (dg) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:67; (dh) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:68; (di) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:69; (dj) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: NO:70; (dk) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:71; (dl) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:72; (dm) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:73; (dn) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:74; (do) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:75;(dp) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:76; (dq) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:77; (dr) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:78; (ds) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:79; (dt) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:80; (du) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:81; (dv) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:82; (dw) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:83; (dx) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:84; (dy) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: NO:1; (dz) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 22-31 of SEQ ID NO:1; (ea) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 20-31 of SEQ ID NO:1; (eb) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 14-23 of SEQ ID NO:3; (ec) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 14-25 of SEQ ID NO:3; or (ed) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 12-23 of SEQ ID NO:3.

[0009] The present invention further relates to fusion proteins comprising a targeting sequence, an exosporium protein or exosporium protein fragment, and at least one protein or peptide that protects plants from pathogens. The protein or peptide that protects plants from pathogens can include hypersensitive proteins, α-elastin, β-elastin, systemin, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, elicitin, defensin, cryptoglycin, flagellin, flagellin peptide, bacteriocin, lysozyme, lysozyme peptide, siderophore, non-ribosomally active peptide, conalbumin, albumin, lactoferrin, lactoferrin peptide, or TasA. Alternatively, the protein or peptide that protects plants from pathogens has insecticidal activity, anthelmintic activity, inhibits insect or worm predation, or a combination thereof. Alternatively, the protein that protects plants from pathogens comprises an enzyme. The targeting sequence, exosporium protein, or exosporium protein fragment can be any of the targeting sequences, exosporium proteins, or exosporium protein fragments listed in paragraph

[0005] above.

[0010] The present invention also relates to a fusion protein comprising at least one protein or peptide of interest and an exosporium protein. The exosporium protein can be an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 71, 75, 80, 81, 82, 83, and 84.

[0011] The present invention also relates to a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member expressing any fusion protein.

[0012] The present invention also relates to a formulation comprising any recombinant Bacillus cereus family member and an agriculturally acceptable carrier.

[0013] The present invention also relates to a method for stimulating plant growth. The method comprises introducing into a plant growth medium any recombinant Bacillus cereus family member expressing a fusion protein comprising at least one plant growth stimulating protein or peptide, or any formulation comprising a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member expressing a fusion protein comprising at least one plant growth stimulating protein or peptide. Alternatively, the method comprises applying to a plant, plant seed, or area surrounding a plant or plant seed any recombinant Bacillus cereus family member expressing a fusion protein comprising at least one plant growth stimulating protein or peptide, or any formulation comprising a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member expressing a fusion protein comprising at least one plant growth stimulating protein or peptide. The plant growth stimulating protein or peptide is physically attached to the exosporium of the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member.

[0014] The present invention also relates to methods for stimulating plant growth. The methods include introducing a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member expressing a fusion protein into a plant growth medium or applying a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member expressing a fusion protein to a plant, plant seed, or an area surrounding a plant or plant seed. The fusion protein comprises at least one plant growth stimulating protein or peptide and a targeting sequence, exosporium protein, or exosporium protein fragment. The targeting sequence, exosporium protein, or exosporium protein fragment can be any of those listed in paragraph

[0005] above. The plant growth stimulating protein or peptide is physically attached to the exosporium of the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member.

[0015] The present invention further relates to a method for protecting plants from pathogens or increasing stress resistance in plants. The method comprises introducing into a plant growth medium any recombinant Bacillus cereus family member that expresses a fusion protein comprising at least one protein or peptide that protects plants from pathogens or at least one protein or peptide that increases stress resistance in plants, or any formulation comprising any recombinant Bacillus cereus family member that expresses a fusion protein comprising at least one protein or peptide that protects plants from pathogens or at least one protein or peptide that increases stress resistance in plants. Alternatively, the method comprises applying to a plant, plant seed, or area surrounding a plant or plant seed any recombinant Bacillus cereus family member that expresses a fusion protein comprising at least one protein or peptide that protects plants from pathogens or at least one protein or peptide that increases stress resistance in plants, or any formulation comprising any recombinant Bacillus cereus family member that expresses a fusion protein comprising at least one protein or peptide that protects plants from pathogens or at least one protein or peptide that increases stress resistance in plants. The protein or peptide that protects plants from pathogens or that increases stress resistance in plants is physically attached to the exosporium of the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member.

[0016] The present invention also relates to a method for immobilizing recombinant Bacillus cereus family member spores on a plant. The method comprises introducing into a plant growth medium any recombinant Bacillus cereus family member expressing at least one plant binding protein or peptide, or any formulation comprising any recombinant Bacillus cereus family member expressing at least one plant binding protein or peptide. Alternatively, the method comprises applying to a plant, plant seed, or an area surrounding a plant or plant seed any recombinant Bacillus cereus family member expressing at least one plant binding protein or peptide, or any formulation comprising any recombinant Bacillus cereus family member expressing at least one plant binding protein or peptide. The plant binding protein or peptide is physically attached to the exosporium of the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member.

[0017] Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 Shown is an alignment of the amino acid sequence of the amino-terminal portion of Bacillus anthracis Sterne strain BclA with corresponding regions of various exosporium proteins from Bacillus cereus family members.

[0019] Figure 2 Example fluorescence microscopy results showing the expression of fusion proteins containing various exosporium proteins linked to an mCherry reporter on the exosporium.

[0020] definition

[0021] Unless otherwise indicated, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" when used herein mean "at least one" or "one or more."

[0022] The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

[0023] The term "biologically active peptide" refers to any peptide that exerts a biological activity."Biologically active peptides" can be produced, for example, by cleavage of a protein, peptide, proprotein or preproprotein by a protease or peptidase.

[0024] "Enzymes involved in the production or activation of plant growth stimulating compounds" include any enzyme that catalyzes any step in the biosynthetic pathway of a compound that stimulates plant growth or alters plant architecture, or any enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of an inactive or less active derivative of a compound that stimulates plant growth or alters plant architecture into an active or more active form of the compound. Such compounds include, for example, but are not limited to, small molecule plant hormones such as auxins and cytokinins, bioactive peptides, and small plant growth stimulating molecules (e.g., 2,3-butanediol) synthesized by bacteria or fungi in the rhizosphere.

[0025] As used herein, the term "fusion protein" refers to a protein having a polypeptide sequence that includes sequences derived from two or more separate proteins. A fusion protein can be produced by joining a nucleic acid molecule encoding all or part of a first polypeptide to a nucleic acid molecule encoding all or part of a second polypeptide to produce a nucleic acid sequence that, when expressed, produces a single polypeptide having functional properties derived from each of the original proteins.

[0026] The term "fixing the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member spore on a plant" refers to the binding of the Bacillus cereus family member spore to a plant, for example, to the roots of a plant or to an aerial part of a plant, such as a leaf, stem, flower or fruit, such that the spore is maintained on the root structure or aerial part of the plant and is not dispersed into the plant growth medium or into the environment surrounding the aerial part of the plant.

[0027] "Plant growth medium" includes any substance capable of supporting plant growth.

[0028] As used herein, "plant immune system enhancing protein or peptide" includes any protein or peptide that has a beneficial effect on the plant immune system.

[0029] As used herein, the term "plant growth stimulating protein or peptide" includes any protein or peptide that enhances plant growth in a plant exposed to the protein or peptide.

[0030] As used herein, a "protein or peptide that protects a plant from a pathogen" includes any protein or peptide that renders a plant exposed to the protein or peptide less susceptible to infection by the pathogen.

[0031] As used herein, a "protein or peptide that increases stress resistance in a plant" includes any protein or peptide that makes a plant exposed to the protein or peptide more stress resistant.

[0032] The term "plant binding protein or peptide" refers to any peptide or protein that can bind specifically or non-specifically to any part of a plant (e.g., roots or aerial parts of a plant such as leaves, stems, flowers, or fruit) or to plant matter.

[0033] As used herein, the term "targeting sequence" refers to a polypeptide sequence that, when present as part of a longer polypeptide or protein, localizes the longer polypeptide or protein to a specific subcellular location. The targeting sequences described herein localize proteins to the exosporium of members of the Bacillus cereus family. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0034] The present invention relates to fusion proteins comprising a targeting sequence, an exosporium protein, or an exosporium protein fragment that targets the fusion protein to the exosporium of a member of the Bacillus cereus family and: (a) at least one plant growth stimulating protein or peptide; (b) at least one protein or peptide that protects plants from pathogens; (c) at least one protein or peptide that increases stress resistance in plants; or (d) at least one plant binding protein or peptide. When expressed in a member of the Bacillus cereus family bacterium, these fusion proteins are targeted to the exosporium layer of the spore and are physically oriented so that the protein or peptide is presented on the outside of the spore.

[0035] This Bacillus exosporium display (BEMD) system can be used to deliver peptides, enzymes, and other proteins to plants (e.g., to plant leaves, fruits, flowers, stems, or roots) or to plant growth media such as soil. Peptides, enzymes, and proteins delivered to soil or another plant growth medium in this manner remain in the soil and exhibit activity for an extended period of time. Introducing recombinant Bacillus cereus family member bacteria expressing the fusion proteins described herein into the soil or rhizosphere of plants results in beneficial improvements in plant growth under a variety of soil conditions. Using BEMD to produce these enzymes allows the enzymes to continue to exert their beneficial effects on the plant and rhizosphere within the first month of the plant's life.

[0036] Targeting sequences, exosporium proteins, and exosporium protein fragments

[0037] For ease of reference, the SEQ ID NOs of the peptide and protein sequences mentioned herein are listed in Table 1 below.

[0038] Table 1. Peptide and protein sequences

[0039]

[0040]

[0041]

[0042]

[0043]

[0044]

[0045]

[0046]

[0047]

[0048]

[0049]

[0050] AA = amino acid

[0051] *Bacillus anthracis Sterne strain BclA shares 100% sequence identity with Bacillus thuringiensis BclA. Thus, SEQ ID NOs: 1, 2, and 59 also represent amino acids 1-41 of Bacillus thuringiensis BclA, full-length Bacillus thuringiensis BclA, and amino acids 1-196 of Bacillus thuringiensis BclA, respectively. Similarly, SEQ ID NO: 60 also represents a methionine residue plus amino acids 20-35 of Bacillus thuringiensis BclA.

[0052] **Bacillus mycoides hypothetical protein TIGR03720 has 100% sequence identity to Bacillus mycoides hypothetical protein WP003189234. Therefore, SEQ ID NOs: 57 and 58 also represent amino acids 1-136 of Bacillus mycoides hypothetical protein WP003189234 and the full-length Bacillus mycoides hypothetical protein WP003189234, respectively.

[0053] Bacillus is a genus of rod-shaped bacteria. The Bacillus cereus family of bacteria includes the following species: Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus pseudomycoides, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus gaemokensis, and Bacillus weihenstephensis. Under stressful environmental conditions, Bacillus cereus family bacteria undergo sporulation and form oval endospores, which can remain dormant for extended periods. The outermost layer of the endospore is called the exosporium and consists of a basal layer surrounded by outer villi with hair-like projections. The fibrils on the hair-like villi are primarily formed by the collagen-like glycoprotein BclA, while the basal layer is composed of many different proteins. Another collagen-related protein, BclB, is also present in the exosporium and is exposed on the endospores of Bacillus cereus family members. BclA, the major component of the surface hairs, was shown to be attached to the exosporium, with its amino terminus (N-terminus) located at the basal layer and its carboxyl terminus (C-terminus) extending outward from the spore.

[0054] Certain sequences from the N-terminal regions of BclA and BclB were previously found to be useful for targeting peptides or proteins to the exosporium of Bacillus cereus endospores (see U.S. Patent Application Nos. 2010 / 0233124 and 2011 / 0281316, and Thompson et al., Targeting of the BclA and BclB proteins to the Bacillusanthracis spore surface, Molecular Microbiology 70(2):421-34 (2008), each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). The BetA / BAS3290 protein of Bacillus anthracis was also found to be localized to the exosporium.

[0055] Specifically, amino acids 20-35 of BclA from Bacillus anthracis strain Sterne were found to be sufficient for targeting the exosporium. Sequence alignment of amino acids 1-41 of BclA (SEQ ID NO: 1) with the corresponding N-terminal regions of several other Bacillus cereus family exosporium proteins and Bacillus cereus family proteins with related sequences is shown in Figure 1 In. As from Figure 1 As can be seen, there is a region of high homology among all proteins in the region corresponding to amino acids 20-41 of BclA. However, in these sequences, the amino acids corresponding to amino acids 36-41 of BclA contain secondary structure and are not required for localization of the fusion protein to the exosporium. The conserved targeting sequence region of BclA (amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1) is shown in bold. Figure 1and corresponds to the minimal targeting sequence required for localization to the exosporium. The more highly conserved region within the targeting sequence, spanning amino acids 25-35 of BclA, is underlined. Figure 1 and is the recognition sequence for ExsFA / BxpB / ExsFB and homologs, which directs and assembles the proteins onto the exosporium surface. Figure 1 The amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs. 3, 5, and 7 are, respectively, amino acids 1-33 of Bacillus anthracis Sterne strain BetA / BAS3290, methionine followed by amino acids 2-43 of Bacillus anthracis Sterne strain BAS4623, and amino acids 1-34 of Bacillus anthracis Sterne strain BclB. (For BAS4623, it was found that replacing the valine present at position 1 of the native protein with methionine resulted in optimal expression.) Figure 1 As can be seen, each of these sequences contains a conserved region corresponding to amino acids 20-35 of BclA (SEQ ID NO: 1; shown in bold), and a more highly conserved region corresponding to amino acids 20-35 of BclA (underlined).

[0056] Additional proteins from members of the Bacillus cereus family also contain conserved targeting regions. Specifically, Figure 1SEQ ID NO: 9 is amino acids 1-30 of Bacillus anthracis Sterne strain BAS1882, SEQ ID NO: 11 is amino acids 1-39 of the Bacillus weihenstephensis KBAB4 2280 gene product, SEQ ID NO: 13 is amino acids 1-39 of the Bacillus weihenstephensis KBAB4 3572 gene product, SEQ ID NO: 15 is amino acids 1-49 of the exosporium leader peptide of Bacillus cereus VD200, SEQ ID NO: 17 is amino acids 1-33 of the exosporium leader peptide of Bacillus cereus VD166, SEQ ID NO: 19 is amino acids 1-39 of the hypothetical protein IKG_04663 of Bacillus cereus VD200, SEQ ID NO: 21 is amino acids 1-39 of the Bacillus weihenstephensis KBAB4 YVTN β-propeller protein, SEQ ID NO: SEQ ID NO:23 is amino acids 1-30 of the Bacillus weihenstephensis KBAB4 hypothetical protein bcerkbab4_2363, SEQ ID NO:25 is amino acids 1-30 of the Bacillus weihenstephensis KBAB4 hypothetical protein bcerkbab4_2131, SEQ ID NO:27 is amino acids 1-36 of the triple helical repeat-containing collagen of Bacillus weihenstephensis KBAB4, SEQ ID NO:29 is amino acids 1-39 of the Bacillus mycoides 2048 hypothetical protein bmyco0001_21660, SEQ ID NO:31 is amino acids 1-30 of the Bacillus mycoides 2048 hypothetical protein bmyc0001_22540, SEQ ID NO:33 is amino acids 1-21 of the Bacillus mycoides 2048 hypothetical protein bmyc0001_21510, SEQ ID SEQ ID NO:35 is amino acids 1-22 of the collagen triple helix repeat protein from Bacillus thuringiensis 35646, SEQ ID NO:43 is amino acids 1-35 of the Bacillus cereus hypothetical protein WP_69652, SEQ ID NO:45 is amino acids 1-41 of the Bacillus cereus exosporium leader WP016117717, SEQ ID NO:47 is amino acids 1-49 of the Bacillus cereus exosporium peptide WP002105192, SEQ ID NO:49 is amino acids 1-38 of the Bacillus cereus hypothetical protein WP87353, SEQ ID NO:51 is amino acids 1-39 of the Bacillus cereus exosporium peptide 02112369, SEQ ID NO:53 is amino acids 1-39 of the Bacillus cereus exosporium protein WP016099770, SEQ ID SEQ ID NO:55 is amino acids 1-36 of the Bacillus thuringiensis hypothetical protein YP006612525, and SEQ ID NO:57 is amino acids 1-136 of the Bacillus mycoides hypothetical protein TIGR03720. Figure 1As shown, the N-terminal regions of these proteins each contain a region conserved with amino acids 20-35 of BclA (SEQ ID NO: 1) and a more highly conserved region corresponding to amino acids 25-35 of BclA.

[0057] In the fusion proteins of the present invention, any portion of BclA, including amino acids 20-35, can be used as a targeting sequence in the present invention. Additionally, full-length exosporium protein or exosporium protein fragments can be used to target the fusion protein to the exosporium. Thus, full-length BclA or BclA fragments, including amino acids 20-35, can be used to target the exosporium. For example, full-length BclA (SEQ ID NO: 2) or a medium-sized fragment of BclA lacking the carboxyl terminus, such as SEQ ID NO: 59 (amino acids 1-196 of BclA), can be used to target the fusion protein to the exosporium. Medium-sized fragments, such as fragments of SEQ ID NO: 59, have less secondary structure than full-length BclA and have been found to be useful as targeting sequences. The targeting sequence can also comprise a much shorter portion of BclA, including amino acids 20-35 such as SEQ ID NO: 1 (amino acids 1-41 of BclA), amino acids 1-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, or SEQ ID NO: 60 (a methionine residue linked to amino acids 20-35 of BclA). Even shorter fragments of BclA that include only some of amino acids 20-35 also exhibit the ability to target the fusion protein to the exosporium. For example, the targeting sequence can comprise amino acids 22-31 of SEQ ID NO: 1, amino acids 22-33 of SEQ ID NO: 1, or amino acids 20-31 of SEQ ID NO: 1.

[0058] Alternatively, BetA / BAS3290, BAS4623, BclB, BAS1882, KBAB4 2280 gene product, KBAB4 3572 gene product, Bacillus cereus VD200 exosporium leader peptide, Bacillus cereus VD166 exosporium leader peptide, Bacillus cereus VD200 hypothetical protein IKG_04663, Bacillus weihenstephensis KBAB4 YVTN β-propeller protein, Bacillus weihenstephensis KBAB4 hypothetical protein bcerkbab4_2363, Bacillus weihenstephensis KBAB4 hypothetical protein bcerkbab4_2131, Bacillus weihenstephensis KBAB4 collagen containing triple helical repeats, Bacillus mycoides 2048 hypothetical protein bmyco0001_21660, Bacillus mycoides 2048 hypothetical protein bmyc0001_22540, Bacillus mycoides 2048 hypothetical protein bmyc0001_21510, Bacillus thuringiensis 35646 collagen triple helical repeat protein Any portion of Bacillus cereus hypothetical protein WP_69652, Bacillus cereus exosporium leader WP016117717, Bacillus cereus exosporium peptide WP002105192, Bacillus cereus hypothetical protein WP87353, Bacillus cereus exosporium peptide 02112369, Bacillus cereus exosporium protein WP016099770, Bacillus thuringiensis hypothetical protein YP006612525, or Bacillus mycoides hypothetical protein TIGR03720, including amino acids corresponding to amino acids 20-35 of BclA, can serve as a targeting sequence. Figure 1As can be seen, amino acids 12-27 of BetA / BAS3290, amino acids 23-38 of BAS4623, amino acids 13-28 of BclB, amino acids 9-24 of BAS1882, amino acids 18-33 of the KBAB4 2280 gene product, amino acids 18-33 of the KBAB43572 gene product, amino acids 28-43 of the exosporium leader peptide of Bacillus cereus VD200, amino acids 12-27 of the exosporium leader peptide of Bacillus cereus VD166, amino acids 18-33 of the hypothetical protein IKG_04663 of Bacillus cereus VD200, and amino acids 18-33 of the KBAB4 2280 gene product of Bacillus cereus. amino acids 18-33 of YVTN β-propeller protein, amino acids 9-24 of Bacillus weihenstephensis KBAB4 hypothetical protein bcerkbab4_2363, amino acids 9-24 of Bacillus weihenstephensis KBAB4 hypothetical protein bcerkbab4_2131, amino acids 15-30 of Bacillus weihenstephensis KBAB4 triple helical repeat-containing collagen, amino acids 18-33 of Bacillus mycoides 2048 hypothetical protein bmyco0001_21660, amino acids 9-24 of Bacillus mycoides 2048 hypothetical protein bmyc0001_22540, amino acids 1-15 of Bacillus mycoides 2048 hypothetical protein bmyc0001_21510, amino acids 35646 of Bacillus thuringiensis collagen triple helical repeat protein 16, amino acids 1-16 of Bacillus cereus hypothetical protein WP_69652, amino acids 20-35 of Bacillus cereus exosporium leader WP016117717, amino acids 28-43 of Bacillus cereus exosporium peptide WP002105192, amino acids 17-32 of Bacillus cereus hypothetical protein WP87353, amino acids 18-33 of Bacillus cereus exosporium peptide 02112369, amino acids 18-33 of Bacillus cereus exosporium protein WP016099770, amino acids 15-30 of Bacillus thuringiensis hypothetical protein YP006612525, and amino acids 115-130 of Bacillus mycoides hypothetical protein TIGR03720 correspond to amino acids 20-35 of BclA. Thus, any portion of these proteins including the corresponding amino acids listed above can serve as a targeting sequence.

[0059] Furthermore, any amino acid sequence comprising amino acids 20-35 of BclA, or any of the corresponding amino acids listed above, can serve as a targeting sequence.

[0060] Thus, the targeting sequence can comprise amino acids 1-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 60, amino acids 22-31 of SEQ ID NO: 1, amino acids 22-33 of SEQ ID NO: 1, or amino acids 20-31 of SEQ ID NO: 1. Alternatively, the targeting sequence consists of amino acids 1-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 1, or SEQ ID NO: 60. Alternatively, the targeting sequence can consist of amino acids 22-31 of SEQ ID NO: 1, amino acids 22-33 of SEQ ID NO: 1, or amino acids 20-31 of SEQ ID NO: 1. Alternatively, the exosporium protein can comprise full-length BclA (SEQ ID NO: 2), or the exosporium protein fragment can comprise a medium-sized fragment of BclA lacking the carboxyl terminus, such as SEQ ID NO: 59 (amino acids 1-196 of BclA). Alternatively, the exosporium protein fragment can consist of SEQ ID NO:59.

[0061] The targeting sequence can also comprise amino acids 1-27 of SEQ ID NO: 3, amino acids 12-27 of SEQ ID NO: 3, or SEQ ID NO: 3, or the exosporium protein can comprise full-length BetA / BAS3290 (SEQ ID NO: 4). It has also been found that a methionine residue linked to amino acids 12-27 of BetA / BAS3290 can serve as a targeting sequence. Thus, the targeting sequence can comprise SEQ ID NO: 61. The targeting sequence can also comprise amino acids 14-23 of SEQ ID NO: 3, amino acids 14-25 of SEQ ID NO: 3, or amino acids 12-23 of SEQ ID NO: 3.

[0062] The targeting sequence can also comprise amino acids 1-38 of SEQ ID NO: 5, amino acids 23-38 of SEQ ID NO: 5, or SEQ ID NO: 5, or the exosporium protein can comprise full-length BAS4623 (SEQ ID NO: 6).

[0063] Alternatively, the targeting sequence can comprise amino acids 1-28 of SEQ ID NO:7, amino acids 13-28 of SEQ ID NO:7, or SEQ ID NO:7, or the exosporium protein can comprise full-length BclB (SEQ ID NO:8).

[0064] The targeting sequence can also comprise amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO:9, amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO:9, or SEQ ID NO:9, or the exosporium protein can comprise full-length BAS1882 (SEQ ID NO:10). A methionine residue linked to amino acids 9-24 of BAS1882 can also be used as a targeting sequence. Thus, the targeting sequence can comprise SEQ ID NO:69.

[0065] The targeting sequence can also comprise amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 11, amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 11, or SEQ ID NO: 11, or the exosporium protein can comprise the full-length Bacillus weihenstephensis KBAB4 2280 gene product (SEQ ID NO: 12). A methionine residue linked to amino acids 18-33 of the Bacillus weihenstephensis KBAB4 2280 gene product can also be used as a targeting sequence. Thus, the targeting sequence can comprise SEQ ID NO: 62.

[0066] The targeting sequence can also comprise amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 13, amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 13, or SEQ ID NO: 13, or the exosporium protein can comprise the full-length Bacillus weihenstephensis KBAB4 3572 gene product (SEQ ID NO: 14). A methionine residue linked to amino acids 18-33 of the Bacillus weihenstephensis KBAB4 3572 gene product can also be used as a targeting sequence. Thus, the targeting sequence can comprise SEQ ID NO: 63.

[0067] Alternatively, the targeting sequence can comprise amino acids 1-43 of SEQ ID NO: 15, amino acids 28-43 of SEQ ID NO: 15, or SEQ ID NO: 15, or the exosporium protein can comprise the full-length Bacillus cereus VD200 exosporium leader peptide (SEQ ID NO: 16).

[0068] The targeting sequence can also comprise amino acids 1-27 of SEQ ID NO: 17, amino acids 12-27 of SEQ ID NO: 17, or SEQ ID NO: 17, or the exosporium protein can comprise the full-length Bacillus cereus VD166 exosporium leader peptide (SEQ ID NO: 18). A methionine residue linked to amino acids 12-27 of the Bacillus cereus VD166 exosporium leader peptide can also be used as a targeting sequence. Thus, the targeting sequence can comprise SEQ ID NO: 64.

[0069] The targeting sequence can also comprise amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 19, amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 19, or SEQ ID NO: 19, or the exosporium protein can comprise full-length Bacillus cereus VD200 hypothetical protein IKG_04663 (SEQ ID NO: 20).

[0070] Alternatively, the targeting sequence comprises amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO:21, amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO:21, or SEQ ID NO:21, or the exosporium protein can comprise the full-length Bacillus weihenstephensis KBAB4 YVTN β-propeller protein (SEQ ID NO:22). A methionine residue linked to amino acids 18-33 of the Bacillus weihenstephensis KBAB4 YVTN β-propeller protein can also be used as a targeting sequence. Thus, the targeting sequence can comprise SEQ ID NO:65.

[0071] The targeting sequence can also comprise amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO: 23, amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO: 23, or SEQ ID NO: 23, or the exosporium protein can comprise the full-length Bacillus weihenstephensis KBAB4 hypothetical protein bcerkbab4_2363 (SEQ ID NO: 24). A methionine residue linked to amino acids 9-24 of the Bacillus weihenstephensis KBAB4 hypothetical protein bcerkbab4_2363 can also be used as a targeting sequence. Thus, the targeting sequence can comprise SEQ ID NO: 66.

[0072] The targeting sequence comprises amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO: 25, amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO: 25, or SEQ ID NO: 25, or the exosporium protein can comprise the full-length Bacillus weihenstephensis KBAB4 hypothetical protein bcerkbab4_2131 (SEQ ID NO: 26). A methionine residue linked to amino acids 9-24 of the Bacillus weihenstephensis KBAB4 hypothetical protein bcerkbab4_2131 can also be used as a targeting sequence. Thus, the targeting sequence can comprise SEQ ID NO: 67.

[0073] Alternatively, the targeting sequence comprises amino acids 1-30 of SEQ ID NO:27, amino acids 15-30 of SEQ ID NO:27, or SEQ ID NO:27, or the exosporium protein can comprise full-length B. weihenstephensis KBAB4 triple helical repeat-containing collagen (SEQ ID NO:28).

[0074] The targeting sequence can also comprise amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 29, amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 29, or SEQ ID NO: 29, or the exosporium protein can comprise full-length Bacillus mycoides 2048 hypothetical protein bmyco0001_21660 (SEQ ID NO: 30).

[0075] The targeting sequence can also comprise amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO:31, amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO:31, or SEQ ID NO:31, or the exosporium protein can comprise the full-length Bacillus mycoides 2048 hypothetical protein bmyc0001_22540 (SEQ ID NO:32). A methionine residue linked to amino acids 9-24 of the Bacillus mycoides 2048 hypothetical protein bmyc0001_22540 can also be used as a targeting sequence. Thus, the targeting sequence can comprise SEQ ID NO:68.

[0076] Alternatively, the targeting sequence comprises amino acids 1-15 of SEQ ID NO: 33, SEQ ID NO: 33, or the exosporium protein comprises full-length Bacillus mycoides 2048 hypothetical protein bmyc0001_21510 (SEQ ID NO: 34).

[0077] The targeting sequence can also comprise amino acids 1-16 of SEQ ID NO: 35, SEQ ID NO: 35, or the exosporium protein can comprise full-length Bacillus thuringiensis 35646 collagen triple helical repeat protein (SEQ ID NO: 36).

[0078] The targeting sequence can comprise amino acids 1-29 of SEQ ID NO:43, amino acids 14-29 of SEQ ID NO:43, or SEQ ID NO:43, or the exosporium protein can comprise full-length Bacillus cereus hypothetical protein WP_69652 (SEQ ID NO:44).

[0079] Alternatively, the targeting sequence can comprise amino acids 1-35 of SEQ ID NO: 45, amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 45, or SEQ ID NO: 45, or the exosporium protein can comprise the full-length Bacillus cereus exosporium leader WP016117717 (SEQ ID NO: 46). A methionine residue linked to amino acids 20-35 of the Bacillus cereus exosporium leader WP016117717 can also be used as a targeting sequence. Thus, the targeting sequence can comprise SEQ ID NO: 70.

[0080] The targeting sequence can comprise amino acids 1-43 of SEQ ID NO: 47, amino acids 28-43 of SEQ ID NO: 47, or SEQ ID NO: 47, or the exosporium protein can comprise full-length Bacillus cereus exosporium peptide WP002105192 (SEQ ID NO: 48).

[0081] The targeting sequence can comprise amino acids 1-32 of SEQ ID NO: 49, amino acids 17-32 of SEQ ID NO: 49, or SEQ ID NO: 49, or the exosporium protein can comprise full-length Bacillus cereus hypothetical protein WP87353 (SEQ ID NO: 50).

[0082] Alternatively, the targeting sequence can comprise amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 51, amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 51, or SEQ ID NO: 51, or the exosporium protein can comprise full-length Bacillus cereus exosporium peptide 02112369 (SEQ ID NO: 52).

