Stable inoculant compositions and methods for producing same

Abstract

To provide aqueous inoculant compositions and methods for enhancing the survival and / or stability of microbial spores in an inoculant composition.SOLUTION: Provided is an aqueous inoculant composition comprising: microbial spores accounting for from about 0.1 to about 50% (by weight) of the inoculant composition; one or more protective agents accounting for from about 0.5 to about 10% (by weight) of the composition; one or more dispersants accounting for from about 0.1 to about 10% (by weight) of the composition; one or more aqueous additives accounting for from about 0.01 to about 5% (by weight) of the composition; and a non-aqueous liquid carrier accounting for from about 75% to about 95% (by weight) of the inoculant composition.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Names of parties to the joint research agreement The inventive concepts described herein were developed as part of a joint research agreement between Monsanto Company and Novozymes BioAg A / S. The activities giving rise to the claimed inventions were carried out within the scope of the joint research agreement, which was in effect on or prior to the date of making the claimed inventions.

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 271,873, filed December 28, 2015; and No. 62 / 296,784, filed February 18, 2016, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0003] The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for increasing the stability and viability of microbial spores in inoculum compositions. [Background technology]

[0004] Inoculant compositions containing agriculturally beneficial microorganisms are well known in the art. See, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 5,484,464; 5,586,411; 5,695,541; 5,804,208; 5,916,029; 6,569,425; 6,808,917; 6,824,772; 7,429,477; 8,148, See US Pat. Nos. 138; 8,278,247; 8,445,256; 8,883,679; 8,921,089; 8,999,698; 9,017,442; 9,101,088; 9,234,251; and 9,340,464.

[0005] The effectiveness of such inoculant compositions generally depends on the ability of the microorganisms therein to survive and grow after application, and therefore considerable effort has been devoted to increasing the stability of agriculturally beneficial microorganisms in inoculant compositions.See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 8,011,132 (which describes a method of adding trehalose, sucrose or glycerol during the substantially stationary phase of fermentation) and U.S. Patent No. 9,090,884 (which describes the microencapsulation of microorganisms in water-soluble encapsulating materials). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Nonetheless, there remains a need for improved compositions and methods for increasing the stability and viability of microorganisms in inoculum compositions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present disclosure provides stable inoculant compositions and methods for increasing the viability and / or stability of microbial spores in the inoculant composition.

[0008] A first aspect of the present disclosure is an aqueous inoculant composition comprising Penicillium spores, one or more dispersants, one or more protectants, one or more aqueous additives and a non-aqueous liquid carrier. In some embodiments, the inoculant composition comprises one or more pesticides, one or more lipo-chitooligosaccharides, one or more chitooligosaccharides, one or more chitinous compounds, one or more flavonoids and / or one or more desiccants.

[0009] A second aspect of the present disclosure is a coated plant propagation material comprising a plant propagation material and a coating covering at least a portion of an exterior surface of the plant propagation material, wherein the coating comprises an aqueous inoculant composition of the present disclosure.

[0010] A third aspect of the present disclosure is a kit comprising the covered plant propagation material of the present disclosure and a container for housing the covered plant propagation material.

[0011] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is a plant sprouted from the covered plant propagation material of the present disclosure.

[0012] A fifth aspect of the present disclosure is a plant part harvested from a plant sprouted from the covered plant propagation material of the present disclosure.

[0013] A sixth aspect of the present disclosure is an artefact derived from a plant sprouted from the coated plant propagation material of the present disclosure.

[0014] A seventh aspect of the present disclosure is a crop comprising a plurality of plants sprouted from the covered plant propagation material of the present disclosure.

[0015] An eighth aspect of the present disclosure is a method comprising applying an aqueous inoculant composition of the present disclosure to plant propagation material.

[0016] A ninth aspect of the present disclosure is a method comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of planting the covered plant propagation material of the present disclosure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a graph showing the viability of Penicillium bilaiae spores in corn seeds stored at 10° C. and 50% relative humidity. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a graph showing the viability of Penicillium bilaiae spores in corn seeds stored at 10° C. or 20° C. and 50% relative humidity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] The present disclosure is described in more detail below. This description is not intended to be a detailed list of all the various ways in which the present invention may be implemented or all the features that may be added to the present invention. For example, features shown with respect to one embodiment may be incorporated into other embodiments, and features shown with respect to a particular embodiment may be deleted from that embodiment. Furthermore, many modifications and additions to the various embodiments proposed herein that do not depart from the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the present disclosure. Thus, the following specification is intended to illustrate certain embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended to exhaustively specify all modifications, combinations and variations thereof.

[0019] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention.

[0020] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art. It will be further understood that terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of this specification and the prior art, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless expressly defined as such in this specification. For the sake of brevity and / or clarity, well-known functions or structures may not be described in detail.

[0021] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, "a maltodextrin" should be interpreted as "one or more maltodextrins," "a microorganism" should be interpreted as "one or more microorganisms," "a lipo-chitooligosaccharide" should be interpreted as "one or more lipo-chitooligosaccharides," etc.

[0022] As used herein, the term "about" when used in reference to a measurable value, such as an amount of mass, dose, time, temperature, etc., is intended to encompass a variation of 0.1%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, 3%, 3.5%, 4%, 4.5%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%, or 20% of the recited amount. Unless otherwise indicated, all numerical values ​​herein should be understood to be modified by the term "about".

[0023] As used herein, the term "agriculturally beneficial agent" refers to any agent (e.g., chemical or biological agent) or combination of agents, the application of which causes or results in a beneficial and / or useful effect in agriculture, including, but not limited to, agriculturally beneficial microorganisms, biostimulants, nutrients, pesticides (e.g., fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, and nematicides) and plant signaling molecules.

[0024] As used herein, the term "agriculturally beneficial microorganism" refers to a microorganism that has at least one agriculturally beneficial trait (e.g., the ability to fix nitrogen, the ability to solubilize phosphate, and / or the ability to produce an agriculturally beneficial agent, such as a plant signal molecule).

[0025] As used herein, the term "agriculturally acceptable carrier" refers to a material that can be used to deliver an agriculturally beneficial agent to a plant, plant part, or plant growth medium (e.g., soil). As used herein, the term "soil compatible carrier" refers to a material that can be added to soil without causing / impacting undue adverse effects on plant growth, soil structure, soil drainage, etc. As used herein, the term "seed compatible carrier" refers to a material that can be added to a seed without causing / impacting undue adverse effects on the seed, the plant growing from the seed, seed germination, etc. As used herein, the term "foliage compatible carrier" refers to a material that can be added to a plant or plant part without causing / impacting undue adverse effects on the plant, plant part, plant growth, plant health, etc.

[0026] As used herein, the term "and / or" is intended to include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items, as well as the absence of a combination when interpreted in the alternative ("or").

[0027] As used herein, the term "aqueous" refers to a composition that contains at least a trace amount of water (ie, greater than 0.5% water by weight, based on the total weight of the composition).

[0028] As used herein, the term "biostimulant" refers to an agent or combination of agents whose application enhances one or more metabolic and / or physiological processes (e.g., carbohydrate biosynthesis, ion uptake, nucleic acid uptake, nutrient delivery, photosynthesis and / or respiration) of a plant or plant part.

[0029] As used herein, the term "colony forming unit" refers to a microbial cell / spore capable of growing on or in a substrate (e.g., soil) when conditions (e.g., temperature, moisture, nutrient availability, pH, etc.) are favorable for microbial growth.

[0030] As used herein, the terms "comprise", "comprises", "comprising", "include", "including" and "including" specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof.

[0031] As used herein, the term "consists essentially of" (and grammatical conjugations thereof), as applied to compositions and methods of the present disclosure, means that the composition / method may contain additional components as long as the additional components do not substantially alter the composition / method. The term "substantially alters", as applied to compositions / methods, refers to an increase or decrease in the effectiveness of the composition / method by at least about 20% or more. For example, an ingredient added to an inoculum composition of the present disclosure "substantially alters" the composition if it increases or decreases the ability of the composition to enhance the survival rate of microorganisms by at least about 50%.

[0032] As used herein, the term "diazotroph" refers to an organism capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into a form that can be used by a plant or plant part (e.g., ammonia (NH3), ammonium (NH4+), etc.).

[0033] As used herein, the terms "effective amount", "effective concentration", and "effective dosage" (and grammatical conjugations thereof) refer to an amount, concentration, or dosage sufficient to cause a desired effect (e.g., improved microbial survival). The absolute amount / concentration / dosage sufficient to cause a desired effect may be influenced by factors such as the type and extent of the desired effect, the type, size and volume of the seed to which the inoculant composition is to be applied, the stability of the microorganism in the inoculant composition, and storage conditions (e.g., temperature, relative humidity, duration). Those skilled in the art will understand how to select an effective amount / concentration / dosage using routine dose-response experiments.

[0034] As used herein, the term "improved dispersion" refers to an improvement in one or more properties of microbial dispersion compared to one or more controls (e.g., a control composition that is identical to the inoculum composition of the present disclosure except that it lacks one or more of the components found in the inoculum composition of the present disclosure). Exemplary microbial dispersion properties include, but are not limited to, the percentage of microorganisms that exist as single cells / spores when the inoculum composition is diluted with water. An inoculum composition that improves one or more microbial dispersion properties of the microorganisms contained therein compared to a control composition (e.g., a control composition that is identical to the inoculum composition except that it lacks one or more of the components found in the inoculum composition) provides improved dispersion and can be referred to as an "easily dispersible inoculum composition".

[0035] As used herein, the terms "improved growth" and "improved plant growth" refer to the improvement of one or more plant growth and / or development characteristics compared to one or more control plants (e.g., plants sprouted from untreated seeds or untreated plants). Exemplary plant growth / development characteristics include, but are not limited to, biomass, carbohydrate biosynthesis, chlorophyll content, cold tolerance, drought tolerance, height, leaf length, leaf mass, leaf number, leaf surface area, leaf volume, nutrient absorption (e.g., calcium, magnesium, nitrogen, phosphorus and / or potassium absorption), rate of photosynthesis, root area, root diameter, root length, root mass, nodule formation (e.g., nodule mass, nodule number, nodule volume), root number, root surface area, root volume, salt tolerance, seed germination, seedling emergence, shoot diameter, shoot length, shoot mass, shoot number, shoot surface area, shoot volume, spread, stomatal conductance and survival rate. Unless otherwise indicated, references to improved plant growth should be interpreted to mean that the compositions and methods of the present disclosure may be capable of promoting plant growth by increasing nutrient availability, improving soil properties, and the like, and should not be interpreted as suggesting that the compositions and methods of the present disclosure act as plant growth regulators.

[0036] As used herein, the term "improved stability" refers to an improvement in one or more properties of microbial stability compared to one or more controls (e.g., a control composition that is identical to the inoculum composition of the present disclosure except that it lacks one or more of the components found in the inoculum composition of the present disclosure). Exemplary microbial stability properties include, but are not limited to, the ability to cause a desired effect (e.g., improved plant yield and / or increased pesticidal activity) after being coated on a seed and / or stored for a predetermined period of time, and the viability after being coated on a seed and / or stored for a predetermined period of time. When each is subjected to the same conditions (e.g., seed coating and storage conditions), a microorganism that exhibits an improvement in one or more microbial stability properties compared to a control microorganism exhibits improved stability and can be referred to as a "stable microorganism". An inoculum composition that improves one or more microbial stability properties of a microorganism contained therein compared to a control composition (e.g., a control composition that is identical to the inoculum composition except that it lacks one or more of the components found in the inoculum composition) provides improved stability and can be referred to as a "stable inoculum composition".

[0037] As used herein, the term "enhanced viability" refers to an improvement in the viability of one or more microorganisms in an inoculum composition compared to one or more microorganisms in a control composition (e.g., a control composition that is identical to the inoculum composition of the present disclosure except that it lacks one or more of the components found in the inoculum composition of the present disclosure). An inoculum composition that improves the viability of one or more of the microorganisms contained therein compared to a control composition (e.g., a control composition that is identical to the inoculum composition of the present disclosure except that it lacks one or more of the components found in the inoculum composition) provides an improved viability and can be referred to as a stable inoculum composition.

[0038] As used herein, the terms "improved yield" and "improved plant yield" refer to the improvement of one or more characteristics of plant yield compared to one or more control plants (e.g., control plants sprouted from untreated seeds).Exemplary plant yield characteristics include, but are not limited to, biomass; bushel per acre; grain weight per plot (GWTPP); nutrient content; the percentage of plants in a given area (e.g., plot) that cannot produce grain; yield at standard moisture content (YSMP), e.g., grain yield at standard moisture content (GYSMP); yield per plot (YPP), e.g., grain weight per plot (GWTPP); and yield reduction (YRED).Unless otherwise indicated, reference to improved plant yield should be interpreted to mean that the compositions and methods of the present disclosure may be able to increase plant yield by increasing nutrient availability, improving soil properties, etc., and should not be interpreted to suggest that the compositions and methods of the present disclosure act as a plant growth regulator. As used herein, the term "foliage" refers to those parts of a plant that typically grow above ground, including, but not limited to, leaves, stalks, stems, flowers, fruiting bodies and fruits.

[0039] As used herein, the terms "foliar application", "foliar applied" and grammatical conjugates thereof refer to the application of one or more active ingredients to the foliage of a plant (e.g., the leaves of a plant). Application can be carried out by any suitable means, including, but not limited to, spraying a composition containing an active ingredient on the plant. In some embodiments, the active ingredient is applied to the leaves, stems and / or stalks of the plant, and is not applied to the flowers, fruiting bodies or fruits of the plant.

[0040] As used herein, the term "glass transition temperature" and its abbreviation "Tg" refer to the midpoint of the temperature range at which a composition transitions from a glassy state to a rubbery state.

[0041] As used herein, the term "glassy state" refers to an amorphous solid.

[0042] As used herein, the term "humic acid" includes pure humic acid and humate salts (humates). Non-limiting examples of humic acid include ammonium humate, boron humate, potassium humate, sodium humate, etc. In some embodiments, the humic acid comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of one or more of MDL No. MFCD00147177 (CAS No. 1415-93-6), MDL No. MFCD00135560 (CAS No. 68131-04-4), MDL No. MFCS22495372 (CAS No. 68514-28-3), CAS No. 93924-35-7, and CAS No. 308067-45-0.

[0043] As used herein, the terms "inoculum composition" and "inoculum" refer to a composition comprising microbial cells and / or spores, said cells / spores capable of growing on or in a substrate (e.g., soil) when conditions (e.g., temperature, moisture, nutrient availability, pH, etc.) are favorable for microbial growth.

[0044] As used herein, the term "isomer" includes all stereoisomers of the compound and / or molecule to which it refers, including enantiomers and diastereomers, as well as all conformers, rotamers and tautomers, unless otherwise indicated. The compounds and / or molecules disclosed herein include all enantiomers, either in substantially pure levorotatory or dextrorotatory form, or in racemic mixtures, or in any ratio of enantiomers. When an embodiment discloses a (D)-enantiomer, the embodiment also includes the (L)-enantiomer; when an embodiment discloses a (L)-enantiomer, the embodiment also includes the (D)-enantiomer. When an embodiment discloses a (+)-enantiomer, the embodiment also includes the (-)-enantiomer; when an embodiment discloses a (-)-enantiomer, the embodiment also includes the (+)-enantiomer. When an embodiment discloses the (S)-enantiomer, the embodiment also includes the (R)-enantiomer; when an embodiment discloses the (R)-enantiomer, the embodiment also includes the (S)-enantiomer. The embodiments are intended to include any diastereomers of the compounds and / or molecules referred to herein in diastereomerically pure form and in the form of mixtures in any ratio. Unless stereochemistry is explicitly stated in a chemical structure or chemical name, the chemical structure or chemical name is intended to encompass all possible stereoisomers, conformers, rotamers and tautomers of the depicted compound and / or molecule.

[0045] As used herein, the term "modified microbial strain" refers to a microbial strain that is modified from a strain isolated from nature. Modified microbial strains can be produced by any suitable method, including but not limited to chemical or other forms of induced mutations of polynucleotides in any genome in the strain; insertion or deletion of one or more nucleotides in any genome in the strain, or a combination thereof; inversion of at least one segment of DNA in any genome in the strain; transposition of any genome in the strain; universal or specific transduction of homozygous or heterozygous polynucleotide segments into any genome in the strain; introduction of one or more phages into any genome of the strain; transformation of any strain resulting in the introduction of stably replicating autonomous extrachromosomal DNA into the strain; any change to any genome or total DNA composition in the strain isolated from nature as a result of combining with any different microbial strain; and any combination of the above. The term modified microbial strain includes strains that have (a) one or more heterologous nucleotide sequences, (b) one or more non-natural copies of a nucleotide sequence isolated from nature (i.e., additional copies of a gene naturally occurring in the microbial strain from which the modified microbial strain is derived), (c) the absence of one or more nucleotide sequences that would naturally be present in the naturally occurring reference strain, e.g., by deleting a nucleotide sequence, and (d) added extrachromosomal DNA. In some embodiments, a modified microbial strain includes a combination of two or more nucleotide sequences (e.g., two or more naturally occurring genes that do not naturally occur in the same microbial strain) or includes a nucleotide sequence isolated from nature at a different locus than the native locus.

[0046] As used herein, the term "non-aqueous" refers to a composition that contains no more than trace amounts of water (ie, 0.5% water by weight or less, based on the total weight of the composition).

[0047] As used herein, the term "nutrient" refers to compounds or elements useful for nourishing plants (e.g., vitamins, macrominerals, micronutrients, trace elements, organic acids, etc., necessary for plant growth and / or development).

[0048] As used herein, the term "onset temperature" refers to the temperature at which a composition begins to transition from a glassy state to a rubbery state.

[0049] As used herein, the term "Penicillium bilaiae" is intended to include all versions of the species name, such as "Penicillium bilaji" and "Penicillium bilaii."

[0050] As used herein, the term "pest" includes any organism or virus that adversely affects plants, including, but not limited to, organisms and viruses that spread disease, damage host plants, and / or compete for soil nutrients. The term "pest" encompasses organisms or viruses that are known to be associated with plants and cause adverse effects on plant health and / or vigor. Plant pests include, but are not limited to, arachnids (e.g., mites, ticks, spiders, etc.), bacteria, fungi, gastropods (e.g., slugs, snails, etc.), invasive plants (e.g., weeds), insects (e.g., whiteflies, thrips, weevils, etc.), nematodes (e.g., root-knot nematodes, soybean cyst nematodes, etc.), rodents, and viruses (e.g., tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV), etc.).

[0051] As used herein, the terms "pesticide" and "pesticidal" refer to an agent or combination of agents whose application is toxic to pests (i.e., kills the pest, inhibits the growth of the pest, and / or inhibits the reproduction of the pest). Non-limiting examples of pesticides include acaricides, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, and nematicides, etc.

[0052] As used herein, the term "phosphate solubilizing microorganism" refers to a microorganism capable of converting insoluble phosphate to a soluble form of phosphate.

[0053] As used herein, the term "plant" includes all plant groups, including, but not limited to, agricultural, horticultural and forestry plants. The term "plant" encompasses plants obtained by conventional plant breeding and optimization methods (e.g., marker-assisted selection), and plants obtained by genetic modification, including cultivars that may or may not be protected by plant breeders' rights.

[0054] As used herein, the term "plant cell" refers to a cell of an intact plant, a cell taken from a plant, or a cell derived from a cell taken from a plant. Thus, the term "plant cell" includes cells within seeds, suspension cultures, embryos, meristematic regions, callus tissue, leaves, shoots, gametophytes, sporophytes, pollen, and microspores.

[0055] As used herein, the term "plant part" refers to any part of a plant, including cells and tissues derived from a plant. Thus, the term "plant part" can refer to any of plant components or organs (e.g., leaves, stems, roots, etc.), plant tissues, plant cells, and seeds. Examples of plant parts include, but are not limited to, anthers, embryos, flowers, fruits, fruiting bodies, leaves, ovules, pollen, rhizomes, roots, seeds, shoots, stems, and tubers, as well as shoots, rootstocks, protoplasts, calli, etc.

[0056] As used herein, the term "plant propagation material" refers to a plant part from which a whole plant can be produced. Examples of plant propagation material include, but are not limited to, seedlings (e.g., leaves, stems), rhizomes, seeds, tubers, and cells / tissues that can be cultured into whole plants.

[0057] As used herein, the term "protectant" refers to an agent or combination of agents whose application enhances the viability and / or stability of microorganisms in an inoculum composition.

[0058] As used herein, the term "rubbery state" refers to an amorphous viscoelastic liquid.

[0059] As used herein, the terms "spore" and "microbial spore" refer to a microorganism in a dormant, protected state.

[0060] As used herein with respect to an inoculum composition, the term "stable" refers to an inoculum composition in which the microorganisms exhibit improved stability and / or improved viability. Generally, an inoculum composition can be designated as "stable" if it improves the viability and / or at least one microbial stability characteristic of at least one microorganism contained therein.

[0061] As used herein with respect to microbial spores, the term "viability" refers to the percentage of microbial spores that are viable (i.e., capable of growing on or in a substrate (e.g., on a seed and / or in soil) when conditions (e.g., temperature, moisture, nutrient availability, pH, etc.) are favorable for microbial growth) over a given period of time.

[0062] Several aspects of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described with reference to embodiments thereof; however, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims.

[0063] All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety, unless they contradict the disclosure explicitly set forth herein.

[0064] The present disclosure provides stable inoculant compositions and methods for increasing the stability and / or viability of microbial spores.

[0065] The present disclosure provides an aqueous inoculant composition comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of one or more microbial spores and an aqueous carrier. In some embodiments, the aqueous inoculant composition comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of microbial spores, one or more protective agents, one or more dispersants, one or more aqueous additives, and a non-aqueous carrier.

[0066] The inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may include any suitable spores, including, but not limited to, spores of agriculturally beneficial microorganisms, such as diazotrophs, phosphate solubilizing microorganisms, and biopesticides.

[0067] In certain embodiments, an inoculum composition of the present disclosure comprises spores from one or more bacteria (eg, one or more gram-negative bacteria and / or one or more gram-positive bacteria). Non-limiting examples of bacterial spores that may be useful in the compositions of the present disclosure include Bacillus amyloliquefaciens D747, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens NRRL B-50349, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens TJ1000, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB24, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens IN937a ... NRRL B-50349, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens NRRL B-5034 amyloliquefaciens IT-45, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens TJ1000, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens MBI600, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BS27 (deposited as NRRL B-5015), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BS2084 (deposited as NRRL B-50013), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 15AP4 (deposited as ATCC PTA-6507), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 3AP4 (deposited as ATCC PTA-6507), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 16AP4 (deposited as ATCC PTA-6507), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 18AP4 (deposited as ATCC PTA-6507), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 16 ... PTA-6506), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens LSSA01 (deposited as NRRL B-50104), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens ABP278 (deposited as NRRL B-50104),Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 1013 (deposited as NRRL B-50509), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 918 (deposited as NRRL B-50508), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 22CP1 (deposited as ATCC PTA-6508) and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BS18 (deposited as NRRL B-50633), Bacillus cereus I-1562, Bacillus firmus firmus I-1582, Bacillus lichenformis BA842 (deposited as NRRL B-50516), Bacillus lichenformis BL21 (deposited as NRRL B-50134), Bacillus mycoides NRRL B-21664, Bacillus pumilus NRRL B-21662, Bacillus pumilus NRRL B-30087, Bacillus pumilus ATCC 55608, Bacillus pumilus ATCC 55609, Bacillus pumilus GB34, Bacillus pumilus KFP9F, Bacillus pumilus QST 2808, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 55078, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 55079, Bacillus subtilis MBI 600, Bacillus subtilis subtilis) NRRL B-21661, Bacillus subtilis NRRL B-21665, Bacillus subtilissubtilis CX-9060, Bacillus subtilis GB03, Bacillus subtilis GB07, Bacillus subtilis QST-713, Bacillus subtilis FZB24, Bacillus subtilis D747, Bacillus subtilis 3BP5 (deposited as NRRL B-50510), Bacillus thuringiensis ATCC 13367, Bacillus thuringiensis GC-91, Bacillus thuringiensis NRRL B-21619, Bacillus thuringiensis ABTS-1857, Bacillus thuringiensis SAN 401 I, Bacillus thuringiensis ABG-6305, Bacillus thuringiensis ABG-6346, Bacillus thuringiensis AM65-52, Bacillus thuringiensis SA-12, Bacillus thuringiensis SB4, Bacillus thuringiensis ABTS-351, Bacillus thuringiensis HD-1, Bacillus thuringiensis EG 2348, Bacillus thuringiensis EG 7826, Bacillus thuringiensis EG 7841, Bacillus thuringiensis DSM 2803, BacillusExamples of strains that can be used in the present invention include spores of Bacillus thuringiensis NB-125, Bacillus thuringiensis NB-176, and combinations thereof, as well as spores of microorganisms having at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or more identity to any of the above strains based on 16S rDNA sequence identity.

[0068] In certain embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more fungal spores. Non-limiting examples of fungal spores that may be useful in the compositions of the present disclosure include Gliocladium virens ATCC 52045, Gliocladium virens GL-21, Glomus intraradices RTI-801, Metarhizium anisopliae F52, Penicillium bilaiae (formerly known as P. bilaie and P. bilaji) ATCC 18309, Penicillium bilaiae ATCC 20851, Penicillium bilaiae ATCC 22348, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50162, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50169, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50776, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50777, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50778, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50779, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50780, Penicillium Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50781, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50782, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50783, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50784, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL50785, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50786, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50787, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50788, Penicillium bilaiae RS7B-SD1, Penicillium brevicompactum AgRF18, Penicillium canescens ATCC 10419, Penicillium expansum ATCC 24692, Penicillium expansum YT02, Penicillium fellatanum ATCC 48694, Penicillium gaestrivorus NRRL 50170, Penicillium glabrum DAOM 239074, Penicillium glabrum CBS 229.28, Penicillium janthinellum ATCC 10455, Penicillium lanosocoeruleum ATCC 48919, Penicillium radicum ATCC 201836, Penicillium radicum FRR 4717, Penicillium radicum FRR 4719, Penicillium radicum N93 / 47267, Penicillium raistrickii ATCC 10490, Trichoderma asperellum SKT-1, Trichoderma asperellum ICC 012, Trichoderma atrovirideatroviride LC52, Trichoderma atroviride CNCM 1-1237, Trichoderma fertile JM41R, Trichoderma gamsii ICC 080, Trichoderma hamatum ATCC 52198, Trichoderma harzianum ATCC 52445, Trichoderma harzianum KRL-AG2, Trichoderma harzianum T-22, Trichoderma harzianum TH-35, Trichoderma harzianum harzianum T-39, Trichoderma harzianum ICC012, Trichoderma reesi ATCC 28217, Trichoderma virens ATCC 57678, Trichoderma virens Gl-3, Trichoderma virens GL-21, Trichoderma virens G-41, Trichoderma viridae ATCC 52440, Trichoderma viridae ICC080, Trichoderma viridae viridae TV1 and combinations thereof, as well as spores of a microorganism having at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or more identity to any of the above strains based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and / or cytochrome c oxidase (CO1) sequence identity.

[0069] In certain embodiments, an inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises spores from one or more mycorrhizal fungi (eg, one or more endomycorrhizal fungi and / or one or more ectomycorrhizal fungi). Non-limiting examples of mycorrhizal fungal spores that may be useful in the compositions of the present disclosure include Gigaspora margarita, Glomus aggregatum, Glomus brasilianum, Glomus clarum, Glomus deserticola, Glomus etunicatum, Glomus intraradices, Glomus monosporum, Glomus mosseae, Laccaria bicolor, Laccaria laccata, Paraglomus brasilianum, Glomus spp. ... and spores of mycorrhizal fungal strains such as: Pisolithus tinctorius, Rhizopogon amylopogon, Rhizopogon fulvigleba, Rhizopogon luteolus, Rhizopogon villosuli, Scleroderma cepa, and Scleroderma citrinum, and combinations thereof.

[0070] In certain embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure comprises spores from one or more diazotrophic organisms.

[0071] In certain embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure comprises spores from one or more phosphate solubilizing microorganisms.

[0072] In certain embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes spores from one or more biofungicides, bioherbicides, bioinsecticides and / or bionematicides. In general, BURGES,FORMULATION OF MICROBIAL BIOPESTICIDES:BENEFICIAL MICROORGANISMS,NEMATODES AND SEED TREATMENTS(Springer Science & Business Media)(2012);HALL & MENN,BIOPESTICIDES:USE AND DELIVERY(Humana Press)(1998);McCoy,et al.,Entomogenous fungi,in CRC HANDBOOK OF NATURAL PESTICIDES.MICROBIAL PESTICIDES,PART A.ENTOMOGENOUS PROTOZOA AND FUNGI(CMInoffo,ed.),Vol.5:151-236(1988);SAMSON,et al.,ATLAS OF ENTOMOPATHOGENIC FUNGI(Springer-Verlag,Berlin)(1988);deFaria and Wraight,Mycoinsecticides and Mycoacaricides:A See a comprehensive list with worldwide coverage and international classification of formulation types, BIOL.CONTROL (2007), doi:10.1016 / j.biocontrol.2007.08.001; and WO 2016 / 096821. Non-limiting examples of biopesticidal strains that may be useful in the compositions of the present disclosure include Ampelomyces quisqualis AQ 10® (Intrachem Bio GmbH & Co. KG, Germany), Aspergillus flavus AFLA-GUARD® (Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc.,CH), Aureobasidium pullulans BOTECTOR® (bio-ferm GmbH, Germany), Bacillus AQ175 (ATCC 55608), Bacillus AQ177 (ATCC 55609), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB24, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens NRRL B-50349, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens TJ1000 (also known as 1BE, isolate ATCC BAA-390), Bacillus firmus I-1582, Bacillus mycoides AQ726 (NRRL B-21664); Bacillus pumilus AQ717 (NRRL B-21662), Bacillus pumilus NRRL B-30087, Bacillus subtilis AQ713 (NRRL B-21661), Bacillus subtilis AQ743 (NRRL B-21665), Bacillus subtilis ATCC 55078, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 55079, Bacillus thuringiensis thuringiensis AQ52 (NRRL B-21619), Beauveria bassiana ATCC-74040, Beauveria bassiana ATCC-74250, Burkholderia sp. A396 sp. nov. rinojensis, NRRL B-50319, Candida oleophila I-182 (e.g., ASPIRE®, Ecogen Inc.,USA), Candida saitoana, Chromobacterium subtsugae NRRL B-30655, Chromobacterium vaccinii NRRL B-50880, Clonostachys rosea f.catenulata (also known as Gliocladium catenulatum) J1446 (PRESTOP®, Verdera, Finland), Coniothyrium minitans CONTANS® (Prophyta, Germany), Cryphonectria parasitica (CNICM, France), Cryptococcus albidus albidus YIELD PLUS® (Anchor Bio-Technologies, South Africa), Flavobacterium H492, NRRL B-50584, Fusarium oxysporum BIOFOX® (SIAPA(Italy)) and FUSACLEAN® (Natural Plant Protection, France), Glioocladium virens GL-21 (SOILGARD®, Certis LLC, USA), Metarhizium anisopliae F52 (also known as Metarhizium anisopliae strain 52, Metarhizium anisopliae strain 7, Metarhizium anisopliae strain 43 and Metarhizium anisopliae BIO-1020, TAE-001; deposited as DSM 3884, DSM 3885, ATCC 90448, SD 170 and ARSEF 7711), Metschnikowia fruticola fructicola SHEMER® (Agrogreen, Israel), Microdochium dimerum ANTIBOT® (Agrauxine, France), Muscodor albus NRRL 30547, Muscodor roseus NRRL 30548, Paecilomyces fumosoroseus FE991, Phlebiopsis gigantea ROTSOP® (Verdera, Finland), Pseudozyma flocculosa SPORODEX® (Plant Products Co. Ltd., Canada), Pythium oligandrum oligandrum) DV74 (POLYVERSUM®, Remeslo SSRO, Biopreparaty, Czech Rep.), Reynoutria sachlinensis (e.g., REGALIA®, Marrone BioInnovations, USA), Streptomyces NRRL B-30145, Streptomyces M1064, Streptomyces galbus NRRL 30232, Streptomyces lydicus WYEC 108 (ATCC 55445), Streptomyces violaceusniger YCED 9 (ATCC 55660), Streptomyces WYE 53 (ATCC 55750), Talaromyces flavus flavus V117b (PROTUS®, Prophyta, Germany), Trichoderma asperellum SKT-1 (ECO-HOPE®, Kumiai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Japan), Trichoderma atroviride LC52 (SENTINEL®, Agrimm Technologies Ltd, NZ), Trichoderma harzianum T-22 (PLANTSHIELD®, BioWorks Inc., USA), Trichoderma harzianum TH-35 (ROOT PRO®, Mycontrol Ltd., Israel), Trichoderma harzianum T-39 (TRICHODEX®, Mycontrol Ltd., Israel; TRICHODERMA 2000 (registered trademark), Makhteshim Ltd., Israel), Trichoderma harzianum ICC012 and Trichoderma viride TRICHOPEL (Agrimm Technologies Ltd, NZ), Trichoderma harzianum ICC012 and Trichoderma viride ICC080 (REMEDIER® WP, Isagro Ricerca, Italy), Trichoderma polysporum and Trichoderma harzianum (BINAB®, BINAB Bio-Innovation AB, Sweden), Trichoderma stromaticum stromaticum TRICOVAB® (CEPLAC, Brazil), Trichoderma virens GL-3 (ATCC 58678), Trichoderma viride TRIECO® (Ecosense Labs. (India) Pvt. Ltd., India, BIO-CURE® F, T. Stanes & Co. Ltd., India), Trichoderma viride TV1 (Agribiotec srl, Italy), Trichoderma viride ICC080, Ulocladium oudemansii HRU3 (BOTRY-ZEN®, Botry-Zen Ltd, NZ) and combinations thereof. Can be obtained.

[0073] In certain embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure comprises spores from one or more modified microbial strains.

[0074] Microbial spores may be incorporated into the inoculum compositions of the present disclosure in any suitable amount / concentration.

[0075] In some embodiments, the microbial spores comprise about 0.1 to about 50% (by weight) of the inoculum composition. For example, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure may comprise about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.25, 3.5, 3.75, 4, 4.25, 4.5, 4.75, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 , 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50% or more (by weight) of one or more microbial spores. In certain embodiments, the amount / concentration of microbial spores is about 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 to about 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, or 25% (by weight) of the inoculum composition.

[0076] In one embodiment, the microbial spores are about 1×10 per gram and / or milliliter of the inoculum composition. 1 ~Approx. 1×10 15 For example, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure may be present in an amount ranging from about 1 x 10 colony forming units (cfu) per gram and / or milliliter of inoculum composition. 1 , 1×10 2 , 1×10 3 , 1×10 4 , 1×10 5 , 1×10 6 , 1×10 7 , 1×10 8 , 1×10 9 , 1×10 10 , 1×10 11 , 1×10 12 microbial spores (e.g., approximately 1 x 10 per gram / milliliter) 4 ~Approx. 1×10 9The strains may include Bacillus amyloliquefaciens TJ1000 (also known as 1BE, isolate ATCC BAA-390), Metarhizium anisopliae F52, Penicillium bilaiae ATCC 20851, Penicillium bilaiae RS7B-SD1, and / or Trichoderma virens Gl-3 spores.

[0077] In certain embodiments, the microbial spores are present in an amount / concentration effective to fix atmospheric nitrogen, solubilize phosphate, control plant pathogenic pests, promote plant growth, increase plant stress tolerance, and / or increase plant yield when the inoculant composition is introduced into a plant growth medium (e.g., soil).

[0078] In certain embodiments, the microbial spores are present in an amount / concentration effective to fix atmospheric nitrogen, solubilize phosphate, control plant pathogenic pests, promote plant growth, increase plant stress tolerance, and / or increase plant yield when the inoculant composition is applied to a plant or plant site.

[0079] Microbial spores can be produced by any suitable method, including, but not limited to, liquid fermentation and solid-state fermentation. See, e.g., Cunningham et al., CAN. J. BOT. 68:2270 (1990); Friesen et al., APPL. MICROBIOL. BIOTECH. 68:397 (2005).

[0080] Microbial spores may be harvested and / or concentrated using any suitable method, including, but not limited to, centrifugation (e.g., density gradient centrifugation, disc stack centrifugation, tubular bowl centrifugation), coagulation, decanting, felt bed collection, filtration (e.g., drum filtration, sieving, ultrafiltration), flocculation, impaction and entrapment (e.g., cyclonic spore entrapment, liquid impingement).

[0081] While the primary focus of this disclosure is compositions and methods for enhancing the stability and / or viability of microbial spores, it should be understood that the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may include one or more microorganisms in a vegetative state (e.g., diazotrophs, phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms, and / or biopesticides).

[0082] Vegetative cells may be incorporated into the inoculum composition of the present disclosure in any suitable amount / concentration. In certain embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure does not include vegetative cells.

[0083] In one embodiment, the vegetative cells comprise about 0.1 to about 50% (by weight) of the inoculum composition. For example, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure may comprise about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.25, 3.5, 3.75, 4, 4.25, 4.5, 4.75, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 3, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50% or more (by weight) of one or more vegetative cells.

[0084] In one embodiment, the vegetative cells are present at about 1×10 per gram and / or milliliter of inoculum composition. 1 ~Approx. 1×10 12For example, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure may be present in an amount ranging from about 1 x 10 colony forming units (cfu) per gram and / or milliliter of inoculum composition. 1 , 1×10 2 , 1×10 3 , 1×10 4 , 1×10 5 , 1×10 6 , 1×10 7 , 1×10 8 , 1×10 9 , 1×10 10 , 1×10 11 , 1×10 12 The agriculturally beneficial microorganisms may contain more than cfu.

[0085] In certain embodiments, the vegetative cells are present in an amount / concentration effective to fix atmospheric nitrogen, solubilize phosphate, control plant pathogenic pests, promote plant growth, increase plant stress tolerance, and / or increase plant yield when the inoculum composition is introduced into a plant growth medium (e.g., soil).

[0086] In certain embodiments, the vegetative cells are present in an amount / concentration effective to fix atmospheric nitrogen, solubilize phosphate, control plant pathogenic pests, promote plant growth, increase plant stress tolerance, and / or increase plant yield when the inoculant composition is applied to a plant or plant site.

[0087] The inoculant composition of the present disclosure can comprise any suitable carrier, including but not limited to leaf compatible carrier, seed compatible carrier and soil compatible carrier.In some embodiments, the inoculant composition comprises one or more aqueous carriers.In some embodiments, the inoculant composition comprises one or more non-aqueous carriers.The selection of suitable carrier material depends on the intended use and the microorganisms present in the inoculant composition.

[0088] In certain embodiments, the carrier material is selected to provide the inoculum composition in the form of a liquid, gel, slurry, or solid.

[0089] In certain embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more liquid and / or gel carriers. Non-limiting examples of liquid / gel carriers that may be useful in the compositions of the present disclosure include oils (e.g., mineral oil, olive oil, peanut oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil), polyethylene glycols (e.g., PEG 200, PEG 300, PEG 400, etc.), propylene glycols (e.g., PPG-9, PPG-10, PPG-17, PPG-20, PPG-26, etc.), ethoxylated alcohols (e.g., TOMADOL® (Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Allentown, PA), TAMOL™ dispersants (The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI), TERGITOL™ 15-S surfactants, e.g., TERGITOL™ 15-S-9 (The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI), polysorbates (e.g., polysorbate 20, polysorbate 40, polysorbate 60, polysorbate 80, etc.), silicones (siloxanes, trisiloxanes, etc.), and combinations thereof.

[0090] In certain embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure includes one or more non-aqueous solvents.

[0091] In certain embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more aqueous solvents.

[0092] In certain embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes one or more inorganic solvents, such as decane, dodecane, hexyl ether, and nonane, and / or one or more organic solvents, such as acetone, dichloromethane, ethanol, hexane, methanol, propan-2-ol, and trichloroethylene.

[0093] Further examples of solvents that can be included in the inoculum compositions of the present disclosure can be found in BURGES, FORMULATION OF MICROBIAL BIOPESTICIDES: BENEFICIAL MICROORGANISMS, NEMATODES AND SEED TREATMENTS (Springer Science & Business Media) (2012); Inoue & Horikoshi, J. FERMENTATION BIOENG. 71(3):194 (1991).

[0094] In some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more solid carriers. For example, in some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more powders (e.g., wettable powders) and / or granules. Non-limiting examples of solid carriers that may be useful in the compositions of the present disclosure include peat-based powders and granules, freeze-dried powders, spray-dried powders, and combinations thereof. Further examples of solid carriers that may be included in the inoculant composition of the present disclosure can be found in BURGES, FORMULATION OF MICROBIAL BIOPESTICIDES: BENEFICIAL MICROORGANISMS, NEMATODES AND SEED TREATMENTS (Springer Science & Business Media) (2012).

[0095] A carrier incorporated into an inoculum composition of the present disclosure may include a growth medium suitable for culturing one or more of the microorganisms in the inoculum composition. For example, in certain embodiments, an inoculum composition of the present disclosure includes Czapek-Dox medium, glycerol yeast extract, mannitol yeast extract, potato dextrose broth, and / or YEM medium.

[0096] The carrier may constitute any suitable portion of the inoculum composition. In some embodiments, the aqueous carrier constitutes about 1 to about 99% (by weight) of the inoculum composition. For example, the aqueous carrier may constitute about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 99.5% or more (by weight) of the inoculum composition. In some embodiments, the non-aqueous carrier constitutes about 1 to about 99% (by weight) of the inoculum composition. For example, the non-aqueous carrier may comprise about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 99.5% or more (by weight) of the inoculum composition. In some embodiments, the amount / concentration of the carrier is about 50 to about 99%, about 55% to about 95%, about 60% to about 95%, about 65% to about 90%, about 70 to about 90%, about 75 to about 90%, about 80 to about 90%, or about 80 to about 85% (by weight) of the inoculum composition. In some embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure includes one or more commercially available carriers used according to the manufacturer's recommended amount / concentration.

[0097] The inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may include any suitable protectant, including, but not limited to, monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, maltodextrins, sugar alcohols, humic acid, malt extract, peat extract, skim milk extract, betaine, proline, sarcosine, peptones, oxidation control components, hygroscopic polymers, and UV protectants.

[0098] In certain embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure includes one or more monosaccharides (e.g., allose, altrose, arabinose, fructose, galactose, glucose, gulose, iodose, lyxose, mannose, ribose, talose, threose, and / or xylose). In certain embodiments, one or more of allose, altrose, arabinose, fructose, galactose, glucose, gulose, iodose, lyxose, mannose, ribose, talose, threose, and xylose are excluded from the inoculum composition of the present disclosure.

[0099] In certain embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes one or more disaccharides (e.g., cellobiose, chitobiose, gentiobiose, gentiobiulose, isomaltose, kojibiose, lactose, lactulose, laminaribiose, maltose (e.g., maltose monohydrate, anhydrous maltose), maltulose, mannobiose, melibiose, melibiulose, nigerose, palatinose, rutinose, rutinulose, sophorose, sucrose, trehalose, turanose, and / or xylobiose). In certain embodiments, one or more of cellobiose, chitobiose, gentiobiose, gentiobiulose, isomaltose, kojibiose, lactose, lactulose, laminaribiose, maltose (e.g., maltose monohydrate, anhydrous maltose), maltulose, mannobiose, melibiose, melibiulose, nigerose, palatinose, rutinose, rutinulose, sophorose, sucrose, trehalose (e.g., trehalose dihydrate, anhydrous trehalose), turanose, and xylobiose are excluded from the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure.

[0100] In some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes one or more oligosaccharides (e.g., fructooligosaccharides, galactooligosaccharides, mannooligosaccharides, and / or raffinose). In some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes raffinose. In some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure does not include raffinose.

[0101] In certain embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more maltodextrins having a dextrose equivalent value (DEV) of about 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, or 25. In certain embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more maltodextrins having a DEV of about 5 to about 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, or 25, about 10 to about 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, or 25, or about 15 to about 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, or 25. In some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes a combination of maltodextrins having a DEV of about 5 to about 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, or 25, about 10 to about 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, or 25, or about 15 to about 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, or 25. In some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes one or more maltodextrins having a DEV of about 10 to about 25 (e.g., one or more maltodextrins having a DEV of about 15 to about 20). In some embodiments, an inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes a combination of maltodextrins having a DEV of about 10 to about 25 (eg, a combination of maltodextrins having a DEV of about 15 to about 20).Non-limiting examples of maltodextrins that may be useful in the compositions of the present disclosure include MALTRIN® M040 (DEV=5; MW=3600; Grain Processing Corporation, Muscatine, IA), MALTRIN® M100 (DEV=10; MW=1800; Grain Processing Corporation, Muscatine, IA), MALTRIN® M150 (DEV=15; MW=1200; Grain Processing Corporation, Muscatine, IA), MALTRIN® M180 (DEV=18; MW=1050; Grain Processing Corporation, Muscatine, IA), MALTRIN® M200 (DEV=20; MW=900; Grain Processing Corporation, Muscatine, IA), MALTRIN® M250 (DEV=25; MW=720; Grain Processing Corporation, Muscatine, IA), MALTRIN® M300 (DEV=30; MW=300; Grain Processing Corporation, Muscatine, IA), MALTRIN® M400 (DEV=40; MW=400; Grain Processing Corporation, Muscatine, IA), MALTRIN® M500 (DEV=5; MW=500; Grain Processing Corporation, Muscatine, IA), MALTRIN® M600 (DEV=6; MW=600; Grain Processing Corporation, Muscatine, IA), MALTRIN® M700 (DEV=7; MW=800; Grain Processing Corporation, Muscatine, IA), MALTRIN® M800 (DEV=8; MW=900; Grain Processing Corporation, Muscatine, IA), MALTRIN® M900 (DEV=9; MW=1000; Grain Processing Corporation, Muscatine, IA), MALTRIN® M100 (DEV=10; MW=1800; Grain Processing Corporation, Muscatine Corporation, Muscatine, IA); MALTRIN QD® M580 (DEV=16.5-19.9; Grain Processing Corporation, Muscatine, IA); MALTRIN QD® M585 (DEV=15.0-19.9; Grain Processing Corporation, Muscatine, IA); MALTRIN QD® M600 (DEV=20.0-23.0; Grain Processing Corporation, Muscatine, IA); GLOBE® Plus 15 DE (Ingredion Inc., Westchester, IL); and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the maltodextrin (or combination of maltodextrins) has a DEV of 15-20.

[0102] In certain embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes one or more sugar alcohols (e.g., arabitol, erythritol, fucitol, galactitol, glycerol, iditol, inositol, isomalt, lactitol, maltitol, maltotetraitol, maltotriitol, mannitol, polyglycitol, ribitol, sorbitol, threitol, volemitol, and / or xylitol. In certain embodiments, one or more of arabitol, erythritol, fucitol, galactitol, glycerol, iditol, inositol, isomalt, lactitol, maltitol, maltotetraitol, maltotriitol, mannitol, polyglycitol, ribitol, sorbitol, threitol, volemitol, and xylitol are excluded from the inoculant composition of the present disclosure.

[0103] In some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes one or more humic acids (e.g., one or more of leonardite humic acids, lignite humic acids, peat humic acids, and water-extracted humic acids). In some embodiments, the inoculant composition includes ammonium humate, boron humate, potassium humate, and / or sodium humate. In some embodiments, one or more of ammonium humate, boron humate, potassium humate, and sodium humate are excluded from the inoculant composition of the present disclosure. Non-limiting examples of humic acids that may be useful in embodiments of the present disclosure include MDL No. MFCD00147177 (CAS No. 1415-93-6), MDL No. MFCD00135560 (CAS No. 68131-04-4), MDL No. MFCS22495372 (CAS No. 68514-28-3), CAS No. 93924-35-7, and CAS No. 308067-45-0.

[0104] In certain embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more of malt extract, peat extract, and / or skim milk extract.

[0105] In certain embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes one or more betaines (eg, trimethylglycine).

[0106] In certain embodiments, an inoculum composition of the present disclosure includes one or more peptones (eg, one or more bacterial peptones, meat peptones, dairy peptones, vegetable peptones, and / or yeast peptones).

[0107] In certain embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes one or more oxidation control components.

[0108] The inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may include any suitable oxidation control component, including, but not limited to, antioxidants and / or oxygen scavengers. In certain embodiments, the oxidation control component is / includes ascorbic acid and / or glutathione.

[0109] In some embodiments, the inoculant composition comprises one or more antioxidants. For example, in some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises ascorbic acid, ascorbyl palmitate, ascorbyl stearate, calcium ascorbate, carotenoids, lipoic acid, phenolic compounds (e.g., flavonoids, flavones, flavonols), potassium ascorbate, sodium ascorbate, thiols (e.g., glutathione, lipoic acid, N-acetylcysteine), tocopherols, tocotrienols, ubiquinones, and / or uric acid. Non-limiting examples of antioxidants that may be useful in the compositions of the present disclosure include those that are soluble in cell membranes (e.g., alpha tocopherol (vitamin E), ascorbyl palmitate), those that are soluble in alcohol (e.g., IRGANOX® antioxidants (BASF Schweiz AG, Basel, Switzerland)), and those that are soluble in water (e.g., ascorbic acid and isomers or ascorbic acid, sodium or potassium salts of ascorbic acid or isomers or ascorbic acid, glutathione, sodium or potassium salts of glutathione). In certain embodiments, the use of membrane-soluble antioxidants requires the addition of one or more surfactants to adequately disperse the antioxidant within the inoculum composition.

[0110] In some embodiments, the inoculant composition includes one or more natural or synthetic oxygen scavengers. For example, in some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes ascorbic acid, ascorbate, catechol, and / or sodium bicarbonate.

[0111] In certain embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more hygroscopic polymers (e.g., one or more of albumin, alginate, cellulose, gum (e.g., cellulose gum, guar gum, gum arabic, gum combretum, xanthan gum), methylcellulose, nylon, pectin, polyacrylic acid, polycarbonate, polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyethyleneimine (PEI), polylactide, polymethylacrylate (PMA), polyurethane, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), propylene glycol, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and / or starch). Non-limiting examples of hygroscopic polymers that may be useful in the compositions of the present disclosure include AGRIMER™ polymers (e.g., 30, AL-10 LC, AL-22, AT / ATF, VA 3E, VA 3l, VA 5E, VA 5l, VA 6, VA 6E, VA 7E, VA 7l, VEMA AN-216, VEMA AN-990, VEMA AN-1200, VEMA AN-1980, VEMA H-815MS; Ashland Specialty Ingredients, Wilmington, DE), EASYSPERSE™ polymers (Ashland Specialty Ingredients, Wilmington, DE), Ingredients, Wilmington, DE); DISCO™ AG polymers (e.g., L-250, L-280, L-285, L-286, L-320, L-323, L-517, L-519, L-520, L800; Incotec Inc., Salinas, CA), KELZAN® polymers (Bri-Chem Supply Ltd., Calgary, Alberta, CA), SEEDWORX™ polymers (e.g., Bio 200; Aginnovation, LLC, Walnut Groove, CA), TABULOSE® gels (e.g., SC-580, SC-612, SC-613, SC-681; Blanver Farmoquimica, Boca Raton, FL), TICAXAN® xanthan powder (TIC Gums, White Marsh, MD), and combinations thereof.Further examples of hygroscopic polymers that can be included in the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure can be found in Pouci, et al. AM. J. AGRIC. BIOL. SCI. 3(1):299 (2008).

[0112] In certain embodiments, the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure include one or more UV protection agents (e.g., one or more aromatic amino acids (e.g., tryptophan, tyrosine), carotenoids, cinnamates, lignosulfonates (e.g., calcium lignosulfonate, sodium lignosulfonate), melanin, mycosporines, polyphenols, and / or salicylates). Non-limiting examples of UV protection agents that may be useful in the compositions of the present disclosure include Borregaard LignoTech™ lignosulfonates (e.g., Borresperse 3A, Borresperse CA, Borresperse NA, Marasperse AG, Norlig A, Norlig 11D, Ufoxane 3A, Ultrazine NA, Vanisperse CB; Borregaard Lignotech, Sarpsborg, Norway) and combinations thereof. Further examples of UV protectants that can be included in the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure can be found in BURGES, FORMULATION OF MICROBIAL BIOPESTICIDES: BENEFICIAL MICROORGANISMS, NEMATODES AND SEED TREATMENTS (Springer Science & Business Media) (2012).

[0113] Protective agents may be incorporated into the inoculum compositions of the present disclosure in any suitable form. In certain embodiments, the protective agents included in the inoculum compositions of the present disclosure are at least 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 99.5% or more pure.

[0114] The protective agent may be incorporated into the inoculant composition of the present disclosure in any suitable amount / concentration. The absolute amount / concentration / dosage of the protective agent sufficient to cause the desired effect may be influenced by factors such as the type, size and volume of the material to which the composition is to be applied, the type of microorganism in the composition, the number of microorganisms in the composition, the stability of the microorganism in the composition and storage conditions (e.g., temperature, relative humidity, duration). Those skilled in the art will understand how to select an effective amount / concentration / dosage using routine dose-response experiments. Guidance for selecting appropriate amounts / concentrations can be found, for example, in International Patent Application Nos. PCT / US2016 / 050529 and PCT / US2016 / 050647 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 62 / 296,798; 62 / 271,857; 62 / 347,773; 62 / 343,217; 62 / 296,784; 62 / 271,873; 62 / 347,785; 62 / 347,794; 62 / 347,805; 62 / 436,517 and 62 / 436,529.

[0115] In certain embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more protectants in an amount / concentration of about 0.0005 to about 95% or more (by weight based on the total inoculum composition). For example, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure may be present in an amount of about 0.0005 to about 0.001, about 0.001 to about 1%, about 0.25 to about 5%, about 1 to about 10%, about 5 to about 25%, about 10% to about 30%, about 20% to about 40%, about 25% to about 50%, about 30 to about 60%, about 50 to about 75%, or about 75 to about 95% (by weight), optionally about 0.0005, 0.001, 0.002, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.0075, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% of one or more monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, maltodextrin, sugar alcohols, humic acid, malt extract, peat extract, skim milk extract, betaine, proline, sarcosine, peptone, oxidation control ingredients, hygroscopic polymers and / or UV protectants.

[0116] In one embodiment, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure comprises about 1×10 -20 M ~ approx. 1×10 -1 M. For example, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure may contain one or more protectants in an amount / concentration of about 1×10 -15 M ~ approx. 1×10 -10 M, about 1 x 10 -14 M ~ approx. 1×10 -8 M, about 1 x 10 -14 M ~ approx. 1×10 -6 M, about 1 x 10 -12 M ~ approx. 1×10 -8 M, about 1 x 10 -12 M ~ approx. 1×10 -6 M, about 1 x 10 -10 M ~ approx. 1×10 -6 M, or approximately 1 x 10 -8 M ~ approx. 1×10 -2 M, optionally about 1×10 -20 M, 1×10-19 M, 1×10 -18 M, 1×10 -17 M, 1×10 -16 M, 1×10 -15 M, 1×10 -14 M, 1×10 -13 M, 1×10 -12 M, 1×10 -11 M, 1×10 -10 M, 1×10 -9 M, 1×10 -8 M, 1×10 -7 M, 1×10 -6 M, 1×10 -5 M, 1×10 -4 M, 1×10 -3 M, 1×10 -2 M, 1×10 -1 M or more of one or more monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, maltodextrins, sugar alcohols, humic acids, malt extracts, peat extracts, skim milk extracts, betaines, prolines, sarcosines, peptones, oxidation control ingredients, hygroscopic polymers and / or UV protection agents.

[0117] In some embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure includes one or more monosaccharides in an amount / concentration of about 0.005 to about 50% (by weight) of the inoculum composition. For example, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure may include about / at least 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25% (by weight) of one or more monosaccharides (e.g., arabinose, fructose, and / or glucose). In one embodiment, the one or more monosaccharides are about 1×10 -20 M ~ approx. 1×10 -1 For example, one or more monosaccharides may be present at a concentration ranging from about / at least 1×10 -20 M, 1×10 -19 M, 1×10 -18 M, 1×10 -17 M, 1×10 -16 M, 1×10-15 M, 1×10 -14 M, 1×10 -13 M, 1×10 -12 M, 1×10 -11 M, 1×10 -10 It may be included at a concentration of less than M / .

[0118] In some embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more disaccharides in an amount / concentration of about 0.005 to about 50% (by weight) of the inoculum composition. For example, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure may comprise about / at least 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25% (by weight) of one or more disaccharides (e.g., maltose, sucrose and / or trehalose). In one embodiment, the one or more disaccharides are about 1×10 -20 M ~ approx. 1×10 -1 For example, the one or more disaccharides are present at a concentration ranging from about / at least 1×10 -20 M, 1×10 -19 M, 1×10 -18 M, 1×10 -17 M, 1×10 -16 M, 1×10 -15 M, 1×10 -14 M, 1×10 -13 M, 1×10 -12 M, 1×10 -11 M, 1×10 -10 It may be included at a concentration of less than M / .

[0119] In some embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure includes one or more sugar alcohols in an amount / concentration of about 0.005 to about 50% (by weight) of the inoculum composition. For example, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure may include about / at least 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25% / less (by weight) of one or more sugar alcohols (e.g., arabitol, mannitol, sorbitol, and / or xylitol). In one embodiment, the one or more sugar alcohols are about 1×10 -20 M ~ approx. 1×10 -1 For example, the one or more sugar alcohols may be present at a concentration ranging from about / at least 1×10 -20 M, 1×10 -19 M, 1×10 -18 M, 1×10 -17 M, 1×10 -16 M, 1×10 -15 M, 1×10 -14 M, 1×10 -13 M, 1×10 -12 M, 1×10 -11 M, 1×10 -10 It may be included at a concentration of less than M / .

[0120] In certain embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more maltodextrins in an amount / concentration of from about 0.005 to about 95% or more (by weight) of the inoculum composition. For example, an inoculant composition of the present disclosure may include one or more maltodextrins having a DEV value of about / at least 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or less (individually and / or collectively) of about 15 to about 20. In some embodiments, the amount / concentration of maltodextrin is from about 0.001 to about 1%, from about 0.25 to about 5%, from about 1 to about 10%, from about 1 to about 65%, from about 10% to about 30%, from about 20% to about 40%, from about 20% to about 50%, or from about 30 to about 60% (by weight) of the inoculum composition. -20 M ~ approx. 1×10 -1 For example, the one or more maltodextrins may be present in a concentration ranging from about / at least 1×10 -20 M, 1×10 -19 M, 1×10 -18 M, 1×10 -17 M, 1×10 -16 M, 1×10 -15 M, 1×10 -14 M, 1×10 -13 M, 1×10 -12 M, 1×10 -11 M, 1×10 -10 It may be included at a concentration of less than M / .

[0121] In some embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more humic acids in an amount / concentration of about 0.005 to about 95% or more (by weight) of the inoculum composition. In some embodiments, the humic acids (e.g., potassium humate and / or sodium humate) comprise about 0.001 to about 1%, about 0.25 to about 5%, or about 1 to about 10% (by weight) of the composition. For example, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure may comprise about / at least 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 15, 20, 25% (by weight) of one or more humic acids (e.g., potassium humate and / or sodium humate). -20 M ~ approx. 1×10 -1 For example, one or more humic acids may be present in a concentration ranging from about / at least 1×10 -20 M, 1×10 -19 M, 1×10 -18 M, 1×10 -17 M, 1×10 -16 M, 1×10 -15 M, 1×10 -14 M, 1×10 -13 M, 1×10 -12 M, 1×10 -11 M, 1×10 -10 It may be included at a concentration of less than M / .

[0122] In some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes one or more malt extracts in an amount / concentration of about 0.005 to about 95% or more (by weight) of the inoculant composition. For example, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure may include about / at least 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25% / less of one or more maltodextrins having a DEV value of about 15 to about 20 (individually and / or collectively). In some embodiments, the amount / concentration of the malt extract is about 0.001 to about 1%, about 0.25 to about 5%, or about 1 to about 10% (by weight) of the inoculum composition. -20 M ~ approx. 1×10 -1 For example, the one or more malt extracts may be present in a concentration ranging from about / at least 1×10 -20 M, 1×10 -19 M, 1×10 -18 M, 1×10 -17 M, 1×10 -16 M, 1×10 -15 M, 1×10 -14 M, 1×10 -13 M, 1×10 -12 M, 1×10 -11 M, 1×10 -10In some embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure may contain one or more peat extracts, skim milk extracts, and / or peptones in an amount / concentration of about 0.005 to about 25% (by weight) of the inoculum composition. For example, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure may contain about / at least 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05.0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 15, 20, 25% or more (by weight) of one or more peat extracts, skim milk extracts, and / or peptones. In one embodiment, the amount / concentration of peat extract, skim milk extract and / or peptone is about 0.5 to about 10% (by weight) of the inoculum composition.

[0123] In some embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure includes one or more hygroscopic polymers in an amount / concentration of about 0.005 to about 25% (by weight) of the inoculum composition, hi some embodiments, the hygroscopic polymer comprises about 0.5 to about 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, or 10% (by weight) of the inoculum composition. For example, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure may contain about / at least 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05.0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 15, 20, 25% / less (by weight) of one or more hygroscopic polymers. In some embodiments, the amount / concentration of the hygroscopic polymer is about 0.5 to about 10% (by weight) of the inoculum composition. In some embodiments, the amount / concentration of the hygroscopic polymer is about 0.5 to about 5% (by weight) of the inoculum composition. In certain embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more commercially available hygroscopic polymers used according to the manufacturer's recommended amounts / concentrations.

[0124] In certain embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more oxidation control components in an amount / concentration of about 0.0001 to about 5% or more (by weight) of the composition. For example, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure may comprise about / at least 0.0005, 0.001, 0.002, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.0075, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5% / less of one or more oxidation control components. In one embodiment, the amount / concentration of the oxidation control component is about 0.005 to about 2% (by weight) of the composition. In one embodiment, the oxidation control component is about 1×10 -20 M ~ approx. 1×10 -1 For example, the one or more oxidation control components may be present in a concentration ranging from about / at least 1×10 -20 M, 1×10 -19 M, 1×10 -18 M, 1×10 -17 M, 1×10 -16 M, 1×10 -15 M, 1×10 -14 M, 1×10 -13 M, 1×10 -12 M, 1×10 -11 M, 1×10 -10 In some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes one or more commercially available antioxidants used in accordance with the manufacturer's recommended amounts / concentrations. In some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes one or more commercially available oxygen scavengers used in accordance with the manufacturer's recommended amounts / concentrations.

[0125] Protective agents may be incorporated into the inoculum compositions of the present disclosure in any suitable ratio.

[0126] In certain embodiments, an inoculum composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more maltodextrins and one or more monosaccharides, disaccharides and / or oligosaccharides in a ratio of about 1:99 to about 99:1 (by weight based on the weight percentages of each of the maltodextrins and monosaccharides, disaccharides and / or oligosaccharides in the inoculum composition). For example, an inoculant composition of the present disclosure may include one or more maltodextrins and one or more disaccharides (e.g., maltose, sucrose and / or trehalose) in a ratio of maltodextrin:disaccharides of about 5:95, 10:90, 15:85, 20:80, 25:75, 30:70, 35:65, 40:60, 45:55, 50:50, 55:45, 60:40, 65:35, 70:30, 75:25, 80:20, 85:15, 90:10, 95:5 or more, preferably about 50:50, 55:45, 60:40, 65:35, 70:30, 75:25, 80:20, 85:15, 90:10, 95:5 or more. Thus, in one embodiment, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more maltodextrins having a DEV of about 15 to about 20 in a ratio of about 45:55, 50:50, 55:45, 60:40, 65:35, 70:30, 75:25, 80:20, 85:15, 90:10, 95:5, and one or more monosaccharides, disaccharides and / or oligosaccharides.

[0127] In one embodiment, an inoculum composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more maltodextrins and one or more sugar alcohols in a ratio of about 1:99 to about 99:1 (by weight based on the weight percentages of each of the maltodextrin and sugar alcohol in the inoculum composition). For example, an inoculant composition of the present disclosure may include one or more maltodextrins and one or more sugar alcohols (e.g., arabitol, mannitol, sorbitol, and / or xylitol) in a maltodextrin:sugar alcohol ratio of about 5:95, 10:90, 15:85, 20:80, 25:75, 30:70, 35:65, 40:60, 45:55, 50:50, 55:45, 60:40, 65:35, 70:30, 75:25, 80:20, 85:15, 90:10, 95:5 or greater, preferably about 50:50, 55:45, 60:40, 65:35, 70:30, 75:25, 80:20, 85:15, 90:10, 95:5 or greater. Thus, in one embodiment, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more maltodextrins having a DEV of about 15 to about 20, and one or more sugar alcohols in a ratio of about 45:55, 50:50, 55:45, 60:40, 65:35, 70:30, 75:25, 80:20, 85:15, 90:10, 95:5.