[0083] The targeting sequence can comprise amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 53, amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 53, or SEQ ID NO: 53, or the exosporium protein can comprise full-length Bacillus cereus exosporium protein WP016099770 (SEQ ID NO: 54).

[0084] Alternatively, the targeting sequence can comprise amino acids 1-30 of SEQ ID NO: 55, amino acids 15-30 of SEQ ID NO: 55, or SEQ ID NO: 55, or the exosporium protein can comprise full-length Bacillus thuringiensis hypothetical protein YP006612525 (SEQ ID NO: 56).

[0085] The targeting sequence can also comprise amino acids 1-130 of SEQ ID NO: 57, amino acids 115-130 of SEQ ID NO: 57, or SEQ ID NO: 57, or the exosporium protein can comprise full-length Bacillus mycoides hypothetical protein TIGR03720 (SEQ ID NO: 58).

[0086] In addition, it is easy to Figure 1 In a sequence alignment of BclA, it was found that although amino acids 20-35 of BclA are conserved and amino acids 25-35 are even more conserved, some variation can still occur in this region without affecting the ability of the targeting sequence to target the protein to the exosporium. Figure 1The percent identity of the corresponding amino acids of each sequence to amino acids 20-35 of BclA ("20-35% identity") and to amino acids 25-35 of BclA ("25-35% identity") is listed. Thus, for example, compared to amino acids 20-35 of BclA, the corresponding amino acids of BetA / BAS3290 are about 81.3% identical, the corresponding amino acids of BAS4623 are about 50.0% identical, the corresponding amino acids of BclB are about 43.8% identical, the corresponding amino acids of BAS1882 are about 62.5% identical, the corresponding amino acids of the KBAB42280 gene product are about 81.3% identical, and the corresponding amino acids of the KBAB43572 gene product are about 81.3% identical. The sequence identities of the remaining sequences over this region are listed as follows: Figure 1 middle.

[0087] With respect to amino acids 25-35 of BclA, the corresponding amino acids of BetA / BAS3290 are approximately 90.9% identical, the corresponding amino acids of BAS4623 are approximately 72.7% identical, the corresponding amino acids of BclB are approximately 54.5% identical, the corresponding amino acids of BAS1882 are approximately 72.7% identical, the corresponding amino acids of the KBAB4 2280 gene product are approximately 90.9% identical, and the corresponding amino acids of the KBAB4 3572 gene product are approximately 81.8% identical. The sequence identities of the remaining sequences in this region are listed in Figure 1 middle.

[0088] Thus, the targeting sequence can comprise an amino acid sequence that is at least about 43% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 54%. Alternatively, the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and is at least about 43% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 54%.

[0089] The targeting sequence can also comprise an amino acid sequence that is at least about 50% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 63%. Alternatively, the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and is at least about 50% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 63%.

[0090] The targeting sequence can also comprise an amino acid sequence that is at least about 50% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 72%. Alternatively, the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and is at least about 50% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 72%.

[0091] The targeting sequence can also comprise an amino acid sequence having at least about 56% identity with amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity with amino acids 25-35 is at least about 63%. Alternatively, the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and having at least about 56% identity with amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity with amino acids 25-35 is at least about 63%.

[0092] Alternatively, the targeting sequence can comprise an amino acid sequence that is at least about 62% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 72%. The targeting sequence can also consist of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and that is at least about 62% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1 is at least about 72%.

[0093] The targeting sequence can comprise an amino acid sequence that is at least 68% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 81%. Alternatively, the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and is at least 68% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 81%.

[0094] The targeting sequence can also comprise an amino acid sequence that is at least about 75% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 72%. Alternatively, the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and is at least about 75% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1 is at least about 72%.

[0095] The targeting sequence can also comprise an amino acid sequence that is at least about 75% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 81%. Alternatively, the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and is at least about 75% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1 is at least about 81%.

[0096] The targeting sequence can also comprise an amino acid sequence that is at least about 81% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 81%. Alternatively, the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and is at least about 81% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 81%.

[0097] The targeting sequence can comprise an amino acid sequence that is at least about 81% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 90%. Alternatively, the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and is at least about 81% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 90%.

[0098] Those skilled in the art will recognize that variants of the above sequences can also be used as targeting sequences, so long as the targeting sequence comprises amino acids 20-35 of BclA, the corresponding amino acids of BetA / BAS3290, BAS4263, BclB, BAS1882, the KBAB42280 gene product, or the KBAB3572 gene product, or a sequence comprising identity to any of the above-listed sequences of amino acids 20-35 and 25-35 of BclA is present.

[0099] It was further discovered that certain Bacillus cereus family exosporium proteins lacking the region with homology to amino acids 25-35 of BclA can also be used to target peptides or proteins to the exosporium of Bacillus cereus family members. Specifically, the fusion protein can comprise an exosporium protein comprising SEQ ID NO: 71 (Bacillus mycoides InhA), an exosporium protein comprising SEQ ID NO: 72 (Bacillus anthracis Sterne BAS1141 (ExsY)), an exosporium protein comprising SEQ ID NO: 73 (Bacillus anthracis Sterne BAS1144 (BxpB / ExsFA)), an exosporium protein comprising SEQ ID NO: 74 (Bacillus anthracis Sterne BAS1145 (CotY)), an exosporium protein comprising SEQ ID NO: 75 (Bacillus anthracis Sterne BAS1140), an exosporium protein comprising SEQ ID NO: 76 (Bacillus anthracis H9401 ExsFB), an exosporium protein comprising SEQ ID NO: 77 (Bacillus thuringiensis HD74 InhA1), an exosporium protein comprising SEQ ID NO: 78 (Bacillus cereus ATCC 10876 ExsJ), an exosporium protein comprising SEQ ID NO: 79 (Bacillus anthracis H9401 ExsFB), an exosporium protein comprising SEQ ID NO: 80 (Bacillus anthracis HD74 InhA1), an exosporium protein comprising SEQ ID NO: 81 (Bacillus cereus ATCC 10876 ExsJ), an exosporium protein comprising SEQ ID NO: 82 (Bacillus anthracis H9401 ExsFB), an exosporium protein comprising SEQ ID NO: 83 (Bacillus anthracis HD74 InhA1), an exosporium protein comprising SEQ ID NO: 84 (Bacillus anthracis HD74 InhA1), an exosporium protein comprising SEQ ID NO: 85 (Bac The exosporium protein comprising SEQ ID NO: 79 (Bacillus cereus ExsH), the exosporium protein comprising SEQ ID NO: 80 (Bacillus anthracis Ames YjcA), the exosporium protein comprising SEQ ID NO: 81 (Bacillus anthracis YjcB), the exosporium protein comprising SEQ ID NO: 82 (Bacillus anthracis Sterne BclC), the exosporium protein comprising SEQ ID NO: 83 (Bacillus thuringiensis serovar konkukian strain 97-27 acid phosphatase), or the exosporium protein comprising SEQ ID NO: 84 (Bacillus thuringiensis HD74 InhA2). Inclusion of an exosporium protein comprising SEQ ID NO: 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, or 84 in the fusion proteins described herein will result in targeting the exosporium of members of the Bacillus cereus family.

[0100] In addition, exosporium proteins having a high degree of sequence identity to any of the full-length exosporium proteins or exosporium protein fragments described above can also be used to target peptides or proteins to the exosporium of Bacillus cereus family members. Thus, a fusion protein can comprise an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% identity to any of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 59, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, and 84. Alternatively, the fusion protein can comprise an exosporium protein that is at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 59, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, and 84.

[0101] Alternatively, the fusion protein can comprise an exosporium protein fragment consisting of an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 59. Alternatively, the fusion protein can comprise an exosporium protein fragment consisting of an amino acid sequence at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 59.

[0102] In any of the targeting sequences, exosporium proteins, or exosporium protein fragments described herein, the targeting sequence, exosporium protein, or exosporium protein fragment can comprise at its carboxyl terminus the amino acid sequence GXT, wherein X is any amino acid.

[0103] In any of the targeting sequences, exosporium proteins, and exosporium protein fragments described herein, the targeting sequence, exosporium protein, or exosporium protein fragment can comprise an alanine residue at a position of the targeting sequence corresponding to amino acid 20 of SEQ ID NO: 1.

[0104] Fusion protein

[0105] The present invention relates to a fusion protein comprising a targeting sequence, an exosporium protein, or an exosporium protein fragment, and at least one plant growth stimulating protein or peptide, wherein the plant growth stimulating protein or peptide comprises a peptide hormone, a non-hormone peptide, or an enzyme involved in the production or activation of a plant growth stimulating compound. The targeting sequence, exosporium protein, or exosporium protein fragment can be any of the targeting sequences, exosporium protein, or exosporium protein fragments described in paragraph

[0005] above.

[0106] The present invention further relates to a fusion protein comprising a targeting sequence, an exosporium protein, or an exosporium protein fragment, and at least one protein or peptide that increases stress resistance in a plant. The targeting sequence, exosporium protein, or exosporium protein fragment can be any of the targeting sequences, exosporium proteins, or exosporium protein fragments described in paragraph

[0005] above.

[0107] Additionally, the present invention relates to a fusion protein comprising a targeting sequence, an exosporium protein, or an exosporium protein fragment, and at least one plant binding protein or peptide. The targeting sequence, exosporium protein, or exosporium protein fragment can be any of the targeting sequences, exosporium proteins, or exosporium protein fragments described in paragraph

[0005] above.

[0108] The present invention also relates to a fusion protein comprising a targeting sequence, an exosporium protein, or an exosporium protein fragment, and at least one protein or peptide that protects a plant from a pathogen. The targeting sequence, exosporium protein, or exosporium protein fragment can be any of the targeting sequences, exosporium proteins, or exosporium protein fragments described in paragraph

[0006] above.

[0109] The present invention further relates to a fusion protein comprising a targeting sequence, an exosporium protein, or an exosporium protein fragment, and at least one protein or peptide that protects plants from pathogens. Proteins or peptides that protect plants from pathogens include allelin, α-elastin, β-elastin, systemin, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, elicitin, defensin, cryptoglycin, flagellin, flagellin peptide, bacteriocin, lysozyme, lysozyme peptide, siderophore, non-ribosomal active peptide, conalbumin, albumin, lactoferrin, lactoferrin peptide, TasA. Alternatively, the protein or peptide that protects plants from pathogens has insecticidal activity, anthelmintic activity, inhibits insect or worm predation, or a combination thereof. Alternatively, the protein that protects plants from pathogens comprises an enzyme. The targeting sequence, exosporium protein, or exosporium protein fragment can be any of the targeting sequences, exosporium proteins, or exosporium protein fragments described above in paragraph

[0005] .

[0110] Fusion proteins can be made using standard cloning and molecular biology methods known in the art. For example, a gene encoding a protein or peptide (for example, a gene encoding a plant growth stimulating protein or peptide) can be amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and connected to the DNA encoding any of the targeting sequences described above to form a DNA molecule encoding the fusion protein. The DNA molecule encoding the fusion protein can be cloned into any suitable vector (for example, a plasmid vector). The vector suitably comprises a plurality of cloning sites into which the DNA molecule encoding the fusion protein can be easily inserted. The vector also suitably contains a selectable marker, such as an antibiotic resistance gene, so that the bacteria transformed, transfected, or paired with the vector can be easily identified and separated. When the vector is a plasmid, the plasmid also suitably comprises an origin of replication. The DNA encoding the fusion protein is suitably under the control of a sporulation promoter that will cause the fusion protein to be expressed on the exosporium of the endospores of the bacillus cereus family member (for example, from the native bclA promoter of the bacillus cereus family member). Alternatively, the DNA encoding the fusion protein can be integrated into the chromosomal DNA of the Bacillus cereus family member host.

[0111] The fusion protein can also comprise additional polypeptide sequences that are not part of a targeting sequence, an exosporium protein, an exosporium protein fragment, or a plant growth stimulating protein or peptide, a protein or peptide that protects a plant from a pathogen, a protein or peptide that increases stress resistance in a plant, or a plant binding protein or peptide. For example, the fusion protein can include a tag or label to facilitate purification or visualization of the fusion protein (e.g., a polyhistidine tag or a fluorescent protein such as GFP or YFP) or visualization of recombinant Bacillus cereus family member spores expressing the fusion protein.

[0112] The use of the targeting sequences, exosporium proteins, and exosporium protein fragments described herein enhances expression of fusion proteins on the exosporium due to the lack of secondary structure in the amino termini of these sequences, which allows for native folding and retention of activity of the fusion proteins. Proper folding can be further enhanced by incorporating short amino acid linkers between the targeting sequences, exosporium proteins, exosporium protein fragments, and the fusion partner protein.

[0113] Thus, any of the fusion proteins described herein can comprise an amino acid linker between the targeting sequence, the exosporium protein, or the exosporium protein fragment and the plant growth stimulating protein or peptide, the protein or peptide that protects a plant from a pathogen, the protein or peptide that increases stress resistance in a plant, or the plant binding protein or peptide.

[0114] The linker may comprise a polyalanine linker or a polyglycine linker. Linkers comprising a mixture of alanine and glycine residues may also be used. For example, when the targeting sequence comprises SEQ ID NO: 1, the fusion protein may have one of the following structures:

[0115] No linker: SEQ ID NO: 1 - fusion partner protein

[0116] Alanine linker: SEQ ID NO: 1-A n -Fusion partner protein

[0117] Glycine linker: SEQ ID NO: 1-G n -Fusion partner protein

[0118] Mixed alanine and glycine linker: SEQ ID NO: 1-(A / G) n -Fusion partner protein

[0119] Among them A n , G n , and (A / G) n and n is any number of alanine residues, any number of glycine residues, or a mixture of any number of alanine residues and glycine residues. For example, n can be 1 to 25, and preferably 6 to 10. When the linker comprises a mixture of alanine and glycine residues, any combination of glycine and alanine residues can be used. In the above structure, "fusion partner protein" represents a plant growth stimulating protein or peptide, a protein or peptide that protects plants from pathogens, a protein or peptide that improves stress resistance in plants, or a plant binding protein or peptide.

[0120] Alternatively or additionally, the linker may comprise a protease recognition site. Inclusion of a protease recognition site allows for targeted removal of a plant growth stimulating protein or peptide, a protein or peptide that protects a plant from pathogens, a protein or peptide that increases stress resistance in a plant, or a plant binding protein or peptide upon exposure to a protease that recognizes the protease recognition site.

[0121] Plant growth stimulating proteins and peptides

[0122] As described above, the present invention relates to fusion proteins comprising a targeting sequence, an exosporium protein, or an exosporium protein fragment, and at least one plant growth stimulating protein or peptide, wherein the plant growth stimulating protein or peptide comprises a peptide hormone, a non-hormone peptide, or an enzyme involved in the production or activation of a plant growth stimulating compound.

[0123] For example, when the plant growth stimulating protein or peptide comprises a peptide hormone, the peptide hormone may comprise phytosulfapeptidase (eg, phytosulfapeptidase-α), clavata 3 (CLV3), systemin, ZmlGF, or SCR / SP11.

[0124] When the plant growth stimulating protein or peptide comprises a non-hormone peptide, the non-hormone peptide may comprise RKN 16D10, Hg-Syv46, eNOD40 peptide, melittin, mast degranulin, Mas7, RHPP, POLARIS, or kunitz trypsin inhibitor (KTI).

[0125] The plant growth stimulating protein or peptide may include an enzyme involved in the production or activation of a plant growth stimulating compound. The enzyme involved in the production or activation of a plant growth stimulating compound may be any enzyme that catalyzes any step in the biosynthetic pathway of a compound that stimulates plant growth or alters plant architecture, or any enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of an inactive or less active derivative of a compound that stimulates plant growth or alters plant architecture into an active or more active form of the compound.

[0126] Plant growth stimulating compounds may include compounds produced by bacteria or fungi in the rhizosphere, such as 2,3-butanediol.

[0127] Alternatively, the plant growth stimulating compound may comprise a plant growth hormone, such as a cytokinin or a cytokinin derivative, ethylene, an auxin or an auxin derivative, gibberellic acid or a gibberellic acid derivative, abscisic acid or an abscisic acid derivative, or jasmonic acid or a jasmonic acid derivative.

[0128] When the plant growth stimulating compound comprises a cytokinin or a cytokinin derivative, the cytokinin or cytokinin derivative can comprise kinetin, cis-zeatin, trans-zeatin, 6-benzylaminopurine, dihydroxyzeatin, N6-(D2-isopentenyl)adenine, zeatin riboside, N6-(D2-isopentenyl)adenosine, 2-methylthio-cis-zeatin riboside, cis-zeatin riboside, trans-zeatin riboside, 2-methylthio-trans-zeatin riboside, zeatin riboside-5-monophosphate, N6-methylaminopurine, N6-dimethylaminopurine, 2'-deoxyzeatin ribonucleoside, 4-hydroxy-3-methyl-trans-2-butenylaminopurine, o-topolin, m-topolin, benzyl adenine, o-methyl topolin, m-methyl topolin, or a combination thereof.

[0129] When the plant growth stimulating compound comprises an auxin or an auxin derivative, the auxin or auxin derivative can comprise an active auxin, an inactive auxin, a conjugated auxin, a naturally occurring auxin, a synthetic auxin, or a combination thereof. For example, the auxin or auxin derivative can comprise indole-3-acetic acid, indole-3-pyruvic acid, indole-3-acetaldehyde oxime, indole-3-acetamide, indole-3-acetonitrile, indole-3-ethanol, indole-3-pyruvic acid, indole-3-acetaldehyde oxime, indole-3-butyric acid, phenylacetic acid, 4-chloroindole-3-acetic acid, a glucose-conjugated auxin, or a combination thereof.

[0130] The enzymes involved in the production or activation of plant growth stimulating compounds may include acetoin reductase, indole-3-acetamide hydrolase, tryptophan monooxygenase, acetolactate synthase, α-acetolactate decarboxylase, pyruvate decarboxylase, diacetyl reductase, butanediol dehydrogenase, aminotransferase (e.g., tryptophan aminotransferase), tryptophan decarboxylase, amine oxidase, indole-3-pyruvate decarboxylase, indole-3-acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, tryptophan side chain oxidase, nitrile hydrolase, nitrilase, peptidase, protease, adenosine phosphate prenyltransferase, phosphatase, adenosine kinase, adenine phosphoribosyltransferase, CYP735A, 5' ribonucleotide phosphate hydrolase, lyase, adenosine nucleosidase, zeatin cis-trans isomerase, zeatin O-glucosyltransferase, β-glucosidase, cis-hydroxylase, CK cis-hydroxylase, CK N-glucosyltransferase, 2,5-ribonucleotide phosphohydrolase, adenosine nucleosidase, purine nucleoside phosphorylase, zeatin reductase, hydroxylamine reductase, 2-oxoglutarate dioxygenase, gibberellin 2B / 3B hydrolase, gibberellin 3-oxidase, gibberellin 20-oxidase, chitosanase, chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase, β-1,4-glucanase, β-1,6-glucanase, aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase, or an enzyme involved in producing a nod factor (e.g., nodA, nodB, or nodI).

[0131] When the enzyme comprises a protease or peptidase, the protease or peptidase may be a protease or peptidase that cleaves a protein, peptide, proprotein, or preproprotein to produce a biologically active peptide. A biologically active peptide may be any peptide that exerts a biological activity.

[0132] Examples of bioactive peptides include RKN 16D10 and RHPP.

[0133] Proteases or peptidases that cleave proteins, peptides, proproteins, or preproproteins to produce biologically active peptides can include subtilisins, acid proteases, alkaline proteases, proteases, endopeptidases, exopeptidases, thermolysins, papains, pepsins, trypsins, pronase, carboxylases, serine proteases, glutamic proteases, aspartic proteases, cysteine ​​proteases, threonine proteases, or metalloproteases.

[0134] Proteases or peptidases can cleave proteins in protein-rich meals (eg, soy meal or yeast extract).

[0135] Proteins and peptides that protect plants from pathogens

[0136] The present invention relates to fusion proteins comprising a targeting sequence, an exosporium protein, or an exosporium protein fragment, and at least one protein or peptide that protects plants from pathogens.

[0137] The protein or peptide that protects plants from pathogens may include proteins or peptides that stimulate plant immune responses. For example, the protein or peptide that stimulates plant immune responses may include plant immune system enhancing proteins or peptides. The plant immune system enhancing proteins or peptides may be any proteins or peptides that have a beneficial effect on the immune system of the plant. Suitable plant immune system enhancing proteins and peptides include hypersensitive proteins, α-elastin, β-elastin, systemin, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, elicitors, defensins, cryptoproteins, flagellin, and flagellin peptides (e.g., flg22).

[0138] Alternatively, the protein or peptide that protects plants from pathogens can be a protein or peptide that has antibacterial activity, antifungal activity, or both antibacterial and antifungal activity. Examples of such proteins and peptides include bacteriocins, lysozymes, lysozyme peptides (e.g., LysM), siderophores, non-ribosomal active peptides, conalbumin, albumin, lactoferrin, lactoferrin peptides (e.g., LfcinB), and TasA.

[0139] The protein or peptide that protects plants from pathogens can also be a protein or peptide with insecticidal activity, anthelmintic activity, inhibition of insect or worm predation, or a combination thereof. For example, the protein or peptide that protects plants from pathogens can include insecticidal bacterial toxins (e.g., VIP insecticidal proteins), endotoxins, Cry toxins (e.g., Cry toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis), protease inhibitor proteins or peptides (e.g., trypsin inhibitors or arrowhead protease inhibitors), cysteine ​​proteases, or chitinases. When the Cry toxin is a Cry toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis, the Cry toxin can be a Cry5B protein or a Cry21A protein. Cry5B and Cry21A have both insecticidal and nematicidal activity.

[0140] Proteins that protect plants from pathogens can include enzymes. Suitable enzymes include proteases and lactonases. Proteases and lactonases can be specific for bacterial signaling molecules (e.g., bacterial lactone homoserine signaling molecules).

[0141] When the enzyme is a lactonase, the lactonase may include 1,4-lactonase, 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid lactonase, 3-oxoadipate enol-lactonase, actinomycin lactonase, deoxycitrate A-ring-lactonase, gluconolactonase L-rhamnose-1,4-lactonase, limonin-D-ring-lactonase, steroid-lactonase, triacetate-lactonase, or lignin-1,4-lactonase.

[0142] The enzyme can also be an enzyme specific for a cellular component of a bacterium or fungus. For example, the enzyme can include β-1,3-glucanase, β-1,4-glucanase, β-1,6-glucanase, chitosanase, chitinase, chitosanase-like enzyme, lytic enzyme, peptidase, proteinase, protease (e.g., alkaline protease, acid protease, or neutral protease), mutanolysin, stapholysin, or lysozyme.

[0143] For any of the above fusion proteins comprising proteins or peptides that protect plants from pathogens, the pathogen can be a bacterial pathogen or a fungal pathogen. For example, the pathogen can include α-proteobacteria, β-proteobacteria, γ-proteobacteria, or a combination thereof. Specific bacterial pathogens include Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Fusarium wilt of corn, Erwinia carotovora, Ralstonia solanacearum, Pseudomonas syringae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Xanthomonas campestris, and combinations thereof.

[0144] Other bacterial and fungal pathogens include Acarosporina microspora, Aceria guerreronis, Achlya conspicua, Achlya klebsiana, Achlysiella williamsi, Acholeraplasmataceae, Acidovorax avenae, Acremonium strictum, Acrocalymma medicaginis, Acrodontium simplex, Acrophialophora fusispora, Acrosporium tingitaninum, Aecidium, Aecidiumaechmantherae, and Aecidium truncatum. amaryllidis), Aecidium breyniae, Aecidium campanulastri, Aecidium cannabis, Aecidium cantensis, Aecidium caspicum, Aecidium foeniculi, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Albonectria rigidiuscula, Albugo bliti, Albugo candida, Albugo ipomoeae-panduratae, Albugo laibachii, Albugo occidentalis, Albugo tragopogonis, Alternaria, Alternaria alternata, Alternaria brassicae brassicae), Alternaria brassicicola, Alternaria carthami, Alternaria cinerariae, Alternaria citri, Alternaria dauci, Alternaria dianthi, Alternaria dianthusdianthicola), Alternaria euphorbiicola, Alternaria helianthi, Alternaria helianthicola, Alternaria japonica, Alternaria leucanthemi, Alternaria limicola, Alternaria linicola, Alternaria mali, Alternaria padwickii, Alternaria panax, Alternaria radicina, Alternaria raphani, Alternaria saponariae, Alternaria senecionis, Alternaria solani, Alternaria tenuissima), Alternaria triticina, Alternaria zinniae, Amazonia, Amphobotrys ricini, Anguillosporella vermiformis, Anguina (genus), Anguina agrostis, Anguina amsinckiae, Anguina australis, Anguina balsamophila, Anguina funesta, Anguina graminis, Anguina spermophaga, Anguina tritici, Anisogramma anomala, Anthostomella pullulans, Antrodia albida), Antrodia serialiformis, Antrodiaserialis), Aphanomyces cladogamus, Aphanomyces cochlioides, Aphanomyces euteiches, Aphanomyces euteiches f.sp. pisi, Aphanomyces raphani, Aphelenchoides, Aphelenchoides arachidis, Aphelenchoides besseyi, Aphelenchoides fragariae, Aphelenchoides parietinus, Aphelenchoides ritzemabosi, Aphelenchus avenae, Apiognomonia errabunda, Apiognomonia veneta veneta), Apiospora montagnei, Appendiculella, Armillaria, Armillaria affinis, Armillaria apalosclera, Armillaria camerunensis, Armillaria duplicate, Armillaria fellea, Armillaria fumosa, Armillaria fuscipes, Armillaria griseomellea, Armillaria heimii, Armillaria mellea, Armillaria melleorubens, Armillaria montagnei, Armillaria omnituens, Armillaria truncatum pallidula), Armillaria paulensis, Armillaria pelliculata, Armillaria truncatula,procera), Armillaria puiggarii, Armillaria singular, Armillaria socialis, Armillaria solidipes, Armillaria tabescens, Armillaria tigrensis, Armillaria umbrinobrunnea, Armillaria viridiflava, Armillaria yungensis, Arthrocladiella, Arthuriomyces peckianus, Ascochyta asparagine, Ascochyta bohemica, Ascochyta caricae, Ascochyta doronici, Ascochyta fabae f.sp.lentis), Ascochyta graminea, Ascochyta hordei, Ascochyta humuli, Ascochytapisi, Ascochyta prasadii, Ascochyta sorghi, Ascochyta spinaciae, Ascochyta tarda, Ascochyta tritici, Ascospora ruborum, Ashbyagossypii, Aspergillus aculeatus, Aspergillus fischerianus, Aspergillus niger, Asperisporium caricae), Asperisporium minutulum, Asteridiella, Asteridiella perseae, Asteroma caryae, Asteroma coryli, Asteromainconspicuum), Athelia arachnoidea, Athelia rolfsii, Aurantiporus fissilis, Belonolaimus, Belonolaimus gracilis, Belonolaimus longicaudatus, Beniowskia sphaeroidea, Bionectria ochroleuca, Bipolaris, Bipolaris cactivora, Bipolaris cookie, Bipolaris incurvata, Bipolaris sacchari, Biscogniauxia capnodes var. capnodes, Biscogniauxia marginata), Biscogniauxia nummularia, Bjerkandera adusta, Blakeslea trispora, Blumeria graminis, Botryodiplodia oncidii, Botryodiplodia ulmicola, Botryosphaeria cocogena, Botryosphaeria corticola, Botryosphaeria disrupta, Botryosphaeria dothidea, Botryosphaeria marconii, Botryosphaeria obtuse, Botryosphaeria quercuum, Botryosphaeria rhodina, and Botryosphaeria gooseberry. ribis), Botryosphaeria stevensii, Botryosporiumpulchrum), Botryotinia, Botryotiniafuckeliana, Botrytis anthophila, Botrytis cinerea, Botrytis fabae, Bremia lactucae, Brenneria salicis, Briosia ampelophaga, Bulbomicrosphaera, Burkholderia andropogonis, Burkholderia caryophylli, Burkholderia glumae, Cadophora malorum, Caespitotheca, Calonectria indusiata, Calonectria kyotensis, Calonectria questata quinqueseptata), Calvativerspora, Camarosporium pistaciae, Camarotella acrocomiae, Camarotella costaricensis, Candidatus liberibacter, Capitorostrum cocoes, Capnodium footii, Capnodium mangiferum, Capnodium ramosum, Capnodium theae, Caulimoviridae, Cephaleuros virescens, Cephalosporium gramineum, Ceratobasidium cereal, Ceratobasidium cornigerum, Ceratobasidium toxicum noxium), Ceratobasidium ramicola, Ceratobasidium setariae, Ceratobasidium Stevensonstevensii), Ceratocystis adiposa, Ceratocystis coerulescens, Ceratocystis fimbriata, Ceratocystis moniliformis, Ceratocystis paradoxa, Ceratocystis pilifera, Ceratocystis pluriannulata, Ceratorhiza hydrophila, Ceratospermopsis, Cercoseptoria ocellata, Cercospora, Cercospora angreci, Cercospora apii, Cercospora apii f.sp.clerodendri), celery cercospora (Cercospora apiicola), peanut cercospora (Cercospora arachidicola), asparagus cercospora (Cercospora asparagi), belladonna filamentous cercospora (Cercospora atrofiliformis), beet cercospora (Cercospora beticola), short-stalked cercospora (Cercospora brachypus), brassicicola (Cercospora brassicicola), Bruch cercospora (Cercospora brunkii), hemp cercospora (Cercospora cannabis), Gangducheng cercospora (Cercospora cantuariensis), pepper cercospora (Cercospora capsici), carrot cercospora (Cercospora carotae), hazel cercospora (Cercospora corylina), strawberry cercospora (Cercospora atrofragariae), fuchsia cercospora (Cercospora fuchsiae), Cercospora fusca, Cercospora fusimaculans, Cercospora gerberae, Cercospora halstedii, Cercospora truncatula, Cercospora truncatulae ...handelii), hay cercospora (Cercospora hayi), hydrangea cercospora (Cercospora hydrangea), kikuchi cercospora (Cercospora kikuchii), frankincense cercospora (Cercospora lentis), sweetgum cercospora (Cercospora liquidambaris), sugarcane cercospora (Cercospora longipe), lettuce brown cercospora (Cercospora longissima), papaya cercospora (Cercospora mamaonis), mango cercospora (Cercospora mangiferae), alfalfa cercospora (Cercospora medicaginis), eggplant cercospora (Cercospora melongenae), very small cercospora (Cercospora minima), tiny cercospora (Cercospora aminuta), tobacco cercospora (Cercospora nicotianae), tooth-tongued cercospora (Cercospora odontoglossi), papaya cercospora (Cercospora spp. papaya), Cercospora penniseti, Cercospora pisa-sativae, Cercospora platanicola, Cercospora puderii, Cercospora pulcherrima, Cercospora rhapidicola, Cercospora rosicola, Cercospora rubrotincta, Cercospora sojina, Cercospora solani, Cercospora solani-tuberosi, Cercospora sorghi, Cercospora theae, Cercospora tuberosi, Cercospora sorghi, Cercospora truncatum ... tuberculans), Cercosporavexans, Cercospora vicosae, Cercospora zeae-maydis, Cercospora zebrina, Cercospora zonata, Cercosporella rubi, Cereal cyst nematodenematode), Ceriporiaspissa, Ceriporia xylostromatoides, Cerrena unicolor, Ceuthospora lauri, Choanephora, Choanephora cucurbitarum, Choanephora infundibulifera, Chondrostereum purpureum, Chrysomyxa ledivar. rhododendri, Chrysomyxa ledicola, Chrysomyxapiperiana, Chrysomyxa roanensis, Cladosporium, Cladosporium arthropodii, Cladosporium caryigenum), Cladosporium cladosporioides, Cladosporium cladosporioides f.sp. pisicola, Cladosporium cucumerinum, Cladosporium herbarum, Cladosporium musae, Cladosporium oncobae, Clavibactermichiganensis, Claviceps fusiformis, Claviceps purpurea, Claviceps sorghi, Claviceps zizaniae, Climacodon pulcherrimus, Climacodon septentrionalis, Clitocybe parasiticus parasitica), Clonostachys rosea f.rosea, Clypeoportheiliau, Cochliobolus, Cochliobolus carbonum, Cochliobolus cymbopogonis, Cochliobolus lushawaiiensis, Cochliobolus heterostrophus, Cochliobolus lunatus, Cochliobolus miyabeanus, Cochliobolus ravenelii, Cochliobolus sativus, Cochliobolus setariae, Cochliobolus spicifer, Cochliobolus stenospilus, Cochliobolus tuberculatus, Cochliobolus victoriae, Coleosporium helianthi), Coleosporium ipomoeae, Coleosporium madiae, Coleosporium pacificum, Coleosporium tussilaginis, Colletotrichum acutatum, Colletotrichum arachidis, Colletotrichum capsici, Colletotrichum cereale, Colletotrichum crassipes, Colletotrichum dematium, Colletotrichum dematium f. spinaciens, Colletotrichum derridis, Colletotrichum destructivum, Colletotrichum fragariae, Colletotrichum truncatum, Colletotrichum truncatum, Colletotrichum truncatum f. spinaciens, Colletotrichum derridis, Colletotrichum destructivum, Colletotrichum fragariae, Colletotrichum truncatum, Colletotrichum truncatumgossypii), radish anthracnose (Colletotrichum higginsianum), Kahawa anthracnose (Colletotrichum kahawae), bean anthracnose (Colletotrichum lindemuthianum), flax thorn disc (Colletotrichum lini), Mangen anthracnose (Colletotrichum mangenotii), banana anthracnose (Colletotrichum musae), nightshade anthracnose (Colletotrichum nigrum), watermelon anthracnose (Colletotrichum orbiculare), pea anthracnose (Colletotrichum pisi), sorghum anthracnose (Colletotrichum sublineolum), ivy anthracnose (Colletotrichum trichellum), clover anthracnose (Colletotrichum trifolii), truncatum anthracnose (Colletotrichum truncatum), chestnut pad spore (Coniella castaneicola), white rot spore (Coniella diplodiella), strawberry spore (Coniella fragariae), mound spore (Coniothecium chomatosporum), Coniothyrium celtidis-australis, Coniothyrium henriquesii, Coniothyrium rosarum, Coniothyrium wernsdorffiae, Coprinopsis psychromorbida, Cordana johnstonii, Cordana musae, Coriolopsis floccose, Coriolopsis gallica, sclerotial black rot fungus (Corticium invisum), Corticium penicillatum, Corticium theae, Coryneopsis rubi, Corynespora cassiicola, Coryneus rhododendri, Crinipellis sarmentosa, Cronartiumribicola), Cryphonectriaceae, Cryptocline cyclaminis, Cryptomeliola, Cryptoporus volvatus, Cryptosporella umbrina, Cryptosporiopsis tarraconensis, Cryptosporium minimum, Curvularia caricae-papayae, Curvularia penniseti, Curvularia senegalensis, Curvularia trifolii, Cylindrocarpon candidum, Cylindrocarpon ianthothele var. ianthothele, Cylindrocarpon magnusianum), Cylindrocarpon musae, Cylindrocladiella camelliae, Cylindrocladiella parva, Cylindrocladium clavatum, Cylindrocladium lanceolatum, Cylindrocladium peruvianum, Cylindrocladium pteridis, Cylindrosporium cannabinum, Cylindrosporium juglandis, Cylindrosporium rubi, Cymadothea trifolii, Cytospora, Cytosporapalmarum, Cytospora personata), Cytospora platani, Cytospora sacchari, Cytospora sacculus, Cytospora turpentineterebinthi), Cytosporina ludibunda, Dactuliophora elongata, Daedaleopsis confragosa, Dasineura urticae, Datronia scutellata, Davidiella carinthiaca, Davidiella dianthi, Davidiella tassiana, Deightoniella papuana, Deightoniella torulosa, Dendrophoma marconii, Dendrophora erumpens, Denticularia mangiferae, Dermea pseudotsugae, Diaporthaceae, Diaporthe, Diaporthe arctii), citrus pod shell (Diaporthe citri), European white pod shell (Diaporthe dulcamarae), sweet cherry pod shell (Diaporthe eres), sunflower pod shell (Diaporthe helianthi), Lang's pod shell (Diaporthe lagunensis), Loko pod shell (Diaporthe lokoyae), melon pod shell (Diaporthe melonis), right-angled stone pod shell (Diaporthe orthoceras), poisonous pod shell (Diaporthe perniciosa), bean pod shell (Diaporthe phaseolorum), bean pod shell cauliflower variety (Diaporthe phaseolorum var.caulivora), bean pod shell bean variety (Diaporthe phaseolorum var.phaseolorum), bean pod shell soybean variety (Diaporthe phaseolorum var.sojae), wild pod shell (Diaporthe rudis), field pod shell (Diaporthe tanakae), Diaporthe toxica, Dibotryon morbosum, Dicarpella dryina, Didymellabryoniae), Didymella fabae, Didymella lycopersici, Didymosphaeria arachidicola, Didymosphaeria taiwanensis, Dilophospora alopecuri, Dimeriella sacchari, Diplocarpon earlianum, Diplocarpon mali, Diplocarpon mespili, Diplocarpon rosae, Diplodia laelio-cattleyae, Diplodia manihoti, Diplodia paraphysaria, Diplodia theae-sinensis, Discosia artocreas), Guignardia fulvida, Discostoma corticola, Distocercospora, Distocercospora livistonae, Ditylenchus, Ditylenchus africanus, Ditylenchus sagustus, Ditylenchus destructor, Ditylenchus dipsaci, Dolichodorus heterocephalus, Dothideomycetes, Dothiorella aromatic, Dothiorella dominicana, Dothiorella gregaria, Dothiorella ulmi, Drechslera avenacea), Drechslera campanulata, Drechslera dematioidea, Drechslera gigantea, Drechslera sojaeglycines), Drechslera musae-sapientium, Drechslera teres f.maculate, Drechslera wirreggenensis, Durandiella pseudotsugae, Eballistra lineata, Eballistra oryzae, Eballistraceae, Echinodontium tinctorium, Ectendomeliola, Grape scab cyst fungus ( ampelina), southern scab cyst ( australis), sweet potato scab cyst ( batatas), rubber scab cyst fungus ( brasiliensis), Cercocystis spp. fawcettii), white-striped cysticercus ( leucospila), mango scab cyst fungus ( mangiferae), Pyrus mangiferae ( piri), Randiella scabra ( randii), Rose scab fungus ( rosarum), sugarcane scab cyst fungus ( sacchari), tea stem scab cyst fungus ( theae), Veneta scabies ( veneta), Endomeliola, Endothiaradicalis, Endothiella gyrosa, Entoleuca mammata, Entorrhizomycetes, Entyloma ageratinae, Entyloma dahlia, Entyloma ellisii, Epicoccum nigrum, Ergot, Erwinia, Erwinia chrysanthemi, Erwinia psidii, Erysiphaceae, Erysiphales, Erysiphe, Erysiphe alphitoides, Erysiphe betae, Erysiphe brunneopunctata), Asteraceae powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum), Cruciferae powdery mildew (Erysiphe cruciferarum), Erysiphe flexuosa, Wheat powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis f.sp. avenae), Wheat powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis f.sp. tritici), Angelica dahurica powdery mildew (Erysiphe heraclei), Pea powdery mildew (Erysiphe pisi), Parasitic Curvularia spore shell (Eutypella parasitica), Broomrape Curvularia spore shell (Eutypella scoparia), Honey powdery mildew (Exobasidium burtii), Tea net cake pathogen (Exobasidium reticulatum), Black rice tree Exobasidium vaccinii var. japonicum), Exobasidium vaccinii-uliginosi, Exobasidium vexans, Exophiala, Flavescence dorée, Fomes fasciatus, Fomes fasciatus, ), Fomes meliae, Fomitopsis cajanderi, Fomitopsis palustris, Fomitopsis rosea, Fomitopsis spraguei, Fomitopsis supina, Formaspecialis, Frommeella tormentillae, Fusarium, Fusarium affine, Fusarium arthrosporioides, Fusarium circinatum, Fusarium crookwellense, Fusarium culmorum, Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium incarnatum, Fusarium solani, Fusarium merismoides), Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.albedinis, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.asparagi, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.batatas, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.betae, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.cannabis, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.citri, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.coffea, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.cubense, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.cyclamen f.sp.cyclaminis), Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.dianthi, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.lentis, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.f.sp.lini), Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.lycopersici, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.medicaginis, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.pisi, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.radicis-lycopersici, Fusarium pallidoroseum, Fusarium proliferatum, Fusarium redolens, Fusarium sacchari, Fusarium solani f.sp.pisi, Fusarium sporotrichioides, Fusarium subglutinans, Fusarium sulphureum), Fuscoporia torulosa, Fusicladium pisicola, Fusicoccum aesculi, Fusicoccum amygdali, Gaeumannomyces graminis var tritici, Gaeumannomyces graminis var. avenae, Gaeumannomyces graminis var. graminis, Galactomyces candidum, Ganoderma brownii, Ganoderma malobatum, Ganoderma orbiforme, Ganoderma philippii, Ganoderma tornatum, Ganoderma annulare zonatum), sooty mold (Geastrumiapolystigmatis), Fischer's smut fungi (Georgefischeriaceae), Fischer's smut fungi (Georgefischeriales), Geosmithiamorbida, Geotrichum, Geotrichum candidum, Geotrichum candidum var. citri-aurantii, Geotrichum klebahnii, Gibberella, Gibberella acuminata, Gibberella avenacea, Gibberella baccata, Gibberella cyanogena, Gibberella fujikuroi, Gibberella fujikuroi var. subglutinans, Gibberella intricans, Gibberella pulicaris, Gibberella stilboides, Gibberella xylarioides), Gibberella zeae, Gibellina cerealis, Gilbertella persicaria, Gjaerumiaceae, Gliocladium vermoeseni, Globodera pallida, Globodera rostochiensis, Globodera tabacum, Gloeocercospora sorghi, Gloeocystidiellum porosum, Gloeophyllum mexicanum, Gloeophyllum trabeum, Gloeoporus dichrous, Gloeosporium cattleyae, Gloeosporium theae-sinensis, Glomerella cingulate), Glomerella glycines, Glomerella graminicola, Glomerella tucumanensis, Gnomonia nutans,caryae), Gnomonia comari, Gnomonia dispora, Gnomonia iliau, Gnomonia leptostyla, Gnomonia nerviseda, Gnomonia rubi, Golovinomyces cichoracearum var. latisporus, Granulobasidium vellereum, Graphiola phoenicis, Graphium rigidum, Graphium rubrum, Graphyllium pentamerum, Grovesinia pyramidalis, Guignardia bidwellii f. muscadinii, Guignardia camelliae, Guignardia citricarpa, Guignardia mangiferae), Guignardia musae, Guignardia philoprina, gummosis, Gymnoconia nitens, Gymnopus dryophilus, Gymnosporangium clavipes, Gymnosporangium sabinae, Gymnosporangium globosum, Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae, Gymnosporangium kernianum, Gymnosporangium nelsonii, Gymnosporangium yamadae, Haematonectria haematococca, Hansenula subpelliculosa, Hapalosphaeria deformans, Haplobasidionmusae), Haustorium, Helicobasidium compactum, Helicobasidium longisporum, Helicobasidium purpureum, Helicoma muelleri, Helicotylenchus, Helicotylenchus dihystera, Helicotylenchus multicinctus, Helminthosporium cookei, Helminthosporium papulosum, Helminthosporium solani, Helotiales, Hemicriconemoides kanayaensis, Hemicriconemoides mangiferae, Hemicycliophora arenaria, Hemlock woolly adelgid), Hendersonia creberrima, Hendersonia theicola, Hericium coralloides, Heterobasidion annosum, Heterodera, Heterodera amygdali, Heterodera arenaria, Heterodera aucklandica, Heterodera avenae, Heterodera bergeniae, Heterodera bifenestra, Heterodera cacti, Heterodera cajani, Heterodera canadensis, Heterodera cardiolata, Heterodera carrot carotae), Heterodera ciceri, Heterodera cruciferae,cruciferae), Heterodera delvii, Heterodera elachista, Heterodera filipjevi, Heterodera gambiensis, Heterodera goettingiana, Heterodera hordecalis, Heterodera humuli, Heterodera latipons, Heterodera medicaginis, Heterodera oryzae, Heterodera oryzicola, Heterodera rosii, Heterodera sacchari, Heterodera schachtii, Heterodera sacchari ... tabacum), Heterodera trifolii, Heteroderidae, Hexagonia hydnoides, Hirschmanniella oryzae, Hoplalaimus galeatus, Hoplolaimidae, Hoplolaimus columbus, Hoplolaimus indicus, Hoplolaimus magnistylus, Hoplolaimus pararobustus, Hoplolaimus seinhorsti, Hoplolaimus uniformis, citrus Huanglongbing, Hyaloperonospora, Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis, and rapeseed downy mildew brassicae), downy mildew (Hyaloperonospora parasitica), Hymenula affinis, Hyphodermellacorrugata, Hyphodontiaaspera), Hyphodontiasambuci, Hypochnus, Hypoxylon tinctor, Idriella lunata, Inonotus arizonicus, Inonotuscuticularis, Inonotus dryophilus, Inonotus hispidus, Inonotus ludovicianus, Inonotus munzii, Inonotus tamaricis, Irenopsis, Irpex destruens, Irpex lacteus, Isariopsis clavispora, Johncouchia mangiferae, Kabatiella caulivora), Kabatiella lini, Karnal bunt, Khuskia oryzae, Kretzschmaria deusta, Kretzschmaria zonata, Kuehneola uredinis, Kutilakesa pironii, Labrella coryli, Laeticorticium roseum, Laetiporus baudonii, Lagenocystis radicicola, Laricifomes officinalis, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Leandria momordicae, Leifsonia xyli xyli, Lentinus tigrinus, Lenzites betulina, Lenzites elegans, Lepteutypa cupressi, Leptodontidium elatius var.elatius, Leptographium microsporum, Leptosphaeria acuta, Leptosphaeria spp.cannabina), Leptosphaeria coniothyrium, Leptosphaeria libanotis, Leptosphaeria lindquistii, Leptosphaeria maculans, Leptosphaeria musarum, Leptosphaeria pratensis, Leptosphaeria sacchari, Leptosphaeria woroninii, Leptosphaerulina crassiasca, Leptosphaerulina trifolii, Leptothyrium nervisedum, Leptotrochila medicaginis, Leucocytospora leucostoma, and Leucostoma auerswaldii), Leucostoma kunzei, Leucostoma persoonii, Leveillula compositarum f.helianthi, Leveillula leguminosarum f.lentis, Leveillula taurica, Ligniera pilorum, Limacinula tenuis, Linochora graminis, Longidorus africanus, Longidorus maximus, Longidorus sylphus, Lopharia crassa, Lophodermium, Lophodermiumaucupariae, Lophodermium schweinitzii), Lophodermium seditiosum, Macrophoma mangiferae, Macrophoma theicola, Macrophoma seditiosum ...phaseolina), Macrosporium cocos, Magnaporthe, Magnaporthe grisea, Magnaporthe salvinii, Mamianiella coryli, Marasmiellus cocophilus, Marasmiellus inoderma, Marasmiellus scandens, Marasmiellus stenophyllus, Marasmius crinis-equi, Marasmius sacchari, Marasmius semiustus, Marasmius stenophyllus, Marasmius tenuissimus, Massarina walkeri, Mauginiella scaettae, Melampsora, Melampsora lini var. lini, Melampsora medusae, Melampsora occidentalis, Melanconis carthusiana, Melanconium juglandinum, Meliola, Meliola mangiferae, Meliolaceae, Meloidogyne acronea, Meloidogyne arenaria, Meloidogyne artiellia, Meloidogyne brevicauda, ​​Meloidogyne chitwoodi, Meloidogyne scaettae ... enterolobii), Meloidogyne fruglia, Meloidogyne gajuscus, Meloidogyne incognita, Meloidogyne javanica, Meloidogyne nashiinaasi), Meloidogyne partityla, Meloidogyne thamesi, Meripilus giganteus, Merlinius brevidens, Meruliopsis ambigua, Mesocriconema xenoplax, Microascus brevicaulis, Microbotryum violaceum, Microdochium bolleyi, Microdochium dimerum, Microdochium panattonianum, Microdochium phragmitis, Microsphaera, Microsphaeracoryli, Microsphaera diffusa, Microsphaera ellipsoidea ellisii), Microsphaera euphorbiae, Microsphaera hommae, Microsphaera penicillata, Microsphaera penicillata var. vaccinii, Microsphaera vaccinii, Microsphaera averruculosa, Microstroma juglandis, Moesziomyces bullatus, Monilinia azaleae, Monilinia fructicola, Monilinia fructigena, Monilinia laxa, Monilinia mali, Moniliophthora perniciosa, Moniliophthora roreri, Monilochaetes infuscans, Monochaetia coryli, Monochaetia roreri, Monilochaetes infuscans, Monochaetia coryli, Monochaetiamali), Monographella albescens, Monographella cucumerina, Monographella nivalis var. neglecta, Monographella nivalis var. nivalis, Mononegavirales, Monosporascus cannonballus, Monosporascus eutypoides, Monostichella coryli, Mucor circinelloides, Mucor hiemalis, Mucor hiemalis f. silvaticus, Mucor mucedo, Mucor paronychius, Mucor piriformis, Mucor racemosus, Mycena citricolor, Mycena spp. maculate), Mycocentrospora acerina, Mycoleptodiscus terrestris, Mycosphaerella angulata, Mycosphaerella arachidis, Mycosphaerella areola, Mycosphaerella berkeleyi, Mycosphaerella bolleana, Mycosphaerella brassicicola, Mycosphaerella caricae, Mycosphaerella caryigena, Mycosphaerella cerasella, Mycosphaerella citri, Mycosphaerella coffeicola, Mycosphaerella confusa), Mycosphaerella cruenta, Mycosphaerella dendriticum,dendroides), Mycosphaerella eumusae, Mycosphaerella fragariae, Mycosphaerella gossypina, Mycosphaerella graminicola, Mycosphaerella henningsii, Mycosphaerella horii, Mycosphaerella juglandis, Mycosphaerella lageniformis, Mycosphaerella linicola, Mycosphaerella louisianae, Mycosphaerella musae, Mycosphaerella musicola, Mycosphaerella palmicola, Mycosphaerella pinodes), Mycosphaerella pistaciarum, Mycosphaerella pistacina, Mycosphaerella platanifolia, Mycosphaerella polymorpha, Mycosphaerella pomi, Mycosphaerella punctiformis, Mycosphaerella pyri, Didymella rabiei, Mycosphaerella recutita, Mycosphaerella rosicola, Mycosphaerella rubi, Mycosphaerella spp.-plantain stigmina-platani), Mycosphaerella striatiformans, Mycovellosiella concors, Mycovellosiella fulva, Mycovellosiella koepkei, Mycovellosiellavaginae), Myriogenospora aciculispora, Myrothecium roridum, Myrothecium verrucaria, Nacobbus aberrans, Nacobbus dorsalis, Naevala perexigua, Naohidemyces vaccinii, Nectria, Nectria cinnabarina, Nectria coccinea, Nectria ditissima, Nectria foliicola, Nectria mammoidea var. rubi, Nectria mauritiicola, Nectria peziza, Nectria pseudotrichia, Nectria radicicola, Nectria ramulariae), Nectriella pironii, Nemania diffusa, Nemania serpens var.serpens, Nematospora coryli, Neocosmospora vasinfecta, Neodeightonia phoenicum, Neoerysiphe, Neofabraea malicorticis (apple skin rot), Neofabraea perennans (root rot), Neofusicoccum mangiferae, Neonectria galligena, Oidiopsis gossypii, Oidium (genus), Oidium arachidis (peanut powder spore), Oidium caricae-papayae (papaya powder spore), Oidium indicum (wild chrysanthemum powder spore), Oidium mangiferae (mango powder spore), Oidium manihotis), citrus powdery mildew (Oidium tingitaninum), brassica oil fungus (Olpidium brassicae), Omphaliatralucida, Oncobasidium theobromae, Onnia tomentosa, Ophiobolus anguillides, Ophiobolus cannabinus, Ophioirenina, Ophiostoma ulmi, Ophiostoma wageneri, Ovulariopsis papayae, Ovulinia azaleae, Ovulitis azaleae, Oxyporus corticola, Oxyporus latemarginatus, Oxyporus populinus, Oxyporus similis, Ozonium texanumvar. parasiticum), Paecilomyces fulvus, Paralongidorus maximus, Paratrichodorus christiei, Paratrichodorus minor, Paratylenchus curvitatus, Paratylenchus elachistus, Paratylenchus hamatus, Paratylenchus macrophallus, Paratylenchus microdorus, Paratylenchus projectus, Paratylenchus tenuicaudatus, pathovar, Pauahia, peach latent mosaic viroid, Pectobacterium carotovorum), Peltaster fructicola, Penicillium aurantiogriseum, Penicillium digitatum, Penicillium expansum, Penicillium funiculosum, Penicillium truncat ...Penicillium funiculosum), Penicillium glabrum, Penicillium italicum, Penicillium purpurogenum, Penicillium ulaiense, Peniophora, Peniophora albobadia, Peniophora acinerea, Peniophora quercina, Peniophora sacrata, Perenniporia fraxinea, Perenniporia fraxinophila, Perenniporia medulla-panis, Perenniporia subacida, Periconia circinata, Periconiella cocoes, and Peridermium californicum), Peronosclerospora miscanthi, Peronosclerospora sacchari, Peronosclerospora sorghi, Peronospora, Peronospora anemones, Peronospora antirrhini, Peronospora arborescens, Peronospora conglomerata, Peronospora destructor, Peronospora dianthi, Peronospora radianthicola, Peronospora farinosa, Peronospora farinosa f.sp. betae, Peronospora tobacco hyoscyamif.sp.tabacina), Northeast downy mildew (Peronospora manshurica), Peronospora potentillae, rare downy mildew (Peronosporasparsa), Peronospora trifoliorum, Peronospora valerianellae, Peronosporaviciae, Pestalosphaeria concentrica, Pestalotia longiseta, Pestalotia longisetula, Pestalotia rhododendri, Pestalotiopsis, Pestalotiopsisa dusta, Pestalotiopsis arachidis, Pestalotiopsis disseminata, Pestalotiopsis guepini, Pestalotiopsis lipogena leprogena), Pestalotiopsis longiseta, Pestalotiopsis mangiferae, Pestalotiopsis palmarum, Pestalotiopsis sydowiana, Pestalotiopsis theae, Pestalotiopsis versicolor, Phacidiopycnis padwickii, Phacidium infestans, Phaeochoropsis mucosa, Phaeocytostroma iliau, Phaeocytostroma sacchari, Phaeoisariopsis bataticola, Phaeolus schweinitzii, and Phaeora mularia angolensis), Phaeoramularia dissiliens, Phaeoramularia heterospora, Phaeoramularia manihotis, Phaeoseptoria musae, Phaeosphaerellamangiferae, Phaeosphaerella theae, Phaeosphaeria avenaria f.sp.avenaria, Phaeosphaeria avenaria f.sp.triticae, Phaeosphaeria herpotrichoides, Phaeosphaeria microscopica, Phaeosphaeria nodorum, Phaeosphaeriopsis obtusispora, Phaeoconidia crotalariae, Phakopsora gossypii, Phakopsora pachyrhizi, Phanerochaete allantospora, Phanerochaete arizonica, Phanerochaete avellanea), Phanerochaete burtii, Phanerochaete carnosa, Phanerochaete chrysorhizon, Phanerochaete radicata, Phanerochaete salmonicolor, Phanerochaete tuberculata, Phanerochaete velutina, Phellinus ferreus, Phellinus gilvus, Phellinusigniarius, Phellinus pini, Phellinus pomaceus, Phellinus weirii, Phialophora asteris), Phialophoracinerescens, Phialophora gregata, Phialophoratracheiphila, Phloeosporamultimaculans), Phoma variicystis, Phoma, Phoma caricae-papayae, Phoma clematidina, Phoma costaricensis, Phoma cucurbitacearum, Phoma destructiva, Phoma adraconis, Phoma eupyrena, Phoma exigua, Phoma exigua var. exigua, Phoma exigua var. foveata, Phoma exigua var. linicola, Phoma glomerata, Phoma glycinicola), Phoma herbarum, Phoma insidiosa, Phoma medicaginis, Phoma microspora, Phoma anebulosa, Phoma oncidii-sphacelati, Phoma pinodella, Phoma scabra, Phoma sclerotioides, Phomastrasseri, Phoma tracheiphila, Phomopsisarnoldiae, Phomopsis asparagi, Phomopsisasparagicola, Phomopsis azadirachtae), Phomopsis cannabina, Phomopsis caricae-papayae, Phomopsis coffeae, Phomopsis elaeagni, Phomopsis ganjae, Phomopsis javanica, Phomopsis caesalpiniae, Phomopsis truncatula ...lokoyae), Phomopsis mangiferae, Phomopsis obscurans, Phomopsis perseae, Phomopsis prunorum, Phomopsis scabra, Phomopsis sclerotioides, Phomopsis tanakae, Phomopsis theae, Photoassimilate, Phragmidium, Phragmidium mucronatum, Phragmidium rosae-pimpinellifoliae, Phragmidium rubi-idaei, Phragmidium violaceum, Phyllactophora Cannabis sativa), Phyllactinia graminis var. graminis, Phyllactinia gratissima, Phyllactinia musicola, Phyllactinia rapomigena, Phyllactinia sacchari, Phyllactinia angulata, Phyllactinia guttata, Phyllody, Phyllosticta, Phyllosticta alliariaefoliae, Phyllosticta anacardiacearum, Phyllosticta arachidis-hypogaeae, Phyllosticta sacchari, Phyllosticta spp. batatas), Phyllosticta capitalensis, Phyllosticta caricae-papayae, Phyllosticta carpogena, Phyllosticta perforatum,circumscissa), coffee leaf mold (Phyllosticta coffeicola), concentric leaf mold (Phyllosticta concentrica), hazel leaf mold (Phyllosticta coryli), cucurbitacearum leaf mold (Phyllosticta cucurbitacearum), cyclaminella leaf mold (Phyllosticta erratica), Hawaiian leaf mold (Phyllosticta hawaiiensis), frankincense leaf mold (Phyllosticta lentisci), cassava leaf mold (Phyllosticta manihotis), micropuncta leaf mold (Phyllosticta micropuncta), mortonii leaf mold (Phyllosticta mortonii), tobacco leaf mold (Phyllosticta nicotianae), palm leaf mold (Phyllosticta palmetto), millet leaf mold (Phyllosticta penicillariae), Phyllosticta perseae, Phyllosticta platani, Phyllosticta pseudocapsici, Phyllosticta sojaecola, Phyllosticta solitaria, Phyllosticta theae, Phyllosticta theicola, Phymatotrichopsis omnivora, Physalospora abdita, Physalospora disrupta, Physalospora perseae, Physarum cinereum, Physoderma alfalfae, Physoderma leproides, Physoderma truncatula trifolii), Physopella ampelopsidis, Phytophthora, Phytophthora alni, Phytophthora boehmeriae, Phytophthoracactorum), soybean Phytophthora cajani, Phytophthora cambivora, Phytophthora capsici, Phytophthora cinnamomi, Phytophthora citricola, Phytophthora citrophthora, Phytophthora cryptogea, Phytophthora drechsleri, Phytophthora erythroseptica, Phytophthora fragariae, Phytophthora fragariae var. rubi, Phytophthora gallica, Phytophthora hibernalis, Phytophthora infestans), Phytophthora inflata, Phytophthora iranica, Phytophthora akatsurae, Phytophthora kernoviae, Phytophthora lateralis, Phytophthora medicaginis, Phytophthora megakarya, Phytophthora megasperma, Phytophthora nicotianae, Phytophthora palmivora, Phytophthora phaseoli, Phytophthora ramorum, Phytophthora sojae, Phytophthora syringae, Phytophthora nicotianae, Phytophthora palmivora, Phytophthora phaseoli, Phytophthora raplurivora, Phytophthora ramorum, Phytophthora sojae, Phytophthora syringae, Phytophthora truncatula tentaculata), Phytoplasma, Pichia membranifaciens, Pichia subpelliculosa, Pileolaria terebinthi, Pilidiellaquercicola, Plasmodiophora brassicae, Plasmopara, Plasmopara halstedii, Plasmopara helianthi f. helianthi, Plasmopara lactucae-radicis, Plasmopara nivea, Plasmopara obducens, Plasmopara penniseti, Plasmopara pygmaea, Plasmopara viticola, Platychora ulmi, Plenodomus destruens, Plenodomus meliloti, Pleochaeta, Pleosphaerulina sojicola, Pleosphaerulina lucerne alfalfae), Pleosphaera betae, Pleosphaera herbarum, Pleosphaera lycopersici, Pleosphaera tarda, Pleosporatheae, Pleurotus dryinus, Podosphaera, Podosphaera clandestina var. clandestine, Podosphaera fusca, Podosphaera leucotricha, Podosphaera macularis, Podosphaera pannosa, Podosphaera tridactyla, Podosphaera tridactyla var.tridactyla), Podosphaera xanthii, Polymyxa graminis, Polyscytalum pustulans, Polystigmafulvum), Poria hypobrunnea, Postia tephroleuca, Potato cyst nematode, Pratylenchus alleni, Pratylenchus brachyurus, Pratylenchus coffeae, Pratylenchus crenatus, Pratylenchus dulscus, Pratylenchus fallax, Pratylenchus flakkensis, Pratylenchus goodeyi, Pratylenchus hexincisus, Pratylenchus loosi, Pratylenchus micro minutus), Pratylenchus mulchandi, Pratylenchus musicola, Pratylenchus neglectus, Pratylenchus penetrans, Pratylenchus pratensis, Pratylenchus reniformia, Pratylenchus scribneri, Pratylenchus thornei, Pratylenchus vulnus, Pratylenchus zeae, Pseudocercospora, Pseudocercospora arecacearum, Pseudocercospora cannabina, Pseudocercospora fuligena), Pseudocercospora gunnerae, Pseudocercospora kaki, Pseudocercosporamali, Pseudocercospora pandoreae, Pseudocercospora puerariaepuderi), Pseudocercospora purpurea, Pseudocercospora rhapisicola, Pseudocercospora subsessilis, Pseudocercospora theae, Pseudocercospora vitis, Pseudocercosporella capsellae, Pseudocochliobolus eragrostidis, Pseudoepicoccum cocos, Pseudomonas amygdali, Pseudomonas aspleniii, Pseudomonas avellanae, Pseudomonas caricapapayae, Pseudomonas cichorii cichorii), Pseudomonas coronafaciens, Pseudomonas corrugate, Pseudomonas ficuserectae, Pseudomonas flavescens, Pseudomonas fuscovaginae, Pseudomonas helianthi, Pseudomonas marginalis, Pseudomonas meliae, Pseudomonas oryzihabitans, Pseudomonas palleroniana, Pseudomonas papaveris, Pseudomonas salomonii, Pseudomonas olive savastanoi), Pseudomonas syringae, Pseudomonas tomato, Pseudomonas tremae, Pseudomonas turbinellae, Pseudomonas viridiflava, Pseudoperonosporacannabina), Pseudoperonospora cubensis, Pseudoperonospora humuli, Pseudopezicula tetraspora, Pseudopezicula tracheiphila, Pseudopeziza jonesii, Pseudopeziza medicaginis, Pseudopeziza trifolii, Pseudoseptoriadonacis, Puccinia, Puccinia angustata, Puccinia arachidis, Puccinia aristidae, Puccinia asparagi, Puccinia cacabata, Puccinia campanulae, Puccinia septoriadonacis, carthami), Puccinia coronate, Puccinia coronata var. hordei, Puccinia dioicae, Puccinia erianthi, Puccinia extensicola var. hieraciata, Puccinia helianthi, Puccinia hordei, Puccinia jaceae var. solstitialis, Puccinia kuehnii, Puccinia mariae-wilsoniae, Puccinia melanocephala, Puccinia menthae, Puccinia pelargonii-zonalis, Puccinia pittieriana), Puccinia poarum, Puccinia psidii, Puccinia purpurea, Puccinia recondita, Puccinia seldensis,schedonnardii), Puccinia sessilis, Puccinia striiformis f.sp. hordei, Puccinia striiformis var. striiformis, Puccinia subnitens, Puccinia substriata var. indica, Puccinia verruca, Puccinia xanthii, Pucciniaceae, Pucciniastrum, Puccinia americanum, Pucciniastrum arcticum, Pucciniastrum coryli, Pucciniastrum epilobii, Pucciniastrum hydrangea hydrangeae), Punctodera chalcoensis, Pycnoporus cinnabarinus, Pycnoporus sanguineus, Pycnostysanus azaleae, Pyrenochaeta lycopersici, Pyrenochaeta terrestris, Pyrenopeziza brassicae, Pyrenophora, Pyrenophora avenae, Pyrenophora chaetomioides, Pyrenophora graminea, Pyrenophorase miniperda, Pyrenophora teres, Pyrenophora teres f.maculata), Pyrenophora teres f.teres, Pyrenophora terestritici-repentis), Pythiaceae, Pythiales, Pythium, Pythium acanthicum, Pythium aphanidermatum, Pythium aristosporum, Pythium arrhenomanes, Pythium buismaniae, Pythium debaryanum, Pythium deliense, Pythium dissotocum, Pythium graminicola, Pythium heterothallicum, Pythium hypogynum, Pythium irregulare, Pythium iwayamae, Pythium truncatum ... mastophorum), Pythium middletonii, Pythium myriotylum, Pythium okanoganense, Pythium paddicum, Pythium paroecandrum, Pythium perniciosum, Pythium rostratum, Pythium scleroteichum, Pythium spinosum, Pythium splendens, Pythium sulcatum, Pythium sylvaticum, Pythium tardicrescens, Pythium tracheiphilum, Pythium ultimum, Pythium ultimum var.ultimum), Pythium vexans, Pythium violae, Pythium volutum, Quinisulcius acutus, Quinisulcius capitatus, Radopholous banana nematodesimilis), Radopholus similis, Ralstonia solanacearum, Ramichloridium musae, Ramularia, Ramularia beticola, Ramularia brunnea, Ramularia coryli, Ramularia cyclaminicola, Ramularia macrospora, Ramularia menthicola, Ramularia necator, Ramularia primulae, Ramularia spinaciae, Ramularia subtilis, Ramularia tenella, Ramulispora sorghi, Ramulispora sorghi sorghicola), Resinicium bicolor, Rhabdocline pseudotsugae, Rhabdocline weirii Rhabdoviridae, Rhinocladium corticola, Rhizoctonia, Rhizoctonia leguminicola, Rhizoctonia rubi, Rhizoctonia solani, Rhizomorpha subcorticalis, Rhizophydium graminis, Rhizopus arrhizus, Rhizopus circinans, Rhizopus microsporus var. microspores, Rhizopus oryzae oryzae), Rhodococcus fascians, Rhynchosporium, Rhynchosporium secalis, Rhytidhysteron rufulum, Rhytismaacerinum), Rhytismavitis, Rigidoporus lineatus, Rigidoporus microporus, Rigidoporus ulmarius, Rigidoporus vinctus, Roselliniia arcuata, Roselliniia bunodes, Rosellinianecatrix, Roselliniia pepo, Roselliniia subiculata, Rotylenchulus, Rotylenchulus parvus, Rotylenchulus reniformis, Rotylenchus brachyurus, Rotylenchus robustus, Saccharicola taiwanensis, Saccharomyces florentinus, Saccharomyces kluyveri, Sarocladium oryzae, Sawadaea, Sawadaea tulasnei, Schiffnerula cannabis, Schizoparme straminea, Schizophyllum commune, Schizopora flavipora, Schizothyrium pomi, Scleroderris canker, Sclerophthora macrospora, Sclerophthora rayssiae, Sclerospora graminicola, Sclerospora mischanthi, Sclerotinia borealis), Sclerotinia minor, Sclerotinia ricini, Sclerotinia asclerotiorum, Sclerotiniaspermophila), Sclerotinia trifoliorum, Sclerotium, Sclerotium cinnamomi, Sclerotium delphinii, Scutellonema brachyurum, Scutellonema cavenessi, Scytinostroma galactinum, Seimatosporium mariae, Seimatosporium rhododendri, Selenophoma linicola, Septobasidium, Septobasidium bogoriense, Septobasidium pilosum, Septobasidium pseudopedicellatum, Septobasidium theae, Septocyta ruborum, Septogloeum potentillae, Septoria, Septoria aciculosa, Septoria ampelina, Septoria azalea, Septoria bataticola, Septoria campanulae, Septoria cannabis, Septoria caryae, Septoria citri, Septoria cucurbitacearum, Septoria darrowii, Septoria dianthi, Septoria eumusae, Septoria acridariae, Septoria truncatula, Septoria truncatulae ... fragariaecola), soybean septoria (Septoriaglycines), sunflower septoria (Septoria helianthi), dwarf septoria (Septoria humuli), hydrangea septoria (Septoria hydrangeae), lettuce septoria (Septorialactucae), Septoria iquidambaris, Septoria lycopersici, Septoria ycopersici var. malagutii, Septoria menthae, Septoria iaostryae, Septoria passerinii, Septoria pisi, Septoria pistaciae, Septoria platanifolia, Septoria rhododendri, Septoria secalis, Septoria selenophomoides, Setosphaeria rostrata, Setosphaeria turcica, Sirosporium diffusum), Sparassis, Sphaceloma, Sphaceloma arachidis, Sphaceloma coryli, Sphaceloma menthae, Sphaceloma perseae, Sphaceloma poinsettiae, Sphaceloma pyrinum, Sphaceloma randii, Sphaceloma sacchari, Sphacelomatheae, Sphacelotheca reiliana, Sphaerella platanifolia, Sphaeropsis tumefaciens, Sphaerotheca, Sphaerotheca castagnei, Sphaerotheca rubrum, Sphaerotheca rubrum, fuliginea), Sphaerulina oryzina, Sphaerulina rehmiana, Sphaerulina rubi, Sphenospora kevorkianii, Spinigermeineckellus, Spiroplasma, Spongipellis unicolor, Sporisorium cruentum, Sporisorium ehrenbergi, Sporisorium scitamineum, Sporisorium sorghi, Sporonema phacidioides, Stagonospora avenaef.sp.triticae, Stagonospora meliloti, Stagonospora recedens, Stagonospora sacchari, Stagonospora tainanensis, Steccherinum ochraceum, Stegocintractia junci, Stegophora ulmea, Stemphylium alfalfa, Stemphylium bolickii, Stemphylium cannabinum, Stemphylium globuliferum, Stemphylium lycopersici, Stemphylium sarciniforme, Stemphylium solani, Stemphylium vesicarium, Stenella anthuriicola, Stereum, Stereum hirsutum, Stereum rameale, Stereum sanguinolentum, Stigmatomycosis, Stigmella platani-racemosae, Stigmina carpophila, Stigmina liquidambaris, Stigmina palmivora, Stigmina platani, Stigmina carpophila, Stigmina platani-racemosae ...platani-racemosae), Subanguina radicicola, Subanguina wevelli, Sydowia polyspora, Sydowiella depressula, Sydowiellaceae, Synchytrium endobioticum, Synchytrium fragariae, Synchytrium liquidambaris, Taiwanofungus camphoratus, Tapesia acuformis, Tapesia yallundae, Taphrina aurea, Taphrina bullata, Taphrina caerulescens, Taphrina coryli, Taphrina deformans, Taphrina entomospora), Taphrina johansonii, Taphrina potentillae, Taphrina ulmi, Taphrina wiesneri, Thanatephorus cucumeris, Thielaviopsis, Thielaviopsis basicola, Thyrostroma compactum, Tilletia barclayana, Tilletia caries, Tilletia controversa, Tilletialaevis, Tilletia tritici, Tilletia walkeri, Tilletiariaceae, and tobacco necrosis virus. virus), Togniniaceae, Trachysphaera fructigena, Trametes gibbosa, Trametes trichotillomaniihirsute), Trametes nivosa, Trametes pubescens, Tranzschelia discolor f.sp. persica, Tranzschelia pruni-spinosae var. discolor, Trichoderma biforme, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma koningii, Trichoderma viride, Trichothecium roseum, Tripospermumacerinum, Truncatella, Truncatella laurocerasi, Tubercularia lateritia, Tubercularia ulmea, Tubeufiapezizula, Tunstallia aculeata, Tylenchorhynchus, Tylenchorhynchus brevilineatus, Tylenchorhynchus claytoni, Tylenchorhynchus dubius, Tylenchorhynchus maximus, Tylenchorhynchus nudus, Tylenchorhynchus phaseoli, Tylenchorhynchus vulgaris, Tylenchorhynchus zeae, Tylenchorhynchus semipenetrans, Typhula idahoensis, Typhula incarnate, Typhula ishikariensis, Typhula truncatula, Typhula truncatula, Typhula truncatula, Tylenchorhynchus maximus, Tylenchorhynchus nudus, Tylenchorhynchus phaseoli, Tylenchorhynchus vulgaris, Tylenchorhynchus zeae, Tylenchorhynchus semipenetrans, Typhula idahoensis, Typhula incarnate, Typhula ishikariensis, Typhula truncatula, Typhula truncatula, Tylenchorhynchus ... ishikariensis var.canadensis), Typhula variabilis, Typhulochaeta, Tyromycescalkinsii), Tyromyces chioneus, Tyromyces galactinus, Ulocladium atrum, Ulocladium consortiale, Uncinula, Uncinula macrospora, Uncinula necator, Uredobehnickiana, Uredo kriegeriana, Uredo musae, Uredonigropuncta, Uredo rangelii, Urocystis, Urocystis agropyri, Urocystis brassicae, Urocystis occulta, Uromyces, Uromyces apiosporus), beet rust (Uromyces beticola), rust (Uromyces ciceris-arietini), dianthus rust (Uromyces dianthi), root rust (Uromyces euphorbiae), cereal rust (Uromyces graminis), hook rust (Uromyces inconspicuus), line rust (Uromyces lineolatus subsp. nearby), alfalfa rust (Uromyces medicaginis), banana rust (Uromyces musae), oblong rust (Uromyces oblongus), pea rust (Uromyces pisi-sativi), poinsettia rust (Uromyces var.poinsettiae), Uromyces trifolii-repentis var.fallens, Uromyces viciae-fabae var.viciae-fabae, Urophlyctis leproides, Urophlyctis trifolii, Urophora cardui, Ustilaginales, Ustilaginoidea virens, Ustilaginomycetes, Ustilago, Ustilago avenae, Ustilago hordei, Ustilagomaydis, Ustilago nigra, Ustilago nuda, Ustilago smut scitaminea), Ustilago tritici, Valsaabietis, Valsa ambiens, Valsa auerswaldii, Valsa ceratosperma, Valsa kunzei, Valsa nivea, Valsa sordida, Valsaria insitiva, Venturia carpophila, Venturia inaequalis, Venturia pyrina, Veronaea musae, Verticillium, Verticillium albo-atrum, Verticillium albo-atrum mint variety albo-atrum var.menthae), Verticillium dahliae, Verticillium longisporum, Verticillium theobromae, Villosiclava virens, Virescence, Waitea circinata, Wuestneiopsis Georgiana, Xanthomonas ampelina, Xanthomonas axonopodis, Xanthomonas campestris, Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris, Xanthomonas oryzae, Xeromphalina fraxinophila, Xiphinema americanum, Xiphinema bakeri, Xiphinema brevicolle), Xiphinema diversica udatum, Xiphinema insigne, Xiphinema rivesi, Xiphinema vuittenezi, Xylaria mali, Xylaria polymorpha, Xylella fastidiosa, Xylophilus, Xylophilus ampelinus, Zopfia rhizophila, Zygosaccharomyces bailii, and Zygosaccharomyces florentinus.