[0128] In certain embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more monosaccharides and / or disaccharides and one or more sugar alcohols in a ratio of about 1:99 to about 99:1 (by weight based on the weight percentages of each of the monosaccharides and / or disaccharides and sugar alcohols in the inoculum composition). For example, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure may comprise a ratio of about 5:95, 10:90, 15:85, 20:80, 25:75, 30:70, 35:65, 40:60, 45:55, 50:50, 55:45, 60:40, 65:35, 70:30, 75:25, 80:20, 85:15, 90:10, 95:5 or more, preferably about 50:50, 55:45, 60:40, 65:35, 70:30, 75:25 , 80:20, 85:15, 90:10, 95:5 or more monosaccharide and / or disaccharide:sugar alcohol ratios.

[0129] In one embodiment, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more, 0, ... Storage at 1, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and / or 40°C and at a relative humidity of at least 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95%; Approximately 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or more dry; About 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or more dryness and for a period of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more storage at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and / or 40°C and at a relative humidity of greater than or equal to 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95%; Frozen storage at -80°C or below for periods of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more; application to plant propagation material (optionally seeds); application to plant propagation material and drying to about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or more; Application to plant propagation material and for periods of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more Storage at 0, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and / or 40°C and at a relative humidity of at least 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95%; Foliar spraying; Foliar spray and drying to about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or greater; and / or Foliar sprays and 0.1, 0.2, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 or more days. Exposure to temperatures of 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and / or 40°C and relative humidity of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or greater followed by a sufficient amount / concentration of one or more protectants to ensure that the microbial spores / vegetative cell microorganisms survive in the inoculum composition of the present disclosure.

[0130] In one embodiment, the amount / concentration of stabilizer included in the inoculum composition is: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more Storage at 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and / or 40°C and at a relative humidity of at least 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95%; Approximately 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or more dry; About 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or more dryness and for a period of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more storage at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and / or 40°C and at a relative humidity of greater than or equal to 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95%; Frozen storage at -80°C or below for periods of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more; application to plant propagation material (optionally seeds); application to plant propagation material and drying to about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or more; Application to plant propagation material and for periods of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more Storage at 0, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and / or 40°C and at a relative humidity of at least 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95%; Foliar spraying; Foliar spray and drying to about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or greater; and / or Foliar sprays and 0.1, 0.2, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 or more days. Exposure to temperatures of 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and / or 40°C and relative humidity of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or greater after incubation, the inoculum composition is selected to ensure that at least 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% of the microorganisms in the inoculum composition survive.

[0131] In one embodiment, the amount / concentration of stabilizer included in the inoculum composition is: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more Storage at 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and / or 40°C and at a relative humidity of at least 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95%; Approximately 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or more dry; About 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or more dryness and for a period of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more storage at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and / or 40°C and at a relative humidity of greater than or equal to 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95%; Frozen storage at -80°C or below for periods of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more; application to plant propagation material (optionally seeds); application to plant propagation material and drying to about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or more; Application to plant propagation material and for periods of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more Storage at 0, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and / or 40°C and at a relative humidity of at least 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95%; Foliar spraying; Foliar spray and drying to about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or greater; and / or Foliar sprays and 0.1, 0.2, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 or more days. Exposure to temperatures of 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and / or 40°C and relative humidity of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or greater at least 1 x 10 per gram and / or milliliter of inoculum composition. 1 , 1×10 2 , 1×10 3 , 1×10 4 , 1×10 5 , 1×10 6 , 1×10 7 , 1×10 8 , 1×10 9 , 1×10 10Selection is then performed to ensure that more colony forming units survive.

[0132] The inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may include any suitable agriculturally acceptable dispersing agent, including, but not limited to, surfactants and wetting agents.

[0133] In some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes one or more anionic surfactants. For example, in some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes one or more water-soluble anionic surfactants and / or one or more water-insoluble anionic surfactants, optionally including alkyl carboxylates (e.g., sodium stearate), alkyl sulfates (e.g., alkyl lauryl sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate), alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl amido ether sulfates, alkylaryl polyether sulfates, alkylaryl sulfates, alkylaryl sulfonates, alkyl sulfonates, alkyl amido sulfonates, alkylaryl sulfonates, alkyl benzene sulfonates, alkyl diphenyl oxide sulfonates, α-olefin sulfonates, alkyl naphthalene sulfonates, paraffin sulfonates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether ... The anionic surfactant may include one or more anionic surfactants selected from the group consisting of ether sulfosuccinates, alkyl amido sulfosuccinates, alkyl sulfosuccinamates, alkyl sulfoacetates, alkyl phosphates, alkyl ether phosphates, acylsarcosinates, acylisethionates, N-acyltaurates, N-acyl-N-alkyl taurates, benzenesulfonates, cumenesulfonates, dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinates, ethoxylated sulfosuccinates, ligninsulfonates, linear alkylbenzenesulfonates, monoglyceride sulfates, perfluorobutanesulfonates, perfluorooctane sulfonates, phosphate esters, styrene acrylic polymers, toluenesulfonates, and xylenesulfonates.

[0134] In some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more cationic surfactants. For example, in some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more cationic surfactants selected from the group consisting of one or more pH-dependent amines and / or one or more quaternary ammonium cations, optionally alkyltrimethylammonium salts (e.g., cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, cetyltrimethylammonium chloride), cetylpyridinium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, 5-bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane, dimethyldioctadecylammonium chloride, cetrimonium bromide, dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide and / or octenidine dihydrochloride.

[0135] In certain embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more non-ionic surfactants. For example, in certain embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more water-soluble non-ionic surfactants and / or one or more water-insoluble non-ionic surfactants, optionally including an alcohol ethoxylate (e.g., TERGITOL™ 15-S surfactant, e.g., TERGITOL™ 15-S-9 (The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI), alkanolamides, alkanolamine condensates, carboxylic acid esters, cetostearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, cocamide DEA, dodecyl dimethylamine oxide, ethanolamides, ethoxylates of glycerol esters and glycol esters, ethylene oxide polymers, ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymers, glucoside alkyl ethers, glycerol alkyl ethers (e.g., glycerol esters, glycol alkyl ethers (e.g., polyoxyethylene glycol alkyl ethers, polyoxypropylene glycol alkyl ethers), glycol alkyl phenol ethers (e.g., polyoxyethylene glycol alkyl phenol ethers), glycol esters, monosodium glutamate ... The composition further comprises one or more non-ionic surfactants selected from the group consisting of nolaurin, pentaethylene glycol monododecyl ether, poloxamer, polyamines, polyglycerol polyricinoleate, polysorbate, polyoxyethylated fatty acids, polyoxyethylated mercaptans, polyoxyethylated polyoxypropylene glycols, polyoxyethylene glycol sorbitan alkyl esters, polyethylene glycol-polypropylene glycol copolymers, polyoxyethylene glycol octylphenol ether, polyvinylpyrrolidone, sugar-based alkyl polyglycosides, sulfanilamides, sorbitan fatty acid alcohol ethoxylates, sorbitan fatty acid ester ethoxylates, sorbitan fatty acid esters and / or tertiary acetylenic glycols.

[0136] In some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises at least one non-ionic surfactant.In some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises at least one water-insoluble non-ionic surfactant and at least one water-soluble non-ionic surfactant.In some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises a combination of non-ionic surfactants that have substantially the same length of hydrocarbon chain.

[0137] In some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more amphoteric surfactants. For example, in some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more betaines and / or one or more sultaines, optionally one or more amphoteric surfactants selected from the group consisting of 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate, cocamidopropyl betaine, cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and / or one or more sphingomyelins.

[0138] In some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes one or more soaps and / or organosilicone surfactants. For example, in some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes one or more alkali metal salts of fatty acids.

[0139] In some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more wetting agents. For example, in some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more naphthalene sulfonates, optionally one or more alkyl naphthalene sulfonates (e.g., sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonates), one or more isopropyl naphthalene sulfonates (e.g., sodium isopropyl naphthalene sulfonates) and / or one or more butyl naphthalene sulfonates (e.g., sodium n-butyl naphthalene sulfonates).

[0140] The selection of suitable surfactant depends on the intended use and the microorganism present in the inoculant composition.In general, surfactant has low toxicity to the microorganism in the inoculant composition and the plant part to which the inoculant composition is applied.In some embodiments, surfactant is selected to moisten and / or emulsify one or more soils.

[0141] Non-limiting examples of dispersants that may be useful in the compositions of the present disclosure include Atlox™ (e.g., 4916, 4991; Croda International PLC, Edison, NJ), BIO-SOFT® (e.g., N series, e.g., N1-3, N1-7, N1-5, N1-9, N23-3, N2.3-6.5, N25-3, N25-7, N25-9, N91-2.5, N91-6, N91-8; Stepan Company, Northfield, IL), MAKON® nonionic surfactants (e.g., DA-4, DA-6, and DA-9; Stepan Company, Northfield, IL), MORWET® powders (Akzo Nobel Surface Chemistry), and PEG-1000 powders (Akzo Nobel Surface Chemistry). LLC, Chicago, IL), MULTIWET™ surfactants (e.g., MO-70R, MO-85P, MO-85P-PW-(AP); Croda International PLC, Edison, NJ), SILWET® L-77 (Helena Chemical Company, Collierville, TN), SPAN™ surfactants (e.g., 20, 40, 60, 65, 80 and 85; Croda Inc., Edison NJ), TAMOL™ dispersants (The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI), TERGITOL™ surfactants (e.g., 15-S-9, TMN-6, TMN-100X and XD; The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI), TERSPERSE surfactants (e.g., 2001, 2020, 2100, 2105, 2158, 2700, 4894 and 4896; Hunstman Corp., The Woodlands, TX), TRITON™ surfactants (e.g., X-100; The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI), TWEEN® surfactants (e.g., TWEEN® 20, 21, 22, 23, 28, 40, 60, 61, 65, 80, 81 and 85; Croda International PLC, Edison, NJ), and combinations thereof.Further examples of dispersants that can be included in the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure can be found in BAIRD & ZUBLENA. 1993. SOIL FACTS: USING WETTING AGENTS (NONIONIC SURFACTANTS) ON SOIL (North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service Publication AG-439-25) (1993); BURGES, FORMULATION OF MICROBIAL BIOPESTICIDES: BENEFICIAL MICROORGANISMS, NEMATODES AND SEED TREATMENTS (Springer Science & Business Media) (2012); MCCARTY, WETTING AGENTS (Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service Publication) (2001).

[0142] Dispersants may be incorporated into the inoculum composition of the present disclosure in any suitable amount / concentration. In some embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure includes one or more dispersants in an amount / concentration of about 0.01 to about 25% (by weight) of the composition. For example, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure may include about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 15, 20, 25% or more (by weight) of one or more dispersants. In certain embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more dispersants in an amount / concentration of about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, or 1 to about 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, or 10% (by weight) of the composition. In certain embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure comprises two, three, four, five or more dispersants in a combined amount / concentration of about 1 to about 10% (by weight) of the composition, optionally about 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, or 10% (by weight) of the composition. In certain embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes one or more commercially available wetting agents and / or one or more surfactants used according to the manufacturer's recommended amounts / concentrations.

[0143] As described above, the inoculant composition of the present invention may contain a myriad of agriculturally beneficial microbial spores. It should be understood that the inoculant composition of the present disclosure may contain other agriculturally beneficial components, such as biostimulants, microbial extracts, nutrients, pest attractants, pesticides, and plant signal molecules.

[0144] The inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may include any suitable biostimulant, including, but not limited to, seaweed extracts (e.g., Ascophyllum nodosum extracts such as alginates, Ecklonia maxima extracts, etc.), humic acids (e.g., potassium humate), fulvic acid, myo-inositol, glycine, and combinations thereof.

[0145] The inoculum composition of the present disclosure may include any suitable microbial extract, including, but not limited to, bacterial extracts (e.g., extracts from media containing one or more diazotrophs, phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms and / or biopesticides), fungal extracts, and combinations thereof.

[0146] In some embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more aqueous microbial extracts. For example, in some embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more microbial extracts that contain more than 0.5% water by weight based on the total weight of the composition, but less than 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9 or 5% water by weight based on the total weight of the composition.

[0147] In certain embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more Azospirillum extracts (e.g., an extract of a medium containing A. brasilense INTA Az-39), one or more Bradyrhizobium extracts (e.g., B. elkanii SEMIA 501, B. elkanii SEMIA 587, B. elkanii SEMIA 5019, B. japonicum NRRL B-50586 (also deposited as NRRL B-59565), B. japonicum NRRL B-50587 (also deposited as NRRL B-59566), B. japonicum NRRL B-50588 (also deposited as NRRL B-59568), B. japonicum NRRL B-50589 (also deposited as NRRL B-59569), B. japonicum NRRL B-50581 (also deposited as NRRL B-59561), B. japonicum NRRL B-50582 (also deposited as NRRL B-59562), B. japonicum NRRL B-50583 (also deposited as NRRL B-59563), B. japonicum NRRL B-50584 (also deposited as NRRL B-59564), B. japonicum NRRL B-50585 (also deposited as NRRL B-59565), B. japonicum NRRL B-50586 (also deposited as NRRL B-59566), B. japonicum NRRL B-50587 (also deposited as NRRL B-59568), B. japonicum NRRL B-50588 (also deposited as NRRL B-59569), B. japonicum NRRL B-50589 ( B-59567), B. japonicum NRRL B-50589 (also deposited as NRRL B-59568), B. japonicum NRRL B-50590 (also deposited as NRRL B-59569), B. japonicum NRRL B-50591 (also deposited as NRRL B-59570), B. japonicum NRRL B-50592 (also deposited as NRRL B-59571), B. japonicum NRRL B-50593 (also deposited as NRRL B-59572), B. japonicum NRRL B-50594 (NRRL (also deposited as B-50493), B. japonicum NRRL B-50608, B. japonicum NRRL B-50609, B. japonicum NRRL B-50610, B. japonicum NRRL B-50611, B. japonicum NRRL B-50612, B. japonicum NRRL B-50726, B. japonicum NRRL B-50727, B. japonicum NRRL B-50728, B.japonicum) NRRL B-50728, B. japonicum) NRRL B-50729, B. japonicum) NRRL B-50730, B. japonicum) SEMIA 566, B. japonicum) SEMIA 5079, B. japonicum) SEMIA 5080, B. japonicum) USDA 6, B. japonicum) USDA 110, B. japonicum) USDA 122, B. japonicum) USDA 123, B. japonicum) USDA 127, B. japonicum USDA 129 and / or B. japonicum USDA 532C), one or more Rhizobium extracts (e.g., extracts of a medium containing R. leguminosarum SO12A-2), one or more Sinorhizobium extracts (e.g., extracts of a medium containing S. fredii CCBAU114 and / or S. fredii USDA 205), one or more Penicillium extracts (e.g., P. bilaie ATCC 18309, P. bilaie ATCC 20851, P. bilaie ATCC 20852, P. bilaie ATCC 20853 ... 22348, P.bilaiae NRRL 50162, P.bilaiae NRRL 50169, P.bilaiae NRRL 50776, P.bilaiae NRRL 50777, P.bilaiae NRRL 50778, P.bilaiae NRRL 50779, P.bilaiae NRRL 50780, P.bilaiae NRRL 50781, P.bilaiae NRRL 50772, P.bilaiae NRRL 50773, P.bilaiae NRRL 50774, P.bilaiae NRRL 50775, P.bilaiae NRRL 50776bilaiae NRRL 50782, P.bilaiae NRRL 50783, P.bilaiae NRRL 50784, P.bilaiae NRRL 50785, P.bilaiae NRRL 50786, P.bilaiae NRRL 50787, P.bilaiae NRRL 50788, P.bilaiae RS7B-SD1, P.brevicompactum AgRF18, P.canescens ATCC 10419, P.expansum ATCC 24692, P. expansum YT02, P. fellatanum ATCC 48694, P. gaestrivorus NRRL 50170, P. glabrum DAOM 239074, P. glabrum CBS 229.28, P. janthinellum ATCC 10455, P. lanosocoeruleum ATCC 48919, P. radicum ATCC 201836, P. radicum FRR 4717, P. radicum FRR 4719, extracts of a medium containing P. radicum N93 / 47267 and / or P. raistrickii ATCC 10490), one or more Pseudomonas extracts (e.g., extracts of a medium containing P. jessenii PS06), one or more acaricidal, insecticidal and / or nematicidal extracts (e.g., Bacillus firmus I-1582, Bacillus mycoides AQ726, NRRL B-21664; Beauveria bassiana ATCC-74040, Beauveria bassiana ATCC-74250, Burkholderia sp. A396 sp. nov. linogensis,A396 sp. nov. rinojensis, NRRL B-50319, Chromobacterium subtsugae NRRL B-30655, Chromobacterium vaccinii NRRL B-50880, Flavobacterium H492, NRRL B-50584, Metarhizium anisopliae F52 (also known as Metarhizium anisopliae strain 52, Metarhizium anisopliae strain 7, Metarhizium anisopliae strain 43 and Metarhizium anisopliae BIO-1020, TAE-001; DSM 3884, DSM 3885, ATCC 90448, SD 170 and ARSEF 7711) and / or extracts of a medium containing Paecilomyces fumosoroseus FE991), and / or one or more fungicidal extracts (e.g., Ampelomyces quisqualis AQ 10® (Intrachem Bio GmbH & Co. KG, Germany), Aspergillus flavus AFLA-GUARD® (Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc.,CH), Aureobasidium pullulans BOTECTOR® (bio-ferm GmbH,Germany), Bacillus pumilus AQ717 (NRRL B-21662), Bacillus pumilus NRRL B-30087, Bacillus AQ175 (ATCC 55608), Bacillus AQ177 (ATCC 55609), Bacillus subtilis AQ713 (NRRL B-21661), Bacillus subtilis AQ743 (NRRL B-21665), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens amyloliquefaciens FZB24, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens NRRL B-50349, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens TJ1000 (also known as 1BE, isolate ATCC BAA-390), Bacillus thuringiensis AQ52 (NRRL B-21619), Candida oleophila I-82 (e.g., ASPIRE®, Ecogen Inc., USA), Candida saitoana BIOCURE® (in mixture with lysozyme; BASF, USA) and BIOCOAT® (ArystaLife Science, Ltd., Cary, NC), Clonostachys rosea f. catenulata (Clonostachys rosea f.catenulata (also called Gliocladium catenulatum) J1446 (PRESTOP®, Verdera, Finland), Coniothyrium minitans CONTANS® (Prophyta, Germany), Cryphonectria parasitica (CNICM, France), Cryptococcus albidus YIELD PLUS® (Anchor Bio-Technologies, South Africa), Fusarium oxysporum BIOFOX® (manufactured by SIAPA, Italy) and FUSACLEAN® (Natural Plant Protection, France), Glioocladium virens virens GL-21 (SOILGARD®, Certis LLC, USA), Metschnikowia fructicola SHEMER® (Agrogreen, Israel), Microdochium dimerum ANTIBOT® (Agrauxine, France), Musco. Muscodor albus NRRL 30547, Muscodor roseus NRRL 30548, Phlebiopsis gigantea ROTSOP® (Verdera, Finland), Pseudozyma flocculosa SPORODEX® (Plant Products Co. Ltd., Canada), Pythium oligandrum DV74 (POLYVERSUM®, Remeslo SSRO, Biopreparaty, Czech Rep.), Reynoutria sachlinensis (e.g. REGALIA®, Marrone BioInnovations, USA), Streptomyces NRRL B-30145, Streptomyces M1064, Streptomyces galbus NRRL 30232, Streptomyces lydicus WYEC 108 (ATCC 55445), Streptomyces violaceusniger YCED 9 (ATCC 55660), Streptomyces WYE 53 (ATCC 55750), Talaromyces flavus V117b (PROTUS®, Prophyta, Germany), Trichoderma asperellum SKT-1 (ECO-HOPE®, Kumiai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Japan), Trichoderma atroviride LC52 (SENTINEL®, Agrimm Technologies Ltd, NZ), Trichoderma harzianum T-22 (PLANTSHIELD®, BioWorks Inc.,USA), Trichoderma harzianum TH-35 (ROOT PRO® from Mycontrol Ltd., Israel), Trichoderma harzianum T-39 (TRICHODEX®, Mycontrol Ltd., Israel; TRICHODERMA 2000®, Makhteshim Ltd., Israel), Trichoderma harzianum ICC012 and Trichoderma viride TRICHOPEL (Agrimm Technologies Ltd, NZ), Trichoderma harzianum ICC012 and Trichoderma viride ICC080 (REMEDIER® WP, Isagro Ricerca, Italy), Trichoderma polysporum and Trichoderma harzianum (BINAB®, BINAB Bio-Innovation AB, Sweden), Trichoderma stromaticum TRICOVAB® (CEPLAC, Brazil), Trichoderma virens GL-3, ATCC 58678, Trichoderma viride TRIECO® (Ecosense Labs. (India) Pvt. Ltd., India, BIO-CURE® F, T. Stanes & Co. Ltd.,India), Trichoderma viride TV1 (Agribiotec srl,Italy), Trichoderma viride ICC080, and / or Ulocladium oudemansii HRU3 (BOTRY-ZEN®, Botry-Zen Ltd, NZ) as extracts of media containing Trichoderma viride TV1 (Agribiotec srl,Italy), Trichoderma viride ICC080, and / or Ulocladium oudemansii HRU3 (BOTRY-ZEN®, Botry-Zen Ltd, NZ).

[0148] The inoculant composition of the present disclosure may contain, but is not limited to, organic acids (e.g., acetic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, malic acid, taurine, etc.), macrominerals (e.g., phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, iron, etc.), trace elements (e.g., boron, cobalt, chloride, chromium, copper, fluoride, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, zinc, etc.), vitamins (e.g., vitamin A, B vitamins (i.e., vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin B7, vitamin B8, vitamin B9, vitamin B10, vitamin B11, vitamin B12, vitamin B13, vitamin B14, vitamin B15, vitamin B16, vitamin B17, vitamin B18, vitamin B19, vitamin B20, vitamin B21, vitamin B22, vitamin B23, vitamin B24, vitamin B25, vitamin B26, vitamin B27, vitamin B28, vitamin B29, vitamin B30, vitamin B31, vitamin B32, vitamin B33, vitamin B34, vitamin B35, vitamin B36, vitamin B37, vitamin B38, vitamin B39, vitamin B40, vitamin B41, vitamin B42, vitamin B43, vitamin B44, vitamin B45, vitamin B46, vitamin B47, vitamin B48, vitamin B49, vitamin B50, vitamin B51, vitamin B52, vitamin B53, vitamin B54, vitamin B55, vitamin B56, vitamin B57, vitamin B58, vitamin B59, vitamin B60, vitamin B61, vitamin B62, vitamin B63, vitamin B64, vitamin B65, vitamin B66, vitamin B67, vitamin B68, vitamin B69, vitamin B70, vitamin B71, vitamin B72, vitamin B73, vitamin B74, vitamin B 12 , choline), vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, carotenoids (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein, lycopene, zeaxanthin, etc.), and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes phosphorus, boron, chlorine, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and / or zinc.

[0149] The inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may include any suitable pest attractant and / or feeding stimulant, including, but not limited to, brevicomin, ceralure, codrelure, curua, disparlure, dominicalure, eugenol, frontalin, gossiplua, grandlure, hexalure, ipsdienol, ipsenol, japonilure, laitlure, lineatin, litlua, louplua, medulure, megatomoic acid, methyleugenol, moguchun, α-multistriatin, muscalure, orfularure, orictalure, ostramon, rescalure, siglua, sulcatol, trimedlure, and / or tranquol.

[0150] The inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may include any suitable pesticide, including, but not limited to, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, and nematicides. In some embodiments, the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure include one or more biopesticides (e.g., one or more biofungicides, bioinsecticides, and / or bionematicides).

[0151] The inoculant composition of the present disclosure may include any suitable insecticide, including, but not limited to, biological and chemical insecticides. The insecticide may be selected to provide effective control against a wide range of insects, including, but not limited to, insects of the orders Coleoptera, Dermaptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Homoptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Orthoptera, and Thysanoptera. For example, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure may be effective in preventing or alleviating the symptoms of diseases caused by Acrididae, Aleytodidae, Anobiidae, Anthomyiidae, Aphididae, Bostrichidae, Bruchidae, Cecidomyiidae, Cerambycidae, Cercopidae, Chrysomelidae, Cicadellidae, Coccinellidae, Cryllotalpidae, Cuculionidae, Curculionidae, and other insects. In some embodiments, the composition may include one or more insecticides that are toxic to insects of the following families: Acanthurus lionidae, Dermestidae, Elateridae, Gelechiidae, Lygaeidae, Meloidae, Membracidae, Miridae, Noctuidae, Pentatomidae, Pyralidae, Scarabaeidae, Silvanidae, Spingidae, Tenebrionidae, and / or Thripidae. In certain embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure is directed to insects of the genus Acalymma, Acanthaoscelides (e.g., A. obtectus), and / or other insects of the genus Acalymma.obtectus), Anasa (e.g., A. tristis), Anastrepha (e.g., A. ludens), Anoplophora (e.g., A. glabripennis), Anthonomus (e.g., A. eugenii), Acyrthosiphon (e.g., A. pisum), Bactrocera Bactrocera (e.g., B. dosalis), Bemisia (e.g., B. argentifolii, B. tabaci), Brevicoryne (e.g., B. brassicae), Bruchidius (e.g., B. atrolineatus), Bruchus (e.g., B. atomarius) , B. dentipes, B. lentis, B. pisorum and / or B. rufipes), Callosobruchus (e.g. C. chinensis, C. maculatus, C. rhodesianus, C. subinnotatus, C. theobromae), Caryedon (e.g. , C. serratus), Cassadinae, Ceratitis (e.g. C. capitata), Chrysomelinae, Circulifer (e.g. C. tenellus), Criocerinae, Cryptocephalinae, Cryptolestes (e.g. C.ferrugineus, C. pusillis, C. pussilloides), Cylas (e.g., C. formicarius), Delia (e.g., D. antiqua), Diabrotica, Diaphania (e.g., D. nitidalis), Diaphorina (e.g., D. citri) , Donaciinae, Ephestia (e.g. E. cautella, E. elutella, E. keuhniella), Epilachna (e.g. E. varivestris), Epiphyas (e.g. E. postvittana), Eumolpinae, Galerucinae, Helicoverpa (e.g., H. zea), Heteroligus (e.g., H. meles), Iobesia (e.g., I. botrana), Lamprosomatinae, Lasioderma (e.g., L. serricorne), Leptinotarsa ​​(e.g., L. decemlineata) , Leptoglossus, Liriomyza (e.g., L. trifolii), Manduca, Melittia (e.g., M. cucurbitae), Myzus (e.g., M. persicae), Nezara (e.g., N. viridula), Orzaephilus (e.g., O. mercator),merator, O. surinamensis), Ostrinia (e.g. O. nubilalis), Phthorimaea (e.g. P. operculella), Pieris (e.g. P. rapae), Plodia (e.g. P. interpunctella), Plutella (e.g. P. xylostella ), Popillia (e.g., Japanese beetle (P. japonica)), Prostephanus (e.g., P. truncates), Psila, Rhizopertha (e.g., R. dominica), Rhopalosiphum (e.g., R. maidis), Sagrinae, Solenopsis (e.g., S.I. nvicta), the subfamily Spiropyrinae, the genus Sitophilus (e.g. S. granaries, S. oryzae and / or S. zeamais), the genus Sitotroga (e.g. S. cerealella), the genus Spodoptera (e.g. S. frugiperda), the genus Stegobium (e.g. S. paniceum), Subfamily Synetinae, genus Tenebrio (e.g. T. malens and / or T. molitor), genus Thrips (e.g. T. tabaci), genus Trialeurodes (e.g. T. vaporariorum), genus Tribolium (e.g. T. castaneum and / or T.confusum), Trichoplusia (e.g., T. ni), Trogoderma (e.g., T. granarium), and Trogossitidae (e.g., T. mauritanicus). Additional species of insects that may be targeted by the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure are found in CAPINERA, HANDBOOK OF VEGETABLE PESTS (2001) and Steffey and Gray, Managing Insect Pests, in ILLINOIS AGRONOMY HANDBOOK (2008).

[0152] The inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may include any suitable nematicide, including, but not limited to, biological and chemical nematicides. The nematicide may be selected to provide effective control against a broad range of nematodes, including, but not limited to, plant parasitic nematodes of the classes Chromadorea and Enoplea. In certain embodiments, the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may be selected to provide effective control against nematodes of the genera Anguina, Aphelenchoides, Belonolaimus, Bursaphelenchus, Ditylenchus, Globodera, Helicotylenchus, Heterodera, Hirschmaniella, and the like. manniella, Meloidogyne, Naccobus, Pratylenchus, Radopholus, Rotylenshulus, Trichodorus, Tylenchulus and / or Xiphinema. Additional examples of nematodes that may be targeted by the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure can be found in CAPINERA, HANDBOOK OF VEGETABLE PESTS (2001) and Niblack, Nematodes, in ILLINOIS AGRONOMY HANDBOOK (2008).

[0153] As noted above, the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may include one or more biological insecticides and / or nematicides (i.e., one or more microorganisms whose presence and / or production are toxic to acarids, insects and / or nematodes).

[0154] In some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes one or more chemical insecticides and / or nematicides. For example, in some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes one or more carbamates, diamides, macrocyclic lactones, neonicotinoids, organophosphates, phenylpyrazoles, pyrethrins, spinosyns, synthetic pyrethroids, tetronic acid, and / or tetramic acid. Non-limiting examples of chemical insecticides and nematicides that may be useful in the inoculant composition of the present disclosure include acrinathrin, alpha-cypermethrin, beta-cyfluthrin, cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, esfenvalerate, etofenprox, fenpropathrin, fenvalerate, flucythrinate, hosthiazate, lambda-cyhalothrin, gamma-cyhalothrin, permethrin, tau-fluvalinate, transfluthrin, cyhalothrin, cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, esfenvalerate, etofenprox, fenpropathrin, fenvalerate, flucythrinate, phosthiazate, lambda-cyhalothrin, gamma-cyhalothrin, permethrin, tau-fluvalinate, transfluthrin, cyhalo ... Phosphorus, zeta-cypermethrin, cyfluthrin, bifenthrin, tefluthrin, eflusilanat, fubfenprox, pyrethrins, resmethrin, imidacloprid, acetamiprid, thiamethoxam, nitenpyram, thiacloprid, dinotefuran, clothianidin, imidaclothiz, chlorfluazuron, diflubenzuron, lufenuron, teflubenzuron, trimethrin Flumuron, Novaluron, Flufenoxuron, Hexaflumuron, Bistrifluron, Noviflumuron, Buprofezin, Cyromazine, Methoxyfenozide, Tebufenozide, Halofenozide, Chromafenozide, Endosulfan, Fipronil, Ethiprole, Pyrafluprole, Pyriprole, Flubendiamide, Chlorantraniliprole (e.g., Rynaxypyr), Cyazypyr, Emamectin, Emamectin Benzoin acid salt, abamectin, ivermectin, milbemectin, lepimectin, tebufenpyrad, fenpiroximate, pyridaben, fenazaquin, pyrimidifen, tolfenpyrad, dicofol, cyenopyrafen, cyflumetofen, acequinocyl, fluacrypyrim, bifenazate, diafenthiuron, etoxazole, clofentezine, spinosad, triarathen, tetradifon, propargite, hexythiazox,Bromopropylate, quinomethionate, amitraz, pyrifluquinazone, pymetrozine, flonicamid, pyriproxyfen, diofenolan, chlorfenapyr, metaflumizone, indoxacarb, chlorpyrifos, spirodiclofen, spiromesifen, spirotetramat, pyridalyl, spinctoram, acephate, triazophos, profenofos, oxamyl, spinetoram, fenamiphos, fenamiphos These include fenamipclothiahos, 4-{[(6-chloropyrid-3-yl)methyl](2,2-difluoroethyl)amino}furan-2(5H)-one, cadusafos, carbaryl, carbofuran, ethoprophos, thiodicarb, aldicarb, aldoxycarb, methamidophos, methiocarb, sulfoxaflor, cyantraniliprole and thioxazaphene and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises abamectin, aldicarb, aldoxycarb, bifenthrin, carbofuran, chlorantraniliprole, clothianidin, cyfluthrin, cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, cyantraniliprole, deltamethrin, dinotefuran, emamectin, ethiprole, fenamiphos, fipronil, flubendiamide, fosthiazate, imidacloprid, ivermectin, lambda-cyhalothrin, milbemectin, nitenpyram, oxamyl, permethrin, spinetoram, spinosad, spirodiclofen, spirotetramat, tefluthrin, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, and / or thiodicarb. In certain embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises an insecticide selected from the group consisting of clothianidin, thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, cyantraniliprole, chlorantraniliprole, fluopyram and thioxazafen.

[0155] Further examples of insecticides and nematicides that can be included in the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure can be found in Steffey and Gray, Managing Insect Pests, in ILLINOIS AGRONOMY HANDBOOK (2008) and Niblack, Nematodes, in ILLINOIS AGRONOMY HANDBOOK (2008).

[0156] In certain embodiments, the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure contain one or more commercially available insecticides and nematicides used according to the manufacturer's recommended amounts / concentrations.

[0157] The inoculant composition of the present disclosure may include any suitable fungicide, including, but not limited to, biological and chemical fungicides. The fungicide may be selected to provide effective control against a wide range of plant pathogenic fungi (and fungus-like organisms), including, but not limited to, soil pathogens of the Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes, Chytridiomycetes, Deuteromycetes (synonym: Fungi imperfecti), Peronosporomycetes (synonym: Oomycetes), Plasmodiophoromycetes, and Zygomycetes. In certain embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure is selected from the group consisting of Albugo (e.g., A. candida), Alternaria (e.g., A. alternata), Aspergillus (e.g., A. candidus, A. clavatus, A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. parasiticus, A. restrictus, A. sojae, A. solani), Blumeria (e.g., B. graminis), and the like. ), Botrytis (e.g., B. cinerea), Cladosporum (e.g., C. cladosporioides), Colletotrichum (e.g., C. acutatum, C. boninense, C. capsici, C. caudatum, C. coccodes, C. crassipes, C. dematium, C. destructivum, C. fragariae, C. gloeosporioides, C.gloeosporioides, C. graminicola, C. kehawee, C. lindemuthianum, C. musae, C. orbiculare, C. spinaceae, C. sublineolum, C. trifolii, C. truncatum), Fusarium (e.g., F. grami F. graminearum, F. moniliforme, F. oxysporum, F. roseum, F. tricinctum), Helminthosporium, Magnaporthe (e.g. M. grisea, M. oryzae), Melamspora (e.g. M. lini), Mycobacterium gramineum (e.g. M. grisea ... Mycosphaerella (e.g., M. graminicola), Nematospora, Penicillium (e.g., P. rugulosum, P. verrucosum), Phakopsora (e.g., P. pachyrhizi), Phomopsis, Phytiphtoria (e.g., P. infestans), infestans), Puccinia (e.g., P. graminis, P. striiformis, P. tritici, P. triticina), Pucivinia (e.g., P. graministice), Pythium, Pytophthora, Rhizoctonia (e.g., R. solani),solani), Scopulariopsis, Selerotinia, Thielaviopsis and / or Ustilago (e.g., U. maydis). Further examples of fungi that may be targeted by the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure can be found in Bradley, Managing Diseases, in ILLINOIS AGRONOMY HANDBOOK (2008).

[0158] As noted above, the inoculum compositions of the present disclosure may include one or more biofungicides (ie, one or more microorganisms whose presence and / or production are toxic to fungi).

[0159] In some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes one or more chemical fungicides. For example, in some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes one or more aromatic hydrocarbons, benzimidazoles, benzothiadiazoles, carboxamides, carboxylic acid amides, morpholines, phenylamides, phosphonates, quinone external inhibitors (e.g., strobilurins), thiazolidines, thiophanates, thiophene carboxamides, and / or triazoles. Non-limiting examples of chemical fungicides that may be useful in the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure include strobilurins, such as azoxystrobin, cumoxystrobin, coumoxystrobin, dimoxystrobin, enesterobulin, fluoxastrobin, kresoxim-methyl, metominostrobin, oryzastrobin, picoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, pyrametostrobin, pyraoxystrobin, pyribencarb, trifloxystrobin, 2-[2-(2,5-dimethyl-phenoxymethyl)-phenyl]-3-methoxy-acrylic acid methyl ester and 2-(2-(3-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-1-methyl-allylideneaminooxymethyl)-phenyl)-2-methoxyimino-N-methyl-acetamide;Carboxamides, such as carboxanilides (e.g., benalaxyl, benalaxyl-M, benodanil, bixafen, boscalid, carboxin, fenfuram, fenhexamid, flutolanil, fluxapyroxad, furametpyr, isopyrazam, isotianil, kiralaxyl, mepronil, metalaxyl, metalaxyl-M (mefenoxam), ofrace, oxadixyl, oxycarboxin, penflufen, penthiopyrad, sedaxane, tecloftalam , thifluzamide, thiadinil, 2-amino-4-methyl-thiazole-5-carboxyanilide, N-(4'-trifluoromethylthiobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-difluoromethyl-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(2-(1,3,3-trimethylbutyl)-phenyl)-1,3-dimethyl-5-fluoro-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide), carboxylic acid morpholides (e.g., dimethomorph, flumorph, pyrimorph), benzoic acid amides (e.g., flumetova, -, fluopicolide, fluopyram, zoxamide), carpropamid, dicyclomet, mandipropamide, oxytetracycline, silthiofam and N-(6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)cyclopropanecarboxylic acid amide; azoles, such as triazoles (e.g. azaconazole, bitertanol, bromuconazole, cyproconazole, difenoconazole, diniconazole, diniconazole-M, epoxiconazole, fenbuconazole, fluquinone, conazoles, flusilazole, flutriafol, hexaconazole, imibenconazole, ipconazole, metconazole, myclobutanil, oxypoconazole, paclobutrazol, penconazole, propiconazole, prothioconazole, simeconazole, tebuconazole, tetraconazole, triadimefon, triadimenol, triticonazole, uniconazole) and imidazoles (e.g., cyazofamid, imazalil, pefurazoate, prochloraz, triflumizole);Heterocyclic compounds, for example pyridines (e.g. fluazinam, pyrifenox (cf. D1b), 3-[5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-2,3-dimethyl-isoxazolidin-3-yl]-pyridine, 3-[5-(4-methyl-phenyl)-2,3-dimethyl-isoxazolidin-3-yl]-pyridine), pyrimidines (e.g. bupirimate, cyprodinil, diflumetrim, fenarimol, ferimzone, mepanipyrim, nitrapyrin, nuarimol, pyrimethanil), piperazines (e.g. triforine), pyrroles (e.g. , fenpiclonil, fludioxonil), morpholines (e.g., aldimorph, dodemorph, dodemorph acetate, fenpropimorph, tridemorph), piperidines (e.g., fenpropidin); dicarboximides (e.g., fluoroimide, iprodione, procymidone, vinclozolin), non-aromatic 5-membered heterocycles (e.g., famoxadone, fenamidone, flutianil, octhilinone, probenazole, 5-amino-2-isopropyl-3-oxo-4-ortho-tolyl-2,3-dihydro-pyrazole-1-carbothioic acid S-allyl ester), acibenzolar-S-methyl, amethoctrazine, amisulbrom, anilazine, blasticidin-S, captafol, captan, quinomethionate, dazomet, debacarb, diclomedine, difenzoquat, difenzoquat-methyl sulfate, fenoxanil, folpet, oxolinic acid, piperalin, proquinazide, pyroquilon, quinoxyfen, triazoxide, tricyclazole, 2-butoxy-6-iodo-3-propylchromen-4-one, 5-chloro-1 -(4,6-Dimethoxy-pyrimidin-2-yl)-2-methyl-1H-benzimidazole and 5-chloro-7-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-6-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl)-[1,2,4]triazolo-[1,5-a]pyrimidine; benzimidazoles, such as carbendazim; and other active substances, such as guanidines (e.g. guanidine, dodine, dodine free base, guazatine, guazatine acetate, iminoctadine), iminoctadine triacetate and iminoctadine-tris(albesilate);Antibiotics (e.g., kasugamycin, kasugamycin hydrochloride hydrate, streptomycin, polyoxin and validamycin A), nitrophenyl derivatives (e.g., binapacryl, dicloran, dinobuton, dinocap, nitrotar-isopropyl, tecnazene). Organometallic compounds (e.g., fentin salts, e.g., triphenyltin acetate, triphenyltin chloride, triphenyltin hydroxide);Sulfur-containing heterocyclyl compounds (e.g., dithianone, isoprothiolane), organophosphorus compounds (e.g., edifenphos, fosetyl, fosetyl-aluminum, iprobenfos, phosphoric acid and its salts, pyrazophos, tolclofos-methyl), organochlorine compounds (e.g., chlorothalonil, dichlofluanid, dichlorophen, flusulfamide, hexachlorobenzene, pencycuron, pentachlorophenol and its salts, phthalide, quintozene, thiophanate-methyl, thiophanate, tolylfluanid, N-(4-chloro-2-nitro-phenyl)-N-ethyl-4-methyl-benzenesulfonamide) and inorganic active substances (e.g., Bordeaux mixture, copper acetate, copper hydroxide, copper oxychloride, basic copper sulfate, sulfur) and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises acibenzolar-S-methyl, azoxystrobin, benalaxyl, bixafen, boscalid, carbendazim, cyproconazole, dimethomorph, epoxiconazole, fludioxonil, fluopyram, fluoxastrobin, flutianil, flutolanil, fluxapyroxad, fosetyl-Al, ipconazole, isopyrazam, kresoxim-methyl, mefenoxam, metalaxyl, metconazole, myclobutanil, oryzastrobin, penflufen, penthiopyrad, picoxystrobin, propiconazole, prothioconazole, pyraclostrobin, sedaxane, silthiofam, tebuconazole, thiabendazole, thifluzamide, thiophanate, tolclofos-methyl, trifloxystrobin, and triticonazole. In certain embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises azoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, fluoxastrobin, trifloxystrobin, ipconazole, prothioconazole, sedaxane, fludioxonil, metalaxyl, mefenoxam, thiabendazole, fluxapyroxad and / or fluopyram;

[0160] Further examples of fungicides that can be included in the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure can be found in Bradley, Managing Diseases, in ILLINOIS AGRONOMY HANDBOOK (2008).

[0161] The inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may include any suitable herbicide, including, but not limited to, biological and chemical herbicides. The herbicide may be selected to provide effective control against a wide range of plants, including, but not limited to, plants of the Asteraceae, Caryophyllaceae, Poaceae, and Polygonaceae families. In certain embodiments, the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may be used to control or control Echinochloa (e.g., E. brevipedicellata, E. callopus, E. chacoensis, E. colona, ​​E. crus-galli, E. crus-pavonis, E. elliptica, E. esculenta ... E. esculenta, E. frumentacea, E. glabrescens, E. haploclada, E. helodes, E. holciformis, E. inundata, E. jaliscana, E. Jubata, E. kimberleyensis, E. ki mberleyensis), E. lacunaria, E. macrandra, E. muricata, E. obtusiflora, E.oplismenoides, E.orzyoides, E.paludigena, E.picta, E.pith opus, E. polystachya, E. praestans, E. pyramidalis, E. rotundiflora, E. stagnina, E. telmatophila, E. turneriana, E. ugandensis, E. warteri, E.walteri), Fallopia (e.g. F. baldschuanica, F. japonica, F. sachalinensis), Stellaria (e.g. S. media) and / or Taraxacum (e.g. T. albidum, T. aphrogenes, T. brevicorniculatum, T. californicum, T. selenite). The herbicide (or combination of herbicides) used in the present invention include herbicides (or combinations of herbicides) that are toxic to one or more strains of the following fungi: T. centrasiatum, T. ceratophorum, T. erythrospermum, T. farinosum, T. holmboei, T. japonicum, T. kok-saghyz, T. laevigatum, T. officinale, and T. platycarpum. Additional species of plants that may be targeted by the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure can be found in Hager, Weed Management, in ILLINOIS AGRONOMY HANDBOOK (2008) and LOUX ET AL., WEED CONTROL GUIDE FOR OHIO, INDIANA AND ILLINOIS (2015).

[0162] As noted above, the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may include one or more bioherbicides (ie, one or more microorganisms whose presence and / or production are toxic to plants).

[0163] In some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more chemical herbicides.For example, in some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitors, acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors, acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) inhibitors, photosystem II inhibitors, photosystem I inhibitors, protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO or protox) inhibitors, carotenoid biosynthesis inhibitors, enolpyruvylshikimate 3-phosphate (EPSP) synthase inhibitors, glutamine synthetase inhibitors, dihydropteroate synthetase inhibitors, mitosis inhibitors, 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (4-HPPD) inhibitors, synthetic auxins, auxin herbicide salts, auxin transport inhibitors, nucleic acid inhibitors, and / or one or more salts, esters, racemic mixtures, and / or degradation isomers thereof. Non-limiting examples of chemical herbicides that may be useful in the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure include 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T), ametryn, amicarbazone, aminocyclopyrachlor, acetochlor, acifluorfen, alachlor, atrazine, azafenidin, bentazon, benzofenap, bifenox, bromacil, bromoxynil, butachlor, butafenacil, butroxydim, carfentrazone-ethyl, chlorimuron, chlorotoluron, clethodim, clodinafop, clomazone, cyanazine, cycloxydim, cyhalofop, desmedipham, desmetryn, dicamba, diclofop, dimefron, diuron, dithiopyr. , fenoxaprop, fluazifop, fluazifop-P, fluometuron, flufenpyr-ethyl, flumiclorac-pentyl, flumioxazin, fluoroglycofen, fluthiacet-methyl, fomesafe, fomesafen, glyphosate, glufosinate, haloxyfop, hexazinone, imazamox, imazaquin, imazethapyr, ioxynil, isoproturon, isoxaflutole, lactofen, linuron, mecoprop, mecoprop-P, mesotrione, metamitron, metazochlor (metazochlor), methibenzuron, metolachlor (and S-metolachlor), methoxuron, metribuzin, monolinuron, oxadiargyl, oxadiazon, oxyfluorfen, phenmedipham, pretilachlor, profoxydim, prometon, prometry, propachlor, propanil, propaquizafop, propisochlor, pyraflufen-ethyl, pyrazone, pyrazolinate, pyrazoxyfen, pyridate, quizalofop, quizalofop -P (e.g., quizalofop-ethyl, quizalofop-P-ethyl, clodinafop-propargyl, cyhalofop-butyl, diclofop-methyl, fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, fluazifop-P-butyl, haloxyfop-methyl, haloxyfop-R-methyl), saflufenacil, sethoxydim, siduron, simazine, simetryne, sulcotrione, sulfentrazone, tebuthiuron, tembotrione, tepraloxydim, terbacil, terbumetone, terbuthylazine, saxtomin (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,989,393), thenylchlor, tralkoxydim, triclopyr, trietazine, topramezone, its salts and esters; its racemic mixtures and degradation isomers, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes acetochlor, clethodim, dicamba, flumioxazin, fomesafen, glyphosate, glufosinate, mesotrione, quizalofop, saflufenacil, sulcotrione, ethyl 2-((3-(2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-(3-methyl-2,6-dioxo-4-(trifluoromethyl)-2,3-dihydropyrimidin-1(6H)-yl)phenoxy)pyridin-2-yl)oxy)acetate, and / or 2,4-D. In certain embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes glyphosate, glufosinate, dicamba, 2,4-D, acetochlor, metolachlor, pyroxasulfone, flumioxazin, fomesafen, lactofen, metribuzin, mesotrione, and / or ethyl 2-((3-(2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-(3-methyl-2,6-dioxo-4-(trifluoromethyl)-2,3-dihydropyrimidin-1(6H)-yl)phenoxy)pyridin-2-yl)oxy)acetate.

[0164] Further examples of herbicides that can be included in the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure can be found in Hager, Weed Management, in ILLINOIS AGRONOMY HANDBOOK (2008) and LOUX ET AL., WEED CONTROL GUIDE FOR OHIO, INDIANA AND ILLINOIS (2015).

[0165] The inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may include any suitable plant signal molecule, including, but not limited to, lipo-chitooligosaccharides (LCOs), chitooligosaccharides (COs), chitinous compounds, flavonoids, jasmonic acid or a derivative thereof, linoleic acid or a derivative thereof, linolenic acid or a derivative thereof, and karrikins.

[0166] The inoculant composition of the present disclosure may include any suitable LCO. LCOs, sometimes called symbiotic nodulation (Nod) signals or Nod factors, consist of an oligosaccharide backbone of β-1,4-linked N-acetyl-D-glucosamine ("GIcNAc") residues with N-linked fatty acyl chains condensed at the non-reducing end. LCOs vary in the number of GIcNAc residues in the backbone, the length and saturation of the fatty acyl chains, and the substitution of reducing and non-reducing sugar residues. See, for example, Denarie, et al., ANN. REV. BIOCHEM. 65:503 (1996); Hamel, et al., PLANTA 232:787 (2010); Prome, et al., PURE & APPL. CHEM. 70(1):55 (1998). Non-limiting examples of LCOs include the LCOs described in International Patent Application No. PCT / US2016 / 050529. In certain embodiments, an inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or more LCOs represented by structures V-XXXIII of International Patent Application No. PCT / US2016 / 050529, and / or one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or more analogs, derivatives, hydrates, isomers, salts, and / or solvates of the LCOs represented by structures V-XXXIII of International Patent Application No. PCT / US2016 / 050529.

[0167] The LCO included in the compositions and methods of the present disclosure can be obtained from any suitable source. According to an embodiment, the LCO is obtained (i.e., isolated and / or purified) from a bacterial strain. According to an embodiment, the inoculant composition includes one or more LCOs obtained from Azorhizobium, Bradyrhizobium (e.g., B. japonicum), Mesorhizobium, Rhizobium (e.g., R. leguminosarum), or Sinorhizobium (e.g., S. meliloti). According to an embodiment, the LCO is obtained (i.e., isolated and / or purified) from a mycorrhizal fungus. For example, in certain embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more LCOs obtained from strains of the phylum Glomerocycota (e.g., Glomus intraradicus). See, e.g., WO 2010 / 049751, in which the LCOs are referred to as "Myc factors." According to certain embodiments, the LCOs are synthetic. According to certain embodiments, the inoculum composition comprises one or more of the synthetic LCOs described in WO 2005 / 063784, WO 2007 / 117500, and / or WO 2008 / 071674. In certain embodiments, the synthetic LCOs contain one or more modifications or substitutions, such as those described in Spain, CRIT. REV. PLANT SCI. 54:257 (2000), and D'Haeze, supra. LCOs and precursors for the construction of LCOs (eg, COs that are useful in their own right as plant signaling molecules) can be synthesized by genetically modified organisms.See, e.g., Samain et al., CARBOHYDRATE RES. 302:35 (1997); Cottaz, et al., METH. ENG. 7(4):311 (2005); and Samain, et al., J. BIOTECHNOL. 72:33 (1999) (e.g., FIG. 1 therein shows structures of CO that can be produced recombinantly in E. coli having different combinations of the genes nodBCHL).

[0168] LCO (and its derivatives) may be used in various forms of purity and may be used alone or in the form of a culture of LCO-producing bacteria or fungi, in certain embodiments, the LCO included in the inoculum composition of the present disclosure is at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5% or more pure.

[0169] The inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may include any suitable CO. COs, sometimes referred to as N-acetyl-chitooligosaccharides, are also composed of GIcNAc residues, but have side chain modifications, such that they are more easily dissociated from the chitin molecule [(CH 13 No. 5) n , CAS number 1398-61-4] and chitosan molecule [(C 11 No. 4) n, CAS number 9012-76-4]. For example, D'Haeze et al., GLYCOBIOL.12(6):79R(2002);Demont-Caulet et al.,PLANT PHYSIOL.120(1):83(1999);Hanel et al.,PLANTA 232:787(2010);Muller et al.,PLANT PHYSIOL.124:733(2000);Robina et al.,TETRAHEDRON 58:521-530(2002);Rouge et al.,Docking of Chitin Oligomers and Nod Factors on Lectin Domains of the LysM-RLK Receptors in the Medicago-Rhizobium Symbiosis,in THE MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY OF COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES-3(Springer Science,2011);Van der Holst et al. See, e.g., et al., CURR. OPIN. STRUC. BIOL. 11:608 (2001); and Wan et al., PLANT CELL 21:1053 (2009); PCT / F100 / 00803 (2000). CO differs from LCO in that it does not have the fatty acid side chain characteristic of LCO. Non-limiting examples of LCO include CO described in International Patent Application No. PCT / US2016 / 050529. In certain embodiments, an inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten or more COs represented by structures XXXVI-XXXIX of International Patent Application No. PCT / US2016 / 050529, and / or one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten or more analogs, derivatives, hydrates, isomers, salts and / or solvates of COs represented by structures XXXVI-XXXIX of International Patent Application No. PCT / US2016 / 050529.

[0170] The CO included in the compositions and methods of the present disclosure can be obtained from any suitable source. According to an embodiment, the CO is derived from an LCO. According to an embodiment, the inoculum composition includes one or more COs derived from an LCO obtained (i.e., isolated and / or purified) from a strain of Azorhizobium, Bradyrhizobium (e.g., B. japonicum), Mesorhizobium, Rhizobium (e.g., R. leguminosarum), Sinorhizobium (e.g., S. meliloti), or a symbiotic fungus (e.g., Glomus intraradicus). In some embodiments, the CO is derived from an LCO represented by one or more of formulas I-IV and / or structures V-XXXIII of International Patent Application No. PCT / US2016 / 050529. Thus, in some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure may include one or more COs represented by one or more of structures V-XXXIII of International Patent Application No. PCT / US2016 / 050529, except that the pendant fatty acid is replaced with a hydrogen or methyl group. According to some embodiments, the CO is synthetic. Methods for the preparation of recombinant CO are known in the art. See, for example, Cottaz et al., METH. ENG. 7(4):311 (2005); Samain et al., CARBOHYDRATE RES. 302:35 (1997.); and Samain et al., J. BIOTECHNOL. 72:33 (1999).

[0171] CO (and its derivatives) may be used in various forms of purity and may be used alone or in the form of a culture of CO-producing bacteria or fungi. In certain embodiments, the CO included in the inoculum composition of the present disclosure is at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5% or more pure.

[0172] The inoculant composition of the present disclosure may include any suitable chitinous compound, including, but not limited to, chitin (IUPAC: N-[5-[[3-acetylamino-4,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2yl]methoxymethyl]-2-[[5-acetylamino-4,6-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3-yl]methoxymethyl]-4-hydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3-ys]ethanamide), chitosan (IUPAC: 5-amino-6-[5-amino-6-[5-amino-4,6-dihydroxy-2(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3-yl]oxy-4-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3-yl]oxy-2(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3,4-diol) and isomers, salts and solvates thereof. Chitin and chitosan, the major components of fungal cell walls and insect and crustacean exoskeletons, are composed of GIcNAc residues. The chitin and chitosan contained in the compositions and methods of the present disclosure can be obtained from any suitable source. Chitin and chitosan can be obtained commercially or prepared from insect, crustacean shells, or fungal cell walls. Methods for the preparation of chitin and chitosan are known in the art. For example, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,536,207 (preparation from crustacean shells) and 5,965,545 (preparation from crab shells, and hydrolysis of commercially available chitosan); Pochanavanich, et al., LETT.APPL.MICROBIOL.35:17(2002) (preparation from fungal cell walls). Deacetylated chitin and chitosan can be obtained ranging from less than 35% to more than 90% deacetylation and over a wide range of molecular weights, e.g., low molecular weight chitosan oligomers less than 15 kD and chitin oligomers between 0.5 and 2 kD; "practical grade" chitosan having a molecular weight of about 15 kD; and high molecular weight chitosan up to 70 kD. Chitin and chitosan compositions formulated from seed treatments are commercially available. Commercially available products include, for example, ELEXA® (Plant Defense Boosters, Inc.) and BEYOND™ (Agrihouse, Inc.).

[0173] The inoculant composition of the present disclosure may include any suitable flavonoid, including, but not limited to, anthocyanidins, anthoxanthins, chalcones, coumarins, flavanones, flavanonols, flavans and isoflavonoids, as well as their analogs, derivatives, hydrates, isomers, polymers, salts and solvates.Flavonoids are phenolic compounds with a general structure of two aromatic rings linked by a three-carbon bridge.Types of flavonoids include those known in the art.See, for example, Jain et al., J. PLANT BIOCHEM. & BIOTECHNOL. 11:1 (2002); Shaw et al., ENVIRON. MICROBIOL. 11:1867 (2006). Flavonoid compounds are commercially available, for example, from Novozymes BioAg (Saskatoon, Canada); Natland International Corp. (Research Triangle Park, NC); MP Biomedicals (Irvine, CA); LC Laboratories (Woburn MA). Flavonoid compounds can be isolated from plants or seeds, for example, as described in U.S. Patents 5,702,752; 5,990,291; and 6,146,668. Flavonoid compounds can also be produced by genetically modified organisms such as yeast, as described in Ralston et al., PLANT PHYSIOL. 137:1375 (2005).

[0174] In some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes one or more anthocyanidins. For example, in some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes cyanidin, delphinidin, malvidin, pelargonidin, peonidin, and / or petunidin.

[0175] In certain embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more anthoxanthins. For example, in certain embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes one or more flavones (e.g., apigenin, baicalein, chrysin, 7,8-dihydroxyflavone, diosmin, flavoxate, 6-hydroxyflavone, luteolin, scutellarein, tangeritin, and / or wogonin) and / or flavonols (e.g., amurensin, astragalin, azaleatin, azalein, fisetin, the furanoflavonol galangin, gossypetin, 3-hydroxyflavone, hyperoside, icariin, isoquercetin, kaempferide, kaempferitrin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, morin, myricetin, myricitrin, natudaidine, pachypodole, the pyranoflavonol quercetin, quercetin, rhamnagin, rhamnetin, robinin, rutin, spireoside, troxerutin, and / or zanthorhamnin).

[0176] In some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes one or more flavanones. For example, in some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes butin, eriodictyol, hesperetin, hesperidin, homoeriodictyol, isosakuranetin, naringenin, naringin, pinocembrin, poncirin, sakuranetin, sakuranin, and / or sterubin.

[0177] In some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes one or more flavanonols. For example, in some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes dihydrokaempferol and / or taxifolin.

[0178] In certain embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more flavans. For example, in certain embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more flavan-3-ols (e.g., catechin (C), catechin 3-gallate (Cg), epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin 3-gallate (ECg), epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCg), epiafzelechin, fisetinidol, gallocatechin (GC), gallocatechin 3-gallate (GCg), guiburtinidol, mesquitol, robinetinidol, theaflavin 3-gallate, theaflavin 3'-gallate, 3, 3'-digallic acid theaflavin, thearubigin), flavan-4-ols (e.g., apiphorol and / or luteophorol) and / or flavan-3,4-diols (e.g., leucocyanidin, leucodelphinidin, leucofisetinidin, leucomalvidin, leucopelargonidin, leucopeonidin, leucorobinetinidin, melacacidin and / or teracacidin) and / or dimers, trimers, oligomers and / or polymers thereof (e.g., one or more proanthocyanidins).

[0179] In some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes one or more isoflavonoids. For example, in some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes one or more isoflavones (e.g., biochanin A, daidzein, formononetin, genistein, and / or glycitein), isoflavans (e.g., equol, lonchocarpan, and / or laxifloran), isoflavandiols, isoflavenes (e.g., glabrene, haginine D, and / or 2-methoxysudaicin), coumestans (e.g., coumestrol, plicadin, and / or wedelolactone), pterocarpans, and / or retinoids.

[0180] The inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may include any suitable flavonoid derivatives, including, but not limited to, neoflavonoids (e.g., calophyllolide, coutareagenin, dalbergichromene, dalbergin, nivetin) and pterocarpans (e.g., bitucarpin A, bitucarpin B, erythraedin A, erythraedin B, erythravicin II, erythravicin-1, erythragallin, glycinol, glyceolidine, glyceollin, glycyrrhizol, marciain, medicarpin, moricyanin, orientanol, phaseolin, pisatin, striatin, trifoliridin).

[0181] Flavonoids and derivatives thereof may be incorporated into the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure in any suitable form, including, but not limited to, polymorphs and crystalline forms.

[0182] The inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may include any suitable non-flavonoid nod gene inducer, including, but not limited to, jasmonic acid ([1R-[1α,2β(Z)]]-3-oxo-2-(pentenyl)cyclopentaneacetic acid; JA), linoleic acid ((Z,Z)-9,12-octadecadienoic acid) and linolenic acid ((Z,Z,Z)-9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid), and analogs, derivatives, hydrates, isomers, polymers, salts and solvates thereof.

[0183] Jasmonic acid and its methyl ester, methyl jasmonate (MeJA), collectively referred to as jasmonates, are octadecanoid-based compounds that occur naturally in some plants (e.g., wheat), fungi (e.g., Botryodiplodia theobromae, Gibberella fujikuroi), yeasts (e.g., Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and bacteria (e.g., Escherichia coli). Linoleic and linolenic acids can be produced during the biosynthesis of jasmonic acid. The jasmonates linoleic and linolenic acids (and their derivatives) have been reported to be inducers of nod gene expression or LCO production by rhizobacteria. See, e.g., Mabood, et al. PLANT PHYSIOL. BIOCHEM. 44(11):759 (2006); Mabood et al., AGR. J. 98(2):289 (2006); Mabood, et al., FIELD CROPS RES. 95(2-3):412 (2006); Mabood & Smith, Linoleic and linolenic acid induce the expression of nod genes in Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA 3, PLANT BIOL. (2001).

[0184] Useful derivatives of jasmonic acid, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid that may be useful in the compositions of the present disclosure include esters, amides, glycosides, and salts. Exemplary esters are compounds in which the carboxyl group of linoleic acid, linolenic acid, or jasmonic acid is replaced with a --COR group, where R is --OR. 1 group, where R 1is an alkyl group, such as a C1-C8 unbranched or branched alkyl group, e.g., a methyl, ethyl, or propyl group; an alkenyl group, such as a C2-C8 unbranched or branched alkenyl group; an alkynyl group, such as a C2-C8 unbranched or branched alkynyl group; an aryl group, e.g., having 6-10 carbon atoms; or a heteroaryl group, e.g., having 4-9 carbon atoms, where the heteroatom in the heteroaryl group can be, e.g., N, O, P, or S. Representative amides are compounds in which the carboxyl group of linoleic acid, linolenic acid, or jasmonic acid is replaced with a --COR group, where R is NR 2 R 3 group, where R 2 and R 3are independently hydrogen; an alkyl group, such as a C1-C8 unbranched or branched alkyl group, e.g., a methyl, ethyl, or propyl group; an alkenyl group, such as a C2-C8 unbranched or branched alkenyl group; an alkynyl group, such as a C2-C8 unbranched or branched alkynyl group; an aryl group, e.g., having 6-10 carbon atoms; or a heteroaryl group, e.g., having 4-9 carbon atoms, where the heteroatom in the heteroaryl group can be, e.g., N, O, P, or S. Esters can be prepared by known methods, such as acid-catalyzed nucleophilic addition, where a carboxylic acid is reacted with an alcohol in the presence of a catalytic amount of a mineral acid. Amides can also be prepared by known methods, such as by reacting a carboxylic acid with a suitable amine in the presence of a coupling agent, such as dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), under neutral conditions. Suitable salts of linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and jasmonic acid include, for example, base addition salts. Bases that can be used as reagents to prepare metabolically acceptable base salts of these compounds include those derived from cations such as alkali metal cations (e.g., potassium and sodium) and alkaline earth metal cations (e.g., calcium and magnesium). These salts can be readily prepared by mixing a solution of linoleic acid, linolenic acid, or jasmonic acid together with a solution of the base. The salts can be precipitated from solution and collected by filtration, or recovered by other means such as by evaporation of the solvent.