[0145] Insect and helminth pathogens include the pea leaf beetle, pea aphid, African armyworm, African honey bee, Muscicapidae, Agrotis munda, Agrotis porphyricollis, Aleurocanthus woglumi, Aleyrodes proletella, Alphitobius diaperinus, Altica chalybea, Anasa tristis, Anguina tritici, Anisoplia austriaca, Anthonomus pomorum, Anthonomus signatus, Aonidiella aurantii, Apamea apamiformis, Apamea niveivenosa, and Aphelenchoides spp. spp.), aphid, Aphis gossypii, apple maggot, Argentine ant, army cutworm, Arotrophora arcuatalis, Asterolecanium coffeee, Athous haemorrhoidalis, Aulacophora, Australian plague locust, Bactericera cockerelli, Bactrocera, Bactrocera correcta, Bagrada hilaris, banded hickory borer, beet armyworm, Belonolaimus spp.), black beanaphid, Blepharidopterus chlorionis, Bogong moth, bollweevil, Bradysia similigibbosa, Brassica podmidge, Brevicoryne brassicae, brown locust, brown marmorated stink bug, brown planthopper, Bursephelenchus spp., cabbage moth, cabbage worm, Callosobruchus maculatus, cane beetle, carrot fly, cereal cyst nematode, Cecidomyiidae, Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis aegypti) capitata), Ceratitis rosa, cereal leaf beetle, Chlorops pumilionis, citrus long-horned beetle, Coccus viridis, codling moth, coffee borer beetle, Colorado potato beetle, confused flour beetle, crambus, cucumber beetle, Curculio nucum, Curculio occidentis, cutworm, Cyclocephala borealis, dark sword-grass, date stone beetle, Delia spp.), Delia antiqua (onion fly), Delia floralis (radish fly), Delia radicum (cabbage fly), Desert locust, Diabrotica spp., Diabrotica balteata (cucumber leaf beetle), Diabrotica speciosa (South American leaf beetle), diamondback moth, Diaphania indica (melon silkworm borer), Diaphanianitidalis (cucumber silkworm borer), Diaphorina citri (citrus psyllid), Diaprepes abbreviatus (sugarcane root borer), Diatraea saccharalis (small sugarcane stalk borer), differential grasshopper, Ditylenchus spp.), Moroccan locust (Dociostaurus maroccanus), cherry fruit fly (Drosophilasuzukii), chestnut gall wasp (Dryocosmus kuriphilus), Earias perhuegeli, Epicautavittata (Epilaculata), Mexican bean beetle (Epilachna varivestis), banana butterfly (Erionota thrax), Eriosomatinae, Euleia heraclei, Eumetopina flavipes, privet moth (Eupoecilia ambiguella), European corn borer, Eurydema oleracea, wheat stink bug (Eurygaster integriceps), forest bug, Frankliniella tritici (Oriental flower thrips), greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella), garden cutworm (Gardenia spp.), dart), glassy-winged sharpshooter, greenhouse whitefly, Gryllotalpa orientalis, Gryllus pennsylvanicus, gypsy moths, Helicoverpa armigera, Helicoverpa gelotopoeon, Helicoverpa punctigera, Helicoverpa zea, Heliothis virescens, Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata, Hessian fly, Heterodera spp.), Jacobiasca formosana, Japanese beetle, Khapra beetle, Lampides boeticus, leaf miner, Lepidiota consobrina, Lepidosaphes beckii, Lepidosaphes ulmi, Leptoglossus zonatus, Leptopternadolabrata, lesser wax moth, Leucoptera (moth), Leucoptera caffeina, light brown apple moth, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus, long-tailed skipper, Lygus, Lygus hesperus), mulberry mealybug (Maconellicoccus hirsutus), rose beetle (Macrodactylus subspinosus), spurge aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae), maize weevil (maize weevil), tobacco horn moth (Manduca sexta), barley gall midge (Mayetiola hordei), mealybug (Mealybug), root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.), bean bug (Megacopta cribraria), grape flower moth (Metcalfa pruinosa), moths, leek moth, peach aphid (Myzus persicae), Naccobus spp., Nezara viridula, oak processionary caterpillar, olive fruit fly, Ophiomyia simplex, Opisina arenosella, Opomyza, Opomyza florum, Opomyzidae, Oscinella frit, Ostrinia furnacalis, Oxycarenus hyalinipennis, papaya mealy bug, Papilio demodocus, Paratachardinapseudolobata, Pentatomoidea, Phthorimaea operculella), Phyllophaga, Phylloxera, Phylloxeridae, Phylloxeroidea, Pieris brassicae, pink bollworm, Planococcus citri, Platynota idaeusalis, Plumcurculio, Pratylenchus spp., Prionus californicus, Pseudococcus viburni, Pyralis farinalis, red imported fire ant, red locust, root lesion nematodes, root knot nematodes, Radopholus spp.), Rotylenchulus spp.), cherry fruit fly (Rhagoletis cerasi), western cherry fruit fly (Rhagoletis indifferens), blue orange fruit fly (Rhagoletis mendax), corn aphid (Rhopalosiphum maidis), American pine weevil (Rhyacionia frustrana), red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus), palm weevil (Rhynchophorus palmarum), Rhyzopertha spp., rice moth, rice stink bug, Russian wheat aphid, San Jose scale, scale insect, Schistocerca americana, Sciaridae, Scirtothrips dorsalis, Scutelleridae, Scutiphora pedicellata, seed gall nematode nematodes), serpentine leaf miner, silverleaf whitefly, yellow pseudo-hairy aphid (Sipha flava), small honeycomb beetle, giant corn borer, soybean aphid, Spodoptera cilium, lithotripsy cutworm, cucumber eleven-spotted leaf beetle, squash vine borer, stem nematode, Stenotus binotatus, Strauzia longipennis, yellow-striped leaf flea, sunn pest, sweet potato bug, grasshopper, thrips, Thrips angusticeps, southern yellow thrips, brown citrus aphid, Trichodes spp., African psyllid, yellow cutworm, tomato leafminer, nematode spp., various carpet beetles, pomegranate butterfly, waxworm, western corn rootworm, western flower thrips, wheat fly, wheat weevil, whitefly, pine white-striped looper moth, and Xiphinema spp.

[0146] For example, the insect or worm pathogen can be an armyworm, a black cutworm, a European corn borer, a fall armyworm, a cutworm, a Japanese beetle, a small corn stalk borer, a corn weevil, a seed fly, a webworm, a corn stalk borer, a southern corn rootworm, a southern potato wireworm, a common stem borer, a sugarcane rhinoceros beetle, a white grub, a cabbage looper, a boll weevil, a yellow-striped armyworm, an orange-legged mudworm, a sorghum stink bug, an aphid, a beet armyworm, a Mexican bean beetle, a soybean armyworm, a soybean longhorn beetle, or a combination thereof.

[0147] Proteins and peptides that enhance plant stress resistance

[0148] The present invention also relates to fusion proteins comprising a targeting sequence, an exosporium protein, or an exosporium protein fragment, and at least one protein or peptide that increases stress resistance in a plant.

[0149] For example, the protein or peptide that improves the stress resistance of plant include the enzyme of degrading stress-related compound.Stress-related compound includes but is not limited to aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), reactive oxygen species, nitrogen oxide, oxylipin and phenolic plastic.Concrete reactive oxygen species includes hydroxyl, hydrogen peroxide, oxygen and superoxide.The enzyme of degrading stress-related compound can include superoxide dismutase, oxidase, catalase, aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase, peroxidase, antioxidant enzyme or antioxidant peptide.

[0150] The albumen or peptide that improve the stress resistance of plant also can comprise that protection plant is exempted from albumen or the peptide of environmental stress.Environmental stress for example can comprise, arid, flood, heat, freezing, salt, heavy metal, low pH, high pH or its combination.For example, the albumen or peptide that protection plant is exempted from environmental stress can comprise ice nucleoprotein, prolyl peptidase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, isochorismate synthase, isochorismate pyruvate lyase or choline dehydrogenase.

[0151] Plant-binding proteins and peptides

[0152] The present invention also relates to fusion proteins comprising a targeting sequence, an exosporium protein, or an exosporium protein fragment, and at least one plant-binding protein or peptide. The plant-binding protein or peptide can be any protein or peptide that can bind specifically or non-specifically to any part of a plant (e.g., plant roots or aerial parts of a plant, such as leaves, stems, flowers, or fruit) or plant matter. Thus, for example, the plant-binding protein or peptide can be a root-binding protein or peptide, or a leaf-binding protein or peptide.

[0153] Suitable plant binding proteins and peptides include adhesins (e.g., rhizocadherin), flagellins, ompetins, lectins, expansins, biofilm structural proteins (e.g., TasA or YuaB), fimbriae proteins, curlusins, tight adhesins, invasins, lectins, and non-fimbriae proteins.

[0154] Other fusion proteins

[0155] The present invention further relates to fusion proteins comprising at least one protein or peptide of interest and an exosporium protein, including an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 71, 75, 80, 81, 82, 83, and 84. Alternatively, the exosporium protein can comprise an amino acid sequence at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or at least 100% identical to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 71, 75, 80, 81, 82, 83, and 84.

[0156] The target protein or peptide can include any protein or peptide. For example, the target protein or peptide can include any protein or peptide described herein. For example, the target protein or peptide can include any plant growth stimulating protein or peptide described herein, any protein or peptide that protects plants from pathogens described herein, any protein or peptide that improves plant stress resistance described herein, or any plant binding protein or peptide described herein.

[0157] Thus, when the protein or peptide of interest comprises a plant growth stimulating protein or peptide, the plant growth stimulating protein or peptide may comprise an enzyme involved in the production or activation of a peptide hormone, a non-hormone peptide, or a plant growth stimulating compound. Alternatively, the plant growth stimulating protein or peptide may comprise any enzyme that degrades or alters the bacterial, fungal, or plant nutrient source described below.

[0158] Recombinant Bacillus cereus family members expressing fusion proteins

[0159] The present invention also relates to a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member expressing a fusion protein. The fusion protein can be any of the fusion proteins discussed above.

[0160] The recombinant Bacillus cereus family member can co-express two or more of any of the fusion proteins discussed above. For example, the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member can co-express at least one fusion protein comprising a plant binding protein or peptide, and at least one fusion protein comprising a plant growth stimulating protein or peptide, at least one fusion protein comprising a protein or peptide that protects a plant from pathogens, or at least one protein or peptide that increases stress resistance in a plant.

[0161] The recombinant Bacillus cereus family member can include Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus pseudomycoides, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus gaemokensis, Bacillus weihenstephensis, or a combination thereof. For example, the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member can include Bacillus cereus, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus pseudomycoides, or Bacillus mycoides. Specifically, the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member can include Bacillus thuringiensis or Bacillus mycoides.

[0162] In order to produce a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member expressing a fusion protein, any Bacillus cereus family member can be conjugated to a vector encoding the fusion protein, transduced or transformed using standard methods known in the art. Bacteria can then be screened by any method known in the art to identify transformants. For example, when the vector includes an antibiotic resistance gene, bacteria can be screened for antibiotic resistance. Alternatively, the DNA encoding the fusion protein can be integrated into the chromosomal DNA of the Bacillus cereus family member host. The recombinant Bacillus cereus family member can then be exposed to conditions that will induce spore formation. Suitable conditions for inducing spore formation are known in the art. For example, the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member can be plated on an agar plate and incubated at a temperature of about 30°C for several days (e.g., 3 days).

[0163] It is also possible to appropriately use any of the above inactivated strains, avirulent strains, or genetically manipulated strains. For example, Bacillus thuringiensis lacking Cry toxins can be used. Alternatively or additionally, once recombinant Bacillus cereus family spores expressing the fusion protein have been produced, they can be inactivated to prevent further germination once used. Any method known in the art for inactivating bacterial spores can be used. Suitable methods include, but are not limited to, heat treatment, gamma radiation, x- ray radiation, UV-A radiation, UV-B radiation, chemical treatment (e.g., with glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, acetic acid, bleach, or any combination thereof), or a combination thereof. Alternatively, spores derived from non-toxigenic strains, or genetically or physically inactivated strains can be used.

[0164] Recombinant Bacillus cereus family members having plant growth promoting effects and / or other beneficial properties

[0165] Many strains of Bacillus cereus family members have inherent beneficial properties. For example, some strains have plant growth promoting effects. Any of the fusion proteins described herein can be expressed in such strains.

[0166] For example, the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member can include a plant growth promoting strain of the bacterium.

[0167] Plant growth promoting strains of bacteria may include bacterial strains that produce insecticidal toxins (e.g., Cry toxins), produce fungicidal compounds (e.g., β-1,3-glucanase, chitosanase, lytic enzymes, or combinations thereof), produce nematicidal compounds (e.g., Cry toxins), produce bactericidal compounds, are resistant to one or more antibiotics, contain one or more freely replicating plasmids, bind to plant roots, colonize plant roots, form biofilms, solubilize nutrients, secrete organic acids, or any combination thereof.

[0168] For example, when the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member includes a plant growth-promoting strain of bacteria, the plant growth-promoting strain of bacteria can include Bacillus mycoides BT155 (NRRL No. B-50921), Bacillus mycoides EE118 (NRRL No. B-50918), Bacillus mycoides EE141 (NRRL No. B-50916), Bacillus mycoides BT46-3 (NRRL No. B-50922), Bacillus cereus family member EE128 (NRRL No. B-50917), Bacillus thuringiensis BT013A (NRRL No. B-50924), or Bacillus cereus family member EE349 (NRRL No. B-50928). Each of these strains was deposited on March 10, 2014, with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), 1815 North University Street, Peoria, Illinois 61604 USA, and is identified by the NRRL deposit number provided in parentheses.

[0169] These plant growth promoting strains were isolated from the rhizosphere of various vigorous plants and identified by their 16S rRNA sequences (provided herein as SEQ ID NOs. 104-110) and biochemical assays. The strains were identified at least to their genus name using conventional biochemical and morphological indicators. Biochemical assays used to confirm Gram-positive strains such as Bacillus include growth on PEA medium and nutrient agar, microscopy, growth on 5% and 7.5% NaCl medium, growth at pH 5 and pH 9, growth at 42°C and 50°C, the ability to produce acid after fermentation with cellobiose, lactose, glycerol, glucose, sucrose, d-mannitol, and starch; fluorescent pigment production; gelatin hydrolysis; nitrate reduction; catalase production, starch hydrolysis; oxidase reaction, urease production, and viability. The identification of these strains and demonstration of their plant growth promoting effects are further described in the following examples.

[0170] For example, a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member comprising a plant growth promoting strain of bacteria can include Bacillus mycoides BT155, Bacillus mycoides EE141, or Bacillus thuringiensis BT013 A. The recombinant Bacillus cereus family member can express any of the fusion proteins described herein, for example, a fusion protein comprising SEQ ID NO: 60 and a non-hormonal peptide (e.g., Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (KTI)), an enzyme involved in the production or activation of a plant growth stimulating compound (e.g., chitosanase), a plant binding protein or peptide (e.g., TasA), a protein or peptide that protects plants from pathogens (e.g., TasA), or an enzyme that degrades or alters a bacterial, fungal, or plant nutrient source (e.g., a phosphatase such as PhoA or phytase, or an endoglucanase).

[0171] promoter

[0172] In any of the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members described herein, the fusion protein can be expressed under the control of a promoter derived from a targeting sequence, exosporium protein, or exosporium protein fragment of the fusion protein. For example, when the fusion protein comprises a targeting sequence derived from Bacillus anthracis Sterne BclA (e.g., amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, amino acids 1-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 1, or SEQ ID NO: 60), or when the fusion protein comprises full-length BclA (SEQ ID NO: 2) or a fragment of full-length BclA (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 59), the fusion protein can be expressed under the control of a promoter normally associated with the BclA gene in the Bacillus anthracis Sterne genome (e.g., the promoter of SEQ ID NO: 85).

[0173] Alternatively, the fusion protein can be expressed under the control of a high-expressing sporulation promoter. In some cases, a promoter derived from a targeting sequence, an exosporium protein, or an exosporium protein fragment will be a high-expressing sporulation promoter. In other cases, a promoter derived from a targeting sequence, an exosporium protein, or an exosporium protein fragment will not be a high-expressing sporulation promoter. In the latter case, it may be advantageous to replace the native promoter with a high-expressing sporulation promoter. Expression of the fusion protein under the control of a high-expressing sporulation promoter provides increased expression of the fusion protein on the exosporium of Bacillus cereus family members.

[0174] The high expression sporulation promoter may comprise one or more σ-K sporulation-specific polymerase promoter sequences.

[0175] Suitable high-expressing sporulation promoters for use in expressing fusion proteins in Bacillus cereus family members include those listed in Table 2 below:

[0176] Table 2. Promoter sequences

[0177]

[0178]

[0179]

[0180] In the promoter sequences listed above in Table 2, the location of the σ-K sporulation-specific polymerase promoter sequence is indicated by bold and underlined text. The Cry1A promoter (Bacillus thuringiensis HD-73; SEQ ID NO: 90) has a total of four σ-K sequences, two of which overlap with each other, as indicated by the double underlining in Table 2.

[0181] Preferred high-expressing sporulation promoters for use in expressing fusion proteins in Bacillus cereus family members include the BetA promoter (Bacillus anthracis Sterne; SEQ ID NO: 86), the BclA promoter (Bacillus anthracis Sterne; SEQ ID NO: 85), the BclA cluster glycosyltransferase operon 1 and 2 promoters (Bacillus anthracis Sterne; SEQ ID NOs: 101 and 102), and the YVTN β-propeller protein promoter (Bacillus weihenstephensis KBAB 4; SEQ ID NO: 89).

[0182] In any of the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members described herein, the fusion protein can be expressed under the control of a sporulation promoter comprising a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 85-103.

[0183] When the sporulation promoter comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 85-103, the one or more sigma-K sporulation-specific polymerase promoter sequences preferably have 100% identity to the corresponding nucleotides of SEQ ID NOs: 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, or 103. For example, as illustrated in Table 2 above, the BclA promoter of Bacillus anthracis Sterne (SEQ ID NO: 85) has sigma-K sporulation-specific polymerase promoter sequences at nucleotides 24-32, 35-43, and 129-137. Thus, if the sporulation promoter comprises a sequence that is at least 90% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:85, it is preferred that the nucleotides of the sporulation promoter corresponding to nucleotides 24-32, 35-43, and 129-137 of SEQ ID NO:85 are 100% identical to nucleotides 24-32, 35-43, and 129-137 of SEQ ID NO:85.

[0184] preparation

[0185] The present invention also relates to formulations comprising any of the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members discussed in the previous section and an agriculturally acceptable carrier.

[0186] The agriculturally acceptable carrier can be any carrier suitable for agricultural use. For example, suitable agriculturally acceptable carriers include, but are not limited to, dispersants, surfactants, additives, water, thickeners, anti-caking agents, residue decomposers, compost formulations, granular applications, diatomaceous earth, oils, colorants, stabilizers, preservatives, polymers, coatings, and combinations thereof.

[0187] Additives may include oils, gums, resins, clays, polyoxyethylene glycols, terpenes, viscous organic matter, fatty acid esters, sulfated alcohols, alkyl sulfonates, petroleum sulfonates, alcohol sulfates, sodium alkyl butane diamate, polyesters of sodium thiobutane dioate, benzyl cyanide derivatives, proteinaceous materials (e.g., dairy products, wheat flour, soy flour, blood, albumin, gelatin, or combinations thereof), or combinations thereof.

[0188] The thickening agent may include long chain alkyl sulfonates of polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene oleate, or a combination thereof.

[0189] The surfactant may include heavy petroleum oil, heavy oil distillate, polyol fatty acid ester, polyethoxylated fatty acid ester, arylalkyl polyoxyethylene glycol, alkylamine acetate, alkylaryl sulfonate, polyol, alkyl phosphate, or a combination thereof.

[0190] Anti-caking agents include sodium salts, calcium carbonate, diatomaceous earth, or combinations thereof. For example, the sodium salt may include sodium salt of monomethylnaphthalene sulfonate, sodium salt of dimethylnaphthalene sulfonate, sodium sulfite, sodium sulfate, or combinations thereof.

[0191] Suitable agriculturally acceptable carriers include vermiculite, charcoal, sugar mill carbonized filter press mud, rice bran, carboxymethyl cellulose, peat, perlite, fine sand, calcium carbonate, flour, alum, starch, talc, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, or combinations thereof.

[0192] The formulations may include seed coating formulations, liquid formulations for application to plants or to plant growth media, or solid formulations for application to plants or to plant growth media.

[0193] For example, the seed coating formulation may comprise a water-based or oil-based solution for application to the seeds. Alternatively, the seed coating formulation may comprise a powder or granular formulation for application to the seeds.

[0194] Liquid formulations for application to plants or to plant growth media may include concentrate formulations or ready-to-use formulations.

[0195] Solid formulations for application to plants or to plant growth media include granules or powders.

[0196] Any of the above formulations may further comprise an agrochemical, such as a fertilizer, a trace element fertilizer, an insecticide, an herbicide, a plant growth regulator, a fungicide, an insecticide, a molluscicide, an algaecide, a bacterial inoculant, a fungal inoculant, or a combination thereof.

[0197] The fertilizer may include liquid fertilizer.

[0198] Fertilizers may include ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium nitrate sulfate, ammonium chloride, ammonium bisulfate, ammonium polysulfide, ammonium thiosulfate, aqueous ammonia, anhydrous ammonia, ammonium polyphosphate, aluminum sulfate, calcium nitrate, calcium ammonium nitrate, calcium sulfate, calcined magnesite, calcite-type limestone, calcium oxide, calcium nitrate, dolomitic limestone, calcium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, diammonium hydrogen phosphate, monoammonium phosphate, magnesium nitrate, magnesium sulfate, potassium nitrate, potassium chloride, potassium magnesium sulfate, potassium sulfate, sodium nitrate, magnesian limestone, oxide Magnesium, urea, urea formaldehyde, urea ammonium nitrate, sulfur-coated urea, polymer-coated urea, isobutylene bisurea, K2SO4-2MgSO4, kainite, sylvite, kieserite, Epsom salts, elemental sulfur, marl, ground oyster shells, fish meal, oil cake, fish fertilizer, blood meal, rock phosphate, super phosphate, slag, bone meal, wood ash, manure, bat guano, peat moss, compost, greensand, cottonseed meal, feather meal, crab meal, fish emulsifier, humic acid, or combinations thereof.

[0199] Trace element fertilizers may include boric acid, borates, boron frit, copper sulfate, copper frit, copper chelate, sodium tetraborate decahydrate, iron sulfate, iron oxide, ammonium ferric sulfate, iron frit, iron chelate, manganese sulfate, manganese oxide, manganese chelate, manganese chloride, manganese frit, sodium molybdate, molybdic acid, zinc sulfate, zinc oxide, zinc carbonate, zinc frit, zinc phosphate, zinc chelate, or a combination thereof.

[0200] The insecticide may include an organophosphate, a carbamate, a pyrethroid, a miticide, an alkyl phthalate, boric acid, a borate salt, a fluoride, sulfur, a haloaryl-substituted urea, a hydrocarbon ester, a bio-based insecticide, or a combination thereof.

[0201] The herbicide may include a chlorophenoxy compound, a nitrophenol compound, a nitrocresol compound, a bipyridine compound, an acetamide, an aliphatic acid, an aniline, a benzamide, benzoic acid, a benzoic acid derivative, anisic acid, anisic acid derivative, benzonitrile, benzothiadiazinone dioxide, a thiocarbamate, a carbamate, a phenylcarbamate, a chloropyridyl, a cyclohexenone derivative, a dinitroaminobenzene derivative, a fluorodinitrotoluidine compound, an isoxazolinone, nicotinic acid, isopropylamine, an isopropylamine derivative, an oxadiazolinone, a phosphate ester, a phthalate ester, a picolinic acid compound, a triazine, a triazole, uracil, a urea derivative, chloramphenicol, sodium chlorate, or a combination thereof.

[0202] The fungicide may include substituted benzenes, thiocarbamates, ethylene bisdithiocarbamate, thiophthalidamide, copper compounds, organomercury compounds, organotin compounds, cadmium compounds, dithiocarbamide, benomyl, cycloheximide, doxorubicin, triflate, iprodione, metalaxyl, thiamimefon, triflate, or a combination thereof.

[0203] The fungal inoculant can include a fungal agent of the family Glomeraceae, a fungal agent of the family Claroidoglomeraceae, a fungal agent of the family Gigantoporaceae, a fungal agent of the family Asessilesporaceae, a fungal agent of the family Microsporaceae, a fungal agent of the family Endotrophicsporaceae, a fungal agent of the family Pacidsporaceae, a fungal agent of the family Polysporaceae, a fungal agent of the family Paraglomeraceae, a fungal agent of the family Protosporaceae, a fungal agent of the family Geosporaceae, a fungal agent of the family Amphotericsporaceae, a fungal agent of the family Scutellosporaceae, a fungal agent of the family Dentiscultataceae, a fungal agent of the family Racocetraceae, a fungal agent of the phylum Basidiomycota, a fungal agent of the phylum Ascomycota, a fungal agent of the phylum Zygomycota, or a combination thereof.

[0204] The bacterial inoculant may include a bacterial inoculant of the genus Rhizobium, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Bradyrhizobium, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Mesorhizobium, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Azorhizobium, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Heterorhizobium, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Sinorhizobium, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Kluyveromyces, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Azotobacter, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Pseudomonas, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Azospirillum, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Bacillus, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Streptomyces, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Paenibacillus, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Paracoccus, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Enterobacter, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Alcaligenes, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Mycobacterium, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Trichoderma, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Gliocladium, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Glomus, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Klebsiella, or a combination thereof.

[0205] The bacterial inoculant may include a plant growth promoting strain of bacteria. The plant growth promoting strain of bacteria may include a bacterial strain that produces an insecticidal toxin (e.g., a Cry toxin), produces a fungicidal compound (e.g., a β-1,3-glucanase, a chitosanase, a lytic enzyme, or a combination thereof), produces a nematicidal compound (e.g., a Cry toxin), produces a bactericidal compound, is resistant to one or more antibiotics, contains one or more freely replicating plasmids, binds to plant roots, colonizes plant roots, forms a biofilm, solubilizes nutrients, secretes organic acids, or any combination thereof.

[0206] For example, the bacterial inoculant may include Bacillus argyi CAP53 (NRRL No. B-50819), Bacillus argyi CAP56 (NRRL No. B-50817), Bacillus flexus BT054 (NRRL No. B-50816), Paracoccus sphaeroides NC35 (NRRL No. B-50820), Bacillus mycoides BT155 (NRRL No. B-50921), Enterobacter cloacae CAP12 (NRRL No. B-50822), Bacillus niger BOBA57 (NRRL No. NRRL B-50821), Bacillus mycoides EE118 (NRRL No. B-50918), Bacillus subtilis EE148 (NRRL No. B-50927), Alcaligenes faecalis EE107 (NRRL No. B-50920), Bacillus mycoides EE141 (NRRL No. B-50916), Bacillus mycoides BT46-3 (NRRL No. B-50922), Bacillus cereus family member EE128 ( Bacillus thuringiensis BT013A (NRRL No. B-50924), Paenibacillus massiliense BT23 (NRRL No. B-50923), Bacillus cereus family member EE349 (NRRL No. B-50928), Bacillus subtilis EE218 (NRRL No. B-50926), Bacillus megaterium EE281 (NRRL No. B-50925), or a combination thereof. Each of these strains is deposited with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS), 1815 North University Street, Peoria, Illinois. 61604 U.S.A., on March 11, 2013 (Bacillus argyi CAP53, Bacillus argyi CAP56, Bacillus flexus BT054, Paracoccus sphaeroides NC35, Enterobacter cloacae CAP12, and Bacillus niessneri BOBA57) or on March 10, 2014 (Bacillus mycoides BT155, Bacillus mycoides EE118, Bacillus subtilis EE148, Alcaligenes faecalis EE107, Bacillus mycoides EE141, Bacillus mycoides BT46-3, Bacillus cereus family member EE128, Bacillus thuringiensis BT013A, Paenibacillus massiliense BT23, Bacillus cereus family member EE349, Bacillus subtilis EE218, and Bacillus megaterium EE281), and identified by the NRRL number provided in parentheses.

[0207] These plant growth promoting strains were isolated from the rhizosphere of various vigorous plants and identified by their 16S rRNA sequences (provided herein as SEQ ID NOs. 104-121) and via biochemical assays. The strains were identified at least to their genus name by means of conventional biochemical and morphological indicators. Biochemical assays used to confirm Gram-negative strains such as Paracoccus sphaeroides, Alcaligenes faecalis, and Enterobacter cloacae included growth on MacConkey medium and nutrient agar, microscopy, growth on 5% and 7.5% NaCl medium, growth at pH 5 and pH 9, growth at 42°C and 50°C, the ability to produce acid after fermentation with cellobiose, lactose, glycerol, glucose, sucrose, d-mannitol, and starch; fluorescent pigment production; gelatin hydrolysis; nitrate reduction; starch hydrolysis; oxidase reaction, catalase production, urease production, and activity. Similarly, biochemical assays used to confirm Gram-positive strains such as Bacillus and Paenibacillus include growth on PEA medium and nutrient agar, microscopy, growth on 5% and 7.5% NaCl medium, growth at pH 5 and pH 9, growth at 42°C and 50°C, and the ability to produce acid after fermentation with cellobiose, lactose, glycerol, glucose, sucrose, d-mannitol, and starch; fluorescent pigment production; gelatin hydrolysis; nitrate reduction; catalase production, starch hydrolysis; oxidase reaction, urease production, and viability. The identification of these strains and demonstration of their plant growth promoting effects are further described in the Examples below.

[0208] For example, the formulation can comprise a plant growth-promoting strain of bacteria, including Paracoccus sphaeroides NC35, Bacillus arguably CAP53, or Bacillus megaterium EE281, wherein the formulation further comprises any recombinant Bacillus cereus family member described herein, including any recombinant plant growth-promoting Bacillus cereus family member strain herein (e.g., recombinant Bacillus mycoides BT155, Bacillus mycoides EE141, or Bacillus thuringiensis BT013A). The recombinant plant growth-promoting Bacillus cereus family member strain can express any of the fusion proteins described herein, for example, a fusion protein comprising SEQ ID NO: 60 and a non-hormonal peptide (e.g., Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (KTI)), an enzyme involved in the production or activation of a plant growth stimulating compound (e.g., chitosanase), a plant binding protein or peptide (e.g., TasA), a protein or peptide that protects plants from pathogens (e.g., TasA), or an enzyme that degrades or alters a bacterial, fungal, or plant nutrient source (e.g., a phosphatase such as PhoA or phytase, or an endoglucanase).

[0209] Method for promoting plant growth

[0210] The present invention also relates to methods for stimulating plant growth. The methods for stimulating plant growth comprise introducing any of the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members discussed above, or any of the formulations discussed above, into a plant growth medium. Alternatively, any of the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members discussed above, or any of the formulations discussed above, can be applied to a plant, a plant seed, or an area surrounding a plant or plant seed. In the methods, the plant growth stimulating protein or peptide is physically attached to the exosporium of the recombinant Bacillus family member.

[0211] Alternatively, a method for stimulating plant growth comprises introducing a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member expressing a fusion protein into a plant growth medium or applying a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member expressing a fusion protein to a plant, plant seed, or an area surrounding a plant or plant seed. The fusion protein comprises at least one plant growth stimulating protein or peptide and a targeting sequence, exosporium protein, or exosporium protein fragment. The plant growth stimulating protein or peptide is physically attached to the exosporium of the recombinant Bacillus family member. The targeting sequence, exosporium protein, or exosporium protein fragment can be any of the targeting sequences, exosporium proteins, or exosporium protein fragments listed in paragraph

[0005] above.

[0212] Additionally, the targeting sequence can consist of 16 amino acids and have at least about 43% identity with amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity with amino acids 25-35 is at least about 54%. Alternatively, the targeting sequence can consist of amino acids 1-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 1, or SEQ ID NO: 60.

[0213] The targeting sequence can comprise an amino acid sequence that is at least about 50% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 63%. Alternatively, the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and is at least about 50% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 63%.

[0214] The targeting sequence can comprise an amino acid sequence that is at least about 50% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 72%. Alternatively, the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and is at least about 50% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 72%.

[0215] The targeting sequence can comprise an amino acid sequence that is at least about 56% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 63%. Alternatively, the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and is at least about 56% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 63%.

[0216] The targeting sequence can comprise an amino acid sequence that is at least about 62% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 72%. Alternatively, the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and is at least about 62% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1 is at least about 72%.

[0217] The targeting sequence can comprise an amino acid sequence having at least about 68% identity to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 81%. Alternatively, the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and having at least about 68% identity to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 81%.

[0218] The targeting sequence can comprise an amino acid sequence that is at least about 75% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 72%. Alternatively, the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and is at least about 75% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1 is at least about 72%.

[0219] The targeting sequence can comprise an amino acid sequence that is at least about 75% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 81%. Alternatively, the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and is at least about 75% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1 is at least about 81%.

[0220] The targeting sequence can comprise an amino acid sequence that is at least about 81% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 81%. Alternatively, the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and is at least about 81% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 81%.

[0221] The targeting sequence can comprise an amino acid sequence that is at least about 81% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 90%. Alternatively, the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and is at least about 81% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 90%.

[0222] Alternatively, the exosporium protein or exosporium protein fragment can comprise an amino acid sequence at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identical to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 59, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, and 84.

[0223] Plant growth stimulating proteins may include enzymes. For example, the enzyme may include enzymes that degrade or change bacteria, fungi, or plant nutrients. The enzyme includes cellulase, lipase, lignin oxidase, protease, glycoside hydrolase, phosphatase, nitrogenase, nuclease, amidase, nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, amylase, ammonia oxidase, lignin enzyme, glucosidase, phospholipase, phytase, pectinase, glucanase, sulfatase, urease, xylanase, and siderogen. When introduced into plant growth media or applied to the zone around plants, seeds, or plants or plant seeds, the fusion protein that comprises the enzyme that degrades or changes bacteria, fungi, or plant nutrients can contribute to the processing of nutrients near the plant and enhance the beneficial bacteria or fungi near the plant to the uptake of nutrients.

[0224] Suitable cellulases include endocellulases (e.g., endoglucanases such as Bacillus subtilis endoglucanase, Bacillus thuringiensis endoglucanase, Bacillus cereus endoglucanase, or Bacillus clausii endoglucanase), exocellulases (e.g., Trichoderma reesei exocellulase), and β-glucosidases (e.g., Bacillus subtilis β-glucosidase, Bacillus thuringiensis β-glucosidase, Bacillus cereus β-glucosidase, or Bacillus clausii β-glucosidase).

[0225] The lipase may include Bacillus subtilis lipase, Bacillus thuringiensis lipase, Bacillus cereus lipase, or Bacillus clausii lipase.

[0226] Suitable lignin oxidases include lignin peroxidase, laccase, glyoxal oxidase, ligninase, and manganese peroxidase.

[0227] The protease may include a subtilisin, an acid protease, an alkaline protease, a protease, a peptidase, an endopeptidase, an exopeptidase, a thermolysin, a papain, a pepsin, a trypsin, a pronase, a carboxylase, a serine protease, a glutamic protease, an aspartate protease, a cysteine ​​protease, a threonine protease, or a metalloprotease.

[0228] The phosphatase can include a phosphomonoester hydrolase, a phosphomonoesterase (e.g., PhoA4), a phosphodiester hydrolase, a phosphodiesterase, a triphosphate monoester hydrolase, a phosphoanhydride hydrolase, a pyrophosphatase, a phytase (e.g., Bacillus subtilis EE148 phytase or Bacillus thuringiensis BT013A phytase), a trimetaphosphatase, or a triphosphatase.

[0229] The nitrogenase can include a Nif family nitrogenase (eg, Paenibacillus massiliense NifBDEHKNXV).

[0230] In any of the above methods for stimulating plant growth, plants grown in the plant growth medium comprising the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member exhibit enhanced growth compared to the growth of plants grown in the same plant growth medium without the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member.

[0231] In any of the above methods for stimulating plant growth, the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member can include any recombinant plant growth promoting strain of the bacteria described above.

[0232] In any of the above methods for stimulating plant growth, the fusion protein may be expressed under the control of any of the promoters described above.

[0233] Method for protecting plants from pathogens

[0234] The present invention further relates to methods for protecting plants from pathogens. The methods comprise introducing any of the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members discussed above or any of the formulations discussed above into a plant growth medium. Alternatively, the methods comprise applying any of the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members discussed above or any of the formulations discussed above to a plant, a plant seed, or an area surrounding a plant or plant seed. In these methods, the protein or peptide that protects the plant from a pathogen is physically attached to the exosporium of the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member.

[0235] Plants grown in a plant growth medium comprising a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member are less susceptible to infection by pathogens than plants grown in the same plant growth medium without the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member. The reduction in pathogen susceptibility can be the result of stimulation of the plant immune system by the protein or peptide that protects the plant from the pathogen or can be caused by a direct or indirect effect of the protein or peptide that protects the plant from the pathogen on the pathogen.

[0236] Method for improving stress resistance in plants

[0237] The present invention also relates to methods for increasing stress resistance in plants. The methods comprise introducing any of the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members discussed above or any of the formulations discussed above into a plant growth medium. Alternatively, the methods comprise applying any of the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members discussed above or any of the formulations discussed above to a plant, a plant seed, or an area surrounding a plant or plant seed. In these methods, the protein or peptide that increases stress resistance in a plant is physically attached to the exosporium of the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member.

[0238] Plants grown in a plant growth medium comprising a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member are less susceptible to stress than plants grown in the same plant growth medium without the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member.

[0239] Method for fixing spores of members of the Bacillus cereus family on plants

[0240] The present invention also relates to methods for immobilizing recombinant Bacillus cereus family member spores on plants. These methods comprise introducing any of the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members discussed above or any of the formulations discussed above into a plant growth medium. Alternatively, the methods comprise applying any of the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members discussed above or any of the formulations discussed above to a plant, plant seed, or an area surrounding a plant or plant seed. The plant binding protein or peptide is physically attached to the exosporium of the recombinant Bacillus family member.

[0241] These methods allow Bacillus cereus family member spores to bind to plants so that the spores remain on the plant. For example, these methods allow Bacillus cereus family member spores to bind to the roots of a plant or to an aerial part of a plant (e.g., a leaf, stem, fruit, or flower) so that the spores remain at the root structure of the plant or on the aerial part of the plant and are not dispersed into the plant growth medium or the environment surrounding the aerial part of the plant.

[0242] In any of the methods for immobilizing recombinant Bacillus cereus family member spores on a plant, the plant binding protein or peptide can selectively target and retain the Bacillus cereus family member on the plant or on a plant structure or substructure (e.g., plant roots and substructures of plant roots or aerial parts of a plant or substructures of aerial parts of a plant).

[0243] Plant growing medium

[0244] In any of the above methods, the plant growth medium is a substance that supports plant growth. The plant growth medium can include soil, water, an aqueous solution, sand, gravel, a polysaccharide, mulch, compost, peat moss, straw, wood, clay, soy flour, yeast extract, or a combination thereof. For example, the plant growth medium includes soil, compost, peat moss, or a combination thereof.

[0245] The plant growth medium can optionally be supplemented with a substrate for the enzyme. For example, the substrate can include tryptophan, adenosine monophosphate, adenosine diphosphate, adenosine triphosphate (e.g., adenosine-3-triphosphate), indole, trimetaphosphate, ferredoxin, acetoin, diacetyl, pyruvate, acetolactate, pectin, cellulose, methylcellulose, starch, chitin, pectin, protein powder, cellulose derivatives, phosphates, acetoin, chitosan, inactive derivatives of indole-3-acetic acid, inactive derivatives of gibberellic acid, xylan, choline, choline derivatives, proline, polyproline, proline-rich powder, proline-rich protein, phenylalanine, chorismic acid, arabinoxylan, fat, wax, oil, phytic acid, lignin, humic acid, choline, choline derivatives, or a combination thereof.

[0246] Application method

[0247] In any of the above methods, the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member or formulation can be introduced into a plant growth medium or applied to a plant, plant seed, or an area surrounding a plant or plant seed.

[0248] For example, the method can include coating seeds with a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member or a formulation containing a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member prior to planting.

[0249] Alternatively, the method can include applying the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member or formulation to an aerial part of the plant, e.g., a leaf, stem, fruit, or flower. For example, the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member or formulation can be sprayed, brushed, dipped, or otherwise applied to the leaves or other aerial parts of the plant.

[0250] The method can include introducing the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member into a plant growth medium by applying a liquid or solid formulation containing the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member to the medium (eg, soil, compost, peat moss, or a combination thereof).

[0251] The formulation may be applied to the plant growth medium before, simultaneously with, or after planting the seeds, seedlings, cuttings, bulbs, or plants in the plant growth medium.

[0252] Co-application of agrochemicals

[0253] Any of the above methods may further comprise introducing at least one agrochemical into the plant growth medium or applying at least one agrochemical to the plant or seed.The agrochemical may be any of those listed above for inclusion in the formulation, or any combination thereof.

[0254] plant

[0255] The above method can be practiced with a variety of plants. For example, the plant can be a dicotyledonous plant, a monocotyledonous plant, or a gymnosperm.

[0256] For example, when the plant is a dicot, the dicot can be selected from the group consisting of beans, peas, tomatoes, peppers, pumpkins, alfalfa, almonds, anise seeds, apples, apricots, arracha, artichokes, avocados, Bambara peanuts, beets, bergamot, black pepper, black wattle, blackberries, cranberries, limes, cabbage, Brazil nuts, breadfruit, broccoli, broad beans, Brussels sprouts, buckwheat, cabbage, camelina, Chinese cabbage, cocoa, zucchini, caraway seeds, cardoons, carob, carrots, cashews, cassava, castor beans, cauliflower, celeriac , celery, cherries, chestnuts, chickpeas, endive, chili peppers, chrysanthemums, cinnamon, citrons, clementines, cloves, alfalfa, coffee, cola nuts, rapeseed, corn, cotton, cottonseed, cowpeas, sea kale, cranberries, watercress, cucumbers, raisins, sugar apples, drumstick trees, earth peas, eggplant, endive, fennel, fenugreek, figs, hazelnuts, flax, geraniums, gooseberries, gourds, grapes, grapefruit, guava, henna, hops, broad beans, wasabi, indigo, jasmine, Jerusalem artichokes, jute, kale, kapok, kenaf, kohlrabi, kumquats, lavender, lemons Lemon, lentil, lespedeza, lettuce, lime, licorice, lychee, loquat, lupine, macadamia, nutmeg, orange, beetroot, mango, hawthorn, melon, mint, mulberry, mustard, nectarine, oleifera, nutmeg, okra, olive, orange, papaya, parsnip, pea, peach, peanut, pear, pecan, persimmon, pigeon pea, pistachio, plantain, plum, pomegranate, pomelo, potato, sweet potato, prune, pumpkin, quebracho, quince, cinchona, quinoa, radish, ramie, rapeseed, raspberry, ramie, rhubarb, Rose, rubber, rutabaga, safflower, red bean grass, salsify, ginseng fruit, satsuma orange, scorzonera, sesame, shea butter, soybean, spinach, pumpkin, strawberry, beet, sugarcane, sunflower, turnip, bell pepper, citrus, tea, teff, tobacco, tomato, clover, tung oil, radish, shorn of the genus Brahma, wild pea, walnut, watermelon, yerba mate, mustard, shepherd's purse, watercress, lepidium, watercress, iris, aniseed, bay laurel, laurel, cinnamon, jasmine, dill, tamarind, peppermint, pisar, rosemary, sage, soursop,Cilantro, coral, bitter melon, macadamia nut, Tahitian chestnut, basil, black nut, hibiscus, passion fruit, golden leaf tree, sassafras, cactus, St. John's wort, loosestrife, hawthorn, cilantro, curry grass, kiwi, thyme, green zucchini, basel, yam bean, tannin, spiny monkey orange, pig plum, star fruit, pig amaranth, mountain yam, pepper, yellow plum, tuberous nasturtium, toon, apricot, ball Spinach, ugu, tansy, chickweed, jocote, wax apple, angelica, sonchus, yam, celery, medicinal garlic mustard, campion, agate, black heart tree, thistle, burnet, star gooseberry, potassium salsa, samphire, wood sorrel, silver lace fern, green kale, primrose, caper, purslane, two-ear grass, turpentine, tree lettuce, wild betel nut, West African pepper, North American sage, tarragon, parsley , chervil, terrestrial watercress, anise, honey herb, coltsfoot, perilla, water knotweed, perilla, bitter bean, scalloped okra, kampong, parsley, lemon basil, Thai basil, water mimosa, chervil, cabbage tree, horseradish tree, manuka tree, ostrich fern, rice paddy grass, yellow rice paddy lettuce, round-leaved angelica, pepper grass, maca, gourd, lentil, water spinach, cat's ear daisy, houttuynia cordata, Okinawa spinach, lotus sweet juice, small flower hyssop, eryngium, arugula, cardoon, cucumber, duckweed, chipilin, sea purslane, mampat, ebolo, red melon, cabbage thistle, sea kale, wormwood, huauzontle, Ethiopian mustard, magenta spree, Henry's quinoa, wormwood, lamb's leg quinoa, centella plumed cockscomb), capers, rapeseed, Chinese cabbage, Japanese turnip, Chinese savoy cabbage, kai-lan, mustard greens, wood ear, Swiss chard, marshmallow, climbing acacia, hemp, red pepper, annatto, spearmint, savory, oregano, cumin, chamomile, lemon balm, allspice, bilberry, sugar apple, cloudberry, damson, dragon fruit, durian, elderberry, Yogurt, jackfruit, rambutan, jujube, cape gooseberry, mangosteen, rambutan, red currant, black currant, Sharon white pearl raspberry, Wenzhou mandarin orange, Jamaican ugly orange, red bean, lentil, cowpea, pineapple bean, kidney bean, green bean, kidney bean, lima bean, mung bean, kidney bean, black pinto bean, runner bean, green pea, sugar snap pea, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, nettle, bell pepper, endive, Japanese radish, white radish, celery, tatsoi (tat soi), broccoli sprouts, black radish, burdock root, broad beans, broccoli raab, lentils, lupines, sterculias, velvet beans, winged beans, yam bean, Australian hedgerow, aster grass, umbrella acacia, ironweed (tjuntjula), wakalpulka, witchetty bush, spiky acacia, wild sage, beech nuts, kudzu, watermelon, honeydew fruit, maya nuts, cave nuts, ogbono nuts, monkey nuts, and jackfruit.