[0185] The inoculant composition of the present disclosure may include karrakins, including, but not limited to, 2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one, as well as analogs, derivatives, hydrates, isomers, polymers, salts and solvates thereof. In an embodiment, the inoculant composition includes one or more karrikins represented by the formula XXXX of International Patent Application No. PCT / US2016 / 050529, where Z is O, S or NR5; R1, R2, R3 and R4 are each independently H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, phenyl, benzyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy, phenyloxy, benzyloxy, CN, COR6, COOR=, halogen, NR6R7, or NO2; R5, R6 and R7 are each independently H, alkyl or alkenyl, or a biologically acceptable salt thereof. Non-limiting examples of biologically acceptable salts of karrikin may include acid addition salts formed from biologically acceptable acids, examples of which include hydrochloride, hydrobromide, sulfate or hydrogen sulfate, phosphate or hydrogen phosphate, acetate, benzoate, succinate, fumarate, maleate, lactate, citrate, tartrate, gluconate; methanesulfonate, benzenesulfonate, and p-toluenesulfonate. Additional biologically acceptable metal salts may include alkali metal salts with bases, examples of which include sodium and potassium salts.Examples of compounds encompassed by formula XXXX and that may be suitable for use in the present disclosure include 3-methyl-2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one (where R1=CH3, R2, R3, R4=H), 2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one (where R1, R2, R3, R4=H), 7-methyl-2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one (where R1=CH3, R2, R3, R4=H), 8-methyl-2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one (where R1=CH3, R2, R3, R4=H), 9-methyl-2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one (where R1=CH3, R2, R3, R4=H), 10-methyl-2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one (where R1=CH3, R2, R3, R4=H), 12-methyl-2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one (where R1=CH3, R2, R3, R4=H), 14-methyl-2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one (where R1=CH3, R2, R3, R4=H), 16-methyl-2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one (where R1=CH3, R2, R3, R4=H), 18-methyl-2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one (where R1=CH3, R2, R3, R4=H), 19 ... , R2, R4=H, R3=CH3), 5-methyl-2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one (wherein R1, R2, R3=H, R4=CH3), 3,7-dimethyl-2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one (wherein R1, R3=CH3, R2, R4=H), 3,5-dimethyl-2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one (wherein R1, R4=CH 3, R2, R3=H), 3,5,7-trimethyl-2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one (where R1, R3, R4=CH3, R2=H), 5-methoxymethyl-3-methyl-2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one (where R1=CH3, R2, R3=H, R4=CH2OCH3), 4-bromo-3,7-dimethyl-2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one Pyran-2-one (where R1, R3 = CH3, R2 = Br, R4 = H), 3-methylfuro[2,3-c]pyridin-2(3H)-one (where Z = NH, R1 = CH3, R2, R3, R4 = H) and 3,6-dimethylfuro[2,3-c]pyridin-2(6H)-one (where Z = N--CH3, R1 = CH3, R2, R3, R4 = H). See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,576,213; Halford, Smoke Signals, in CHEM.ENG.NEWS (April 12, 2010) (reporting that after forest fires, karrikins or butenolides contained in smoke can act as growth stimulants, promote seed germination and rejuvenate stored seeds such as corn, tomato, lettuce and onion).

[0186] The inoculant composition of the present disclosure may include gluconolactone and / or one or more analogs, derivatives, hydrates, isomers, polymers, salts and / or solvates thereof.

[0187] The inoculum composition of the present disclosure may include any suitable excipients, including, but not limited to, cryoprotectants, desiccants, mitigants, and pH buffers.

[0188] The inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may include any suitable agriculturally acceptable antifreeze agent, including, but not limited to, ethylene glycol, glycerin, propylene glycol, and urea.

[0189] The inoculant composition of the present disclosure may include any suitable agriculturally acceptable desiccant, including, but not limited to, desiccant powder. For example, in some embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure includes calcium stearate, clay (e.g., attapulgite clay, montmorillonite clay), graphite, magnesium stearate, magnesium sulfate, milk powder, silica (e.g., fumed silica, hydrophobically coated silica, precipitated silica), soy lecithin, and / or talc. Non-limiting examples of desiccants that may be useful in the compositions of the present disclosure include AEROSIL® hydrophobic fumed silica powder (Evonik Corporation, Parsippany, NJ), BENTOLITE® powder (BYK-Chemie GmbH, Wesel, Germany), SIPERNAT® silica powder (Evonik Corporation, Parsippany, NJ), and combinations thereof. Further examples of desiccants that can be included in the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure can be found in BURGES, FORMULATION OF MICROBIAL BIOPESTICIDES: BENEFICIAL MICROORGANISMS, NEMATODES AND SEED TREATMENTS (Springer Science & Business Media) (2012).

[0190] The inoculant composition of the present disclosure may include any seed flowability agent to improve the lubricity of treated seeds. The flowability agent may include one or more liquid lubricants, solid lubricants, liquid emulsions, or suspensions of solid lubricants. Non-limiting examples of flowability agents include lubricants such as fats and oils, natural and synthetic waxes, graphite, talc, fluoropolymers (e.g., polytetrafluoroethylene), and solid lubricants such as molybdenum disulfide and tungsten disulfide. In some cases, the flowability agent includes a wax material. Non-limiting examples of wax materials that may be incorporated into the liquid seed treatment composition include waxes derived from plants and animals, such as carnauba wax, candelilla wax, ouricury wax, beeswax, spermaceti, and waxes derived from petroleum, such as paraffin wax. For example, in some cases, the flowability agent includes carnauba wax. In some cases, the flowability agent includes oil. For example, the flowability agent may include soybean oil. Non-limiting examples of commercially available wax materials suitable for use as flow enhancers include AQUAKLEAN 418 (anionic aqueous emulsion with 35% solids content and additional light carnauba wax) supplied by Micro Powders, Inc.

[0191] The inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may include any suitable safener, including, but not limited to, naphthalic anhydride.

[0192] The inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may include any suitable pH buffer, including, but not limited to, potassium dihydrogen phosphate and dibasic potassium phosphate.

[0193] The inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may comprise any suitable adhesive, including, but not limited to, adhesive compositions comprising one or more maltodextrins and / or one or more monosaccharides, disaccharides or oligosaccharides. The inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may be formulated into any suitable type of composition, including, but not limited to, seed coatings, soil inoculants and foliar inoculants.

[0194] The inoculant compositions of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, polyvinyl acetates, polyvinyl alcohols with various degrees of hydrolysis, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyacrylates, water soluble or dispersible acrylate-, polyol- or polyester-based pigmented binders, further comprising two or more monomers, such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, maleic anhydride, vinylpyrrolidone, ethylenically unsaturated monomers, such as ethylene, butadiene, isoprene, chloroprene, styrene, divinylbenzene, ot-methylstyrene or p-methylstyrene, further vinyl halides, such as copolymers of vinyl chloride and vinylidene chloride, further vinyl esters, such as vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate or vinyl stearate, further vinyl methyl ketone or acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, and a monohydric alcohol or polyol. for example, methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl acrylate, ethylene methacrylate, lauryl acrylate, lauryl methacrylate, decyl acrylate, N,N-dimethylamino-ethyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate or glycidyl methacrylate, further diethyl esters or monoesters of unsaturated dicarboxylic acids, further (meth)acrylamide-N-methylol methyl ether, amides or nitriles such as acrylamide, methacrylamide, N-methylol (meth)acrylamide, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, and further N-substituted maleimides and ethers such as vinyl butyl ether, vinyl isobutyl ether or vinyl phenyl ether, and combinations thereof.

[0195] Biostimulants, microbial extracts, nutrients, pest attractants and / or feeding stimulants, pesticides, plant signal molecules, dispersants, desiccants, cryoprotectants, toxic mitigants, flow enhancers, antisettling agents, buffers, etc., may be incorporated into the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure in any suitable amount / concentration. The absolute amount / concentration sufficient to cause the desired effect may be influenced by factors such as the type, size and volume of the material to which the composition is to be applied, the type of microorganisms in the composition, the number of microorganisms in the composition, the stability of the microorganisms in the composition and storage conditions (e.g., temperature, relative humidity, duration). Those skilled in the art will understand how to select an effective amount / concentration using routine dose-response experiments. Guidance for selecting the appropriate amount / concentration can be found, for example, in International Patent Application Nos. PCT / US2016 / 050529 and PCT / US2016 / 050647.

[0196] In certain embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more biostimulants in an amount / concentration of from about 0.0001 to about 5% or more (by weight) of the inoculum composition. In certain embodiments, the biostimulant (e.g., glycine and / or seaweed extract) is present in an amount of about 0.0001, 0.0002, 0.0003, 0.0004, 0.0005, 0.0006, 0.0007, 0.0008, 0.0009, 0.001, 0.0015, 0.002, 0.0025, 0.003, 0.0035, 0.004, 0.0045, 0.005, 0.0055, 0.006, 0.0065, 0.007, 0.0075, 0.008, 0.0085, 0.009, 0.0095, 0.01, 0.015, 0.02, 0.025 ... .03, 0.035, 0.04, 0.045, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.02, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1~about 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5% (by weight). For example, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure may be about 0.0005, 0.00075, 0.001, 0.002, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4., 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5% or more (by weight) of one or more biostimulants (e.g., glycine and / or seaweed extract).

[0197] In certain embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more microbial extracts in an amount / concentration of about 0.0001 to about 5% or more (by weight) of the inoculum composition. In certain embodiments, the microbial extract is present in an amount of about 0.0001, 0.0002, 0.0003, 0.0004, 0.0005, 0.0006, 0.0007, 0.0008, 0.0009, 0.001, 0.0015, 0.002, 0.0025, 0.003, 0.0035, 0.004, 0.0045, 0.005, 0.0055, 0.006, 0.0065, 0.007, 0.0075, 0.008, 0.0085, 0.009, 0.0095, 0.01, 0.015, 0.02, 0.025, 0.03, 0.035, 0. ... 0.04, 0.045, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.02, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1 to about 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5% (by weight). For example, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure may be about 0.0005, 0.00075, 0.001, 0.002, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8 , 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5% or more (by weight) of one or more microbial extracts.

[0198] In certain embodiments, an inoculum composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more nutrients in an amount / concentration of about 0.0001 to about 5% or more (by weight) of the inoculum composition. In certain embodiments, nutrients (e.g., phosphorus, boron, chlorine, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and / or zinc) are present in an amount of about 0.0001, 0.0002, 0.0003, 0.0004, 0.0005, 0.0006, 0.0007, 0.0008, 0.0009, 0.001, 0.0015, 0.002, 0.0025, 0.003, 0.0035, 0.004, 0.0045, 0.005, 0.0055, 0.006, 0.0065, 0.007, 0.0075, 0.008, 0.0085, 0.009, 0.0095, 0.01, 0.015, 0.02, 0.025, 0.03, 0.035, 0.04, 0.045, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.02, 0. 3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1 to about 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1. 9, 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4., 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5% (by weight).For example, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure may be about 0.0005, 0.00075, 0.001, 0.002, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 1, 1 .1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4., 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5% or more (by weight) of one or more nutrients (e.g., phosphorus, boron, chlorine, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum and / or zinc).

[0199] In certain embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more pest attractants and / or feeding stimulants in an amount / concentration of about 0.0001 to about 5% or more (by weight) of the inoculum composition. In certain embodiments, the pest attractant and / or feeding stimulant is present in an amount of about 0.0001, 0.0002, 0.0003, 0.0004, 0.0005, 0.0006, 0.0007, 0.0008, 0.0009, 0.001, 0.0015, 0.002, 0.0025, 0.003, 0.0035, 0.004, 0.0045, 0.005, 0.0055, 0.006, 0.0065, 0.007, 0.0075, 0.008, 0.0085, 0.009, 0.0095, 0.01, 0.015, 0.02, 0.025, 0.03, 0.035, 0.04, 0.045, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.02, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1 to about 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5% (by weight). For example, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure may be about 0.0005, 0.00075, 0.001, 0.002, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4., 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5% or more (by weight) of one or more pest attractants and / or feeding stimulants.

[0200] In one embodiment, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure comprises about 1×10 -15 M ~ approx. 1×10 -10 M, about 1 x 10 -14 M ~ approx. 1×10 -8 M, about 1 x 10 -14 M ~ approx. 1×10 -6 M, about 1 x 10 -12 M ~ approx. 1×10 -8 M, about 1 x 10 -12 M ~ approx. 1×10 -6 M, about 1 x 10 -10 M ~ approx. 1×10 -6 M, or approximately 1 x 10 -8 M ~ approx. 1×10 -2 M. For example, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure may comprise one or more LCOs at a concentration of about 1×10 -20 M, 1×10 -19 M, 1×10 -18 M, 1×10 -17 M, 1×10 -16 M, 1×10 -15 M, 1×10 -14 M, 1×10 -13 M, 1×10 -12 M, 1×10 -11 M, 1×10 -10 M, 1×10 -9 M, 1×10 -8 M, 1×10 -7 M, 1×10 -6 M, 1×10 -5 M, 1×10 -4 M, 1×10 -3 M, 1×10 -2 M, 1×10 -1The composition may include one or more LCOs (e.g., one, two, three, four or more of the LCOs described in International Patent Application No. PCT / US2016 / 050529), in an embodiment, the one or more LCOs comprise from about 0.0001 to about 5% or more (by weight) of the composition. For example, an inoculant composition of the present disclosure may include about 0.0005, 0.001, 0.002, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.0075, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5% or more of one or more LCOs. In certain embodiments, the amount / concentration of LCOs is about 0.005 to about 2% (by weight) of the composition.

[0201] In one embodiment, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure comprises about 1×10 -15 M ~ approx. 1×10 -10 M, about 1 x 10 -14 M ~ approx. 1×10 -8 M, about 1 x 10 -14 M ~ approx. 1×10 -6 M, about 1 x 10 -12 M ~ approx. 1×10 -8 M, about 1 x 10 -12 M ~ approx. 1×10 -6 M, about 1 x 10 -10 M ~ approx. 1×10 -6 M, or approximately 1 x 10 -8 M ~ approx. 1×10 -2 M. For example, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure may include one or more COs at a concentration of about 1×10 -20 M, 1×10 -19 M, 1×10 -18 M, 1×10 -17 M, 1×10 -16 M, 1×10 -15 M, 1×10 -14 M, 1×10 -13 M, 1×10 -12 M, 1×10 -11 M, 1×10 -10 M, 1×10 -9 M, 1×10 -8 M, 1×10 -7M, 1×10 -6 M, 1×10 -5 M, 1×10 -4 M, 1×10 -3 M, 1×10 -2 M, 1×10 -1 The composition may contain one or more COs (e.g., one, two, three, four or more of the COs described in International Patent Application No. PCT / US2016 / 050529). In some embodiments, the one or more COs comprise about 0.0001 to about 5% or more (by weight) of the composition. For example, an inoculant composition of the present disclosure may include about 0.0005, 0.001, 0.002, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.0075, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5% or more of one or more types of CO. In certain embodiments, the amount / concentration of CO is about 0.005 to about 2% (by weight) of the composition.

[0202] In one embodiment, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure comprises about 1×10 -15 M ~ approx. 1×10 -10 M, about 1 x 10 -14 M ~ approx. 1×10 -8 M, about 1 x 10 -14 M ~ approx. 1×10 -6 M, about 1 x 10 -12 M ~ approx. 1×10 -8 M, about 1 x 10 -12 M ~ approx. 1×10 -6 M, about 1 x 10 -10 M ~ approx. 1×10 -6 M, or approximately 1 x 10 -8 M ~ approx. 1×10 -2 M. For example, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure may include one or more chitin species at a concentration of about 1×10 -20 M, 1×10 -19 M, 1×10 -18 M, 1×10 -17 M, 1×10 -16 M, 1×10 -15 M, 1×10 -14 M, 1×10 -13M, 1×10 -12 M, 1×10 -11 M, 1×10 -10 M, 1×10 -9 M, 1×10 -8 M, 1×10 -7 M, 1×10 -6 M, 1×10 -5 M, 1×10 -4 M, 1×10 -3 M, 1×10 -2 M, 1×10 -1 In some embodiments, the one or more chitins comprise about 0.0001 to about 5% or more (by weight) of the composition. For example, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure may comprise about 0.0005, 0.001, 0.002, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.0075, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5% or more of one or more chitins. In one embodiment, the amount / concentration of chitin is from about 0.005 to about 2% (by weight) of the composition.

[0203] In one embodiment, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure comprises about 1×10 -15 M ~ approx. 1×10 -10 M, about 1 x 10 -14 M ~ approx. 1×10 -8 M, about 1 x 10 -14 M ~ approx. 1×10 -6 M, about 1 x 10 -12 M ~ approx. 1×10 -8 M, about 1 x 10 -12 M ~ approx. 1×10 -6 M, about 1 x 10 -10 M ~ approx. 1×10 -6 M, or approximately 1 x 10 -8 M ~ approx. 1×10 -2 M. For example, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure may contain one or more chitosans at a concentration of about 1×10 -20 M, 1×10 -19 M, 1×10 -18 M, 1×10 -17 M, 1×10-16 M, 1×10 -15 M, 1×10 -14 M, 1×10 -13 M, 1×10 -12 M, 1×10 -11 M, 1×10 -10 M, 1×10 -9 M, 1×10 -8 M, 1×10 -7 M, 1×10 -6 M, 1×10 -5 M, 1×10 -4 M, 1×10 -3 M, 1×10 -2 M, 1×10 -1 M or more of one or more chitosans. In some embodiments, the one or more chitosans comprise about 0.0001 to about 5% or more (by weight) of the composition. For example, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure may comprise about 0.0005, 0.001, 0.002, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.0075, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5% or more of one or more chitosans. In one embodiment, the amount / concentration of chitosan is from about 0.005 to about 2% (by weight) of the composition.

[0204] In one embodiment, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure comprises about 1×10 -20 M ~ approx. 1×10 -1 M. For example, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure may comprise one or more flavonoids at a concentration of about 1×10 -20 M, 1×10 -19 M, 1×10 -18 M, 1×10 -17 M, 1×10 -16 M, 1×10 -15 M, 1×10 -14 M, 1×10 -13 M, 1×10 -12 M, 1×10 -11 M, 1×10 -10 M, 1×10 -9 M, 1×10 -8 M, 1×10-7 M, 1×10 -6 M, 1×10 -5 M, 1×10 -4 M, 1×10 -3 M, 1×10 -2 M, 1×10 -1 In one embodiment, the concentration of one or more flavonoids is 1×10 -14 M~1×10 -5 M, 1×10 -12 M~1×10 -6 M, or 1×10 -10 M~1×10 -7 In some embodiments, the one or more flavonoids comprise about 0.0001 to about 5% or more (by weight) of the composition. For example, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure may contain about 0.0005, 0.001, 0.002, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.0075, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5% or more of one or more flavonoids. In one embodiment, the amount / concentration of the flavonoid is from about 0.005 to about 2% (by weight) of the composition.

[0205] In certain embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more dispersants in an amount / concentration of from about 0.001 to about 25% or more (by weight) of the inoculum composition. In certain embodiments, the dispersant is at least 0.001, 0.0015, 0.002, 0.0025, 0.003, 0.0035, 0.004, 0.0045, 0.005, 0.0055, 0.006, 0.0065, 0.007, 0.0075, 0.008, 0.0085, 0.009, 0.0095, 0.01, 0.015, 0.02, 0.025, 0.03, 0.035, 0.04, 0.045, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.02, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9 ...4, 1.5, 1.8, 1.9, 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.9, 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.8, 1.9, 1.1, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.9, 1.1 3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4., 4.5, 4.6 , 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 to about 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20% (by weight). For example, an inoculant composition of the present disclosure may include about 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05.0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 15, 20% or more (by weight) of one or more dispersing agents (e.g., one or more surfactants and / or wetting agents).

[0206] In certain embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more desiccants in an amount / concentration of from about 0.001 to about 95% or more (by weight) of the inoculum composition. In certain embodiments, the desiccant is about) 0.001, 0.0015, 0.002, 0.0025, 0.003, 0.0035, 0.004, 0.0045, 0.005, 0.0055, 0.006, 0.0065, 0.007, 0.0075, 0.008, 0.0085, 0.009, 0.0095, 0.01, 0.015, 0.02, 0.025, 0.03, 0.035, 0.04, 0.045, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.02, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1 .3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6 , 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 to about 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20% (by weight). For example, an inoculant composition of the present disclosure can include about 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05.0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or more (by weight) of one or more desiccants (e.g., lecithin and / or talc).

[0207] In some embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure comprises about 0.5 to about 10 grams of dry powder per liter of inoculum composition. For example, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure may comprise about 0.5, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.25, 3.5, 3.75, 4, 4.25, 4.5, 4.75, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10 or more grams of dry powder per liter of inoculum composition.

[0208] In some embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure includes one or more anti-settling agents in an amount / concentration of from about 0.0001 to about 10% or more (by weight) of the composition. For example, an inoculant composition of the present disclosure may include about 0.0005, 0.001, 0.002, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.0075, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10% or more of one or more anti-settling agents. In certain embodiments, the amount / concentration of the anti-settling agent is about 0.01 to about 5% (by weight) of the composition.

[0209] In certain embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure comprises one or more buffers in an amount / concentration of about 0.0001 to about 5% or more (by weight) of the inoculum composition. In certain embodiments, the buffer is added to the inoculum composition in an amount of about 0.0001, 0.0002, 0.0003, 0.0004, 0.0005, 0.0006, 0.0007, 0.0008, 0.0009, 0.001, 0.0015, 0.002, 0.0025, 0.003, 0.0035, 0.004, 0.0045, 0.005, 0.0055, 0.006, 0.0065, 0.007, 0.0075, 0.008, 0.0085, 0.009, 0.0095, 0.01, 0.015, 0.02, 0.025, 0.03, 0.035, 0.0 4, 0.045, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.02, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1 to about 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5% (by weight). For example, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure may be about 0.0005, 0.00075, 0.001, 0.002, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95 , 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4., 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5% or more (by weight) of one or more buffers (e.g., potassium dihydrogen phosphate and / or potassium dibasic phosphate).

[0210] In certain embodiments, the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure include one or more commercially available carriers, antioxidants, oxygen scavengers, hygroscopic polymers, UV protectants, biostimulants, microbial extracts, nutrients, pest attractants and / or feeding stimulants, pesticides, plant signal molecules, dispersants, desiccants, cryoprotectants, mitigants, flow enhancers, anti-settling agents, buffers and / or adhesives used in accordance with manufacturer's recommended amounts / concentrations.

[0211] In certain embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure is characterized in that at least 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% of the microbial spores and / or vegetative cells in the inoculum composition are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more Storage at 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and / or 40°C and at a relative humidity of at least 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95%; Approximately 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or more dry; About 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or more dryness and for a period of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more storage at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and / or 40°C and at a relative humidity of greater than or equal to 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95%; Frozen storage at -80°C or below for periods of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more; application to plant propagation material (optionally seeds); application to plant propagation material and drying to about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or more; Application to plant propagation material and for periods of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more Storage at 0, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and / or 40°C and at a relative humidity of at least 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95%; Foliar spray; Foliar spray and drying to about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or greater; and / or Foliar sprays and 0.1, 0.2, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 or more days. Exposure to temperatures of 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and / or 40°C and relative humidity of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or greater It is formulated as an aqueous formulation that survives after.

[0212] In certain embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure comprises at least 1×10 1 , 1×10 2 , 1×10 3 , 1×10 4 , 1×10 5 , 1×106 , 1×10 7 , 1×10 8 , 1×10 9 , 1×10 10 The above colony forming units, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more Storage at 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and / or 40°C and at a relative humidity of at least 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95%; Approximately 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or more dry; About 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or more dryness and for a period of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more storage at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and / or 40°C and at a relative humidity of greater than or equal to 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95%; Frozen storage at -80°C or below for periods of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more; application to plant propagation material (optionally seeds); application to plant propagation material and drying to about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or more; Application to plant propagation material and for periods of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more Storage at 0, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and / or 40°C and at a relative humidity of at least 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95%; Foliar spray; Foliar spray and drying to about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or greater; and / or Foliar sprays and 0.1, 0.2, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 or more days. Exposure to temperatures of 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and / or 40°C and relative humidity of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or greater It is formulated as an aqueous formulation that survives after.

[0213] In certain embodiments, the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure improve both the viability and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more microbial stability properties of microbial spores and / or vegetative cells contained therein.

[0214] In certain embodiments, an inoculum composition of the present disclosure improves dispersion of microbial spores and / or vegetative cells contained therein by at least about 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 150, 175, 200% or more as compared to a control composition (e.g., a control composition that is identical to an inoculum composition of the present disclosure except that it lacks one or more components found in the inoculum composition and / or contains one or more components not found in the inoculum composition of the present disclosure). For example, an inoculum composition of the present disclosure may improve the dispersion of one or more of the microbial spores and / or vegetative cells contained therein by at least about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 150, 175, 200% or more as compared to a control composition that is identical to the inoculum composition except that it lacks one or more of the protectants / dispersants found in the inoculum composition and / or contains a reduced amount / concentration of one or more of the protectants / dispersants found in the inoculum composition.

[0215] In certain embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure improves dispersion of one or more of the microbial spores and / or vegetative cells contained therein to the extent that at least about 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or more of the microbial spores and / or vegetative cells are present as single cells / spores (rather than as components of a population containing two or more cells / spores).

[0216] In certain embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure exhibits improved flowability compared to a control composition (e.g., a control composition that is identical to the inoculum composition of the present disclosure except that it lacks one or more of the components found in the inoculum composition and / or contains one or more components not found in the inoculum composition of the present disclosure). For example, the flowability of the inoculum composition of the present disclosure can be improved by at least about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 150, 175, 200% or more compared to a control composition that is identical to the inoculum composition except that it lacks one or more of the protectants / dispersants found in the inoculum composition and / or contains a reduced amount / concentration of one or more of the protectants / dispersants found in the inoculum composition.

[0217] In certain embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure is formulated as an amorphous liquid.

[0218] In certain embodiments, an inoculant composition of the present disclosure comprises less than 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9 or 5% by weight water based on the total weight of the composition.

[0219] In some embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure has a pH of about 4.5 to about 9.5. In some embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure has a pH of about 6 to about 7.5. In some embodiments, the inoculum composition of the present disclosure has a pH of about 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, or 8.5.

[0220] As described above, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure may include agriculturally beneficial ingredients such as biostimulants, microbial extracts, nutrients, pesticides and plant signal molecules. It should be understood that agriculturally beneficial ingredients can also be used with the inoculant composition of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure extends to systems and methods that use the inoculant composition of the present disclosure with compositions that include one or more agriculturally beneficial ingredients (e.g., a second composition that includes one or more LCOs and / or COs, a third composition that includes one or more fungicides, herbicides, insecticides and / or nematicides, etc.).

[0221] The inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may be formulated for the treatment of any suitable plant type, including, but not limited to, row crops and vegetables.In certain embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure is adapted to be used with any of the following plants: Amaranthaceae (e.g., Swiss chard, spinach, sugar beet, quinoa), Asteraceae (e.g., artichoke, aster, chamomile, chicory, chrysanthemum, dahlia, daisy, echinacea, goldenrod, guayule, lettuce, marigold, safflower, sunflower, zinnia), Brassicaceae (e.g., arugula, broccoli, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, canola, collard greens, radish, garden cress, horseradish, kale, mustard, radish, rapeseed, rutabaga, turnip, wasabi, watercress, Arabidopsis thaliana, Arabidopsis serrata ... thaliana), Cucurbitaceae (e.g., muskmelon, cucumber, honeydew melon, melon, pumpkin, squash (e.g., acorn squash, Japanese squash, summer squash), watermelon, zucchini), Fabaceae (e.g., alfalfa, kidney bean, carob, clover, guar, lentil, mesquite, pea, peanut, soybean, tamarind, cucumber ... Malind, tragacanth, vetch), Malvaceae (e.g., cacao, cotton, durian, hibiscus, kenaf, cola, okra), Poaceae (e.g., bamboo, barley, corn, fonio, grass (e.g., bahiagrass, oatgrass, bluegrass, barley, centipede, fescue, or zoysia), millet, oats, ornamental grasses, grasses), rice, rye, sorghum, sugarcane, triticale, wheat), Polygonaceae (e.g., buckwheat), Rosaceae (e.g., almond, apple, apricot, blackberry, blueberry, cherry, peach, plum, quince, raspberry, rose, strawberry), Solanaceae (e.g., bell pepper, chili pepper, eggplant, petunia, potato, tobacco, tomato) and Vitaceae (e.g., grape).In certain embodiments, the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure are formulated for the treatment of one or more fungicide-resistant, herbicide-resistant, insecticide-resistant, and / or nematicide-resistant plants (e.g., one or more plants that are resistant to acetolactate synthase inhibitors. Non-limiting examples of plants that may be treated with the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure include those sold by Monsanto under the trademarks BOLLGARD II®, DROUGHTGARD®, GENUITY®, RIB COMPLETE®, ROUNDUP READY®, ROUNDUP READY 2 YIELD®, ROUNDUP READY 2 EXTEND™, SMARTSTAX®, VT DOUBLE PRO®, VT TRIPLE PRO®, YIELDGARD®, YIELDGARD VT ROOTWORM / RR2®, YIELDGARD VT TRIPLE®, and / or XTENDFLEX™. Examples of suitable plants include those sold by the Company (St. Louis, MO).

[0222] The present disclosure extends to plants treated with the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure, plant parts harvested from plants treated with the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure, processed products derived from plants treated with the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure, and crops comprising a plurality of plants treated with the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure.

[0223] The present disclosure also provides plant propagation material and coated plant propagation material comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of a coating covering at least a portion of an outer surface of the plant propagation material, said coating comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of an inoculant composition of the present disclosure.

[0224] The coating may include one, two, three, four, five or more layers. In some embodiments, the coating includes an inner layer containing one or more microorganisms and one or more outer layers that are free or substantially free of microorganisms. In some embodiments, the inner layer of the coating is the inoculum composition of the present disclosure, and the outer layer corresponds to the inoculum composition of the present disclosure but does not include one or more microorganisms. For example, a coated plant propagation material of the present disclosure may include a seed coated with an inner layer comprising microbial spores (e.g., spores of one or more strains of Bacillus, one or more strains of Gliocladium, one or more strains of Glomus, one or more strains of Metarhizium, one or more strains of Penicillium, and / or one or more strains of Trichoderma), one or more protectants, one or more dispersants, and one or more aqueous additives in a non-aqueous carrier, and an outer layer of the same carrier but without the microbial spores. In certain embodiments, the coating comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of the inoculant compositions and dry powders of the present disclosure. For example, coated plant propagation material of the present disclosure may include seeds coated with an inoculant composition comprising microbial spores (e.g., spores of one or more strains of Bacillus, one or more strains of Gliocladium, one or more strains of Glomus, one or more strains of Metarhizium, one or more strains of Penicillium, and / or one or more strains of Trichoderma), one or more protectants, one or more dispersants, and one or more aqueous additives in a non-aqueous carrier, and then covered with a dry powder (e.g., a dry powder comprising calcium stearate, one or more clays, graphite, magnesium stearate, magnesium sulfate, milk powder, silica, soy lecithin, and / or talc).

[0225] The inoculant composition of the present disclosure may be coated on the plant propagation material in any suitable amount / concentration. In some embodiments, the inoculant composition is applied in an amount ranging from about 0.5 to about 1000 milliliters of inoculant composition per kilogram of plant propagation material. For example, in some embodiments, about 0.5, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.25, 3.5, 3.75, 4, 4.25, 4.5, 4.75, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500 milliliters or more of inoculant composition is applied per kilogram of seed. In certain embodiments, an inoculant composition comprising one or more protectants and one or more microbial spores (e.g., spores of one or more strains of Bacillus, one or more strains of Gliocladium, one or more strains of Glomus, one or more strains of Metarhizium, one or more strains of Penicillium, and / or one or more strains of Trichoderma) is applied at a rate of about 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.25, 3.5, 3.75, or 4 milliliters per kilogram of seed.

[0226] The dry powder may be applied in any suitable amount / concentration. In some embodiments, the dry powder is applied in an amount ranging from about 0.5 to about 10 grams of dry powder per kilogram of plant propagation material. For example, in some embodiments, about 0.5, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.25, 3.5, 3.75, 4, 4.25, 4.5, 4.75, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10 or more grams of dry powder (e.g., dry powder including magnesium stearate, magnesium sulfate, milk powder, silica, soy lecithin, and / or talc) is applied per kilogram of seed. In some embodiments, a dry powder comprising calcium stearate, attapulgite clay, montmorillonite clay, graphite, magnesium stearate, silica (e.g., fumed silica, hydrophobically coated silica, and / or precipitated silica), and / or talc is blended with one or more maltodextrins (e.g., one or more maltodextrins having a DEV of about 15 to about 20) at a rate of about 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, or 3 grams per kilogram of seeds. maltodextrin) and one or more microbial spores (e.g., spores of one or more strains of the genus Bacillus, one or more strains of the genus Gliocladium, one or more strains of the genus Glomus, one or more strains of the genus Metarhizium, one or more strains of the genus Penicillium, and / or one or more strains of the genus Trichoderma).