[0257] Alternatively, the dicotyledonous plant may be from a family selected from the group consisting of: Acanthaceae (genus Acanthaceae), Aceraceae (maple trees), Campanulaceae, Achatocarpus, Actinidiaceae (kiwi fruit), Acanthaceae (acacia), Lepidoptera, Angiospermaceae (pineapple), Schizonepeta, Acerolaceae, Pseudocycopodiella, Dipterocarpaceae, Amaranthaceae (pig amaranth), Amygdalus, Anacardiaceae (sumac), Uncariaceae, Tetrastylla, Annonaceae (sugar apple), Apiaceae (carrot), Apocynaceae (oleander), Aquifoliaceae (holly), Araliaceae (ginseng), Aristolochiaceae (aristolochia), Asclepiadaceae (milkweed), Asteraceae (aster), Magnoliaceae, Acornaceae, Basiliaceae (basil), Impatiens (Impatiens), Gnaphalaceae, Gymnopetalaceae, Basellaceae (basella), Chenopodium family (potassium salsa), Begoniaceae (begonia), Berberidaceae (barberry), Betulaceae (birch), Bignoniaceae (camp creeper), Redwood family (lipstick tree), Bombax family (kapok), Boraginaceae (borage), Brassicaceae (mustard, also known as Cruciferae), Botrytis cinerea, Schizocarpaceae (West Indian cotinus), Pseudohedonaceae, Pollenaceae, Buddlejaceae (bigleaf buddlejaceae), Oleaceae (frankincense), Boxwood family (boxwood), Glandulariaceae, Brassicaceae (water shield), Cactaceae (cactus), Caesalpiniaceae, Water Chestnut family (water chestnut), Chimonanthus family (winter sweet), Capitulum family (capitulum), Campanulaceae (bellflower), Cinnamomum officinale (white cinnamon) ), Caprifoliaceae (caper), Caprifoliaceae (honeysuckle), Cardiocarpaceae, Caricaceae (papaya), Nectariaceae (nectarine), Caryophyllaceae (carnation), Casuarinaceae (casuarina), Myrmecaceae (umbellifer), Celastraceae (bitter eggplant), Cyperaceae, Ceratophyllaceae (duckweed), Ceratophyllaceae (Ceratophyllaceae), Chenopodiaceae (chenopodia), Chrysomeliaceae (chrysophyllaceae), Chrysomeliaceae (chrysophyllaceae), Chrysomeliaceae (cocoa plum), Astrophyllaceae, Helianthaceae (Cistus), Salicaceae (salix), Guttiferae (mangosteen), Petiolaceae, Aconitifoliaceae, Combretaceae (Terminalia), Asteraceae (aster), Convolvulaceae (morning glory), Moraceae, Cornaceae (cornel), Caragana (caraway), Trees), Crassulaceae (Sedum), Buxusaceae (Spica), Cryptophyllaceae, Cucurbitaceae (Cucumber), Torchwood (Torchwood), Cuscutaceae (Dodder), Pterocallisaceae (Tannenwood), Daphneaceae, Hempseed (Hempseed), Catalpaceae, Pleurodendron, Cistanche, Cistanche, Cistanche, Acanthaceae, Diplocarpaceae, Pentacarpaceae (Pentacarpaceae), Diplocarpaceae, Decapoda, Dipsaciaceae (Teaspoon), Dipterocarpaceae (Melanthys), Gyrocarpaceae, Droseraceae (Drosera), Drupeaceae, Ebony, Elaeagnaceae (Wild Olive), Elaeagnaceae (Eleutherodactyl), Stellariaceae (Stellaria), Crowberry, Heather family (Topflower), Viscum family (Catkins - Mistletoe),Ericaceae (heather), Coca (coca), Eucommia (eucommia), Euphorbiaceae, Euphorbiaceae (euphorbia), Capflower (euphorbia), Creepingaceae, Leguminosae (peas or legumes), Fagaceae (beech), Fruticaceae (thornwood), Echinopsaceae (Mexican thornwood), Petalophyllum (petalophyllum), Violaceae (blue violets), Corydalis (cole), Tetrapodaceae, Gentianaceae (gentian), Geraniaceae (geranium), Gesneriaceae (Gesneriaceae), Globaceae, Adenium, Pittosporaceae (stylophora), Coleaceae, Ribes (currant), Pseudohedral, Gunuaceae (root grass), Cyclosporaceae, Myriophyllum (myriophyllum), Hamamelidaceae (witch hazel), Nelumbo (nelumbo), Platycodonaceae, Aesculus (horse chestnut), Wing Vine family (Hydrangea), Celastraceae (Cypress), Monostylaceae, Alliaceae, Linaceae, Balsamiaceae, Mycopodiaceae, Hydrangeaceae (Hydrangea), Celastraceae (Cyclodendron), Aquataceae, Cornaceae (Tea), Lauraceae, Illicium (Anise), Glutinaceae, Juglandaceae (Walnut), Tristylaceae, Cynomoraceae (Cynomoraceae), Aquilegiaceae, Lamiaceae (Mint), Akebiaceae (Akebia), Lauraceae (Laurel), Barringtaceae (Brazil nut), Pyrophoraceae, Corkwood family (Corkwood), Lennoa family (Lennoa), Utriculariaceae (Utricularia), Meadowfowl family (White meadowfoam), Linaceae (Flax), Acanthaceae, Echinopsaceae (Echinops), Loganaceae (Strychnos), Loranthaceae (Showy mistletoe) , Lythraceae (lythrum), Magnoliaceae (magnolia), Cyperaceae, Malvaceae (Acerola), Malvaceae (mallow), Machilaceae (Imbricaceae), Cyperaceae, Cyperaceae, Melastomataceae (Melastoma), Meliaceae (mahogany), Nectariaceae, Cyperaceae, Menispermaceae (moon seed vine), Menymaceae (menymphaea), Mimosaceae, Featherfruitaceae, Cyperaceae, Cyperaceae (whorled corn grass), Cyperaceae (cup flower), Crystal Orchidaceae (cup flower), Moraceae (mulberry), Cyperaceae (wasabi), Cyperaceae (Cyperaceae), Myricaceae (myrica), Myristicaceae (nutmeg), Myrsinaceae, Myrsinaceae (Iron genus), Myrtaceae (myrtle), Nelumbo (lotus lily), Nepenthes (East Indian pitcher plant) , Sandberry family, False Solanaceae, Southern Cyclobalanopsis family, Mirabilis family (four o'clock), Nymphaeaceae (water lily), Purple tree family (sour rubber wood), Nasturtium family (Nasturtium genus), Iron tree family (Iron tree genus), Oleaceae (Oenothera), Square branch tree family, Onagraceae (evening primrose), Pentaphyllum family, Citron family, Orobanchaceae (Orobancha), Oxalidaceae (Oxalidaceae), Paeoniaceae (peony), Small disk wood family, Fabaceae, Eight-staminate tree family, Passifloraceae (passionflower), Sesame family (sesame), False mangrove family, Tubecae family, Pentamethylene family, Pentaphyllum family, Peripteraceae, Non-Tonia family, Phytolacca family (Phytolacca), Piperaceae (pepper), Pittosporum family (Pittosporum genus), Plantaginaceae (plantain), Platanaceae (sycamore), Blue snow family (Plum genus), River Carex family (river weeds),Allium family (oleander), Polygala family (Polygaea), Dicotyledonous Polygonaceae (buckwheat), Portulacaceae (Purslane), Primulaceae (Primrose), Proteaceae (Proteaceae), Punica granatum (Pomegranate), Pyracantha family (Pendula), Pinaceae, Rhaponticaceae (Rhaponticaceae), Ranunculaceae (Rhaponticaceae), Oleaceae (Rhomboids), Verticillata family, Coleaceae, Rhamnaceae (Rhamnaceae), Rhizophora family (American mangrove), Malocaceae, Calycanthaceae, Rosaceae (rose), Rubia cordifolia Rutaceae (Rudbeckia), Rutaceae (Rutaceae), Thunbergiaceae (Thunbergia), Cyperaceae, Salicaceae (Willow), Eryngium, Santalaceae (Sandalwood), Sapindaceae (Sapindaceae), Sapotaceae (Ginseng Fruit), Convolvulaceae, Sarraceniaceae, Sarraceniaceae (Pitcher Plant), Sauropodophyllum family (Houttuynia), Saxifragaceae (Saxifrage), Schisandraceae (Schisandra), Scrophulariaceae (Scrophularia), Cupidaceae, Xylocarpa family, Simmondsiaceae (Quersaceae), Oleaceae (Jojoba), Solanum family (potato), Sonnerataceae (Sonnerataceae), Globaceae, Cuneateraceae (Cuneateraceae), Xylochaetaceae (Xylochaetaceae), Asteraceae, Province Oilseed Family (Bladder Fruit), Sterculiaceae (Cocoa Tree), Stylochaetaceae, Benzoin (Benzac Genus), Merantiaceae (Mercanthaceae), Asteraceae (Sweet Leaf), Salix Family (Willow), Glechoma Family, Tetraspermaceae, Theaceae (Tea), Ficus Microcarpa Family, Theophrasta Family, Thymelaeaceae (Daphne), The following are the following: Taicaraceae, Tiliaceae (Bodhi tree), Polycarpaceae, Trapezaceae (Water chestnut), Porinaceae, Tripterygium, Adenophoraceae, Kunlanaceae, Nasturtiumaceae (Nasturtium), Teneraceae (Ternaceae), Ulmaceae (Elm), Urticaceae (Nettle), Patriniaceae (Valeriana), Verbenaceae (Verbena), Violaceae (Violaceae), Viscumaceae (Mistletoe), Vitaceae (Grapes), Volvariaceae, Illicaceae (Australian evergreen shrubs), Flavourleaf family, and Terrestris family (Pyrophyll shrubs).

[0258] When the plant is a monocot, the monocot may be selected from the group consisting of corn, wheat, oats, rice, barley, millet, banana, onion, garlic, asparagus, ryegrass, foxtail millet, fonio, raishan, nipagrass, turmeric, saffron, galangal, chives, cardamom, date palm, pineapple, onion, leek, shallot, water chestnut, ramp, Job's tears, bamboo, duckweed, spotless wolfberry, celery, celery root ... watermeal), tanarius palm, Tahitian spinach, abaca hemp, betel nut, pearl millet, betel nut, millet, broom sorghum, lemongrass, coconut, taro, corn, taro, sorghum, durum wheat, edo, fique fiber, formio, ginger, orchard grass, reed grass, sudangrass, sorghum, abaca hemp, gray-leaved sisal, hybrid corn, sorghum, lemongrass, agave, pearl millet, finger millet, foxtail millet, Japanese millet, broomcorn millet, New Zealand hemp, oats, oil palm, palmyra palm, sago palm, chaff, sisal, sorghum, spelt wheat, sweet corn, sorghum, taro, teff, timothy, triticale, vanilla, wheat, and yam.

[0259] Alternatively, the monocot can be from a family selected from the group consisting of Acorus aceae (calamus), Agavaceae (agave), Alismataceae (aloe), Aloe family (aloe), Ipomoea (field grass), Araceae (Araceae), Arecaceae (palms), Bromeliadaceae (bromeliads), Hosta family (hosta), Ichthyaceae (Ichthyaceae), Canna family (canna), Cyperaceae, Commelinaceae (commelina), Asteraceae, Close Zingiberaceae (Zingiberaceae), Cyperaceae, Cyperaceae (Panama hat), Cyperaceae (Manatee grass), Cyperaceae (Sedge), Dioscoreaceae (Dioscorea), Cyperaceae (Cyperus), Cyperaceae, Cyperaceae, Cyperus (Yarrow), Cyperaceae (Cyperus), Heliconiaceae (Heliconia), Cyperaceae, Hydrocharitaceae (Valentine), Iridaceae (Iris), Phragmites (Pseudo-reed), Juncaceae (Juncus), Water wheat Aquilegiaceae (water plants), Lemnaceae (duckweed), Liliaceae (lilies), Pseudocypsum (water nymph), Orchidaceae, Marantaceae (Brazilian striped arrowroot), Carex (caret), Musaceae (bananas), Alpiniaceae (water lilies), Orchidaceae (orchids), Pandanaceae (pandanus), Nelumbo nucifera, Phyllydraceae, Poaceae (grasses), Pleurotus (water hyacinth), Seagrass (sea clams), Potamogeton The family includes: Potamogetonaceae (genus Potamogeton), Styracaceae, Echinopsaceae, Rudbeckiaceae (Rudbeckia), Chicoryceae (Chicory), Smilaxaceae (genus Diamond), Trigonaceae (Black Trigon), Stemonaceae (genus Stemon), Strelitziaceae, Dioscoreaceae (genus Dioscore), Silicaceae, Mycorrhizae, Typhaceae (cattail), Pyrilaceae, Acanthoceae, Xanthophyceae (yellow-eyed grass), Ceratophyceae (swamp horn algae), Zingiberaceae (ginger), and Zosteraceae (elk).

[0260] When the plant is a gymnosperm, the gymnosperm may be from a family selected from the group consisting of Araucariaceae, Boyunaceae, Torreyaceae, Cupressaceae, Cycadaceae, Ephedraceae, Ginkgoaceae, Gnetaceae, Pinaceae, Podocarpaceae, Taxaceae, Taxaceae, Welwitschiaceae and Zeamiaceae.

[0261] The present invention provides the following embodiments.

[0262] 1. A fusion protein comprising at least one plant growth stimulating protein or peptide, at least one protein or peptide that increases stress resistance in plants, or at least one plant binding protein or peptide, and:

[0263] (a) a targeting sequence comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least about 43% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 54%;

[0264] (b) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1;

[0265] (c) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1;

[0266] (d) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1;

[0267] (e) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2;

[0268] (f) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-27 of SEQ ID NO: 3;

[0269] (g) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 12-27 of SEQ ID NO: 3;

[0270] (h) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 3;

[0271] (i) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:4;

[0272] (j) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-38 of SEQ ID NO: 5;

[0273] (k) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 23-38 of SEQ ID NO: 5;

[0274] (1) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5;

[0275] (m) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:6;

[0276] (n) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-28 of SEQ ID NO: 7;

[0277] (o) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 13-28 of SEQ ID NO: 7;

[0278] (p) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 7;

[0279] (q) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 8;

[0280] (r) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO: 9;

[0281] (s) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO:9;

[0282] (t) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 9;

[0283] (u) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 10;

[0284] (v) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 11;

[0285] (w) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 11;

[0286] (x) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 11;

[0287] (y) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 12;

[0288] (z) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 13;

[0289] (aa) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 13;

[0290] (ab) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13;

[0291] (ac) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 14;

[0292] (ad) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-43 of SEQ ID NO: 15;

[0293] (ae) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 28-43 of SEQ ID NO: 15;

[0294] (af) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15;

[0295] (ag) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 16;

[0296] (ah) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-27 of SEQ ID NO: 17;

[0297] (ai) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 12-27 of SEQ ID NO: 17;

[0298] (aj) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17;

[0299] (ak) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 18;

[0300] (a1) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 19;

[0301] (am) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 19;

[0302] (an) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 19;

[0303] (ao) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 20;

[0304] (ap) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 21;

[0305] (aq) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 21;

[0306] (ar) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 21;

[0307] (as) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 22;

[0308] (at) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO: 23;

[0309] (au) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO: 23;

[0310] (av) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23;

[0311] (aw) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 24;

[0312] (ax) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO: 25;

[0313] (ay) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO: 25;

[0314] (az) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 25;

[0315] (ba) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 26;

[0316] (bb) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-30 of SEQ ID NO: 27;

[0317] (bc) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 15-30 of SEQ ID NO: 27;

[0318] (bd) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27;

[0319] (be) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 28;

[0320] (bf) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 29;

[0321] (bg) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 29;

[0322] (bh) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 29;

[0323] (bi) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 30;

[0324] (bj) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO: 31;

[0325] (bk) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO: 31;

[0326] (bl) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31;

[0327] (bm) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 32;

[0328] (bn) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-15 of SEQ ID NO: 33;

[0329] (bo) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 33;

[0330] (bp) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 34;

[0331] (bq) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-16 of SEQ ID NO: 35;

[0332] (br) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35;

[0333] (bs) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 36;

[0334] (bt) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-29 of SEQ ID NO: 43;

[0335] (bu) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 14-29 of SEQ ID NO:43;

[0336] (bv) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43;

[0337] (bw) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 44;

[0338] (bx) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-35 of SEQ ID NO:45;

[0339] (by) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO:45;

[0340] (bz) comprises a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45;

[0341] (ca) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:46;

[0342] (cb) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-43 of SEQ ID NO: 47;

[0343] (cc) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 28-43 of SEQ ID NO:47;

[0344] (cd) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 47;

[0345] (ce) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 48;

[0346] (cf) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-32 of SEQ ID NO: 49;

[0347] (cg) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 17-32 of SEQ ID NO:49;

[0348] (ch) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 49;

[0349] (ci) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:50;

[0350] (cj) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 51;

[0351] (ck) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 51;

[0352] (cl) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51;

[0353] (cm) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 52;

[0354] (cn) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 53;

[0355] (co) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 53;

[0356] (cp) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53;

[0357] (cq) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 54;

[0358] (cr) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-30 of SEQ ID NO: 55;

[0359] (cs) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 15-30 of SEQ ID NO: 55;

[0360] (ct) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 55;

[0361] (cu) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:56;

[0362] (cv) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-130 of SEQ ID NO: 57;

[0363] (cw) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 115-130 of SEQ ID NO:57;

[0364] (cx) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 57;

[0365] (cy) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:58;

[0366] (cz) an exosporium protein fragment comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:59;

[0367] (da) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 60;

[0368] (db) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 61;

[0369] (dc) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 62;

[0370] (dd) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 63;

[0371] (de) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 64;

[0372] (df) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 65;

[0373] (dg) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66;

[0374] (dh) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 67;

[0375] (di) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 68;

[0376] (dj) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 69;

[0377] (dk) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 70;

[0378] (d1) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 71;

[0379] (dm) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 72;

[0380] (dn) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 73;

[0381] (do) ​​an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:74;

[0382] (dp) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 75;

[0383] (dq) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 76;

[0384] (dr) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 77;

[0385] (ds) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 78;

[0386] (dt) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 79;

[0387] (du) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:80;

[0388] (dv) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 81;

[0389] (dw) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 82;

[0390] (dx) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 83;

[0391] (dy) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 84;

[0392] (dz) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 22-31 of SEQ ID NO: 1;

[0393] (ea) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 22-33 of SEQ ID NO: 1;

[0394] (eb) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 20-31 of SEQ ID NO: 1;

[0395] (ec) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 14-23 of SEQ ID NO: 3;

[0396] (ed) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 14-25 of SEQ ID NO: 3; or

[0397] (ef) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 12-23 of SEQ ID NO: 3;

[0398] The plant growth stimulating proteins or peptides include peptide hormones, non-hormone peptides, or enzymes involved in the production or activation of plant growth stimulating compounds.

[0399] 2. A fusion protein comprising at least one protein or peptide that protects plants from pathogens and:

[0400] (a) a targeting sequence consisting of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and having at least about 43% identity with amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity with amino acids 25-35 is at least about 54%;

[0401] (b) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 1-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1;

[0402] (c) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1;

[0403] (d) a targeting sequence consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1;

[0404] (e) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 60;

[0405] (f) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-27 of SEQ ID NO: 3;

[0406] (g) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 12-27 of SEQ ID NO: 3;

[0407] (h) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 3;

[0408] (i) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:4;

[0409] (j) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-38 of SEQ ID NO: 5;

[0410] (k) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 23-38 of SEQ ID NO: 5;

[0411] (1) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5;

[0412] (m) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:6;

[0413] (n) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-28 of SEQ ID NO: 7;

[0414] (o) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 13-28 of SEQ ID NO: 7;

[0415] (p) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 7;

[0416] (q) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 8;

[0417] (r) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO: 9;

[0418] (s) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO:9;

[0419] (t) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 9;

[0420] (u) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 10;

[0421] (v) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 11;

[0422] (w) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 11;

[0423] (x) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 11;

[0424] (y) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 12;

[0425] (z) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 13;

[0426] (aa) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 13;

[0427] (ab) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13;

[0428] (ac) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 14;

[0429] (ad) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-43 of SEQ ID NO: 15;

[0430] (ae) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 28-43 of SEQ ID NO: 15;

[0431] (af) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15;

[0432] (ag) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 16;

[0433] (ah) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-27 of SEQ ID NO: 17;

[0434] (ai) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 12-27 of SEQ ID NO: 17;

[0435] (aj) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17;

[0436] (ak) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 18;

[0437] (a1) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 19;

[0438] (am) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 19;

[0439] (an) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 19;

[0440] (ao) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 20;

[0441] (ap) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 21;

[0442] (aq) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 21;

[0443] (ar) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 21;

[0444] (as) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 22;

[0445] (at) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO: 23;

[0446] (au) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO: 23;

[0447] (av) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23;

[0448] (aw) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 24;

[0449] (ax) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO: 25;

[0450] (ay) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO: 25;

[0451] (az) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 25;

[0452] (ba) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 26;

[0453] (bb) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-30 of SEQ ID NO: 27;

[0454] (bc) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 15-30 of SEQ ID NO: 27;

[0455] (bd) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27;

[0456] (be) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 28;

[0457] (bf) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 29;

[0458] (bg) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 29;

[0459] (bh) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 29;

[0460] (bi) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 30;

[0461] (bj) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO: 31;

[0462] (bk) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO: 31;

[0463] (bl) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31;

[0464] (bm) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 32;

[0465] (bn) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-15 of SEQ ID NO: 33;

[0466] (bo) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 33;

[0467] (bp) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 34;

[0468] (bq) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-16 of SEQ ID NO: 35;

[0469] (br) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35;

[0470] (bs) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 36;

[0471] (bt) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-29 of SEQ ID NO: 43;

[0472] (bu) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 14-29 of SEQ ID NO:43;

[0473] (bv) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43;

[0474] (bw) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 44;

[0475] (bx) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-35 of SEQ ID NO:45;

[0476] (by) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO:45;

[0477] (bz) comprises a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45;

[0478] (ca) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:46;

[0479] (cb) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-43 of SEQ ID NO: 47;

[0480] (cc) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 28-43 of SEQ ID NO:47;

[0481] (cd) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 47;

[0482] (ce) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 48;

[0483] (cf) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-32 of SEQ ID NO: 49;

[0484] (cg) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 17-32 of SEQ ID NO:49;

[0485] (ch) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 49;

[0486] (ci) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:50;

[0487] (cj) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 51;

[0488] (ck) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 51;

[0489] (cl) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51;

[0490] (cm) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 52;

[0491] (cn) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 53;

[0492] (co) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 53;

[0493] (cp) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53;

[0494] (cq) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 54;

[0495] (cr) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-30 of SEQ ID NO: 55;

[0496] (cs) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 15-30 of SEQ ID NO: 55;

[0497] (ct) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 55;

[0498] (cu) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:56;

[0499] (cv) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-130 of SEQ ID NO: 57;

[0500] (cw) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 115-130 of SEQ ID NO:57;

[0501] (cx) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 57;

[0502] (cy) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:58;

[0503] (cz) an exosporium protein fragment consisting of an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:59;

[0504] (da) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 61;

[0505] (db) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 62;

[0506] (dc) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63;

[0507] (dd) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 64;

[0508] (de) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 65;

[0509] (df) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66;

[0510] (dg) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 67;

[0511] (dh) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 68;

[0512] (di) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 69;

[0513] (dj) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 70;

[0514] (dk) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 71;

[0515] (d1) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:72;

[0516] (dm) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 73;

[0517] (dn) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 74;

[0518] (do) ​​an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 75;

[0519] (dp) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 76;

[0520] (dq) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 77;

[0521] (dr) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 78;

[0522] (ds) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 79;

[0523] (dt) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:80;

[0524] (du) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 81;

[0525] (dv) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 82;

[0526] (dw) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 83;

[0527] (dx) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 84;

[0528] (dy) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 22-31 of SEQ ID NO: 1;

[0529] (dz) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 22-33 of SEQ ID NO: 1;

[0530] (ea) a targeting sequence consisting of amino acids 20-31 of SEQ ID NO: 1;

[0531] (eb) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 14-23 of SEQ ID NO: 3;

[0532] (ec) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 14-25 of SEQ ID NO: 3; or

[0533] (ed) A targeting sequence comprising amino acids 12-23 of SEQ ID NO:3.

[0534] 3. A fusion protein comprising at least one protein or peptide that protects plants from pathogens and:

[0535] (a) a targeting sequence comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least about 43% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 54%;

[0536] (b) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1;

[0537] (c) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1;

[0538] (d) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1;

[0539] (e) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2;

[0540] (f) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-27 of SEQ ID NO: 3;

[0541] (g) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 12-27 of SEQ ID NO: 3;

[0542] (h) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 3;

[0543] (i) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:4;

[0544] (j) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-38 of SEQ ID NO: 5;

[0545] (k) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 23-38 of SEQ ID NO: 5;

[0546] (1) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5;

[0547] (m) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:6;

[0548] (n) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-28 of SEQ ID NO: 7;

[0549] (o) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 13-28 of SEQ ID NO: 7;

[0550] (p) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 7;

[0551] (q) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 8;

[0552] (r) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO: 9;

[0553] (s) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO:9;

[0554] (t) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 9;

[0555] (u) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 10;

[0556] (v) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 11;

[0557] (w) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 11;

[0558] (x) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 11;

[0559] (y) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 12;

[0560] (z) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 13;

[0561] (aa) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 13;

[0562] (ab) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13;

[0563] (ac) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 14;

[0564] (ad) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-43 of SEQ ID NO: 15;

[0565] (ae) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 28-43 of SEQ ID NO: 15;

[0566] (af) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15;

[0567] (ag) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 16;

[0568] (ah) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-27 of SEQ ID NO: 17;

[0569] (ai) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 12-27 of SEQ ID NO: 17;

[0570] (aj) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17;

[0571] (ak) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 18;

[0572] (a1) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 19;

[0573] (am) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 19;

[0574] (an) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 19;

[0575] (ao) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 20;

[0576] (ap) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 21;

[0577] (aq) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 21;

[0578] (ar) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 21;

[0579] (as) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 22;

[0580] (at) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO: 23;

[0581] (au) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO: 23;

[0582] (av) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23;

[0583] (aw) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 24;

[0584] (ax) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO: 25;

[0585] (ay) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO: 25;

[0586] (az) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 25;

[0587] (ba) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 26;

[0588] (bb) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-30 of SEQ ID NO: 27;

[0589] (bc) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 15-30 of SEQ ID NO: 27;

[0590] (bd) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27;

[0591] (be) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 28;

[0592] (bf) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 29;

[0593] (bg) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 29;

[0594] (bh) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 29;

[0595] (bi) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 30;

[0596] (bj) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO: 31;

[0597] (bk) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO: 31;

[0598] (bl) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31;

[0599] (bm) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 32;

[0600] (bn) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-15 of SEQ ID NO: 33;

[0601] (bo) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 33;

[0602] (bp) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 34;

[0603] (bq) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-16 of SEQ ID NO: 35;

[0604] (br) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35;

[0605] (bs) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 36;

[0606] (bt) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-29 of SEQ ID NO: 43;

[0607] (bu) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 14-29 of SEQ ID NO:43;

[0608] (bv) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43;

[0609] (bw) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 44;

[0610] (bx) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-35 of SEQ ID NO:45;

[0611] (by) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO:45;

[0612] (bz) comprises a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45;

[0613] (ca) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:46;

[0614] (cb) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-43 of SEQ ID NO: 47;

[0615] (cc) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 28-43 of SEQ ID NO:47;

[0616] (cd) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 47;

[0617] (ce) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 48;

[0618] (cf) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-32 of SEQ ID NO: 49;

[0619] (cg) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 17-32 of SEQ ID NO:49;

[0620] (ch) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 49;

[0621] (ci) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:50;

[0622] (cj) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 51;

[0623] (ck) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 51;

[0624] (cl) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51;

[0625] (cm) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 52;

[0626] (cn) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 53;

[0627] (co) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 53;

[0628] (cp) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53;

[0629] (cq) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 54;

[0630] (cr) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-30 of SEQ ID NO: 55;

[0631] (cs) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 15-30 of SEQ ID NO: 55;

[0632] (ct) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 55;

[0633] (cu) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:56;

[0634] (cv) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-130 of SEQ ID NO: 57;

[0635] (cw) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 115-130 of SEQ ID NO:57;

[0636] (cx) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 57;

[0637] (cy) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:58;

[0638] (cz) an exosporium protein fragment comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:59;

[0639] (da) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 60;

[0640] (db) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 61;

[0641] (dc) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 62;

[0642] (dd) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 63;

[0643] (de) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 64;

[0644] (df) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 65;

[0645] (dg) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66;

[0646] (dh) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 67;

[0647] (di) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 68;

[0648] (dj) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 69;

[0649] (dk) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 70;

[0650] (d1) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 71;

[0651] (dm) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:72;

[0652] (dn) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 73;

[0653] (do) ​​an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:74;

[0654] (dp) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 75;

[0655] (dq) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 76;

[0656] (dr) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 77;

[0657] (ds) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 78;

[0658] (dt) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 79;

[0659] (du) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:80;

[0660] (dv) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 81;

[0661] (dw) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 82;

[0662] (dx) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 83;

[0663] (dy) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 84;

[0664] (dz) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 22-31 of SEQ ID NO: 1;

[0665] (ea) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 22-33 of SEQ ID NO: 1;

[0666] (eb) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 20-31 of SEQ ID NO: 1;

[0667] (ec) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 14-23 of SEQ ID NO: 3;

[0668] (ed) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 14-25 of SEQ ID NO: 3; or

[0669] (ef) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 12-23 of SEQ ID NO: 3;

[0670] The protein or peptide that protects plants from pathogens comprises allergenic protein, α-elastin, β-elastin, systemin, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, elicitin, defensin, cryptoprotein, flagellin, flagellin peptide, bacteriocin, lysozyme, lysozyme peptide, siderophore, non-ribosomal active peptide, conalbumin, albumin, lactoferrin, lactoferrin peptide, or TasA; wherein the protein or peptide that protects plants from pathogens has insecticidal activity, anthelmintic activity, inhibits insect or worm predation, or a combination thereof; or wherein the protein that protects plants from pathogens comprises an enzyme.