[0227] In some embodiments, the coating covers about 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 99.5% or more of the outer surface of the plant propagation material.

[0228] In some embodiments, the average thickness of the coating is at least 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5 μm or more, In some embodiments, the average thickness of the coating is about 1.5 to about 3.0 μm.

[0229] In some embodiments, the coating comprises one or more effect pigments. Effect pigments, sometimes referred to in the art as "pearl pigments," are a class of materials that provide reflectivity, luster, and / or pearlescent effects when applied as a coating. In some cases, the effect pigments are in the form of a powder comprising a base material and a metal oxide coating. For example, the effect pigments may comprise a base material including, but not limited to, talc, silicate materials (e.g., mica), clay minerals, calcium carbonate, kaolin, phlogopite, alumina, and similar substances. In some cases, the base material comprises a hydrophilic material. The base material may be coated with a translucent layer of a metal oxide including, but not limited to, titanium dioxide, iron oxide, chromium oxide, or zirconium oxide. Alternatively, in some cases, the effect pigments comprise metal powders or flakes. The metal powders or flakes may comprise metals including, but not limited to, aluminum, copper, silver, or bronze. In some cases, the effect pigments comprise a silicate-based base. Non-limiting examples of particulate silicates that can be incorporated into the dry powder coating include titanium dioxide coated mica (e.g., SUNMICA FINE WHITE 2800102, commercially available from Sun Chemical Corp.). Other non-limiting examples of commercially available effect pigments that can be incorporated into the dry powder include MAGNA PEARL, LUMINA, and MEARLIN pigments from BASF Corporation; PHIBRO PEARL from PhibroChem; and IRIDESIUM 120 from Aakash Chemicals. In some cases, the dry powder has an average particle size of about 1 to about 25 μm.

[0230] The inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may be used to coat any suitable plant propagation material, including, but not limited to, seedlings (e.g., leaves, stems), roots, seeds, and tubers. In some embodiments, the plant propagation material is a seed.

[0231] The inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may be used to coat plant propagation material of any suitable plant type, including, but not limited to, row crops and vegetables.In certain embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure is adapted to be used with any of the following plants: Amaranthaceae (e.g., Swiss chard, spinach, sugar beet, quinoa), Asteraceae (e.g., artichoke, aster, chamomile, chicory, chrysanthemum, dahlia, daisy, echinacea, goldenrod, guayule, lettuce, marigold, safflower, sunflower, zinnia), Brassicaceae (e.g., arugula, broccoli, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, canola, collard greens, radish, garden cress, horseradish, kale, mustard, radish, rapeseed, rutabaga, turnip, wasabi, watercress, Arabidopsis thaliana, Arabidopsis serrata ... thaliana), Cucurbitaceae (e.g. muskmelon, cucumber, honeydew melon, melon, pumpkin, squash (e.g. acorn squash, Japanese squash, summer squash), watermelon, zucchini), Fabaceae (e.g. alfalfa, kidney bean, carob, clover, guar, lentil, mesquite, pea, peanut, soybean, tamarind, tragacanth, vetch), Malvaceae (e.g. cacao, cotton, durian, hibiscus, kenaf, cola, okra), Poaceae (e.g. bamboo, barley, maize, fonio, grass (e.g. bahiagrass, cypress), , bluegrass, barnyard grass, centipede grass, fescue, or Zoysia), millet, oats, ornamental grasses, rice, rye, sorghum, sugarcane, triticale, wheat), Polygonaceae (e.g., buckwheat), Rosaceae (e.g., almond, apple, apricot, blackberry, blueberry, cherry, peach, plum, quince, raspberry, rose, strawberry), Solanaceae (e.g., pepper, chilli pepper, eggplant, petunia, potato, tobacco, tomato) and Vitaceae (e.g., grape).Non-limiting examples of plant propagation material that may be coated with the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure include seeds sold by Monsanto Company (St. Louis, MO) under the trademarks BOLLGARD II®, DROUGHTGARD®, GENUITY®, RIB COMPLETE®, ROUNDUP READY®, ROUNDUP READY 2 YIELD®, ROUNDUP READY 2 EXTEND™, SMARTSTAX®, VT DOUBLE PRO®, VT TRIPLE PRO®, YIELDGARD®, YIELDGARD VT ROOTWORM / RR2®, YIELDGARD VT TRIPLE®, and / or XTENDFLEX™.

[0232] The present disclosure extends to plants grown from the coated plant propagation material of the present disclosure, plant parts harvested from plants grown from the coated plant propagation material of the present disclosure, processed products derived from plants grown from the coated plant propagation material of the present disclosure, and crops comprising a plurality of plants grown from the coated plant propagation material of the present disclosure.

[0233] The present disclosure also provides kits comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of the coated plant propagation material of the present disclosure and a container housing the coated plant propagation material. In some embodiments, the kits further comprise one or more oxygen scavengers, such as activated carbon, ascorbic acid, iron powder, a mixture of iron carbonate and a metal halide catalyst, sodium chloride and / or sodium bicarbonate.

[0234] The container may comprise any suitable material, including, but not limited to, a material that reduces the amount of light, moisture and / or oxygen that contacts the covered plant propagation material when the container is sealed.

[0235] In certain embodiments, the container comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a material that has an optical transparency of less than about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, or 75%.

[0236] In some embodiments, the container, when sealed, reduces the amount of ambient light that reaches the coated plant propagation material by about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 or 100%.

[0237] In certain embodiments, the container, when sealed, reduces the amount of ambient moisture that reaches the plant propagation material by about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 or 100%.

[0238] In certain embodiments, the container has a volume of about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 275, 300, 325, 350, 375, 400, 425, 450, 475, or 500 cm (as measured according to ASTM D3985). 3 / m 2 Comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of a material having an oxygen transmission rate of less than 100 / s.

[0239] In some embodiments, the container, when sealed, reduces the amount of ambient oxygen reaching the plant propagation material by about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 or 100%.

[0240] In some embodiments, the kit of the present disclosure includes one, two, three, four, five or more additional containers. The additional containers may include any suitable components or compositions, including, but not limited to, agriculturally beneficial microorganisms, biostimulants, desiccants, nutrients, oxidation control components and pesticides. Examples of agriculturally beneficial microorganisms, biostimulants, desiccants, nutrients, oxidation control components and pesticides that may be included in the additional containers are described above.

[0241] The present disclosure also provides an animal feed composition comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of a food component and a microbial component, wherein the microbial component comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of an inoculum composition of the present disclosure.

[0242] The animal feed compositions of the present disclosure may comprise any suitable food ingredient, including, but not limited to, forage (e.g., grain, hay, legumes, silage and / or straw) and forage (e.g., grasses).

[0243] The animal feed compositions of the present disclosure may be fed to any suitable animal, including, but not limited to, livestock, zoo animals, laboratory animals, and / or companion animals. In certain embodiments, the animal feed compositions are formulated to meet the dietary needs of birds (e.g., chickens, ducks, quail, and / or turkeys), bovine animals (e.g., antelope, bison, cattle, gazelles, goats, impalas, oxen, sheep, and / or wildebeests), canines, cervids (e.g., caribou, deer, elk, and / or moose), equines (e.g., donkeys, horses, and / or zebras), felines, fish, pigs, rabbits, rodents (e.g., guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, and / or rats), and the like.

[0244] The present disclosure also provides methods comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of applying an inoculant composition of the present disclosure to a plant or plant part.

[0245] The inoculant compositions of the present disclosure may be applied in any suitable manner, including, but not limited to, on-seed application, in-furrow application, and foliar application.

[0246] In certain embodiments, the inoculant composition of the present disclosure is applied to plant propagation material (e.g., seeds) at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 or more weeks prior to planting.

[0247] In certain embodiments, an inoculant composition of the present disclosure is applied to plant propagation material (eg, seeds) at the time of planting.

[0248] The plant propagation material may be treated using any suitable method, including, but not limited to, coating, dripping, spraying, and immersion. Batch systems may be used in which a predetermined batch size of material and inoculant composition is delivered to a mixer. Continuous treatment systems may also be used, adjusted to apply the inoculant composition at a predetermined rate proportional to the continuous flow of material.

[0249] In certain embodiments, the plant propagation material is soaked in an inoculum composition of the present disclosure for at least 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 36, 48 hours or more.

[0250] In some embodiments, plant propagation material (e.g., seeds) are coated by applying an inoculant composition of the present disclosure to the inside wall of a round container, adding the seeds, and then rolling the container so that the seeds come into contact with the composition (a method known in the art as "container coating").

[0251] In some embodiments, the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure are freeze-spray dried or spray freeze dried and then applied to the plant propagation material. For example, in some embodiments, the inoculant compositions include one or more maltodextrins (e.g., one or more maltodextrins having a DEV of about 15 to about 20), one or more microbial spores (e.g., spores of one or more strains of the genus Bacillus, one or more strains of the genus Gliocladium, one or more strains of the genus Glomus, one or more strains of the genus Metarhizium, one or more strains of the genus Penicillium, and / or one or more strains of the genus Trichoderma), and one or more disaccharides (e.g., maltose). The product is freeze-spray dried or spray-freeze dried, mixed with a dry powder (e.g., a dry powder comprising calcium stearate, attapulgite clay, montmorillonite clay, graphite, magnesium stearate, silica (e.g., fumed silica, hydrophobically coated silica and / or precipitated silica) and / or talc) and coated onto seeds that have been pretreated with one or more adhesives (e.g., an adhesive composition comprising one or more maltodextrins, one or more mono-, di- or oligosaccharides, one or more peptones, etc.), one or more pesticides and / or one or more plant signal molecules (e.g., one or more LCOs).

[0252] The present disclosure also provides a method comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of planting the coated seed of the present disclosure.

[0253] The present disclosure also provides a method of increasing the viability and / or stability of microbial spores in a composition, comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of adding an effective amount of one or more protectants to the composition.

[0254] The protective agent can be used to improve any suitable microbial stability characteristic of the microbial spores in the composition, including, but not limited to, the ability of the microbial spores in the composition to improve plant yield after being coated on a seed and stored for a period of time before planting the seed. For example, the addition of one or more protective agents to the composition can improve plant yield after being coated on a plant propagation material (e.g., a seed) and stored for a period of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more. , 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and / or 40°C and a relative humidity of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85% or more, to increase the ability of microbial spores therein to grow and increase yield.

[0255] In certain embodiments, the addition of one or more protectants to the composition improves the stability of one or more microbial spores therein by at least about 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 150, 175, 200% or more compared to the microbial spores in a control composition (e.g., a control composition that is identical to an inoculum composition of the present disclosure except that it lacks one or more of the components found in the inoculum composition and / or contains one or more components not found in the inoculum composition of the present disclosure). For example, the addition of one or more protectants to the composition may improve one or more microbial stability characteristics of one or more microbial spores therein by at least about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 150, 175, 200% or more compared to a control composition that is identical to the inoculum composition except that it lacks one or more of the protectants found in the inoculum composition and / or contains a reduced amount of one or more of the protectants found in the inoculum composition.

[0256] In certain embodiments, the addition of one or more protectants to the composition improves the stability of one or more microbial spores therein by at least about 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 150, 175, 200% or more as compared to a control composition (e.g., a control composition that is identical to an inoculum composition of the present disclosure except that it lacks one or more of the components found in the inoculum composition and / or contains one or more components not found in the inoculum composition of the present disclosure). For example, the addition of one or more protectants to the composition may improve the viability of one or more of the microbial spores contained therein by at least about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 150, 175, 200% or more as compared to a control composition that is identical to the inoculum composition except that it lacks one or more of the protectants found in the inoculum composition and / or contains a reduced amount of one or more of the protectants found in the inoculum composition.

[0257] In some embodiments, the addition of one or more protectants to the composition is effective to ensure that at least 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% of the microbial spores and / or vegetative cells in the inoculum composition are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more Storage at 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and / or 40°C and at a relative humidity of at least 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95%; Approximately 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or more dry; About 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or more dryness and for a period of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more storage at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and / or 40°C and at a relative humidity of greater than or equal to 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95%; Frozen storage at -80°C or below for periods of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more; application to plant propagation material (optionally seeds); application to plant propagation material and drying to about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or more; Application to plant propagation material and for periods of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more Storage at 0, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and / or 40°C and at a relative humidity of at least 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95%; Foliar spray; Foliar spray and drying to about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or greater; and / or Foliar sprays and 0.1, 0.2, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 or more days. Exposure to temperatures of 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and / or 40°C and relative humidity of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or greater The present invention improves the viability of one or more of the microbial spores in the inoculum composition to the extent that the microbial spores survive after

[0258] In one embodiment, the addition of one or more protectants to the composition is at least 1×10 per gram and / or milliliter of inoculum composition. 1 , 1×10 2 , 1×10 3 , 1×10 4 , 1×10 5 , 1×10 6 , 1×10 7 , 1×10 8 , 1×10 9 , 1×10 10 The above colony forming units, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more Storage at 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and / or 40°C and at a relative humidity of at least 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95%; Approximately 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or more dry; About 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or more dryness and for a period of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more storage at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and / or 40°C and at a relative humidity of greater than or equal to 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95%; Frozen storage at -80°C or below for periods of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more; application to plant propagation material (optionally seeds); application to plant propagation material and drying to about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or more; Application to plant propagation material and for periods of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more Storage at 0, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and / or 40°C and at a relative humidity of at least 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95%; Foliar spray; Foliar spray and drying to about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or greater; and / or Foliar sprays and 0.1, 0.2, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 or more days. Exposure to temperatures of 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and / or 40°C and relative humidity of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or greater The present invention improves the viability of one or more of the microbial spores in the inoculum composition to the extent that the microbial spores survive after

[0259] In certain embodiments, the addition of one or more maltodextrins to a composition improves both the viability and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more microbial stability properties of microbial spores contained therein.

[0260] Any suitable protectant may be added to the composition, including, but not limited to, monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, maltodextrins, sugar alcohols, humic acid, malt extract, peat extract, skim milk extract, betaine, proline, sarcosine, peptones, oxidation control ingredients, hygroscopic polymers and UV protectants.

[0261] In some embodiments, one or more of the protective agents described above with respect to the inoculant composition of the present disclosure are added to the composition. For example, in some embodiments, one or more monosaccharides and / or disaccharides (e.g., arabinose, fructose, glucose, maltose, sucrose and / or trehalose) and one or more sugar alcohols (e.g., arabitol, mannitol, sorbitol and / or xylitol) are added to the composition to increase the stability and / or viability of microbial spores therein.

[0262] The protectant may be added to the composition in any suitable amount / concentration. The absolute amount / concentration / dosage of the protectant sufficient to cause the desired effect may be influenced by factors such as the type, size and volume of the material to which the composition is to be applied, the stability of the microbial spores in the composition, the attributes and amounts / concentrations of other components in the inoculum composition, and storage conditions (e.g., temperature, relative humidity, duration). Those skilled in the art will understand how to select an effective amount / concentration / dosage using routine dose-response experiments. Those skilled in the art will understand how to select an effective amount / concentration / dosage using routine dose-response experiments. Guidance for selecting appropriate amounts / concentrations can be found, for example, in International Patent Application Nos. PCT / US2016 / 050529 and PCT / US2016 / 050647 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 62 / 296,798; 62 / 271,857; 62 / 347,773; 62 / 343,217; 62 / 296,784; 62 / 271,873; 62 / 347,785; 62 / 347,794; 62 / 347,805; 62 / 436,517 and 62 / 436,529.

[0263] In some embodiments, the protective agent is added to the composition until it is present in the amount / concentration described above for the inoculant composition of the present disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, one or more monosaccharides, disaccharides, maltodextrins, sugar alcohols and / or humic acids can be added to the composition until it comprises about / at least 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 10% / less (by weight based on the total weight of the composition) of the composition. Similarly, one or more oxidation control ingredients and / or UV protection agents may be added to the composition until it comprises about / at least 0.0005, 0.001, 0.002, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.0075, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5% / less of the composition (by weight based on the total weight of the composition).

[0264] In certain embodiments, one or more monosaccharides and / or disaccharides (e.g., arabinose, fructose, glucose, maltose, sucrose, and / or trehalose) and one or more sugar alcohols (e.g., arabitol, mannitol, sorbitol, and / or xylitol) are added to the composition until they are present in the amounts / concentrations described above for the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure. For example, in ... 3, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 10% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition) of the composition.

[0265] The protective agent can be added to the composition in any suitable ratio. For example, in some embodiments, one or more monosaccharides and / or disaccharides (e.g., arabinose, fructose, glucose, maltose, sucrose and / or trehalose) and one or more sugar alcohols (e.g., arabitol, mannitol, sorbitol and / or xylitol) are added to the composition in a ratio of monosaccharides and / or disaccharides:sugar alcohol of about 50:50, 55:45, 60:40, 65:35, 70:30, 75:25, 80:20, 85:15, 90:10, 95:5. The present disclosure also provides a system and method for using the inoculant composition of the present disclosure together with an additional composition comprising one or more agriculturally beneficial ingredients. The additional composition can comprise any suitable agriculturally beneficial ingredient, including, but not limited to, the agriculturally beneficial ingredients described above.

[0266] In some embodiments, the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure are used in combination with one or more on-seed compositions, one or more in-furrow compositions and / or one or more foliar compositions.

[0267] In certain embodiments, the inoculant compositions of the present disclosure are used as part of an integrated disease and / or pest management system.

[0268] Particular embodiments of the present disclosure are described in the following numbered paragraphs.

[0269] 1. An aqueous inoculant composition comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of microbial spores; and a non-aqueous carrier, the inoculant composition comprising greater than 0.5% water by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0270] 2. The inoculum composition of any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the microbial spores comprise from about 0.1% to about 50% by weight of the inoculum composition, optionally from about 5 to about 15% by weight of the inoculum composition, optionally about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 or 50% by weight of the composition.

[0271] 3. The microbial spores are about 1×10 per gram and / or milliliter of the inoculum composition. 1 ~Approx. 1×10 20 of colony forming units per gram and / or milliliter of said inoculum composition, optionally 1×10 4 , 1×10 5 , 1×10 6 , 1×10 7 , 1×10 8 , 1×10 9 , 1×10 10 , 1×10 11 , 1×10 12, 1×10 13 , 1×10 14 , 1×10 15 The inoculum composition of any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the inoculum composition is present at a concentration in the range of colony forming units or more.

[0272] 4. An inoculum composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the microbial spores comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of spores of one or more nitrogen fixing microorganisms.

[0273] 5. The inoculum composition of any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the microbial spores comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of spores of one or more strains of Bacillus, optionally one or more strains of Bacillus circulans, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus macerans, Bacillus megatarium, Bacillus polymyxa and / or Bacillus pumilus.

[0274] 6. The inoculum composition of any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the microbial spores comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of spores of one or more phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms.

[0275] 7. The inoculum composition of any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the microbial spores comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of spores of one or more strains of the genus Penicillium, optionally one or more strains of P. bilaiae and / or P. gaestrivorus.

[0276] 8. The inoculum composition of any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the microbial spores comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of spores of one or more strains of the genus Trichoderma, optionally one or more strains of T. asperellum, T. atroviride, T. fertile, T. gamsii, T. hamatum, T. harzianum, T. reesi, T. virens and / or T. viridae.

[0277] 9. An inoculum composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the microbial spores comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of spores of one or more mycorrhizal fungi.

[0278] 10. The inoculum composition of any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the microbial spores comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of spores of one or more strains of the genus Gliocladium, optionally one or more strains of Gliocladium virens, one or more strains of the genus Glomus, optionally one or more strains of Glomus intraradices, and / or one or more strains of the genus Metarhizium, optionally one or more strains of Metarhizium anisopliae.

[0279] 11. The microbial spore is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus genus, optionally selected from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens D747, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens NRRL B-50349, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens TJ1000, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB24, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens IN937a ... TJ amyloliquefaciens IT-45, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens TJ1000, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens MBI600, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BS27 (deposited as NRRL B-5015), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BS2084 (deposited as NRRL B-50013), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 15AP4 (deposited as ATCC PTA-6507), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 3AP4 (deposited as ATCC PTA-6507), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 16AP4 (deposited as ATCC PTA-6507), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 18AP4 (deposited as ATCC PTA-6507), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 16 ... PTA-6506), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens LSSA01 (deposited as NRRL B-50104), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens ABP278 (deposited as NRRL B-50634), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 1013 (deposited as NRRL B-50634 ...B-50509), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 918 (deposited as NRRL B-50508), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 22CP1 (deposited as ATCC PTA-6508) and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BS18 (deposited as NRRL B-50633), Bacillus cereus I-1562, Bacillus firmus I-1582, Bacillus lichenformis BA842 (deposited as NRRL B-50516), Bacillus lichenformis BL21 (deposited as NRRL B-50134), Bacillus mycoides NRRL B-21664, Bacillus pumilus NRRL B-21662, Bacillus pumilus NRRL B-30087, Bacillus pumilus ATCC 55608, Bacillus pumilus ATCC 55609, Bacillus pumilus GB34, Bacillus pumilus KFP9F, Bacillus pumilus QST 2808, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 55078, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 55079, Bacillus subtilis MBI 600, Bacillus subtilis NRRL B-21661, Bacillus subtilis NRRL B-21665, Bacillus subtilis CX-9060, Bacillus subtilis subtilis) GB03, Bacillus subtilis GB07, Bacillus subtilissubtilis QST-713, Bacillus subtilis FZB24, Bacillus subtilis D747, Bacillus subtilis 3BP5 (deposited as NRRL B-50510), Bacillus thuringiensis ATCC 13367, Bacillus thuringiensis GC-91, Bacillus thuringiensis NRRL B-21619, Bacillus thuringiensis ABTS-1857, Bacillus thuringiensis SAN 401 I, Bacillus thuringiensis ABG-6305, Bacillus thuringiensis ABG-6346, Bacillus thuringiensis AM65-52, Bacillus thuringiensis SA-12, Bacillus thuringiensis SB4, Bacillus thuringiensis ABTS-351, Bacillus thuringiensis HD-1, Bacillus thuringiensis EG 2348, Bacillus thuringiensis EG 7826, Bacillus thuringiensis EG 7841, Bacillus thuringiensis DSM 2803, Bacillus thuringiensis NB-125 and / or Bacillusthuringiensis NB-176.

[0280] 12. The microbial spores are selected from the group consisting of Gliocladium, optionally one or more strains of Gliocladium virens ATCC 52045, Gliocladium virens GL-3, and / or Gliocladium virens GL-21; Glomus, optionally one or more strains of Glomus intraradices RTI-801; Metarhizium, optionally one or more strains of Metarhizium anisopliae F52; Penicillium, optionally one or more strains of Penicillium bilaiae ATCC 52045; 18309, Penicillium bilaiae ATCC 20851, Penicillium bilaiae ATCC 22348, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50162, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50169, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50776, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50777, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50778, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50777, Penicillium Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50778, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50779, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50780, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50781, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50782, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL50783, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50784, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50785, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50786, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50787, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50788, Penicillium bilaiae RS7B-SD1, Penicillium brevicompactum AgRF18, Penicillium canescens ATCC 10419, Penicillium expansum ATCC 24692, Penicillium expansum YT02, Penicillium fellatanum ATCC 48694, Penicillium gaestrivorus NRRL 50170, Penicillium glabrum DAOM 239074, Penicillium glabrum CBS 229.28, Penicillium janthinellum ATCC 10455, Penicillium lanosocoeruleum ATCC 48919, Penicillium radicum ATCC 201836, Penicillium radicum FRR 4717, Penicillium radicum FRR 4719, Penicillium radicum N93 / 47267 and / or Penicillium raistrickii ATCC10490, and / or Trichoderma, optionally including Trichoderma asperellum SKT-1, Trichoderma asperellum ICC 012, Trichoderma atroviride LC52, Trichoderma atroviride CNCM 1-1237, Trichoderma fertile JM41R, Trichoderma gamsii ICC 080, Trichoderma hamatum ATCC 52198, Trichoderma harzianum ATCC 52445, Trichoderma harzianum KRL-AG2, Trichoderma harzianum T-22, Trichoderma harzianum TH-35, Trichoderma harzianum T-39, Trichoderma harzianum ICC012, Trichoderma reesi ATCC 28217, Trichoderma virens ATCC 58678, Trichoderma virens GL-3, Trichoderma virens GL-21, Trichoderma virens virens G-41, Trichoderma viridae ATCC 52440, Trichoderma viridae ICC080 and / or Trichoderma viridae TV1.

[0281] 13. The inoculum composition of any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the microbial spores comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of spores of one or more bacterial strains having a genomic sequence that is at least 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99% or more identical, based on 16S rDNA sequence identity, to any of the strains described in paragraph 11.

[0282] 14. The inoculum composition of any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the microbial spores comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of spores of one or more bacterial strains having a genomic sequence that is at least 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99% or more identical to any of the strains described in paragraph 12 based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and / or cytochrome c oxidase (CO1) sequence identity.

[0283] 15. An inoculant composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the microbial spores comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of spores of one or more biopesticides, optionally one or more biofungicides, one or more bioinsecticides and / or one or more bionematicides.

[0284] 16. The inoculum composition of any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the non-aqueous carrier comprises about 70 to about 99% (by weight) of the inoculum composition, optionally about 75 to about 95% (by weight) of the composition, optionally about 80, 80.5, 81, 81.5, 82, 82.5, 83, 83.5, 84, 84.5, 85, 85.5, 86, 86.5, 87, 87.5, 88, 88.5, 89, 89.5 or 90% (by weight) of the inoculum composition.

[0285] 17. An inoculum composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the non-aqueous carrier comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a non-aqueous liquid carrier.

[0286] 18. An inoculum composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the non-aqueous carrier comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a non-aqueous solid carrier.

[0287] 19. The inoculant composition of any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the non-aqueous carrier contains less than 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95 or 1% by weight of water, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0288] 20. An inoculant composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the non-aqueous carrier does not contain water.

[0289] 21. An inoculant composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the non-aqueous carrier comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a seed-compatible and / or soil-compatible carrier.

[0290] 22. An inoculant composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the non-aqueous carrier comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of one or more oils, optionally one or more mineral oils and / or vegetable oils.

[0291] 23. An inoculant composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the non-aqueous carrier comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of one or more polyethylene glycols, optionally PEG 200, PEG 300 and / or PEG 400.

[0292] 24. An inoculation composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the non-aqueous carrier comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of one or more polypropylene glycols, optionally PPG-9, PPG-10, PPG-17, PPG-20 and / or PPG-26.

[0293] 25. An inoculum composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the inoculum composition comprises one or more protectants.

[0294] 26. The one or more protectants comprise from about 0.0001 to about 10% (by weight) of the composition, optionally from about 2 to about 6% (by weight) of the composition, optionally from about 0.0005, 0.001, 0.002, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.0075, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 26. The inoculant composition of paragraph 25, comprising 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5 or 10% (by weight).

[0295] 27. The one or more protective agents are one or more monosaccharides, optionally arabinose, fructose and / or glucose; one or more disaccharides, optionally maltose, sucrose and / or trehalose; One or more maltodextrins, optionally one or more maltodextrins (e.g., one or more maltodextrins having (individually and / or collectively) a DEV value of from about 15 to about 20; one or more sugar alcohols, optionally arabitol, mannitol, sorbitol and / or xylitol; one or more humic acids, optionally potassium humate and / or sodium humate; one or more hygroscopic polymers, optionally one or more of albumin, alginate, cellulose, gum (e.g., cellulose gum, guar gum, gum arabic, comb gum, xanthan gum), methylcellulose, nylon, pectin, polyacrylic acid, polycarbonate, polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyethyleneimine (PEI), polylactide, polymethylacrylate (PMA), polyurethane, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), propylene glycol, sodium carboxymethylcellulose and / or starch; one or more oxidation control components, optionally one or more antioxidants (e.g., ascorbic acid, ascorbyl palmitate, ascorbyl stearate, calcium ascorbate, one or more carotenoids, lipoic acid, one or more phenolic compounds (e.g., one or more flavonoids, flavones and / or flavonols), potassium ascorbate, sodium ascorbate, one or more thiols (e.g., glutathione, lipoic acid and / or N-acetylcysteine), one or more tocopherols, one or more tocotrienols, ubiquinone and / or uric acid) and / or one or more oxygen scavengers, optionally, ascorbic acid and / or sodium bicarbonate; and / or One or more UV protectants, optionally one or more lignosulfites 27. The inoculum composition according to any one of paragraphs 25 to 26, comprising:

[0296] 28. The one or more protective agents are one or more monosaccharides, optionally arabinose, fructose and / or glucose, and one or more disaccharides, optionally maltose, sucrose and / or trehalose; one or more monosaccharides, optionally arabinose, fructose and / or glucose, one or more maltodextrins, optionally one or more maltodextrins (e.g., one or more maltodextrins having (individually and / or collectively) a DEV value of about 15 to about 20; one or more monosaccharides, optionally arabinose, fructose and / or glucose, and one or more sugar alcohols, optionally arabitol, mannitol, sorbitol and / or xylitol; one or more monosaccharides, optionally arabinose, fructose and / or glucose, and one or more humic acids, optionally potassium humate and / or sodium humate; one or more monosaccharides, optionally arabinose, fructose and / or glucose, and one or more oxidation control components, optionally ascorbic acid and / or glutathione; one or more monosaccharides, optionally arabinose, fructose and / or glucose, and one or more UV protectants, optionally one or more lignosulfites; one or more disaccharides, optionally maltose, sucrose and / or trehalose, and one or more maltodextrins, optionally one or more maltodextrins (e.g., one or more maltodextrins having (individually and / or collectively) a DEV value of about 15 to about 20; one or more disaccharides, optionally maltose, sucrose and / or trehalose, and one or more sugar alcohols, optionally arabitol, mannitol, sorbitol and / or xylitol; one or more disaccharides, optionally maltose, sucrose and / or trehalose, and one or more humic acids, optionally potassium humate and / or sodium humate; one or more disaccharides, optionally maltose, sucrose and / or trehalose, and one or more oxidation control components, optionally ascorbic acid and / or glutathione; one or more disaccharides, optionally maltose, sucrose and / or trehalose, and one or more UV protectants, optionally one or more lignosulfites; one or more additional maltodextrins, optionally one or more maltodextrins (e.g., one or more maltodextrins having (individually and / or collectively) a DEV value of about 15 to about 20, and one or more sugar alcohols, optionally arabitol, mannitol, sorbitol and / or xylitol; one or more additional maltodextrins, optionally one or more maltodextrins (e.g., one or more maltodextrins having (individually and / or collectively) a DEV value of about 15 to about 20, and one or more humic acids, optionally potassium humate and / or sodium humate; one or more additional maltodextrins, optionally one or more maltodextrins (e.g., one or more maltodextrins having (individually and / or collectively) a DEV value of about 15 to about 20, and one or more oxidation control components, optionally ascorbic acid and / or glutathione; one or more additional maltodextrins, optionally one or more maltodextrins (e.g., one or more maltodextrins having (individually and / or collectively) a DEV value of about 15 to about 20, and one or more UV protection agents, optionally one or more lignosulfites; one or more sugar alcohols, optionally arabitol, mannitol, sorbitol and / or xylitol, and one or more humic acids, optionally potassium humate and / or sodium humate; one or more sugar alcohols, optionally arabitol, mannitol, sorbitol and / or xylitol, and one or more oxidation control components, optionally ascorbic acid and / or glutathione; one or more sugar alcohols, optionally arabitol, mannitol, sorbitol and / or xylitol, and one or more UV protection agents, optionally one or more lignosulfites; or one or more oxidation control components, optionally ascorbic acid and / or glutathione, and one or more UV protection agents, optionally one or more lignosulfites. 28. An inoculant composition according to any one of paragraphs 25 to 27, comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of.

[0297] 29. An inoculum composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the inoculum composition comprises one or more dispersants.

[0298] 30. The inoculant composition of paragraph 29, wherein the one or more dispersing agents comprise from about 0.1 to about 5% (by weight) of the composition, optionally from about 0.1 to about 2% (by weight) of the composition, optionally about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5 or 5% (by weight) of the composition.

[0299] 31. The one or more dispersants are one or more anionic surfactants, optionally one or more alkyl carboxylates, alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl amido ether sulfates, alkyl aryl polyether sulfates, alkyl aryl sulfates, alkyl aryl sulfonates, alkyl sulfonates, alkyl amido sulfonates, alkyl aryl sulfonates, alkyl benzene sulfonates, alkyl diphenyl oxide sulfonates, α-olefin sulfonates, alkyl naphthalene sulfonates, paraffin sulfonates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether sulfosuccinates, alkyl amido sulfosuccinates, acid salts, alkyl sulfosuccinamates, alkyl sulfoacetates, alkyl phosphates, alkyl ether phosphates, acylsarcosinates, acylisethionates, N-acyltaurates, N-acyl-N-alkyl taurates, benzenesulfonates, cumenesulfonates, dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinates, ethoxylated sulfosuccinates, ligninsulfonates, linear alkylbenzenesulfonates, monoglyceride sulfates, perfluorobutanesulfonates, perfluorooctane sulfonates, phosphate esters, styrene acrylic polymers, toluenesulfonates and / or xylenesulfonates. one or more cationic surfactants, optionally one or more alkyltrimethylammonium salts, cetylpyridinium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, 5-bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane, dimethyldioctadecylammonium chloride, cetrimonium bromide, dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide and / or octenidine dihydrochloride; and / or one or more nonionic surfactants, optionally one or more of alcohol ethoxylates, alkanolamides, alkanolamine condensates, carboxylic acid esters, cetostearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, cocamide DEA, dodecyl dimethylamine oxide, ethanolamides, ethoxylates of glycerol esters and glycol esters, ethylene oxide polymers, ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymers, glucoside alkyl ethers, glycerol alkyl ethers, glycerol esters, glycol alkyl ethers, glycol alkyl phenol ethers, glycol esters, monolaurin, pentaethylene glycol monododecyl ethers, poloxamers, polyamines, polyglycerol polyricinoleates, polysorbates, polyoxyethylenated fatty acids, polyoxyethylenated mercaptans, polyoxyethylenated polyoxypropylene glycols, polyoxyethylene glycol sorbitan alkyl esters, polyethylene glycol-polypropylene glycol copolymers, polyoxyethylene glycol octylphenol ethers, polyvinylpyrrolidones, sugar-based alkyl polyglycosides, sulfanilamides, sorbitan fatty acid alcohol ethoxylates, sorbitan fatty acid ester ethoxylates, sorbitan fatty acid esters and / or tertiary acetylenic glycols; and / or one or more wetting agents, optionally one or more naphthalene sulfonates, optionally one or more alkylnaphthalene sulfonates, one or more isopropylnaphthalene sulfonates and / or one or more butylnaphthalene sulfonates; 31. The inoculant composition according to any one of paragraphs 29 to 30, comprising:

[0300] 32. The inoculation composition of any one of paragraphs 29 to 31, wherein the one or more dispersing agents comprise one or more polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, one or more acrylic copolymers, one or more polyoxyethylene sorbitan trioleates, and / or one or more secondary alcohol ethoxylates.

[0301] 33. The inoculum composition comprises: One or more pesticides, optionally: one or more insecticides and / or nematicides, optionally one or more carbamates, diamides, macrocyclic lactones, neonicotinoids, organophosphates, phenylpyrazoles, pyrethrins, spinosyns, synthetic pyrethroids, tetronic acids and / or tetramic acids; one or more fungicides, optionally one or more aromatic hydrocarbons, benzimidazoles, benzothiadiazoles, carboxamides, carboxylic acid amides, morpholines, phenylamides, phosphonates, quinone external inhibitors, thiazolidines, thiophanates, thiophenecarboxamides and / or triazoles; and / or one or more herbicides, optionally one or more acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitors, acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors, acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) inhibitors, photosystem II inhibitors, photosystem I inhibitors, protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO or protox) inhibitors, carotenoid biosynthesis inhibitors, enolpyruvylshikimate 3-phosphate (EPSP) synthase inhibitors, glutamine synthetase inhibitors, dihydropteroate synthetase inhibitors, mitosis inhibitors, 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (4-HPPD) inhibitors, synthetic auxins, auxin herbicide salts, auxin transport inhibitors, and / or nucleic acid inhibitors. 2. The inoculum composition of any one of the preceding paragraphs, comprising:

[0302] 34. The inoculum composition of any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the inoculum composition comprises another lipo-chitooligosaccharide, optionally one or more lipo-chitooligosaccharides represented by Formulas I-IV.

[0303] 35. The inoculum composition of any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the inoculum composition comprises another lipo-chitooligosaccharide, optionally one or more of the lipo-chitooligosaccharides represented by structures V-XXXIII.

[0304] 36. An inoculum composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the inoculum composition comprises one or more chitooligosaccharides, optionally one or more chitooligosaccharides represented by formulas XXXIV-XXXV.

[0305] 37. The inoculum composition of any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the inoculum composition comprises one or more chitooligosaccharides, optionally one or more chitooligosaccharides represented by structures XXXVI-XXXIX.

[0306] 38. An inoculum composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the inoculum composition comprises one or more chitinous compounds, optionally one or more chitins and / or one or more chitosans.

[0307] 39. The inoculum composition comprises: One or more flavonoids, optionally including: one or more anthocyanidins, optionally cyanidin, delphinidin, malvidin, pelargonidin, peonidin and / or petunidin; one or more anthoxanthins, optionally one or more flavones, such as apigenin, baicalein, chrysin, 7,8-dihydroxyflavone, diosmin, flavoxate, 6-hydroxyflavone, luteolin, scutellarein, tangeritin and / or wogonin; and / or flavonols, such as amurensin, astragalin, azaleatin, azalein, fisetin, furanoflavonol galangin, gossypetin, 3-hydroxyflavone, hyperosides, icariin, isoquercetin, kaempferide, kaempferitrin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, morin, myricetin, myricitrin, natudaidin, pachypodol, pyranoflavonol quercetin, quercetin, rhamnadin, rhamnetin, robinin, rutin, spireosides, troxerutin and / or xanthamnin; one or more flavanones, optionally butine, eriodictyol, hesperetin, hesperidin, homoeriodictyol, isosakuranetin, naringenin, naringin, pinocembrin, poncirin, sakuranetin, sakuranine and / or sterubin; one or more flavanonols, optionally dihydrokaempferol and / or taxifolin; flavans, such as flavan-3-ols (e.g., catechin (C), catechin 3-gallate (Cg), epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin 3-gallate (ECg), epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCg), epiafzelechin, fisetinidol, gallocatechin (GC), gallocatechin 3-gallate (GCg), guiburtinidol, mesquitol, lonicertinol, ole ... and / or flavan-3,4-diols (e.g., leucocyanidin, leucodelphinidin, leucofisetinidin, leucomalvidin, leucopelargonidin, leucopeonidin, leucorobinetinidin, melacacidin and / or teracacidin); and / or one or more isoflavonoids, optionally one or more isoflavones, such as biochanin A, daidzein, formononetin, genistein and / or glycitein; isoflavans, such as equol, lonchocarpan and / or laxiflorane; isoflavandiols; isoflavenes, such as glabrene, haginine D and / or 2-methoxysudaicin; coumestans, such as coumestrol, plicadin and / or wedelolactone; pterocarpans; and / or retinoids; and / or one or more neoflavonoids, optionally calophyllolide, coutureagenin, dalbergichromene, dalbergin and / or nivethin; and / or one or more pterocarpans, optionally bitucarpin A, bitucarpin B, erythraedin A, erythraedin B, erythravicin II, erythravicin-1, erycristagallin, glycinol, glyceolidine, glyceollin, glycirisol, marciain, medicarpin, moricyanin, orientanol, phaseolin, pisatin, striatin and / or trifoliridin 2. The inoculum composition of any one of the preceding paragraphs, comprising:

[0308] 40. An inoculation composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the inoculation composition comprises jasmonic acid and / or one or more derivatives thereof.

[0309] 41. An inoculant composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the inoculant composition comprises linoleic acid and / or one or more derivatives thereof.

[0310] 42. An inoculant composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the inoculant composition comprises linoleic acid and / or one or more derivatives thereof.

[0311] 43. An inoculum composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the inoculum composition comprises one or more karrikins, optionally one or more karrikins represented by formula XXXX.

[0312] 44. The inoculum composition of any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the inoculum composition comprises gluconolactone.

[0313] 45. The inoculant composition of any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the inoculant composition comprises one or more desiccants, optionally calcium stearate, one or more clays, graphite, magnesium stearate, magnesium sulfate, milk powder, one or more silica powders, soy lecithin and / or talc.

[0314] 46. ​​The inoculum composition of any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the inoculum composition comprises one or more biostimulants, optionally one or more seaweed extracts, one or more humic acids, one or more fulvic acids, myo-inositol and / or glycine.

[0315] 47. The inoculum composition of any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the inoculum composition comprises one or more microbial extracts, optionally one or more extracts from a medium containing one or more nitrogen fixing, phosphophosphate solubilizing and / or biopesticide microorganisms.

[0316] 48. The inoculant composition further comprises one or more nutrients, optionally one or more vitamins (e.g., vitamin A, vitamin B group (i.e., vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin B7, vitamin B8, vitamin B9, vitamin B10, vitamin B20, vitamin B30, vitamin B40, vitamin B50, vitamin B60, vitamin B70, vitamin B80, vitamin B90, vitamin B10 ... 12 , choline), vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, carotenoids (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein, lycopene and / or zeaxanthin), macrominerals (e.g., calcium, iron, magnesium, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and / or sodium), trace elements (e.g., boron, cobalt, chloride, chromium, copper, fluoride, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and / or zinc) and / or organic acids (e.g., acetic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, malic acid and / or taurine).

[0317] 49. The inoculum composition of any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the inoculum composition comprises one or more growth media, optionally YEM medium, mannitol yeast extract, glycerol yeast extract, Czapek-Dox medium and / or potato dextrose broth.

[0318] 50. An inoculant composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the inoculant composition comprises one or more agriculturally acceptable antifreeze agents, optionally ethylene glycol, glycerin, propylene glycol and / or urea.

[0319] 51. The inoculum composition of any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the inoculum composition contains less than 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9 or 5% by weight of water, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0320] 52. A composition described in any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the inoculum composition comprises, consists essentially of, or is a liquid.

[0321] 53. The composition of any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the inoculum composition comprises, consists essentially of, or is an amorphous liquid.

[0322] 54. The inoculum composition is administered to a subject in need of treatment for a period of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more. , 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and / or 40° C. and a relative humidity of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or more of the one or more microbial spores are viable.

[0323] 55. The inoculum composition of any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein at least about 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or more of the one or more microbial spores are viable when the inoculum composition is coated onto a plant propagation material.

[0324] 56. The inoculant composition is coated onto a plant propagation material, and the inoculant composition is maintained for a period of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more. , 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and / or 40° C. and a relative humidity of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or more of the one or more microbial spores are viable.

[0325] 57. The inoculum composition is effective in preventing infection with a virulent pathogen, for a period of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more. at least about 1 x 10 spores of said one or more microorganisms per gram and / or milliliter of said inoculum composition when stored at 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and / or 40°C and at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85% or more relative humidity. 1 ~Approx. 1×10 10 colony forming units per gram and / or milliliter of said inoculum composition, optionally at least 1×10 4 , 1×10 5 , 1×10 6 , 1×10 7 An inoculum composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the colony forming units are viable.

[0326] 58. The inoculant composition is coated onto seeds, and the inoculant composition is maintained for a period of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and / or 40° C. and a relative humidity of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85% or more.1 ~Approx. 1×10 10 of colony forming units, optionally 1 x 10 per seed 4 , 1×10 5 , 1×10 6 , 1×10 7 An inoculum composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the colony forming units are viable.

[0327] 59. Plant propagation materials and; a coating covering at least a portion of the outer surface of the seed, the coating comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of an inoculant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 58; 2. A covered plant propagation material comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of.

[0328] 60. The coated plant propagation material according to paragraph 59, wherein the coating comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of an inner coating layer which comprises the microbial spores and an outer coating layer which is free of the microbial spores.

[0329] 61. The coated plant propagation material of any one of paragraphs 59 to 60, wherein the coating comprises, consists essentially of, or is an amorphous liquid.

[0330] 62. The coated plant propagation material of any one of paragraphs 59 to 60, wherein the coating comprises, consists essentially of, or is an amorphous solid.

[0331] 63. The coating comprises at least about 1×10 1 ~Approx. 1×10 15 colony forming units, optionally 1 x 10 1 , 1×10 2 , 1×10 3 , 1×10 4 , 1×10 5 , 1×10 6 , 1×10 7 , 1×10 8 , 1×10 9, 1×10 10 , 1×10 11 , 1×10 12 63. The coated plant propagation material according to any one of paragraphs 59 to 62, comprising the colony forming units or more.

[0332] 64. The covered plant propagation material according to any one of paragraphs 59 to 63, wherein the plant propagation material is a seed.

[0333] 65. The covered plant propagation material according to paragraph 64, wherein the seed is a monocotyledonous seed.

[0334] 66. The covered plant propagation material according to paragraph 64, wherein the seed is a dicotyledonous seed.

[0335] 67. The covered plant propagation material according to paragraph 64, wherein the seed is a seed of a legume.

[0336] 68. The covered plant propagation material according to paragraph 64, wherein the seed is a seed of a non-legume plant.

[0337] 69. The covered plant propagation material according to any one of paragraphs 59 to 64, wherein the plant propagation material is from the Amaranthaceae family, optionally chard, spinach, sugar beet, or quinoa.

[0338] 70. The covered plant propagation material of any one of paragraphs 59 to 64, wherein the plant propagation material is from the family Asteraceae, optionally artichoke, aster, chamomile, chicory, chrysanthemum, dahlia, daisy, echinacea, goldenrod, guayule, lettuce, marigold, safflower, sunflower, or zinnia.

[0339] 71. The covered plant propagation material of any one of paragraphs 59 to 64, wherein the plant propagation material is from the Brassicaceae family, optionally arugula, broccoli, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, canola, collard greens, radish, garden cress, horseradish, kale, mustard, radish, rapeseed, rutabaga, turnip, wasabi, watercress, or Arabidopsis thaliana.

[0340] 72. The covered plant propagation material of any one of paragraphs 59 to 64, wherein the plant propagation material is from the family Cucurbitaceae, optionally a muskmelon, cucumber, honeydew melon, melon, pumpkin, squash (e.g., acorn squash, Japanese squash, summer squash), watermelon, or zucchini.

[0341] 73. The coated plant propagation material of any one of paragraphs 59 to 64, wherein the plant propagation material is from the family Fabaceae, optionally alfalfa, kidney bean, carob, clover, guar, lentil, mesquite, pea, peanut, soybean, tamarind, tragacanth, or vetch.

[0342] 74. The covered plant propagation material according to any one of paragraphs 59 to 64, wherein the plant propagation material is from the family Malvaceae, optionally cocoa, cotton, durian, hibiscus, kenaf, cola, or okra.

[0343] 75. The covered plant propagation material according to any one of paragraphs 59 to 64, wherein the plant propagation material is from the family Poaceae, optionally bamboo, barley, corn, fonio, grass (e.g. bahiagrass, cypress, bluegrass, turfgrass, centipedegrass, fescue, or Zoysia), millet, oats, ornamental grasses, rice, rye, sorghum, sugarcane, triticale, or wheat.

[0344] 76. The covered plant propagation material according to any one of paragraphs 59 to 64, wherein the plant propagation material is of the family Polygonaceae, optionally buckwheat.

[0345] 77. The covered plant propagation material according to any one of paragraphs 59 to 64, wherein the plant propagation material is from the family Rosaceae, optionally almond, apple, apricot, blackberry, blueberry, cherry, peach, plum, quince, raspberry, rose, or strawberry.

[0346] 78. The coated plant propagation material according to any one of paragraphs 59 to 64, wherein the plant propagation material is from the family Solanaceae, optionally bell pepper, chilli pepper, eggplant, petunia, potato, tobacco or tomato.

[0347] 79. The covered plant propagation material according to any one of paragraphs 59 to 64, wherein the plant propagation material is of the Vitaceae family, optionally a grape.

[0348] 80. A covered plant propagation material according to any one of paragraphs 59 to 79; A container for containing the covered plant propagation material; Kit including:

[0349] 81. The kit of claim 80, wherein the container, when sealed, reduces the amount of ambient light reaching the covered plant propagation material by about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 or 100%.

[0350] 82. The kit of any one of paragraphs 80-81, wherein the container, when sealed, reduces the amount of ambient oxygen reaching the plant propagation material by about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 or 100%.

[0351] 83. The kit of any one of paragraphs 80-82, wherein the container comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a material having an optical transparency of less than about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, or 75%.

[0352] 84. The container has a volume of about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 275, 300, 325, 350, 375, 400, 425, 450, 475, or 500 cm (as measured in accordance with ASTM D3985). 3 / m 2 84. The kit of any one of paragraphs 80 to 83, comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of a material having an oxygen permeability of less than 1000 μg / kg.

[0353] 85. The kit of any one of paragraphs 80 to 84, wherein the kit further comprises one or more oxygen absorbing compounds, optionally activated carbon, iron powder, sodium chloride, ferrous carbonate, one or more metal halide catalysts, and / or sodium bicarbonate.

[0354] 86. A plant treated with an inoculant composition described in any one of paragraphs 1 to 58.

[0355] 87. A plant sprouted from the covered plant propagation material described in any one of paragraphs 59 to 79.

[0356] 88. A plant part harvested from a plant described in any one of paragraphs 86 to 87.

[0357] 89. Processed products produced from plant parts as described in paragraph 88.

[0358] 90. A crop comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of a plurality of plants or plant parts as described in any one of paragraphs 86 to 88.

[0359] 91. A method comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of applying an inoculant composition according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 58 to plant propagation material.

[0360] 92. The method of paragraph 91, further comprising planting the plant propagation material in a growth medium, optionally, soil.

[0361] 93. The method according to paragraph 92, wherein the plant propagation material is planted in soil in which a plant of the same genus has been grown for at least one of the three years prior to said planting, and optionally for each of the one, two or three years immediately prior to said planting.

[0362] 94. The method of any one of paragraphs 91 to 93, wherein the inoculant composition is applied to plant propagation material at the time of planting.

[0363] 95. The method of any one of paragraphs 91-93, wherein the inoculant composition is applied to the plant propagation material at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, 42, 45, 48 hours or more prior to planting.

[0364] 96. The method of any one of paragraphs 91-93, wherein the inoculant composition is applied to the plant propagation material at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more prior to planting.

[0365] 97. The method of any one of paragraphs 91-93, wherein the inoculant composition is applied to the plant propagation material about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 months or more prior to planting.

[0366] 98. The method of any one of paragraphs 91 to 97, wherein the plant propagation material is a seed.

[0367] 99. The method of any one of paragraphs 91 to 97, wherein the plant propagation material is a seed of a monocotyledonous plant.

[0368] 100. The method of any one of paragraphs 91 to 97, wherein the plant propagation material is a seed of a dicotyledonous plant.

[0369] 101. The method of any one of paragraphs 91 to 97, wherein the plant propagation material is a seed of a legume plant.

[0370] 102. The method of any one of paragraphs 91 to 97, wherein the plant propagation material is a seed of a non-legume plant.

[0371] 103. The method of any one of paragraphs 91 to 98, wherein the plant propagation material is from the Amaranthaceae family, optionally chard, spinach, sugar beet, or quinoa.

[0372] 104. The method of any one of paragraphs 91 to 98, wherein the plant propagation material is from the family Asteraceae, optionally artichoke, aster, chamomile, chicory, chrysanthemum, dahlia, daisy, echinacea, goldenrod, guayule, lettuce, marigold, safflower, sunflower, or zinnia.

[0373] 105. The method of any one of paragraphs 91 to 98, wherein the plant propagation material is from the Brassicaceae family, optionally arugula, broccoli, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, canola, collard greens, radish, garden cress, horseradish, kale, mustard, radish, rapeseed, rutabaga, turnip, wasabi, watercress, or Arabidopsis thaliana.

[0374] 106. The method of any one of paragraphs 91 to 98, wherein the plant propagation material is from the Cucurbitaceae family, optionally a muskmelon, cucumber, honeydew melon, melon, pumpkin, squash (e.g., acorn squash, Japanese squash, summer squash), watermelon, or zucchini.

[0375] 107. The method of any one of paragraphs 91 to 98, wherein the plant propagation material is from the family Fabaceae, optionally alfalfa, kidney bean, carob, clover, guar, lentil, mesquite, pea, peanut, soybean, tamarind, tragacanth, or vetch.

[0376] 108. The method of any one of paragraphs 91 to 98, wherein the plant propagation material is from the family Malvaceae, optionally cocoa, cotton, durian, hibiscus, kenaf, cola, or okra.

[0377] 109. The method of any one of paragraphs 91 to 98, wherein the plant propagation material is from the family Poaceae, optionally bamboo, barley, corn, fonio, grass (e.g. bahiagrass, cypress, bluegrass, turfgrass, centipedegrass, fescue, or Zoysia), millet, oats, ornamental grasses, rice, rye, sorghum, sugarcane, triticale, or wheat.

[0378] 110. The method of any one of paragraphs 91 to 98, wherein the plant propagation material is from the family Polygonaceae, optionally buckwheat.

[0379] 111. The method of any one of paragraphs 91 to 98, wherein the plant propagation material is from the family Rosaceae, optionally almond, apple, apricot, blackberry, blueberry, cherry, peach, plum, quince, raspberry, rose, or strawberry.

[0380] 112. The method of any one of paragraphs 91 to 98, wherein the plant propagation material is from the family Solanaceae, optionally bell pepper, chili pepper, eggplant, petunia, potato, tobacco, or tomato.

[0381] 113. The method according to any one of paragraphs 91 to 98, wherein the plant propagation material seeds are from the family Vitaceae, optionally grape.

[0382] 114. A method comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of planting a covered plant propagation material according to any one of paragraphs 59 to 79 in a growing medium, optionally soil.

[0383] 115. The method of any one of paragraphs 91 to 114, further comprising applying an inoculant composition of any one of paragraphs 1 to 94 to a plant growing from the plant propagation material.

[0384] 116. A method for increasing the stability and / or viability of one or more microorganisms in a composition, comprising: The method comprises adding, consisting essentially of, or consisting of one or more protective agents to the composition, the one or more protective agents being: one or more monosaccharides, optionally arabinose, fructose and / or glucose; one or more disaccharides, optionally maltose, sucrose and / or trehalose; One or more maltodextrins, optionally one or more maltodextrins (e.g., one or more maltodextrins having (individually and / or collectively) a DEV value of from about 15 to about 20; one or more sugar alcohols, optionally arabitol, mannitol, sorbitol and / or xylitol; one or more humic acids, optionally potassium humate and / or sodium humate; one or more hygroscopic polymers, optionally one or more of albumin, alginate, cellulose, gum (e.g., cellulose gum, guar gum, gum arabic, comb gum, xanthan gum), methylcellulose, nylon, pectin, polyacrylic acid, polycarbonate, polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyethyleneimine (PEI), polylactide, polymethylacrylate (PMA), polyurethane, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), propylene glycol, sodium carboxymethylcellulose and / or starch; one or more oxidation control components, optionally one or more antioxidants (e.g., ascorbic acid, ascorbyl palmitate, ascorbyl stearate, calcium ascorbate, one or more carotenoids, lipoic acid, one or more phenolic compounds (e.g., one or more flavonoids, flavones and / or flavonols), potassium ascorbate, sodium ascorbate, one or more thiols (e.g., glutathione, lipoic acid and / or N-acetylcysteine), one or more tocopherols, one or more tocotrienols, ubiquinone and / or uric acid) and / or one or more oxygen scavengers, optionally, ascorbic acid and / or sodium bicarbonate; and / or One or more UV protectants, optionally one or more lignosulfites The method includes:

[0385] 117. The one or more protective agents are: one or more monosaccharides, optionally arabinose, fructose and / or glucose, and one or more disaccharides, optionally maltose, sucrose and / or trehalose; one or more monosaccharides, optionally arabinose, fructose and / or glucose, one or more maltodextrins, optionally one or more maltodextrins (e.g., one or more maltodextrins having (individually and / or collectively) a DEV value of about 15 to about 20; one or more monosaccharides, optionally arabinose, fructose and / or glucose, and one or more sugar alcohols, optionally arabitol, mannitol, sorbitol and / or xylitol; one or more monosaccharides, optionally arabinose, fructose and / or glucose, and one or more humic acids, optionally potassium humate and / or sodium humate; one or more monosaccharides, optionally arabinose, fructose and / or glucose, and one or more oxidation control components, optionally ascorbic acid and / or glutathione; one or more monosaccharides, optionally arabinose, fructose and / or glucose, and one or more UV protectants, optionally one or more lignosulfites; one or more disaccharides, optionally maltose, sucrose and / or trehalose, and one or more maltodextrins, optionally one or more maltodextrins (e.g., one or more maltodextrins having (individually and / or collectively) a DEV value of about 15 to about 20; one or more disaccharides, optionally maltose, sucrose and / or trehalose, and one or more sugar alcohols, optionally arabitol, mannitol, sorbitol and / or xylitol; one or more disaccharides, optionally maltose, sucrose and / or trehalose, and one or more humic acids, optionally potassium humate and / or sodium humate; one or more disaccharides, optionally maltose, sucrose and / or trehalose, and one or more oxidation control components, optionally ascorbic acid and / or glutathione; one or more disaccharides, optionally maltose, sucrose and / or trehalose, and one or more UV protectants, optionally one or more lignosulfites; one or more additional maltodextrins, optionally one or more maltodextrins (e.g., one or more maltodextrins having (individually and / or collectively) a DEV value of about 15 to about 20, and one or more sugar alcohols, optionally arabitol, mannitol, sorbitol and / or xylitol; one or more additional maltodextrins, optionally one or more maltodextrins (e.g., one or more maltodextrins having (individually and / or collectively) a DEV value of about 15 to about 20, and one or more humic acids, optionally potassium humate and / or sodium humate; one or more additional maltodextrins, optionally one or more maltodextrins (e.g., one or more maltodextrins having (individually and / or collectively) a DEV value of about 15 to about 20, and one or more oxidation control components, optionally ascorbic acid and / or glutathione; one or more additional maltodextrins, optionally one or more maltodextrins (e.g., one or more maltodextrins having (individually and / or collectively) a DEV value of about 15 to about 20, and one or more UV protection agents, optionally one or more lignosulfites; one or more sugar alcohols, optionally arabitol, mannitol, sorbitol and / or xylitol, and one or more humic acids, optionally potassium humate and / or sodium humate; one or more sugar alcohols, optionally arabitol, mannitol, sorbitol and / or xylitol, and one or more oxidation control components, optionally ascorbic acid and / or glutathione; one or more sugar alcohols, optionally arabitol, mannitol, sorbitol and / or xylitol, and one or more UV protection agents, optionally one or more lignosulfites; or one or more oxidation control components, optionally ascorbic acid and / or glutathione, and one or more UV protection agents, optionally one or more lignosulfites. 153. The method of paragraph 152, comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of.

[0386] 118. The one or more protectants may be present in an amount of about 0.0001 to about 10% (by weight) of the composition, optionally about 2 to about 6% (by weight) of the composition, optionally about 0.0005, 0.001, 0.002, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.0075, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0 118. The method of any one of paragraphs 116-117, wherein the amount of the component (s) added is 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5 or 10% (by weight).

[0387] 119. The one or more protective agents are selected from the group consisting of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more. 9, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and / or 40° C. and a relative humidity of 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or more of the microbial spores are added in an amount sufficient to ensure that at least about 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85%, or more of the microbial spores are viable when stored at 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85%, or more.

[0388] 120. The method of any one of paragraphs 116-119, wherein the one or more protectants are added in an amount sufficient to ensure that at least about 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or more of the microbial spores are viable when the inoculum composition is coated onto a plant propagation material.

[0389] 121. The one or more protectants are, for example, a composition comprising an inoculant composition coated on a plant propagation material and a protective agent that is effective to prevent infection for a period of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more. 7, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and / or 40° C. and a relative humidity of 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95% or more of the microbial spores are added in an amount sufficient to ensure viability when stored at 7, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and / or 40° C. and a relative humidity of 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85% or more.

[0390] 122. The one or more protective agents are selected from the group consisting of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more. at least about 1 x 10 spores of the microorganism per gram and / or milliliter of the inoculum composition when stored at 3, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and / or 40°C and a relative humidity of 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85% or greater 1 ~Approx. 1×10 15 of colony forming units per gram and / or milliliter of said inoculum composition, optionally at least 1×10 1 , 1×10 2 , 1×10 3 , 1×10 4 , 1×10 5 , 1×10 6 , 1×10 7 , 1×10 8 , 1×10 9 , 1×10 10 , 1×10 11 , 1×10 12 122. The method of any one of paragraphs 116-121, wherein the colony forming units are added in an amount sufficient to ensure viability.

[0391] 123. The one or more protectants are, for example, a composition for inoculation coated on a seed, and the composition for inoculation is, for example, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104 weeks or more. , 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and / or 40° C. and a relative humidity of 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85% or more. 1 ~Approx. 1×10 15 of colony forming units, optionally 1 x 10 per seed 1 , 1×10 2 , 1×10 3 , 1×10 4 , 1×10 5 , 1×10 6 , 1×10 7 , 1×10 8 , 1×10 9 , 1×10 10 , 1×10 11 , 1×10 12 123. The method of any one of paragraphs 116-122, wherein the colony forming units are added in an amount sufficient to ensure viability.

[0392] 124. The method of any of paragraphs 116 to 123, further comprising adding one or more dispersants to the composition.

[0393] 125. The one or more dispersants are one or more anionic surfactants, optionally one or more alkyl carboxylates, alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl amido ether sulfates, alkyl aryl polyether sulfates, alkyl aryl sulfates, alkyl aryl sulfonates, alkyl sulfonates, alkyl amido sulfonates, alkyl aryl sulfonates, alkyl benzene sulfonates, alkyl diphenyl oxide sulfonates, α-olefin sulfonates, alkyl naphthalene sulfonates, paraffin sulfonates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether sulfosuccinates, alkyl amido sulfosuccinates, acid salts, alkyl sulfosuccinamates, alkyl sulfoacetates, alkyl phosphates, alkyl ether phosphates, acylsarcosinates, acylisethionates, N-acyltaurates, N-acyl-N-alkyl taurates, benzenesulfonates, cumenesulfonates, dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinates, ethoxylated sulfosuccinates, ligninsulfonates, linear alkylbenzenesulfonates, monoglyceride sulfates, perfluorobutanesulfonates, perfluorooctane sulfonates, phosphate esters, styrene acrylic polymers, toluenesulfonates and / or xylenesulfonates. one or more cationic surfactants, optionally one or more alkyltrimethylammonium salts, cetylpyridinium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, 5-bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane, dimethyldioctadecylammonium chloride, cetrimonium bromide, dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide and / or octenidine dihydrochloride; and / or one or more nonionic surfactants, optionally one or more of alcohol ethoxylates, alkanolamides, alkanolamine condensates, carboxylic acid esters, cetostearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, cocamide DEA, dodecyl dimethylamine oxide, ethanolamides, ethoxylates of glycerol esters and glycol esters, ethylene oxide polymers, ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymers, glucoside alkyl ethers, glycerol alkyl ethers, glycerol esters, glycol alkyl ethers, glycol alkyl phenol ethers, glycol esters, monolaurin, pentaethylene glycol monododecyl ethers, poloxamers, polyamines, polyglycerol polyricinoleates, polysorbates, polyoxyethylenated fatty acids, polyoxyethylenated mercaptans, polyoxyethylenated polyoxypropylene glycols, polyoxyethylene glycol sorbitan alkyl esters, polyethylene glycol-polypropylene glycol copolymers, polyoxyethylene glycol octylphenol ethers, polyvinylpyrrolidones, sugar-based alkyl polyglycosides, sulfanilamides, sorbitan fatty acid alcohol ethoxylates, sorbitan fatty acid ester ethoxylates, sorbitan fatty acid esters and / or tertiary acetylenic glycols; and / or one or more wetting agents, optionally one or more naphthalene sulfonates, optionally one or more alkylnaphthalene sulfonates, one or more isopropylnaphthalene sulfonates and / or one or more butylnaphthalene sulfonates; 125. The method of paragraph 124, comprising:

[0394] 126. The inoculation composition of any one of paragraphs 124 to 125, wherein the one or more dispersing agents comprise one or more polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, one or more acrylic copolymers, one or more polyoxyethylene sorbitan trioleates, and / or one or more secondary alcohol ethoxylates.

[0395] 127. The method of any one of claims 116 to 123, further comprising adding one or more aqueous additives to the composition.