[0671] 4. The fusion protein of embodiment 1 or 3, wherein the targeting sequence comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least about 50% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 63%.

[0672] 5. The fusion protein of embodiment 1 or 3, wherein the targeting sequence comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least about 50% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 72%.

[0673] 6. The fusion protein of embodiment 1 or 3, wherein the targeting sequence comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least about 56% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 63%.

[0674] 7. The fusion protein of embodiment 1 or 3, wherein the targeting sequence comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least about 62% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 72%.

[0675] 8. The fusion protein of embodiment 1 or 3, wherein the targeting sequence comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least about 68% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 81%.

[0676] 9. The fusion protein of embodiment 1 or 3, wherein the targeting sequence comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least about 75% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 72%.

[0677] 10. The fusion protein of embodiment 1 or 3, wherein the targeting sequence comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least about 75% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 81%.

[0678] 11. The fusion protein of embodiment 1 or 3, wherein the targeting sequence comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least about 81% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 81%.

[0679] 12. The fusion protein of embodiment 1 or 3, wherein the targeting sequence comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least about 81% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 90%.

[0680] 13. The fusion protein of any one of embodiments 1-3, wherein the targeting sequence consists of:

[0681] (a) an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and having at least about 43% identity with amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity with amino acids 25-35 is at least about 54%;

[0682] (b) amino acids 1-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1;

[0683] (c) amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1;

[0684] (d) SEQ ID NO: 1; or

[0685] (e) SEQ ID NO:60.

[0686] 14. The fusion protein of any one of embodiments 1-3, wherein the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and having at least about 50% identity with amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity with amino acids 25-35 is at least about 63%.

[0687] 15. The fusion protein of any one of embodiments 1-3, wherein the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and having at least about 50% identity with amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity with amino acids 25-35 is at least about 72%.

[0688] 16. The fusion protein of any one of embodiments 1-3, wherein the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and having at least about 56% identity with amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity with amino acids 25-35 is at least about 63%.

[0689] 17. The fusion protein of any one of embodiments 1-3, wherein the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and having at least about 62% identity with amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity with amino acids 25-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1 is at least about 72%.

[0690] 18. The fusion protein of any one of embodiments 1-3, wherein the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and having at least about 68% identity with amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity with amino acids 25-35 is at least about 81%.

[0691] 19. The fusion protein of any one of embodiments 1-3, wherein the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and having at least about 75% identity with amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity with amino acids 25-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1 is at least about 72%.

[0692] 20. The fusion protein of any one of embodiments 1-3, wherein the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and having at least about 75% identity with amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity with amino acids 25-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1 is at least about 81%.

[0693] 21. The fusion protein of any one of embodiments 1-3, wherein the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and having at least about 81% identity with amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity with amino acids 25-35 is at least about 81%.

[0694] 22. The fusion protein of any one of embodiments 1-3, wherein the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and having at least about 81% identity with amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity with amino acids 25-35 is at least about 90%.

[0695] 23. The fusion protein of embodiment 1 or 3, comprising an exosporium protein or an exosporium protein fragment comprising an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 59, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, or 84.

[0696] 24. The fusion protein of embodiment 1 or 3, comprising an exosporium protein or an exosporium protein fragment comprising an amino acid sequence at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 59, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, or 84.

[0697] 25. The fusion protein of embodiment 1 or 3, comprising an exosporium protein or an exosporium protein fragment comprising an amino acid sequence at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 59, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, or 84.

[0698] 26. The fusion protein of embodiment 1 or 3, comprising an exosporium protein or an exosporium protein fragment comprising an amino acid sequence at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 59, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, or 84.

[0699] 27. The fusion protein of embodiment 1 or 3, comprising an exosporium protein or an exosporium protein fragment comprising an amino acid sequence 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 59, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, or 84.

[0700] 28. The fusion protein of embodiment 2, comprising an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, or 84; or an exosporium protein fragment consisting of an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 59.

[0701] 29. The fusion protein of embodiment 2, comprising an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, or 84; or an exosporium protein fragment consisting of an amino acid sequence at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 59.

[0702] 30. The fusion protein of embodiment 2, comprising an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, or 84; or an exosporium protein fragment consisting of an amino acid sequence at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 59.

[0703] 31. The fusion protein of embodiment 2, comprising an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, or 84; or an exosporium protein fragment consisting of an amino acid sequence at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 59.

[0704] 32. The fusion protein of embodiment 2, comprising an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, or 84; or an exosporium protein fragment consisting of an amino acid sequence at least 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 59.

[0705] 33. A fusion protein comprising at least one protein or peptide of interest and:

[0706] (a) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 71;

[0707] (b) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 75;

[0708] (c) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:80;

[0709] (d) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 81;

[0710] (e) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 82;

[0711] (f) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:83; or

[0712] (g) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 84.

[0713] 34. The fusion protein of embodiment 33, comprising an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 71, 75, 80, 81, 82, 83, or 84.

[0714] 35. The fusion protein of embodiment 33, comprising an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 71, 75, 80, 81, 82, 83, or 84.

[0715] 36. The fusion protein of embodiment 33, comprising an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 71, 75, 80, 81, 82, 83, or 84.

[0716] 37. The fusion protein of embodiment 33, comprising an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 71, 75, 80, 81, 82, 83, or 84.

[0717] 38. The fusion protein of embodiment 33, comprising an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence with 100% identity to SEQ ID NO: 71, 75, 80, 81, 82, 83, or 84.

[0718] 39. The fusion protein of any one of embodiments 33-38, wherein the target protein or peptide comprises a plant growth stimulating protein or peptide, a protein or peptide that protects plants from pathogens, a protein or peptide that increases stress resistance in plants, or a plant binding protein or peptide.

[0719] 40. The fusion protein of embodiment 39, wherein the plant growth stimulating protein or peptide comprises a peptide hormone, a non-hormone peptide, or an enzyme involved in the production or activation of a plant growth stimulating compound, or an enzyme that degrades or alters a bacterial, fungal, or plant nutrient source.

[0720] 41. The fusion protein of any one of embodiments 1-12 and 33-40, wherein the targeting sequence, exosporium protein, or exosporium protein fragment comprises the amino acid sequence GXT at its carboxyl terminus, wherein X is any amino acid.

[0721] 42. The fusion protein of any one of embodiments 1-12 and 33-41, wherein the targeting sequence, exosporium protein, or exosporium protein fragment comprises an alanine residue at a position of the targeting sequence corresponding to amino acid 20 of SEQ ID NO: 1.

[0722] 43. The fusion protein of any one of embodiments 1-12 and 33-42, wherein the fusion protein further comprises an amino acid linker between the targeting sequence, the exosporium protein or the exosporium protein fragment and the plant growth stimulating protein or peptide, the protein or peptide that protects a plant from a pathogen, the protein or peptide that increases stress resistance in a plant, or the plant binding protein or peptide.

[0723] 44. The fusion protein of embodiment 43, wherein the linker comprises a polyalanine linker, a polyglycine linker, or a linker comprising a mixture of both alanine and glycine residues.

[0724] 45. The fusion protein of embodiment 43 or 44, wherein the linker comprises a protease recognition site.

[0725] 46. ​​The fusion protein of embodiment 1, wherein the fusion protein comprises a plant growth stimulating protein or peptide, wherein the plant growth stimulating protein or peptide comprises a peptide hormone, a non-hormone peptide, or an enzyme involved in the production or activation of a plant growth stimulating compound.

[0726] 47. The fusion protein of any one of embodiments 1, 4-7, and 39-46, wherein the plant growth stimulating protein or peptide comprises a peptide hormone.

[0727] 48. The fusion protein of embodiment 47, wherein the peptide hormone comprises phytosulfapeptidase, clavata 3 (CLV3), systemin, ZmlGF, or SCR / SP11.

[0728] 49. The fusion protein of embodiment 48, wherein the phytosulfapeptidase comprises phytosulfapeptidase-α.

[0729] 50. The fusion protein of any one of embodiments 1, 4-27, and 39-46, wherein the plant growth stimulating protein or peptide comprises a non-hormonal peptide.

[0730] 51. The fusion protein of embodiment 50, wherein the non-hormonal peptide comprises RKN 16D10, Hg-Syv46, eNOD40 peptide, melittin, mast degranulation peptide, Mas7, RHPP, POLARIS, or kunitz trypsin inhibitor (KTI).

[0731] 52. The fusion protein of any one of embodiments 1, 4-27, and 39-46, wherein the plant growth stimulating protein or peptide comprises an enzyme involved in the production or activation of a plant growth stimulating compound.

[0732] 53. The fusion protein of embodiment 52, wherein the plant growth stimulating compound comprises a compound produced by bacteria or fungi in the rhizosphere.

[0733] 54. The fusion protein of embodiment 53, wherein the compound produced by bacteria or fungi in the rhizosphere comprises 2,3-butanediol.

[0734] 55. The fusion protein of embodiment 52, wherein the plant growth stimulating compound comprises a plant growth hormone.

[0735] 56. The fusion protein of embodiment 55, wherein the plant growth hormone comprises cytokinin or a cytokinin derivative, ethylene, auxin or an auxin derivative, gibberellic acid or a gibberellic acid derivative, abscisic acid or an abscisic acid derivative, jasmonic acid or a jasmonic acid derivative.

[0736] 57. The fusion protein of embodiment 56, wherein the plant growth hormone comprises a cytokinin or a cytokinin derivative, and the cytokinin or the cytokinin derivative comprises kinetin, cis-zeatin, trans-zeatin, 6-benzylaminopurine, dihydroxyzeatin, N6-(D2-isopentenyl)adenine, zeatin riboside, N6-(D2-isopentenyl)adenosine, 2-methylthio-cis-zeatin riboside, cis-zeatin riboside, trans-zeatin riboside, 2-methylthio-trans-zeatin riboside, zeatin riboside-5 -monophosphate, N6-methylaminopurine, N6-dimethylaminopurine, 2'-deoxyzeatin ribonucleoside, 4-hydroxy-3-methyl-trans-2-butenylaminopurine, o-topolin, m-topolin, benzyl adenine, o-methyl topolin, m-methyl topolin, or a combination thereof; or wherein the plant growth hormone comprises an auxin or an auxin derivative, and the auxin or the auxin derivative comprises an active auxin, an inactive auxin, a conjugated auxin, a naturally occurring auxin, a synthetic auxin, or a combination thereof.

[0737] 58. The fusion protein of embodiment 56 or 57, wherein the plant growth hormone comprises an auxin or an auxin derivative, and the auxin or the auxin derivative comprises indole-3-acetic acid, indole-3-pyruvic acid, indole-3-acetaldehyde oxime, indole-3-acetamide, indole-3-acetonitrile, indole-3-ethanol, indole-3-pyruvic acid, indole-3-acetaldehyde oxime, indole-3-butyric acid, phenylacetic acid, 4-chloroindole-3-acetic acid, glucose-conjugated auxin, or a combination thereof.

[0738] 59. A fusion protein as described in any of embodiments 52-58, wherein the plant growth stimulating protein or peptide comprises an enzyme involved in the production or activation of a plant growth stimulating compound, and the enzyme involved in the production or activation of the plant growth stimulating compound comprises acetoin reductase, indole-3-acetamide hydrolase, tryptophan monooxygenase, acetolactate synthase, α-acetolactate decarboxylase, pyruvate decarboxylase, diacetyl reductase, butanediol dehydrogenase, aminotransferase, tryptophan decarboxylase, Carboxylase, amine oxidase, indole-3-pyruvate decarboxylase, indole-3-acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, tryptophan side chain oxidase, nitrilase, nitrilase, peptidase, protease, adenosine phosphate isopentenyltransferase, phosphatase, adenosine kinase, adenine phosphoribosyltransferase, CYP735A, 5' ribonucleotide phosphohydrolase, adenosine nucleosidase, zeatin cis-trans isomerase, zeatin O-glucosyltransferase, β-glucosidase, cis-hydroxylase, CK cis-hydroxylase, CK N-glucosyltransferase, 2,5-ribonucleotide phosphohydrolase, adenosine nucleosidase, purine nucleoside phosphorylase, zeatin reductase, hydroxylamine reductase, 2-oxoglutarate dioxygenase, gibberellin 2B / 3B hydrolase, gibberellin 3-oxidase, gibberellin 20-oxidase, deacetylated chitinase, chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase, β-1,4-glucanase, β-1,6-glucanase, aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase, or an enzyme involved in producing nod factor.

[0739] 60. The fusion protein of embodiment 59, wherein the enzyme involved in the production or activation of the plant growth stimulating compound comprises an enzyme involved in the production of a nod factor and the enzyme involved in the production of a nod factor comprises nodA, nodB, or nodI; or wherein the enzyme involved in the production or activation of the plant growth stimulating compound comprises an aminotransferase and the aminotransferase comprises a tryptophan aminotransferase.

[0740] 61. The fusion protein of embodiment 59, wherein the enzyme involved in the production or activation of the plant growth stimulating compound comprises a protease or peptidase that cleaves a protein, peptide, proprotein or preproprotein to produce a biologically active peptide.

[0741] 62. The fusion protein of embodiment 61, wherein the protease or peptidase comprises a subtilisin, an acid protease, an alkaline protease, a protease, an endopeptidase, an exopeptidase, a thermolysin, a papain, a pepsin, a trypsin, a pronase, a carboxylase, a serine protease, a glutamic protease, an aspartic protease, a cysteine ​​protease, a threonine protease, or a metalloprotease.

[0742] 63. The fusion protein of embodiment 61 or 62, wherein the bioactive peptide comprises RKN 16D10 or RHPP.

[0743] 64. The fusion protein of any one of embodiments 61-63, wherein the protease or peptidase cleaves protein in the protein-rich meal.

[0744] 65. The fusion protein of embodiment 64, wherein the protein-rich meal is soy flour or yeast extract.

[0745] 66. The fusion protein of embodiment 40, wherein the enzyme that degrades or alters a bacterial, fungal, or plant nutrient source comprises a cellulase, a lipase, a lignin oxidase, a protease, a glycoside hydrolase, a phosphatase, a nitrogenase, a nuclease, an amidase, a nitrate reductase, a nitrite reductase, an amylase, an ammonia oxidase, a ligninase, a glucosidase, a phospholipase, a phytase, a pectinase, a glucanase, a sulfatase, a urease, a xylanase, or a siderophore.

[0746] 67. The fusion protein of embodiment 66, wherein the enzyme that degrades or alters a bacterial, fungal, or plant nutrient source comprises a cellulase, and the cellulase comprises an endocellulase, an exocellulase, or a β-glucosidase.

[0747] 68. The fusion protein of embodiment 67, wherein the cellulase comprises an endocellulase, and the endocellulase comprises an endoglucanase.

[0748] 69. The fusion protein of embodiment 67 or 68, wherein the cellulase comprises an endocellulase, and the endocellulase comprises a Bacillus subtilis endoglucanase, a Bacillus thuringiensis endoglucanase, a Bacillus cereus endoglucanase, or a Bacillus clausii endoglucanase.

[0749] 70. The fusion protein of embodiment 67, wherein the cellulase comprises an exocellulase, and the exocellulase comprises a Trichoderma reesei exocellulase.

[0750] 71. The fusion protein of embodiment 67, wherein the cellulase comprises a β-glucosidase, and the β-glucosidase comprises a Bacillus subtilis β-glucosidase, a Bacillus thuringiensis β-glucosidase, a Bacillus cereus β-glucosidase, or a Bacillus clausii β-glucosidase

[0751] 72. The fusion protein of embodiment 66, wherein the enzyme that degrades or alters a bacterial, fungal, or plant nutrient source comprises a lipase, and the lipase comprises a Bacillus subtilis lipase, a Bacillus thuringiensis lipase, a Bacillus cereus lipase, or a Bacillus clausii lipase.

[0752] 73. The fusion protein of embodiment 66, wherein the enzyme that degrades or alters a bacterial, fungal, or plant nutrient source comprises a lignin oxidase, and the lignin oxidase comprises a lignin peroxidase, a laccase, a glyoxal oxidase, a ligninase, or a manganese peroxidase.

[0753] 74. The fusion protein of embodiment 66, wherein the enzyme that degrades or alters a bacterial, fungal, or plant nutrient source comprises a protease, and the protease comprises a subtilisin, an acid protease, an alkaline protease, a protease, a peptidase, an endopeptidase, an exopeptidase, a thermolysin, a papain, a pepsin, a trypsin, a pronase, a carboxylase, a serine protease, a glutamic protease, an aspartic protease, a cysteine ​​protease, a threonine protease, or a metalloprotease.

[0754] 75. The fusion protein of embodiment 66, wherein the enzyme that degrades or alters a bacterial, fungal, or plant nutrient source comprises a phosphatase, and the phosphatase comprises a phosphomonoester hydrolase, a phosphomonoesterase, a phosphodiester hydrolase, a phosphodiesterase, a triphosphate monoester hydrolase, a phosphoanhydride hydrolase, a pyrophosphatase, a phytase, a trimetaphosphatase, or a triphosphatase.

[0755] 76. The fusion protein of embodiment 75, wherein the enzyme that degrades or alters a bacterial, fungal, or plant nutrient source comprises a phosphomonoesterase, and the phosphomonoesterase comprises PhoA4; or wherein the enzyme that degrades or alters a bacterial, fungal, or plant nutrient source comprises a phytase, and the phytase comprises Bacillus subtilis EE148 phytase or Bacillus thuringiensis BT013A phytase.

[0756] 77. The fusion protein of embodiment 66, wherein the enzyme that degrades or alters a bacterial, fungal, or plant nutrient source comprises a nitrogenase, and the nitrogenase comprises a Nif family nitrogenase.

[0757] 78. The fusion protein of embodiment 77, wherein the Nif family nitrogenase comprises Paenibacillus massiliense NifBDEHKNXV.

[0758] 79. The fusion protein of any one of embodiments 2, 13-22, 28-32, 39, and 41-45, wherein the protein or peptide that protects a plant from a pathogen comprises a plant immune system enhancing protein or peptide.

[0759] 80. The fusion protein of embodiment 79, wherein the plant immune system enhancing protein or peptide comprises anaphyllin, α-elastin, β-elastin, systemin, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, elicitin, defensin, cryptotin, flagellin, or a flagellin peptide.

[0760] 81. The fusion protein of embodiment 3 or 80, wherein the flagellin peptide comprises flg22.

[0761] 82. The fusion protein of any one of embodiments 2, 3, 13-22, 28-32, 39, and 41-45, wherein the protein or peptide that protects a plant from a pathogen has antibacterial activity, antifungal activity, or both antibacterial and antifungal activity.

[0762] 83. The fusion protein of embodiment 82, wherein the protein or peptide comprises a bacteriocin, a lysozyme, a lysozyme peptide, a siderophore, a non-ribosomal active peptide, conalbumin, albumin, lactoferrin, a lactoferrin peptide, or TasA.

[0763] 84. The fusion protein of embodiment 3 or 83, wherein the lysozyme peptide comprises LysM or wherein the lactoferrin peptide comprises LfcinB.

[0764] 85. The fusion protein of any one of embodiments 2, 3, 13-22, 28-32, 39, and 41-45, wherein the protein or peptide that protects a plant from a pathogen has insecticidal activity, anthelmintic activity, inhibits insect or worm predation, or a combination thereof.

[0765] 86. The fusion protein of embodiment 85, wherein the protein or peptide that protects plants from pathogens comprises an insecticidal bacterial toxin, an endotoxin, a Cry toxin, a protease inhibitor protein or peptide, a cysteine ​​protease, or a chitinase.

[0766] 87. A fusion protein as described in embodiment 86, wherein the protein or peptide that protects plants from pathogens comprises an insecticidal bacterial toxin and the insecticidal bacterial toxin comprises a VIP insecticidal toxin; wherein the protein or peptide that protects plants from pathogens comprises a protease inhibitor protein or peptide and the protease inhibitor protein or peptide comprises a trypsin inhibitor or a sagittaria protease inhibitor; or wherein the protein or peptide that protects plants from pathogens comprises a Cry toxin and the Cry toxin comprises a Cry toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis.

[0767] 88. The fusion protein of embodiment 87, wherein the Cry toxin comprises a Cry toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis and the Cry toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis comprises a Cry5B protein or a Cry21A protein.

[0768] 89. The fusion protein of any one of embodiments 2, 3, 13-22, 28-32, 39, and 41-45, wherein the protein that protects a plant from a pathogen comprises an enzyme.

[0769] 90. The fusion protein of embodiment 3 or 89, wherein the enzyme comprises a protease or a lactonase.

[0770] 91. The fusion protein of embodiment 90, wherein the protease or lactonase is specific for a bacterial signaling molecule.

[0771] 92. The fusion protein of embodiment 91, wherein the bacterial signaling molecule comprises a bacterial lactone homoserine signaling molecule.

[0772] 93. The fusion protein of any one of embodiments 90-92, wherein the enzyme comprises a lactonase and the lactonase comprises a 1,4-lactonase, a 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylate lactonase, a 3-oxoadipate enol-lactonase, an actinomycin lactonase, a deoxycitrate A-ring-lactonase, a gluconolactonase L-rhamnose-1,4-lactonase, a limonin-D-ring-lactonase, a steroid-lactonase, a triacetate-lactonase, or a lignin-1,4-lactonase.

[0773] 94. The fusion protein of embodiment 89, wherein the enzyme is specific for a cellular component of a bacterium or a fungus.

[0774] 95. The fusion protein of embodiment 94, wherein the enzyme comprises a β-1,3-glucanase, a β-1,4-glucanase, a β-1,6-glucanase, a chitosanase, a chitinase, a chitosanase-like enzyme, a lytic enzyme, a peptidase, a protease, a proteinase, a mutanolysin, a staphylolysin, or a lysozyme.

[0775] 96. The fusion protein of embodiment 95, wherein the protease comprises an alkaline protease, an acidic protease, or a neutral protease.

[0776] 97. The fusion protein of any one of embodiments 2, 3, 13-22, 28-23, 29, 41-45, and 79-96, wherein the protein or peptide that protects a plant from a pathogen protects a plant from a bacterial pathogen, a fungal pathogen, a helminthic pathogen, or an insect pathogen.

[0777] 98. The fusion protein of embodiment 97, wherein the bacterial pathogen comprises α-Proteobacteria, β-Proteobacteria, γ-Proteobacteria, or a combination thereof; or wherein the bacterial pathogen comprises Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Fusarium wilt of maydis, Erwinia carotovora, Ralstonia solanacearum, Pseudomonas syringae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Xanthomonas campestris, or a combination thereof.

[0778] 99. The fusion protein of embodiment 97, wherein the protein or peptide that protects a plant from a pathogen protects the plant from predation by a worm or insect pathogen.

[0779] 100. The fusion protein of embodiment 97 or 99, wherein the helminth or insect pathogen comprises an armyworm, a black cutworm, a European corn borer, a fall armyworm, a cutworm, a Japanese beetle, a small corn stalk borer, a corn weevil, a seed fly, a web-spinner, a corn stalk borer, a southern corn rootworm, a southern potato wireworm, a common stem borer, a sugarcane rhinoceros beetle, a white grub, a cabbage looper, a boll weevil, a yellow-striped armyworm, an orange-legged mudworm, a sorghum stink bug, an aphid, a beet armyworm, a Mexican bean beetle, a soybean armyworm, a soybean longhorn beetle, or a combination thereof.

[0780] 101. The fusion protein of embodiment 1, wherein the fusion protein comprises at least one protein or peptide that increases stress resistance in a plant.

[0781] 102. The fusion protein of any one of embodiments 1, 4-27, 39, and 41-45, wherein the protein or peptide that increases stress resistance in a plant comprises an enzyme that degrades a stress-related compound.

[0782] 103. The fusion protein of embodiment 102, wherein the stress-related compound comprises aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, oxylipin, phenol, or a combination thereof.

[0783] 104. The fusion protein of embodiment 102 or 103, wherein the enzyme that degrades stress-related compounds comprises a superoxide dismutase, an oxidase, a catalase, an aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase, a peroxidase, an antioxidant enzyme, or an antioxidant peptide.

[0784] 105. The fusion protein of any one of embodiments 1, 4-27, 39, and 41-45, wherein the protein or peptide that increases stress resistance in a plant comprises a protein or peptide that protects a plant from environmental stress.

[0785] 106. The fusion protein of embodiment 105, wherein the environmental stress comprises drought, flooding, heat, freezing, salt, heavy metals, low pH, high pH, ​​or a combination thereof.

[0786] 107. The fusion protein of embodiment 105 or 106, wherein the protein or peptide that protects a plant from environmental stress comprises an ice nucleating protein, a prolyl peptidase, a phenylalanine ammonia lyase, an isochorismate synthase, an isochorismate pyruvate lyase, or a choline dehydrogenase.

[0787] 108. The fusion protein of embodiment 1, wherein the fusion protein comprises at least one plant binding protein or peptide.

[0788] 109. The fusion protein of any one of embodiments 1, 4-27, 39, and 41-45, wherein the plant binding protein or peptide comprises an adhesin, a flagellin, an omptin, a lectin, an expansin, a biofilm structural protein, a fimbriae protein, a frizzled protein, a tight adhesin, an invasin, a lectin, or a non-fimbriae protein.

[0789] 110. The fusion protein of embodiment 109, wherein the plant binding protein comprises an adhesin and the adhesin comprises rhizocadherin; or wherein the plant binding protein comprises a biofilm structural protein and the biofilm structural protein comprises TasA or YuaB.

[0790] 111. A recombinant Bacillus cereus family member expressing the fusion protein of any one of embodiments 1-110.

[0791] 112. A recombinant Bacillus cereus family member that co-expresses at least one fusion protein comprising the plant growth stimulating protein or peptide, the protein or peptide that protects a plant from a pathogen, or the protein or peptide that increases stress resistance in a plant as described in any one of embodiments 1-107; and at least one fusion protein comprising the plant binding protein or peptide as described in any one of embodiments 1, 4-27, 39, 41-45, and 108-110.

[0792] 113. The recombinant Bacillus cereus family member of embodiment 111 or 112, wherein the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member comprises Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus pseudomycoides, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus gaemokensis, Bacillus weihenstephensis, or a combination thereof.

[0793] 114. The recombinant Bacillus cereus family member of any one of embodiments 111-113, wherein the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member comprises Bacillus thuringiensis or Bacillus mycoides.

[0794] 115. The recombinant Bacillus cereus family member of any one of embodiments 111-114, wherein the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member comprises a plant growth promoting strain of bacteria.

[0795] 116. The recombinant Bacillus cereus family member of embodiment 115, wherein the plant growth promoting strain of the bacterium produces an insecticidal toxin, produces a fungicidal compound, produces a nematicidal compound, produces a bactericidal compound, is resistant to one or more antibiotics, contains one or more freely replicating plasmids, binds to plant roots, colonizes plant roots, forms a biofilm, solubilizes nutrients, secretes organic acids, or a combination thereof.

[0796] 117. The recombinant Bacillus cereus family member of embodiment 116, wherein the insecticidal toxin comprises a Cry toxin; wherein the fungicidal compound comprises a β-1,3-glucanase, a chitosanase, a lytic enzyme, or a combination thereof; or wherein the nematicidal compound comprises a Cry toxin.

[0797] 118. The recombinant Bacillus cereus family member of any one of embodiments 115-117, wherein the plant growth promoting strain of bacteria comprises Bacillus mycoides BT155, Bacillus mycoides EE118, Bacillus mycoides EE141, Bacillus mycoides BT46-3, Bacillus cereus family member EE128, Bacillus thuringiensis BT013A, or Bacillus cereus family member EE349.

[0798] 119. The recombinant Bacillus cereus family member of embodiment 118, wherein the plant growth promoting strain of bacteria comprises Bacillus mycoides BT155, Bacillus mycoides EE141, or Bacillus thuringiensis BT013A.

[0799] 120. The recombinant Bacillus cereus family member of embodiment 119, wherein the fusion protein comprises the targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 60.

[0800] 121. The recombinant Bacillus cereus family member of embodiment 120, wherein the non-hormone peptide comprises a Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (KTI); wherein the enzyme involved in the production or activation of the plant growth stimulating compound comprises a chitosanase; wherein the plant binding protein or peptide comprises TasA; wherein the protein or peptide that protects a plant from a pathogen comprises TasA; or wherein the enzyme that degrades or alters a bacterial, fungal, or plant nutrient source comprises a phosphatase or an endoglucanase.

[0801] 122. The recombinant Bacillus cereus family member of embodiment 121, wherein the phosphatase comprises PhoA or phytase.

[0802] 123. The recombinant Bacillus cereus family member of any one of embodiments 111-122, wherein the fusion protein is expressed under the control of a sporulation promoter produced from the targeting sequence, exosporium protein, or exosporium protein fragment of the fusion protein.

[0803] 124. The recombinant Bacillus cereus family member of any one of embodiments 111-123, wherein the fusion protein is expressed under the control of a high expression sporulation promoter.