[0396] 128. The one or more aqueous additives are One or more Bacillus extracts, optionally including B. amyloliquefaciens D747, B. amyloliquefaciens NRRL B-50349, B. amyloliquefaciens TJ1000, B. amyloliquefaciens FZB24, B. amyloliquefaciens FZB42, B. amyloliquefaciens IN937a, B. amyloliquefaciens IT-45, B. amyloliquefaciens TJ1000, B. amyloliquefaciens MBI600, B. amyloliquefaciens BS27 (NRRL B-5015), B. amyloliquefaciens BS2084 (deposited as NRRL B-50013), B. amyloliquefaciens 15AP4 (deposited as ATCC PTA-6507), B. amyloliquefaciens 3AP4 (deposited as ATCC PTA-6506), B. amyloliquefaciens LSSA01 (deposited as NRRL B-50104), B. amyloliquefaciens ABP278 (deposited as NRRL B-50634), B. amyloliquefaciens 1013 (deposited as NRRL B-50211), B. amyloliquefaciens BS2084 (deposited as NRRL B-50013), B. amyloliquefaciens 15AP4 (deposited as ATCC PTA-6507), B. amyloliquefaciens 3AP4 (deposited as ATCC PTA-6506), B. amyloliquefaciens LSSA01 (deposited as NRRL B-50104), B. amyloliquefaciens ABP278 (deposited as NRRL B-50634), B. amyloliquefaciens LSSA01 (deposited as NRRL B-50211), B. amyloliquefaciens ABP278 (deposited as NRRL B-5021 ... LSSA01 (deposited as NRRL B- B-50509), B. amyloliquefaciens 918 (deposited as NRRL B-50508), B. amyloliquefaciens 22CP1 (deposited as ATCC PTA-6508) and B. amyloliquefaciens (B.amyloliquefaciens BS18 (deposited as NRRL B-50633), B. cereus I-1562, B. firmus I-1582, B. lichenformis BA842 (deposited as NRRL B-50516), B. lichenformis BL21 (deposited as NRRL B-50134), B. mycoides NRRL B-21664, B. pumilus NRRL B-21662, B. pumilus NRRL B-30087, B. pumilus ATCC 55608, B. pumilus ATCC 55609, B. pumilus ATCC 55610, B. pumilus ATCC 55611, B. pumilus ATCC 55612, B. pumilus ATCC 55613, B. pumilus ATCC 55614, B. pumilus ATCC 55615, B. pumilus ATCC 55616, B. pumilus ATCC 55617, B. pumilus ATCC 55619, B. pumilus ATCC 55616, B. pumilus ATCC 55618, B. pumilus ATCC 55619 ... 55609, B. pumilus GB34, B. pumilus KFP9F, B. pumilus QST 2808, B. subtilis ATCC 55078, B. subtilis ATCC 55079, B. subtilis MBI 600, B. subtilis NRRL B-21661, B. subtilis NRRL B-21665, B. subtilis CX-9060, B. subtilis GB03, B. subtilis GB07, B. subtilis QST-713, B. subtilis FZB24, B. subtilis D747, B. subtilis 3BP5 (deposited as NRRL B-50510), B. thuringiensis ATCC 13367, B. thuringiensis GC-91, B. thuringiensis NRRL B-21619, B. thuringiensis ABTS-1857, B. thuringiensis SAN 401 I, B. thuringiensis ABG-6305, B. thuringiensis ABG-6346, B.extracts of media containing B. thuringiensis AM65-52, B. thuringiensis SA-12, B. thuringiensis SB4, B. thuringiensis ABTS-351, B. thuringiensis HD-1, B. thuringiensis EG 2348, B. thuringiensis EG 7826, B. thuringiensis EG 7841, B. thuringiensis DSM 2803, B. thuringiensis NB-125 and / or B. thuringiensis NB-176; One or more Bradyrhizobium extracts, optionally selected from B. elkanii SEMIA 501, B. elkanii SEMIA 587, B. elkanii SEMIA 5019, B. japonicum NRRL B-50586 (also deposited as NRRL B-59565), B. japonicum NRRL B-50587 (also deposited as NRRL B-59566), B. japonicum NRRL B-50588 (also deposited as NRRL B-59567), B. japonicum NRRL B-50589 (NRRL B-50588), B. japonicum NRRL B-50589 (NRRL B-50589), B. elkanii SEMIA 5019, B. elkanii SEMIA 5019, B. japonicum NRRL B-50586 (also deposited as NRRL B-59565), B. japonicum NRRL B-50587 (also deposited as NRRL B-59566), B. japonicum NRRL B-50588 (also deposited as NRRL B-59567), B. japonicum NRRL B-50589 (NRRL B-50589), B. elkanii SEMIA 5019, B. elkanii SEMIA 5019, B. elkanii SEMIA 5019, B. elkanii SEMIA 5020, B. elkanii SEMIA 5021 B-59568), B. japonicum NRRL B-50590 (also deposited as NRRL B-59569), B. japonicum NRRL B-50591 (also deposited as NRRL B-59570), B. japonicum NRRL B-50592 (also deposited as NRRL B-59571), B. japonicum NRRL B-50593 (also deposited as NRRL B-59572), B. japonicum NRRL B-50594 (also deposited as NRRL B-50493), B. japonicum NRRL B-50608, B. japonicum NRRL B-50609, B. japonicum NRRL B-50610, B. japonicum NRRL B-50611, B. japonicum NRRL B-50612, B. japonicum NRRL B-50726, B. japonicum NRRL B-50727, B. japonicum NRRL B-50728, B. japonicum NRRL B-50729, B. japonicum NRRL B-50730, B.extracts of media containing B. japonicum SEMIA 566, B. japonicum SEMIA 5079, B. japonicum SEMIA 5080, B. japonicum USDA 6, B. japonicum USDA 110, B. japonicum USDA 122, B. japonicum USDA 123, B. japonicum USDA 127, B. japonicum USDA 129 and / or B. japonicum USDA 532C; one or more Rhizobium extracts, optionally an extract of a medium containing R. leguminosarum SO12A-2; an extract of a medium containing one or more Sinorhizobium extracts, optionally S. fredii CCBAU114 and / or S. fredii USDA 205; one or more Penicillium extracts, optionally selected from P. bilaie ATCC 18309, P. bilaie ATCC 20851, P. bilaie ATCC 22348, P. bilaie NRRL 50162, P. bilaie NRRL 50169, P. bilaie NRRL 50776, P. bilaie NRRL 50777, P. bilaie NRRL 50778, P. bilaie NRRL 50779, P. bilaie NRRL 50780, P. bilaie NRRL 50781, P. bilaie NRRL 50782, P. bilaie NRRL 50783, P. bilaie NRRL 50784, P. bilaie NRRL 50785, P. bilaie NRRL 50786, P. bilaie NRRL 50787, P. bilaie NRRL 50788, P. bilaie NRRL 50789, P. bilaie NRRL 50790, P. bilaie NRRL 50791, P. bilaie NRRL 50792, P. bilaie NRRL 50793, P. bilaie NRRL 50794, P. bilaie NRRL 50795, P. bilaie NRRL 50796, P. bilaie NRRL 50797, P. bilaie NRRL 50798, P. bilaie NRRL 50799 50779, P.bilaiae NRRL 50780, P.bilaiae NRRL 50781, P.bilaiae NRRL 50782, P.bilaiae NRRL 50783, P.bilaiae NRRL 50784, P.bilaiae NRRL 50785, P.bilaiae NRRL 50786, P.bilaiae NRRL 50787, P.bilaiae NRRL 50788, P. bilaiae RS7B-SD1, P. brevicompactum AgRF18, P. canescens ATCC 10419, P. expansum ATCC 24692, P. expansum YT02, P. fellatanum ATCC 48694, P. gaestrivorus NRRL 50170, P. glabrum DAOM 239074, P. glabrum CBS 229.28, P. janthinellum ATCC 10455, P. lanosocoeruleum ATCC 48919, P. radicum ATCC 201836, P. radicumExtracts of media containing P. radicum FRR 4717, P. radicum FRR 4719, P. radicum N93 / 47267 and / or P. raistrickii ATCC 10490;. one or more Streptomyces extracts, optionally extracts of a medium containing Streptomyces NRRL B-30145, Streptomyces M1064, S. galbus NRRL 30232, S. lydicus WYEC 108 (ATCC 55445), S. violaceusniger YCED 9 (ATCC 55660) and / or Streptomyces WYE 53 (ATCC 55750); and / or One or more Trichoderma extracts, optionally including T. asperellum SKT-1 (ECO-HOPE®, Kumiai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Japan), T. atroviride LC52 (SENTINEL®, Agrimm Technologies Ltd, NZ), T. harzianum T-22 (PLANTSHIELD®, BioWorks Inc., USA), T. harzianum TH-35 (ROOT PRO®, Mycontrol Ltd., Israel), T. harzianum T-39 (TRICHODEX®, Mycontrol Ltd., Israel; T.2000®, Makhteshim Ltd., Israel), T. harzianum ICC012 and T. viride TRICHOPEL (Agrimm Technologies Ltd, NZ), T. harzianum ICC012 and T. viride ICC080 (REMEDIER® WP, Isagro Ricerca, Italy), T. polysporum and T. harzianum (BINAB®, BINAB Bio-Innovation AB, Sweden), T. stromaticum TRICOVAB® (CEPLAC, Brazil), T. virens GL-3, ATCC 58678, T. virens GL-21 Extracts of culture media containing T. viride TRIECO® (Ecosense Labs. (India) Pvt. Ltd., India, BIO-CURE® F, T. Stanes & Co. Ltd., India), T. viride TV1 (Agribiotec srl, Italy), and T. viride ICC080 128. The method of paragraph 127, comprising:

[0397] 129. An inoculant composition according to any one of paragraphs 127 to 128, wherein the one or more aqueous additives contain less than 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9 or 5% by weight of water, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0398] 130. The one or more aqueous additives may be present in an amount of about 0.1 to about 5% (by weight) of the composition, optionally about 0.1 to about 2% (by weight) of the composition, optionally about 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.10, 1.12, 1.14, 1.16, 1.18, 1.19, 1.21, 1.22, 1.23, 1.24, 1.25, 1.26, 1.27, 1.28, 1.29, 1.30, 1.31, 1.32, 1.33, 1.34, 1.35, 1.35, 1.36, 1.37, 1.38, 1.39, 1.40, 1.41, 1.42, 1.43, 1.44, 1.45, 1.46, 1.47, 1.48, 1.49, 1.50, 1.51, 1.52, 1.53, 1.54, 1.55, 1.56, 1.57, 1.58, 1.59, 1.60, 1.61, 1.62, 1.63, 1.64, 4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4., 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, or 5% or more (by weight).

[0399] 131. Applying an inoculant composition according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 58 to a seed and / or a plant growing from said seed; 16. A method comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of applying a second composition to said seed and / or a plant growing from said seed, said second composition comprising: one or more agriculturally beneficial microorganisms, optionally one or more diazotrophs, one or more phosphate solubilising microorganisms, one or more mycorrhizal fungi and / or one or more biopesticides, optionally one or more biofungicides, one or more bioinsecticides and / or one or more bionematicides; one or more biostimulants, optionally one or more seaweed extracts, one or more humic acids, one or more fulvic acids, myo-inositol and / or glycine; one or more nutrients, optionally one or more vitamins (e.g., vitamin A, B vitamins (i.e., vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin B7, vitamin B8, vitamin B9, vitamin B12, choline), vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, carotenoids (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein, lycopene and / or zeaxanthin), macrominerals (e.g., calcium, iron, magnesium, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and / or sodium), trace elements (e.g., boron, cobalt, chloride, chromium, copper, fluoride, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and / or zinc) and / or organic acids (e.g., acetic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, malic acid and / or taurine); one or more fungicides, optionally one or more of the fungicides explicitly disclosed above; one or more herbicides, optionally one or more of the herbicides explicitly disclosed above; one or more pesticides, optionally one or more of the pesticides expressly disclosed above; one or more nematicides, optionally one or more of the nematicides explicitly disclosed above; one or more lipo-chitooligosaccharides, optionally one or more of the lipo-chitooligosaccharides represented by formulas I-IV and / or one or more of the lipo-chitooligosaccharides represented by structures V-XXXIII; One or more chitooligosaccharides, optionally one or more of the chitooligosaccharides represented by formulae XXXIV-XXXV and / or one or more of the chitooligosaccharides represented by structures XXXVI-XXXIX; one or more chitinous compounds, optionally one or more chitins and / or one or more chitosans; one or more flavonoids, optionally one or more anthocyanidins, such as cyanidin, delphinidin, malvidin, pelargonidin, peonidin and / or petunidin; anthoxanthins, such as flavones (e.g., apigenin, baicalein, chrysin, 7,8-dihydroxyflavone, diosmin, flavoxate, 6-hydroxyflavone, luteolin, scutellarein, tangeritin and / or wogonin) and / or flavonols (e.g., amurensin, astragalin, azaleatin, azalein, fisetin, furanoflavonols galangin, gossypetin, 3-hydroxyflavones, hyperosides, icariin, isoquercetin, kaempferides, kaempferitrin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, morin, myricetin, myricitrin, natudaidin, pachypodol, pyranoflavonols quercetin, quercetin, rhamnadin, rhamnetin, robinin, rutin, spireosides, troxerutin and / or xanthamnin); flavanones, e.g. butin, eriodictyol, hesperetin, hesperidin, homoeriodictyol, isorhamnetin, morin, myricitrin, natudaidin, pachypodol, pyranoflavonols quercetin, rhamnadine, rhamnetin, robinin, rutin, spireosides, troxerutin and / or xanthamnin; sosakuranetin, naringenin, naringin, pinocembrin, poncirin, sakuranetin, sakuranin and / or sterubin; flavanonols, e.g., dihydrokaempferol and / or taxifolin; flavans, e.g., flavan-3-ols (e.g., catechin (C), catechin 3-gallate (Cg), epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin 3-gallate (ECg), epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCg), epiafzelechin, fisetinidol, gallocatechin (GC), gallocatechin 3-gallate (GCg), epicatechin 3-gallate (EGC ... locatechin (GCg), guiburtinidol, mesquitol, robinetinidol, theaflavin 3-gallate, theaflavin 3'-gallate, theaflavin 3,3'-digallate, thearubigin), flavan-4-ols (e.g. apiforol and / or luteoforol) and / or flavan-3,4-diols (e.g. leucocyanidin, leucodelphinidin, leucofisetinidin, leucomalvidin, leucopelargonidin, leucopeonidin, leucorobinetinidin, melacacidin and / or teracacidin);and / or isoflavonoids, such as isoflavones (e.g., biochanin A, daidzein, formononetin, genistein and / or glycitein), isoflavans (e.g., equol, lonchocarpan and / or laxifloran), isoflavandiols, isoflavenes (e.g., glabrene, haginine D and / or 2-methoxysudaicin), coumestans (e.g., coumestrol, plicadin and / or wedelolactone), pterocarpans and / or retinoids; and / or one or more analogues, derivatives, hydrates, isomers thereof. , polymers, salts and solvates, such as, for example, neoflavonoids (e.g., calophyllolide, kutareagenin, dalbergichromene, dalbergin and / or nivethin) and / or pterocarpans (e.g., bitucarpin A, bitucarpin B, eriblaedin A, eriblaedin B, erythravicin II, erythravicin-1, erycristagallin, glycinol, glyceolidine, glyceollin, glycirisol, marciain, medicarpin, moricyanin, orientanol, phaseolin, pisatin, striatin and / or trifollidin); jasmonic acid and / or one or more derivatives thereof; Linoleic acid and / or one or more of its derivatives; Linolenic acid and / or one or more of its derivatives; one or more karrikins, optionally one or more karrikins represented by formula XXXX; Gluconolactone; and / or one or more oxidation control components, optionally one or more antioxidants (e.g., ascorbic acid, ascorbyl palmitate, ascorbyl stearate, calcium ascorbate, one or more carotenoids, lipoic acid, one or more phenolic compounds (e.g., one or more flavonoids, flavones and / or flavonols), potassium ascorbate, sodium ascorbate, one or more thiols (e.g., glutathione, lipoic acid and / or N-acetylcysteine), one or more tocopherols, one or more tocotrienols, ubiquinone and / or uric acid) and / or one or more oxygen scavengers, optionally ascorbic acid and / or sodium bicarbonate. The method includes: EXAMPLES

[0400] The following examples are not intended to be a detailed list of all the various ways in which the present disclosure can be implemented or all the features that can be added to the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that many modifications and additions to various embodiments can be made ...

Claims

1. 1. An aqueous inoculant composition comprising: about 0.1 to about 50% (by weight) of the inoculum composition, optionally about 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.25, 3.5, 3.75, 4, 4.25, 4.5, 4.75, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 or 50% (by weight) Penicillium spores; one or more protectants comprising from about 0.5 to about 10% (by weight) of the composition, optionally about 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5 or 10% (by weight) of the composition; one or more dispersants comprising from about 0.1 to about 10% by weight of the composition, optionally about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7 or 7.5% by weight of the composition; From about 0.01 to about 5% (by weight) of the composition, optionally about 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8 , 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4., 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9 or 5% (by weight) of one or more aqueous additives; a non-aqueous liquid carrier comprising about 75 to about 95% (by weight) of the inoculum composition, optionally about 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94 or 95% (by weight) of the inoculum composition; 1. An aqueous inoculant composition comprising:

2. 2. The inoculum composition of claim 1, wherein the Penicillium spores comprise about 8 to about 12% by weight of the inoculum composition, optionally about 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5 or 12% by weight of the inoculum composition.

3. The Penicillium spores are about 1 x 10 １ ~Approx. 1×10 １５ colony forming units, optionally at least 1 x 10 １ , 1×10 ２ , 1×10 ３ , 1×10 ４ , 1×10 ５ , 1×10 ６ , 1×10 ７ , 1×10 ８ , 1×10 ９ , 1×10 １０ , 1×10 １１ , 1×10 １２ 3. The inoculum composition according to claim 1, comprising colony forming units of

4. The Penicillium spores are selected from the group consisting of Penicillium bilaiae ATCC 18309, Penicillium bilaiae ATCC 20851, Penicillium bilaiae ATCC 22348, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50162, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50169, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50201, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50202, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50204, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50206, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50208, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50209 ... 50776, Penicillium bilaie NRRL 50777, Penicillium bilaie NRRL 50778, Penicillium bilaie NRRL 50777, Penicillium bilaie NRRL 50778, Penicillium bilaie NRRL 50779, Penicillium bilaie NRRL 50780, Penicillium bilaie NRRL 50781, Penicillium bilaie NRRL 50782, Penicillium bilaie NRRL 50783, Penicillium bilaie NRRL 50784, Penicillium bilaie NRRL 50785, Penicillium bilaie NRRL NRRL 50786, Penicillium bilaie NRRL 50787, Penicillium bilaie NRRL 50788, Penicillium bilaie RS7B-SD1, Penicillium brevicompactumbreviccompactum AgRF18, Penicillium canescens ATCC 10419, Penicillium expansum ATCC 24692, Penicillium expansum YT02, Penicillium ferratanum ATCC 48694, Penicillium gaestrivorus NRRL 50170, Penicillium glabram DAOM 239074, Penicillium glabram CBS 229.28, Penicillium janthinellum ATCC 10455, Penicillium lanosocoeruleum ATCC 48919, Penicillium radicum ATCC 201836, Penicillium radicum FRR 4717, Penicillium radicum FRR 4719, Penicillium radicum N93 / 47267 and / or Penicillium raistrickii ATCC 10490 spores.

5. 5. The inoculum composition of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the non-aqueous liquid carrier comprises about 80 to about 90% (by weight) of the inoculum composition, optionally about 80, 80.5, 81, 81.5, 82, 82.5, 83, 83.5, 84, 84.5, 85, 85.5, 86, 86.5, 87, 87.5, 88, 88.5, 89, 89.5 or 90% (by weight) of the inoculum composition.

6. 6. An inoculant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the non-aqueous liquid carrier comprises one or more polyethylene glycols, optionally PEG 200, PEG 300 and / or PEG 400.

7. 7. The inoculant composition of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the one or more protectants comprise from about 1 to about 6% (by weight) of the composition, optionally about 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5 or 6% (by weight) of the composition.

8. The one or more protective agents are one or more monosaccharides, optionally arabinose, fructose and / or glucose; one or more disaccharides, optionally maltose, sucrose and / or trehalose; One or more maltodextrins, optionally one or more maltodextrins (e.g., one or more maltodextrins having (individually and / or collectively) a DEV value of from about 15 to about 20; one or more sugar alcohols, optionally arabitol, mannitol, sorbitol and / or xylitol; one or more humic acids, optionally potassium humate and / or sodium humate; One or more UV protection agents, optionally ascorbic acid and / or glutathione The inoculant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising:

9. The one or more protective agents are one or more monosaccharides, optionally arabinose, fructose and / or glucose, one or more maltodextrins, optionally one or more maltodextrins (e.g., one or more maltodextrins having (individually and / or collectively) a DEV value of from about 15 to about 20; one or more monosaccharides, optionally arabinose, fructose and / or glucose, and one or more sugar alcohols, optionally arabitol, mannitol, sorbitol and / or xylitol; one or more disaccharides, optionally maltose, sucrose and / or trehalose, and one or more maltodextrins, optionally one or more maltodextrins (e.g., one or more maltodextrins having (individually and / or collectively) a DEV value of from about 15 to about 20; one or more disaccharides, optionally maltose, sucrose and / or trehalose, and one or more sugar alcohols, optionally arabitol, mannitol, sorbitol and / or xylitol; one or more additional maltodextrins, optionally one or more maltodextrins (e.g., one or more maltodextrins having a DEV value (individually and / or collectively) of from about 15 to about 20, and one or more sugar alcohols, optionally arabitol, mannitol, sorbitol and / or xylitol; one or more additional maltodextrins, optionally one or more maltodextrins (e.g., one or more maltodextrins having (individually and / or collectively) a DEV value of from about 15 to about 20, and one or more humic acids, optionally potassium humate and / or sodium humate; one or more additional maltodextrins, optionally one or more maltodextrins (e.g., one or more maltodextrins having (individually and / or collectively) a DEV value of about 15 to about 20, and one or more oxidation control components, optionally ascorbic acid and / or glutathione; one or more additional maltodextrins, optionally one or more maltodextrins (e.g., one or more maltodextrins having a DEV value (individually and / or collectively) of from about 15 to about 20, and one or more UV protection agents, optionally one or more lignosulfites; one or more sugar alcohols, optionally arabitol, mannitol, sorbitol and / or xylitol, and one or more humic acids, optionally potassium humate and / or sodium humate; one or more sugar alcohols, optionally arabitol, mannitol, sorbitol and / or xylitol, and one or more oxidation control components, optionally ascorbic acid and / or glutathione; or one or more sugar alcohols, optionally arabitol, mannitol, sorbitol and / or xylitol, and one or more UV protection agents, optionally one or more lignosulfites; or one or more oxidation control components, optionally ascorbic acid and / or glutathione, and one or more UV protection agents, optionally one or more lignosulfites The inoculant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising:

10. 10. An inoculant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the one or more dispersing agents comprise from about 0.1 to about 5% by weight of the composition, optionally about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.25, 3.5, 3.75, 4, 4.25, 4.5, 4.75 or 5% by weight of the composition.

11. The one or more dispersants are one or more anionic surfactants, optionally one or more alkyl carboxylates, alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl amido ether sulfates, alkyl aryl polyether sulfates, alkyl aryl sulfates, alkyl aryl sulfonates, alkyl sulfonates, alkyl amido sulfonates, alkyl aryl sulfonates, alkyl benzene sulfonates, alkyl diphenyl oxide sulfonates, α-olefin sulfonates, alkyl naphthalene sulfonates, paraffin sulfonates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether sulfosuccinates, alkyl amido sulfosuccinates, acid salts, alkyl sulfosuccinamates, alkyl sulfoacetates, alkyl phosphates, alkyl ether phosphates, acylsarcosinates, acylisethionates, N-acyltaurates, N-acyl-N-alkyl taurates, benzenesulfonates, cumenesulfonates, dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, ethoxylated sulfosuccinates, ligninsulfonates, linear alkylbenzenesulfonates, monoglyceride sulfates, perfluorobutanesulfonates, perfluorooctane sulfonates, phosphate esters, styrene acrylic polymers, toluenesulfonates and / or xylenesulfonates; one or more cationic surfactants, optionally one or more alkyltrimethylammonium salts, cetylpyridinium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, 5-bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane, dimethyldioctadecylammonium chloride, cetrimonium bromide, dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide and / or octenidine dihydrochloride; one or more nonionic surfactants, optionally one or more of alcohol ethoxylates, alkanolamides, alkanolamine condensates, carboxylic acid esters, cetostearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, cocamide DEA, dodecyl dimethylamine oxide, ethanolamides, ethoxylates of glycerol esters and glycol esters, ethylene oxide polymers, ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymers, glucoside alkyl ethers, glycerol alkyl ethers, glycerol esters, glycol alkyl ethers, glycol alkyl phenol ethers, glycol esters, monolaurin, pentaethylene glycol monododecyl ethers, poloxamers, polyamines, polyglycerol polyricinoleates, polysorbates, polyoxyethylenated fatty acids, polyoxyethylenated mercaptans, polyoxyethylenated polyoxypropylene glycols, polyoxyethylene glycol sorbitan alkyl esters, polyethylene glycol-polypropylene glycol copolymers, polyoxyethylene glycol octylphenol ethers, polyvinylpyrrolidones, sugar-based alkyl polyglycosides, sulfanilamides, sorbitan fatty acid alcohol ethoxylates, sorbitan fatty acid ester ethoxylates, sorbitan fatty acid esters and / or tertiary acetylenic glycols; and / or one or more wetting agents, optionally one or more naphthalene sulfonates, optionally one or more alkylnaphthalene sulfonates, one or more isopropylnaphthalene sulfonates and / or one or more butylnaphthalene sulfonates; The inoculant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising:

12. 11. The inoculation composition of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the one or more dispersing agents comprise one or more polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, one or more acrylic copolymers, one or more polyoxyethylene sorbitan trioleates and / or one or more secondary alcohol ethoxylates.

13. The one or more aqueous additives comprise from about 0.01 to about 3% (by weight) of the composition, optionally about 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0 13. The inoculant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9 or 3% (by weight).

14. The one or more aqueous additives are one or more bacterial extracts, optionally one or more of Azospirillum extract, Bacillus extract, Bradyrhizobium extract, Chromobacterium extract, Flavobacterium extract, Pseudomonas extract, Rhizobium extract, Sinorhizobium extract and / or Streptomyces extract; and / or One or more fungal extracts, optionally one or more of Ampelomyces extract, Aspergillus extract, Aureobasidium extract, Beauveria extract, Candida extract, Coniothyrium extract, Cryphonectria extract, Cryptococcus extract, Fusarium extract, usarium extract, Gliocladium extract, Metarhizium extract, Muscodor extract, Paecilomyces extract, Penicillium extract, Pseudozyma extract, Talaromyces extract, Trichoderma extract and / or Ulocladium extract. The inoculant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising:

15. The inoculant composition comprises one or more pesticides, optionally: one or more insecticides and / or nematicides, optionally one or more carbamates, diamides, macrocyclic lactones, neonicotinoids, organophosphates, phenylpyrazoles, pyrethrins, spinosyns, synthetic pyrethroids, tetronic acids and / or tetramic acids; one or more fungicides, optionally one or more aromatic hydrocarbons, benzimidazoles, benzothiadiazoles, carboxamides, carboxylic acid amides, morpholines, phenylamides, phosphonates, quinone external inhibitors, thiazolidines, thiophanates, thiophenecarboxamides and / or triazoles; and / or one or more herbicides, optionally one or more acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitors, acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors, acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) inhibitors, photosystem II inhibitors, photosystem I inhibitors, protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO or protox) inhibitors, carotenoid biosynthesis inhibitors, enolpyruvylshikimate 3-phosphate (EPSP) synthase inhibitors, glutamine synthetase inhibitors, dihydropteroate synthetase inhibitors, mitosis inhibitors, 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (4-HPPD) inhibitors, synthetic auxins, auxin herbicide salts, auxin transport inhibitors, and / or nucleic acid inhibitors. The inoculant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising:

16. The inoculum composition according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the inoculum composition comprises another lipo-chitooligosaccharide, optionally one or more lipo-chitooligosaccharides represented by formulae I to IV.

17. 16. The inoculum composition of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the inoculum composition comprises another lipo-chitooligosaccharide, optionally one or more of the lipo-chitooligosaccharides represented by structures V to XXXIII.

18. 18. The inoculum composition of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the inoculum composition comprises one or more chitooligosaccharides, optionally one or more chitooligosaccharides represented by formulas XXXIV to XXXV.

19. 18. The inoculum composition of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the inoculum composition comprises one or more chitooligosaccharides, optionally one or more of the chitooligosaccharides represented by structures XXXVI to XXXIX.

20. An inoculant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the inoculant composition comprises one or more chitinous compounds, optionally one or more chitins and / or one or more chitosans.

21. The inoculant composition comprises one or more flavonoids, optionally: one or more anthocyanidins, optionally cyanidin, delphinidin, malvidin, pelargonidin, peonidin and / or petunidin; one or more anthoxanthins, optionally one or more flavones, such as apigenin, baicalein, chrysin, 7,8-dihydroxyflavone, diosmin, flavoxate, 6-hydroxyflavone, luteolin, scutellarein, tangeritin and / or wogonin; and / or flavonols, such as amurensin, astragalin, azaleatin, azalein, fisetin, furanoflavonol galangin, gossypetin, 3-hydroxyflavone, hyperosides, icariin, isoquercetin, kaempferide, kaempferitrin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, morin, myricetin, myricitrin, natudaidine, pachypodol, pyranoflavonol quercetin, quercetin, rhamnadin, rhamnetin, robinin, rutin, spireosides, troxerutin and / or xanthamnin; one or more flavanones, optionally butine, eriodictyol, hesperetin, hesperidin, homoeriodictyol, isosakuranetin, naringenin, naringin, pinocembrin, poncirin, sakuranetin, sakuranin and / or sterubin; one or more flavanonols, optionally dihydrokaempferol and / or taxifolin; flavans, for example flavan-3-ols (e.g. catechin (C), catechin 3-gallate (Cg), epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin 3-gallate (ECg), epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCg), epiafzelechin, fisetinidol, gallocatechin (GC), gallocatechin 3-gallate (GCg), guiburtinidol, mesquitol, lonicertinol, ole ... and / or flavan-3,4-diols (e.g. leucocyanidin, leucodelphinidin, leucofisetinidin, leucomalvidin, leucopelargonidin, leucopeonidin, leucorobinetinidin, melacacidin and / or teracacidin); and / or one or more isoflavonoids, optionally one or more isoflavones, such as biochanin A, daidzein, formononetin, genistein and / or glycitein; isoflavans, such as equol, lonchocarpan and / or laxiflorane; isoflavandiols; isoflavenes, such as glabrene, haginine D and / or 2-methoxysudaicin; coumestans, such as coumestrol, plicadin and / or wedelolactone; pterocarpans; and / or retinoids; and / or one or more neoflavonoids, optionally calophyllolide, coutureagenin, dalbergichromene, dalbergin and / or nivethin; and / or one or more pterocarpans, optionally bitucarpin A, bitucarpin B, eriblaedin A, eriblaedin B, erythravicin II, erythravicin-1, erycristagallin, glycinol, glyceolidine, glyceollin, glycirisol, marciain, medicarpin, moricyanin, orientanol, phaseolin, pisatin, striatin and / or trifoliridin; 21. The inoculant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 20, comprising:

22. 22. The inoculant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the inoculant composition comprises one or more desiccants, optionally calcium stearate, one or more clays, graphite, magnesium stearate, magnesium sulphate, milk powder, one or more silica powders, soy lecithin and / or talc.

23. plant propagation material, optionally seeds; a coating covering at least a portion of the outer surface of the seed, the coating comprising an inoculant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 22; A covered plant propagation material comprising:

24. A coated plant propagation material according to claim 23; A container for containing the covered plant propagation material; Kit including:

25. 24. A plant sprouted from the covered plant propagation material of claim 23.

26. 26. A plant part harvested from the plant of claim 25.

27. A processed product produced from the plant part according to claim 26.

28. 26. A crop comprising a plurality of the plants of claim 25.

29. A method comprising applying an inoculant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 22 to plant propagation material, optionally to seeds.

30. 24. A method comprising planting the coated plant propagation material of claim 23 in a growing medium, optionally soil.

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