[0804] 125. The recombinant Bacillus cereus family member of embodiment 124, wherein the high expression sporulation promoter comprises a σ-K sporulation-specific polymerase promoter sequence.

[0805] 126. The recombinant Bacillus cereus family member of any one of embodiments 123-125, wherein the sporulation promoter comprises a nucleic acid sequence at least 80% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 85-103.

[0806] 127. The recombinant Bacillus cereus family member of embodiment 126, wherein the sporulation promoter comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 85-103.

[0807] 128. The recombinant Bacillus cereus family member of embodiment 126, wherein the sporulation promoter comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 95% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 85-103.

[0808] 129. The recombinant Bacillus cereus family member of embodiment 126, wherein the sporulation promoter comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 98% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 85-103.

[0809] 130. The recombinant Bacillus cereus family member of embodiment 126, wherein the sporulation promoter comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is at least 99% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 85-103.

[0810] 131. The recombinant Bacillus cereus family member of embodiment 126, wherein the sporulation promoter comprises a nucleic acid sequence that is 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 85-103.

[0811] 132. The recombinant Bacillus cereus family member of any one of embodiments 125-130, wherein the one or more σ-K sporulation-specific polymerase promoter sequences are 100% identical to the corresponding nucleotides of SEQ ID NO: 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, or 103.

[0812] 133. A formulation comprising the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member of any one of embodiments 111-132 and an agriculturally acceptable carrier.

[0813] 134. The formulation of embodiment 133, wherein the agriculturally acceptable carrier comprises a dispersant, a surfactant, an additive, water, a thickener, an anti-caking agent, a residue decomposer, a compost formulation, a granular application, diatomaceous earth, an oil, a colorant, a stabilizer, a preservative, a polymer, a coating, or a combination thereof.

[0814] 135. The formulation of embodiment 134, wherein the agriculturally acceptable carrier comprises an additive comprising an oil, a gum, a resin, a clay, a polyoxyethylene glycol, a terpene, a viscous organic matter, a fatty acid ester, a sulfated alcohol, an alkyl sulfonate, a petroleum sulfonate, an alcohol sulfate, a sodium alkyl butane diamate, a polyester of sodium thiobutane dioate, a benzyl cyanide derivative, a proteinaceous material, or a combination thereof; the agriculturally acceptable carrier comprises a thickener comprising a long chain alkyl sulfonate of polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene oleate, or a combination thereof; the agriculturally acceptable carrier comprises a surfactant comprising heavy petroleum oil, heavy oil distillate, a polyol fatty acid ester, a polyethoxylated fatty acid ester, an aryl alkyl polyoxyethylene glycol, an alkylamine acetate, an alkylaryl sulfonate, a polyol, an alkyl phosphate, or a combination thereof; or the agriculturally acceptable carrier comprises an anti-caking agent comprising a sodium salt, calcium carbonate, diatomaceous earth, or a combination thereof.

[0815] 136. The formulation of embodiment 135, wherein the additive comprises a proteinaceous material, and the proteinaceous material comprises dairy products, wheat flour, soy flour, blood, albumin, gelatin, or a combination thereof; or the anti-caking agent comprises a sodium salt, and the sodium salt comprises sodium salt of monomethylnaphthalene sulfonate, sodium salt of dimethylnaphthalene sulfonate, sodium sulfite, sodium sulfate, or a combination thereof.

[0816] 137. The formulation of any one of embodiments 133-136, wherein the agriculturally acceptable carrier comprises vermiculite, charcoal, sugar mill carbonized filter press mud, rice bran, carboxymethyl cellulose, peat, perlite, fine sand, calcium carbonate, flour, alum, starch, talc, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, or a combination thereof.

[0817] 138. The formulation of any one of embodiments 133-137, wherein the formulation comprises a seed coating formulation, a liquid formulation for application to a plant or to a plant growth medium, or a solid formulation for application to a plant or a plant growth medium.

[0818] 139. The formulation of embodiment 138, wherein the seed coating formulation comprises a water-based or oil-based solution for application to seeds or a powder or granular formulation for application to seeds.

[0819] 140. The formulation of embodiment 138, wherein the liquid formulation for application to a plant or to a plant growth medium comprises a concentrated formulation or a ready-to-use formulation.

[0820] 141. The formulation of embodiment 138, wherein the solid formulation for application to a plant or to a plant growth medium comprises a granular formulation or a powder.

[0821] 142. The formulation of any one of embodiments 133-141, wherein the formulation further comprises a fertilizer, a trace element fertilizer, an insecticide, an herbicide, a plant growth regulator, a fungicide, an insecticide, a molluscicide, an algaecide, a bacterial inoculant, a fungal inoculant, or a combination thereof.

[0822] 143. The formulation of embodiment 142, wherein the formulation further comprises a fertilizer and the fertilizer comprises a liquid fertilizer; wherein the formulation further comprises a trace element fertilizer and the trace element fertilizer comprises boric acid, a borate, a boron frit, copper sulfate, a copper frit, a copper chelate, sodium tetraborate decahydrate, iron sulfate, iron oxide, ammonium iron sulfate, iron frit, an iron chelate, manganese sulfate, manganese oxide, a manganese chelate, manganese chloride, manganese frit, sodium molybdate, molybdic acid, zinc sulfate, zinc oxide, zinc carbonate, zinc frit, zinc phosphate, a zinc chelate, or a combination thereof; wherein the formulation further comprises a pesticide and the pesticide comprises an organophosphate, a carbamate, a pyrethroid, a miticide, a phthalate, or a combination thereof. Alkyl dicarboxylates, boric acid, borates, fluorides, sulfur, halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon-substituted ureas, hydrocarbon esters, bio-based insecticides, or combinations thereof; wherein the formulation further comprises a herbicide, and the herbicide comprises a chlorophenoxy compound, a nitrophenol compound, a nitrocresol compound, a bipyridine compound, an acetamide, an aliphatic acid, an aniline, a benzamide, benzoic acid, a benzoic acid derivative, anisic acid, anisic acid derivatives, benzonitrile, benzothiadiazinone dioxide, a thiocarbamate, a carbamate, a phenylcarbamate, a chloropyridyl, a cyclohexenone derivative, a dinitroaminobenzene derivative, a fluorodinitrotoluidine compound, an isoxazolinone, nicotinic acid, isopropylamine, isopropylamine derivatives, oxadiazolinones, phosphates, phthalates, picolinic acid compounds, triazines, triazoles, uracil, urea derivatives, thiocarbamate, sodium chlorate or a combination thereof; wherein the formulation further comprises a fungicide and the fungicide comprises a substituted benzene, a thiocarbamate, an ethylene bisdithiocarbamate, thiophthalidamide, a copper compound, an organic mercury compound, an organic tin compound, a cadmium compound, difop-butyl, benomyl, cycloheximide, dodine, thiabendazole, iprodione, metalaxyl, thiamimefon, triflate or a combination thereof; wherein the formulation further comprises a fungal agent and the fungal agent comprises a Glomusaceae fungal agents, fungal agents of the family Claude's Glomeraceae, fungal agents of the family Gigantoporaceae, fungal agents of the family Asessilesporaceae, fungal agents of the family Microsporaceae, fungal agents of the family Endotrophicosporaceae, fungal agents of the family Pacidsporaceae, fungal agents of the family Polysporaceae, fungal agents of the family Paraglomeraceae, fungal agents of the family Protosporaceae, fungal agents of the family Geosporaceae, fungal agents of the family Amphisporaceae, fungal agents of the family Gigantoporaceae, fungal agents of the family Dentiscultataceae, fungal agents of the family Racocetraceae, fungal agents of the phylum Basidiomycota, fungal agents of the phylum Ascomycota, fungal agents of the phylum Zygomycota, or a combination thereof;or wherein the formulation further comprises a bacterial inoculant and the bacterial inoculant comprises a bacterial inoculant of the genus Rhizobium, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Bradyrhizobium, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Mesorhizobium, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Azorhizobium, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Heterorhizobium, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Sinorhizobium, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Kluyveromyces, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Azotobacter, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Pseudomonas, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Azospirillum, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Bacillus, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Streptomyces, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Paenibacillus, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Paracoccus, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Enterobacter, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Alcaligenes, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Mycobacterium, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Trichoderma, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Gliocladium, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Glomus, a bacterial inoculant of the genus Klebsiella, or a combination thereof.;

[0823] 144. The formulation of embodiment 142 or 143, wherein the fertilizer comprises ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate nitrate, ammonium chloride, ammonium bisulfate, ammonium polysulfide, ammonium thiosulfate, aqueous ammonia, anhydrous ammonia, ammonium polyphosphate, aluminum sulfate, calcium nitrate, calcium ammonium nitrate, calcium sulfate, calcined magnesite, calcite-type limestone, calcium oxide, calcium nitrate, dolomitic limestone, calcium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, diammonium hydrogen phosphate, monoammonium phosphate, magnesium nitrate, magnesium sulfate, potassium nitrate, potassium chloride, potassium magnesium sulfate, potassium sulfate , sodium nitrate, magnesian limestone, magnesium oxide, urea, urea formaldehyde, urea ammonium nitrate, sulfur-coated urea, polymer-coated urea, isobutylene diurea, K2SO4-2MgSO4, kainite, sylvite, kieserite, Epsom salts, elemental sulfur, marl, ground oyster shells, fish meal, oil cake, fish fertilizer, blood meal, rock phosphate, super phosphate, slag, bone meal, wood ash, manure, bat guano, peat moss, compost, greensand, cottonseed meal, feather meal, crab meal, fish emulsifier, humic acid, or a combination thereof.

[0824] 145. The formulation of embodiment 142, wherein the bacterial inoculant comprises a plant growth promoting strain of bacteria.

[0825] 146. The formulation of embodiment 145, wherein the plant growth promoting strain of bacteria produces an insecticidal toxin, produces a fungicidal compound, produces a nematicidal compound, produces a bactericidal compound, is resistant to one or more antibiotics, contains one or more freely replicating plasmids, binds to plant roots, colonizes plant roots, forms a biofilm, solubilizes nutrients, secretes organic acids, or a combination thereof.

[0826] 147. The preparation of a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member of embodiment 146, wherein the insecticidal toxin comprises a Cry toxin; wherein the fungicidal compound comprises a β-1,3-glucanase, a chitosanase, a lytic enzyme, or a combination thereof; or wherein the nematicidal compound comprises a Cry toxin.

[0827] 148. The formulation of any one of embodiments 145-147, wherein the plant growth-promoting strain of bacteria comprises Bacillus argyi CAP53, Bacillus argyi CAP56, Bacillus flexus BT054, Paracoccus sphaeroides NC35, Bacillus mycoides BT155, Enterobacter cloacae CAP12, Bacillus niessneri BOBA57, Bacillus mycoides EE118, Bacillus subtilis EE148, Alcaligenes faecalis EE107, Bacillus mycoides EE141, Bacillus mycoides BT46-3, Bacillus cereus family member EE128, Bacillus thuringiensis BT013A, Paenibacillus massiliense BT23, Bacillus cereus family member EE349, Bacillus subtilis EE218, Bacillus megaterium EE281, or a combination thereof.

[0828] 149. The formulation of embodiment 148, wherein the plant growth-promoting strain of bacteria comprises Paracoccus sphaeroides NC35, Bacillus alteiraceus CAP53, or Bacillus megaterium EE281 and the formulation further comprises a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member of any one of embodiments 119-122.

[0829] 150. A method for stimulating plant growth, comprising:

[0830] introducing the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member of any one of embodiments 111-132 or the formulation of any one of embodiments 133-149 into a plant growth medium; or

[0831] applying the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member of any one of embodiments 111-132 or the formulation of any one of embodiments 133-149 to a plant, a plant seed, or an area surrounding a plant or a plant seed;

[0832] wherein the plant growth stimulating protein or peptide is physically linked to the exosporium of the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member.

[0833] 151. A method for stimulating plant growth comprising introducing into a plant growth medium or applying to a plant, plant seed, or an area surrounding a plant or plant seed a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member expressing a fusion protein comprising at least one plant growth stimulating protein or peptide and:

[0834] (a) a targeting sequence comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least about 43% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 54%;

[0835] (b) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1;

[0836] (c) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1;

[0837] (d) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1;

[0838] (e) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2;

[0839] (f) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-27 of SEQ ID NO: 3;

[0840] (g) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 12-27 of SEQ ID NO: 3;

[0841] (h) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 3;

[0842] (i) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:4;

[0843] (j) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-38 of SEQ ID NO: 5;

[0844] (k) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 23-38 of SEQ ID NO: 5;

[0845] (1) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5;

[0846] (m) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:6;

[0847] (n) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-28 of SEQ ID NO: 7;

[0848] (o) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 13-28 of SEQ ID NO: 7;

[0849] (p) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 7;

[0850] (q) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 8;

[0851] (r) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO: 9;

[0852] (s) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO:9;

[0853] (t) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 9;

[0854] (u) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 10;

[0855] (v) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 11;

[0856] (w) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 11;

[0857] (x) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 11;

[0858] (y) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 12;

[0859] (z) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 13;

[0860] (aa) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 13;

[0861] (ab) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13;

[0862] (ac) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 14;

[0863] (ad) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-43 of SEQ ID NO: 15;

[0864] (ae) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 28-43 of SEQ ID NO: 15;

[0865] (af) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15;

[0866] (ag) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 16;

[0867] (ah) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-27 of SEQ ID NO: 17;

[0868] (ai) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 12-27 of SEQ ID NO: 17;

[0869] (aj) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17;

[0870] (ak) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 18;

[0871] (a1) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 19;

[0872] (am) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 19;

[0873] (an) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 19;

[0874] (ao) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 20;

[0875] (ap) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 21;

[0876] (aq) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 21;

[0877] (ar) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 21;

[0878] (as) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 22;

[0879] (at) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO: 23;

[0880] (au) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO: 23;

[0881] (av) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23;

[0882] (aw) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 24;

[0883] (ax) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO: 25;

[0884] (ay) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO: 25;

[0885] (az) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 25;

[0886] (ba) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 26;

[0887] (bb) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-30 of SEQ ID NO: 27;

[0888] (bc) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 15-30 of SEQ ID NO: 27;

[0889] (bd) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27;

[0890] (be) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 28;

[0891] (bf) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 29;

[0892] (bg) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 29;

[0893] (bh) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 29;

[0894] (bi) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 30;

[0895] (bj) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO: 31;

[0896] (bk) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO: 31;

[0897] (bl) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31;

[0898] (bm) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 32;

[0899] (bn) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-15 of SEQ ID NO: 33;

[0900] (bo) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 33;

[0901] (bp) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 34;

[0902] (bq) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-16 of SEQ ID NO: 35;

[0903] (br) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35;

[0904] (bs) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 36;

[0905] (bt) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-29 of SEQ ID NO: 43;

[0906] (bu) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 14-29 of SEQ ID NO:43;

[0907] (bv) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 43;

[0908] (bw) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 44;

[0909] (bx) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-35 of SEQ ID NO:45;

[0910] (by) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO:45;

[0911] (bz) comprises a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 45;

[0912] (ca) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:46;

[0913] (cb) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-43 of SEQ ID NO: 47;

[0914] (cc) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 28-43 of SEQ ID NO:47;

[0915] (cd) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 47;

[0916] (ce) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 48;

[0917] (cf) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-32 of SEQ ID NO: 49;

[0918] (cg) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 17-32 of SEQ ID NO:49;

[0919] (ch) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 49;

[0920] (ci) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:50;

[0921] (cj) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 51;

[0922] (ck) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 51;

[0923] (cl) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51;

[0924] (cm) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 52;

[0925] (cn) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 53;

[0926] (co) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 53;

[0927] (cp) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53;

[0928] (cq) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 54;

[0929] (cr) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-30 of SEQ ID NO: 55;

[0930] (cs) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 15-30 of SEQ ID NO: 55;

[0931] (ct) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 55;

[0932] (cu) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:56;

[0933] (cv) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-130 of SEQ ID NO: 57;

[0934] (cw) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 115-130 of SEQ ID NO:57;

[0935] (cx) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 57;

[0936] (cy) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:58;

[0937] (cz) an exosporium protein fragment comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:59;

[0938] (da) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 60;

[0939] (db) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 61;

[0940] (dc) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 62;

[0941] (dd) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 63;

[0942] (de) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 64;

[0943] (df) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 65;

[0944] (dg) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66;

[0945] (dh) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 67;

[0946] (di) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 68;

[0947] (dj) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 69;

[0948] (dk) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 70;

[0949] (d1) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 71;

[0950] (dm) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 72;

[0951] (dn) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 73;

[0952] (do) ​​an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:74;

[0953] (dp) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 75;

[0954] (dq) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 76;

[0955] (dr) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 77;

[0956] (ds) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 78;

[0957] (dt) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 79;

[0958] (du) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:80;

[0959] (dv) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 81;

[0960] (dw) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 82;

[0961] (dx) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 83;

[0962] (dy) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 84;

[0963] (dz) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 22-31 of SEQ ID NO: 1;

[0964] (ea) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 22-33 of SEQ ID NO: 1;

[0965] (eb) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 20-31 of SEQ ID NO: 1;

[0966] (ec) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 14-23 of SEQ ID NO: 3;

[0967] (ed) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 14-25 of SEQ ID NO: 3; or

[0968] (ef) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 12-23 of SEQ ID NO: 3;

[0969] and wherein the plant growth stimulating protein or peptide is physically linked to the exosporium of the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member.

[0970] 152. The method of embodiment 151, wherein the targeting sequence comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least about 50% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 63%.

[0971] 153. The method of embodiment 151, wherein the targeting sequence comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least about 50% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 72%.

[0972] 154. The method of embodiment 151, wherein the targeting sequence comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least about 56% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 63%.

[0973] 155. The method of embodiment 151, wherein the targeting sequence comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least about 62% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 72%.

[0974] 156. The method of embodiment 151, wherein the targeting sequence comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least about 68% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 81%.

[0975] 157. The method of embodiment 151, wherein the targeting sequence comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least about 75% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 72%.

[0976] 158. The method of embodiment 151, wherein the targeting sequence comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least about 75% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 81%.

[0977] 159. The method of embodiment 151, wherein the targeting sequence comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least about 81% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 81%.

[0978] 160. The method of embodiment 151, wherein the targeting sequence comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least about 81% identical to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 90%.

[0979] 161. The method of embodiment 151, wherein the targeting sequence consists of:

[0980] (a) an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and having at least about 43% identity with amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity with amino acids 25-35 is at least about 54%;

[0981] (b) amino acids 1-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1;

[0982] (c) amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1;

[0983] (d) SEQ ID NO: 1; or

[0984] (e) SEQ ID NO:60.

[0985] 162. The method of embodiment 151, wherein the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and having at least about 50% identity with amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity with amino acids 25-35 is at least about 63%.

[0986] 163. The method of embodiment 151, wherein the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and having at least about 50% identity with amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity with amino acids 25-35 is at least about 72%.

[0987] 164. The method of embodiment 151, wherein the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and having at least about 56% identity with amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity with amino acids 25-35 is at least about 63%.

[0988] 165. The method of embodiment 151, wherein the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and having at least about 62% identity with amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity with amino acids 25-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1 is at least about 72%.

[0989] 166. The method of embodiment 151, wherein the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and having at least about 68% identity with amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity with amino acids 25-35 is at least about 81%.

[0990] 167. The method of embodiment 151, wherein the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and having at least about 75% identity with amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity with amino acids 25-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1 is at least about 72%.

[0991] 168. The method of embodiment 151, wherein the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and having at least about 75% identity with amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity with amino acids 25-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1 is at least about 81%.

[0992] 169. The method of embodiment 151, wherein the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and having at least about 81% identity with amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity with amino acids 25-35 is at least about 81%.

[0993] 170. The method of embodiment 151, wherein the targeting sequence consists of an amino acid sequence consisting of 16 amino acids and having at least about 81% identity with amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity with amino acids 25-35 is at least about 90%.

[0994] 171. The method of embodiment 151, wherein the fusion protein comprises an exosporium protein or an exosporium protein fragment comprising an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 59, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, or 84.

[0995] 172. The method of embodiment 151, wherein the fusi...

Claims

1. A fusion protein comprising at least one plant growth stimulating protein or peptide, at least one protein or peptide that improves stress resistance of a plant, or at least one plant binding protein or peptide, and: (a) a targeting sequence comprising an amino acid sequence having at least about 43% identity to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 54%; (b) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1; (c) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1; (d) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1; (e) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:2; (f) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-27 of SEQ ID NO: 3; (g) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 12-27 of SEQ ID NO: 3; (h) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3; (i) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:4; (j) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-38 of SEQ ID NO:5; (k) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 23-38 of SEQ ID NO:5; (l) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5; (m) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:6; (n) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-28 of SEQ ID NO:7; (o) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 13-28 of SEQ ID NO:7; (p) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7; (q) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:8; (r) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO:9; (s) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO:9; (t) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9; (u) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 10; (v) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 11; (w) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 11; (x) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11; (y) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 12; (z) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 13; (aa) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 13; (ab) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13; (ac) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 14; (ad) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-43 of SEQ ID NO: 15; (ae) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 28-43 of SEQ ID NO: 15; (af) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15; (ag) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 16; (ah) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-27 of SEQ ID NO: 17; (ai) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 12-27 of SEQ ID NO: 17; (aj) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17; (ak) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 18; (al) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 19; (am) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 19; (an) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19; (ao) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:20; (ap) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO:21; (aq) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO:21; (ar) comprises a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21; (as) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:22; (at) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO:23; (au) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO:23; (av) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23; (aw) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:24; (ax) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO:25; (ay) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO:25; (az) comprises a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 25; (ba) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:26; (bb) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-30 of SEQ ID NO:27; (bc) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 15-30 of SEQ ID NO:27; (bd) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27; (be) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:28; (bf) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO:29; (bg) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO:29; (bh) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 29; (bi) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:30; (bj) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO:31; (bk) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO:31; (bl) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO:31; (bm) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:32; (bn) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-15 of SEQ ID NO:33; (bo) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33; (bp) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 34; (bq) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-16 of SEQ ID NO:35; (br) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35; (bs) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:36; (bt) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-29 of SEQ ID NO:43; (bu) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 14-29 of SEQ ID NO:43; (bv) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO:43; (bw) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:44; (bx) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-35 of SEQ ID NO:45; (by) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO:45; (bz) comprises a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO:45; (ca) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:46; (cb) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-43 of SEQ ID NO:47; (cc) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 28-43 of SEQ ID NO:47; (cd) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO:47; (ce) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:48; (cf) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-32 of SEQ ID NO:49; (cg) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 17-32 of SEQ ID NO:49; (ch) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO:49; (ci) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:50; (cj) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO:51; (ck) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO:51; (cl) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO:51; (cm) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:52; (cn) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO:53; (co) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO:53; (cp) comprises a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53; (cq) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:54; (cr) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-30 of SEQ ID NO:55; (cs) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 15-30 of SEQ ID NO:55; (ct) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 55; (cu) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:56; (cv) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-130 of SEQ ID NO:57; (cw) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 115-130 of SEQ ID NO:57; (cx) comprises a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO:57; (cy) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:58; (cz) an exosporium protein fragment comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:59; (da) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 60; (db) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 61; (dc) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 62; (dd) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63; (de) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 64; (df) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 65; (dg) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66; (dh) comprises a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 67; (di) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 68; (dj) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 69; (dk) comprises a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 70; (d1) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:71; (dm) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:72; (dn) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:73; (do) ​​an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:74; (dp) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:75; (dq) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:76; (dr) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:77; (ds) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:78; (dt) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:79; (du) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:80; (dv) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:81; (dw) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:82; (dx) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:83; (dy) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:84; (dz) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 22-31 of SEQ ID NO: 1; (ea) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 22-33 of SEQ ID NO: 1; (eb) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 20-31 of SEQ ID NO: 1; (ec) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 14-23 of SEQ ID NO: 3; (ed) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 14-25 of SEQ ID NO: 3; or (ef) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 12-23 of SEQ ID NO: 3; The plant growth stimulating proteins or peptides include peptide hormones, non-hormone peptides, or enzymes involved in the production or activation of plant growth stimulating compounds.

2. A fusion protein comprising at least one target protein or peptide and: (a) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:71; (b) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:75; (c) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:80; (d) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:81; (e) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:82; (f) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:83; or (g) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:

84.

3. The fusion protein of claim 1 or 2, wherein the fusion protein further comprises an amino acid linker between the targeting sequence, the exosporium protein or the exosporium protein fragment and the plant growth stimulating protein or peptide, the protein or peptide that protects a plant from a pathogen, the protein or peptide that increases stress resistance in a plant, or the plant binding protein or peptide.

4. The fusion protein of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plant growth stimulating protein or peptide comprises an enzyme involved in the production or activation of a plant growth stimulating compound.

5. A recombinant Bacillus cereus family member, which expresses the fusion protein according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A preparation comprising the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member according to claim 5 and an agriculturally acceptable carrier.

7. A method for stimulating plant growth, comprising: introducing the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member of claim 5 or the formulation of claim 6 into a plant growth medium; or applying the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member of claim 5 or the formulation of claim 6 to a plant, a plant seed, or an area surrounding a plant or a plant seed; wherein the plant growth stimulating protein or peptide is physically linked to the exosporium of the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member.

8. A method for stimulating plant growth comprising introducing into a plant growth medium or applying to a plant, plant seed, or an area surrounding a plant or plant seed a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member expressing a fusion protein, wherein the fusion protein comprises at least one plant growth stimulating protein or peptide, and: (a) a targeting sequence comprising an amino acid sequence having at least about 43% identity to amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the identity to amino acids 25-35 is at least about 54%; (b) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1; (c) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO: 1; (d) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1; (e) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:2; (f) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-27 of SEQ ID NO: 3; (g) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 12-27 of SEQ ID NO: 3; (h) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3; (i) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:4; (j) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-38 of SEQ ID NO:5; (k) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 23-38 of SEQ ID NO:5; (l) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5; (m) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:6; (n) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-28 of SEQ ID NO:7; (o) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 13-28 of SEQ ID NO:7; (p) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7; (q) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:8; (r) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO:9; (s) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO:9; (t) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9; (u) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 10; (v) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 11; (w) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 11; (x) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11; (y) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 12; (z) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 13; (aa) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 13; (ab) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13; (ac) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 14; (ad) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-43 of SEQ ID NO: 15; (ae) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 28-43 of SEQ ID NO: 15; (af) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15; (ag) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 16; (ah) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-27 of SEQ ID NO: 17; (ai) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 12-27 of SEQ ID NO: 17; (aj) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17; (ak) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 18; (al) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO: 19; (am) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO: 19; (an) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19; (ao) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:20; (ap) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO:21; (aq) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO:21; (ar) comprises a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 21; (as) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:22; (at) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO:23; (au) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO:23; (av) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23; (aw) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:24; (ax) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO:25; (ay) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO:25; (az) comprises a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 25; (ba) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:26; (bb) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-30 of SEQ ID NO:27; (bc) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 15-30 of SEQ ID NO:27; (bd) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 27; (be) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:28; (bf) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO:29; (bg) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO:29; (bh) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 29; (bi) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:30; (bj) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-24 of SEQ ID NO:31; (bk) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 9-24 of SEQ ID NO:31; (bl) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO:31; (bm) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:32; (bn) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-15 of SEQ ID NO:33; (bo) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 33; (bp) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO: 34; (bq) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-16 of SEQ ID NO:35; (br) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 35; (bs) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:36; (bt) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-29 of SEQ ID NO:43; (bu) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 14-29 of SEQ ID NO:43; (bv) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO:43; (bw) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:44; (bx) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-35 of SEQ ID NO:45; (by) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 20-35 of SEQ ID NO:45; (bz) comprises a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO:45; (ca) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:46; (cb) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-43 of SEQ ID NO:47; (cc) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 28-43 of SEQ ID NO:47; (cd) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO:47; (ce) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:48; (cf) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-32 of SEQ ID NO:49; (cg) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 17-32 of SEQ ID NO:49; (ch) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO:49; (ci) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:50; (cj) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO:51; (ck) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO:51; (cl) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO:51; (cm) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:52; (cn) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-33 of SEQ ID NO:53; (co) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 18-33 of SEQ ID NO:53; (cp) comprises a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 53; (cq) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:54; (cr) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-30 of SEQ ID NO:55; (cs) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 15-30 of SEQ ID NO:55; (ct) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 55; (cu) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:56; (cv) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 1-130 of SEQ ID NO:57; (cw) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 115-130 of SEQ ID NO:57; (cx) comprises a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO:57; (cy) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:58; (cz) an exosporium protein fragment comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:59; (da) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 60; (db) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 61; (dc) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 62; (dd) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 63; (de) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 64; (df) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 65; (dg) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 66; (dh) comprises a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 67; (di) comprising a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 68; (dj) a targeting sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 69; (dk) comprises a targeting sequence of SEQ ID NO: 70; (d1) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:71; (dm) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:72; (dn) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:73; (do) ​​an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:74; (dp) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:75; (dq) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:76; (dr) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:77; (ds) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:78; (dt) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:79; (du) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:80; (dv) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:81; (dw) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:82; (dx) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:83; (dy) an exosporium protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:84; (dz) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 22-31 of SEQ ID NO: 1; (ea) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 22-33 of SEQ ID NO: 1; (eb) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 20-31 of SEQ ID NO: 1; (ec) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 14-23 of SEQ ID NO: 3; (ed) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 14-25 of SEQ ID NO: 3; or (ef) a targeting sequence comprising amino acids 12-23 of SEQ ID NO: 3; And wherein the plant growth stimulating protein or peptide is physically linked to the exosporium of the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member.

9. A method for protecting a plant from pathogens or improving stress resistance of a plant, comprising: introducing the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member of claim 5 or the formulation of claim 6 into a plant growth medium; or applying the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member of claim 5 or the formulation of claim 6 to a plant, a plant seed, or an area surrounding a plant or a plant seed; The protein or peptide that protects a plant from pathogens or the protein or peptide that increases a plant's stress resistance is physically linked to the exosporium of the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member.

10. A method for fixing recombinant Bacillus cereus family member spores on plants: introducing the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member of claim 5 or the formulation of claim 6 into a plant growth medium; or applying the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member of claim 5 or the formulation of claim 6 to a plant, a plant seed, or an area surrounding a plant or a plant seed; wherein the plant binding protein or peptide is physically linked to the exosporium of the recombinant Bacillus cereus family member.

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