Methods and compositions for improving plant health and protection

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for increasing a plant's growth characteristics, increasing a plant's nutrient utilization efficiency, or improving a plant's ability to overcome biotic or abiotic stress, comprising applying a composition comprising mixed-linkage β-1,3 / β-1,4 glucan (MLG) to a plant, plant part, plant propagation material, or to the soil, hydroponic solution, or growth medium in which a target plant is growing.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Priority statement This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(d) of European Patent Application No. 20382671.4, filed July 27, 2020, European Patent Application No. 20382893.4, filed October 9, 2020, and European Patent Application No. 20383070.8, filed December 9, 2020, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to methods and compositions for increasing plant growth characteristics, increasing plant nutrient utilization efficiency, or improving a plant's ability to overcome biotic or abiotic stress, comprising applying a composition comprising mixed linkage β-1,3 / β-1,4 glucans (MLGs) to a plant and / or part thereof and / or to a growth medium. [Background technology]

[0003] Plants have evolved a complex immune system composed of several defense layers. One of these layers, known as pattern-induced immunity (PTI), is based on the recognition of damage- or microbe-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs / MAMPs) by plasma membrane-localized pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). The PTI response culminates in a protein kinase signaling cascade and ultimately in a gene reprogramming process, which may ultimately enable plants to monitor pathogen / pest attacks. The relevance of PTI is well illustrated by the fact that immune responses and disease resistance to pathogens are impaired in plants with defective PRRs that recognize DAMPs / MAMPs. Examples of MAMPs that induce PTI in plants include flagellin and peptidoglycan from Eubacterium spp., lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Gram-negative bacteria, or glucans, chitin, mannan, and proteins from fungal cell walls.

[0004] Glucans represent a group of widely distributed polysaccharides, primarily found in the outer cell layers of numerous phylogenetic groups across the tree of life. They contain a variety of structures, primarily β-linked, although α-linked glucans also exist in many species. Mixed-linkage glucans [MLG; β-1,3 / 1,4-glucan; (1,3;1,4)-β-D-glucan] consist of unbranched, unsubstituted chains of β-1,4-glucosyl residues interrupted by β-1,3 linkages. MLG is widely distributed as a matrix polysaccharide in the cell walls of grasses (Poaceae), but has also been reported in other groups, such as horsetail species (Equisetum spp.) and other vascular plants (excluding grasses), as well as in the cell walls of bryophytes and algae, lichenized ascomycete symbionts, and fungi. β-glucans are well-known regulators of the immune system in mammals, but little is known about their role in plants.

[0005] There is socio-economic pressure to provide alternatives to replace or reduce the use of pesticides in agriculture, with an emphasis on developing natural products for more environmentally friendly and sustainable solutions. The present invention overcomes shortcomings in the art by providing novel compositions and methods for use in agriculture that are more environmentally friendly. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The following embodiments and aspects thereof, along with products and methods, are described and illustrated, which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope.

[0007] The present disclosure applies to the field of agriculture. One embodiment provides a method and composition for increasing the growth characteristics of a plant, comprising applying a composition comprising MLGs to the plant and / or parts thereof and / or to a medium in which the plant and / or parts thereof are growing.

[0008] Another embodiment provides for increasing nutrient utilization efficiency of a plant, comprising applying a composition comprising MLGs to a plant and / or parts thereof and / or to a medium in which the plant and / or parts thereof are growing.

[0009] A further embodiment provides for increasing biotic and / or abiotic stress tolerance or resistance in a plant and / or part thereof comprising applying a composition comprising MLGs to the plant and / or part thereof and / or the medium in which the plant and / or part thereof is growing.

[0010] In some embodiments, compositions comprising MLGs may further comprise surfactants, wetting agents, adjuvants, antioxidants, preservatives, plant macronutrients, plant micronutrients, plant growth regulators, insecticides, fungicides, antivirals, antibacterials, and / or herbicides.

[0011] These and other aspects of the present invention are set forth in more detail in the description of the invention below. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows that MGLs induce cytosolic calcium elevation in Arabidopsis thaliana. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 shows a crop protection assay against bacteria in tomato plants treated with MLG43. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 shows a crop protection assay against Botrytis cinerea (B. cinerea) in pepper plants treated with MLG43. [Figure 4] Figure 2 shows a second crop protection assay against Botrytis cinerea in pepper plants treated with MLG43. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 shows a crop protection assay against Oomycetes in Arabidopsis plants treated with MLG43. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 shows a crop protection assay against Zymoceptoria tritici (Z. tritici) in wheat plants treated with MLG43. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention will now be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This description is not intended to be a detailed listing of all of the different ways in which the invention can be contemplated or all of the features that can be added to the present invention. For example, features described with respect to one embodiment may be incorporated into other embodiments, and features described with respect to a particular embodiment may be deleted from that embodiment. Thus, the present invention contemplates that, in some embodiments of the invention, any feature or combination of features described herein may be removed or omitted. Additionally, numerous variations and additions to the various embodiments suggested herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this disclosure, which do not depart from the invention. Therefore, the following description is intended to describe some specific embodiments of the invention, but is not intended to exhaustively specify all permutations, combinations, and variations thereof.

[0014] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The terminology used in describing the invention herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention.

[0015] All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety for the teachings relevant to the sentence and / or paragraph in which the reference is presented.

[0016] Unless the context dictates otherwise, it is specifically intended that the various features of the invention described herein may be used in any combination. Moreover, the present invention also contemplates that in some embodiments of the invention, any feature or combination of features set forth herein may be removed or omitted. For example, if the specification states that a composition comprises components A, B, and C, it is specifically intended that any of A, B, or C, or combinations thereof, alone or in any combination, may be omitted and waived.

[0017] The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" should be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to") unless otherwise noted. The recitation of ranges of values ​​herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the present specification as if it were individually recited herein. For example, if a range of 10 to 15 is disclosed, then 11, 12, 13, and 14 are also disclosed. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any examples or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, unless otherwise stated, is intended merely to better illustrate the disclosure and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosure.

[0018] As used in describing the invention and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0019] Also, as used herein, "and / or" refers to and includes any and all possible combinations of one or more of its associated listed items, as well as the lack of combinations when interpreted as the alternative conjunction ("or").

[0020] As used herein, the term "about," when referring to a measurable value such as an amount or concentration, is meant to encompass not only the specified value, but also a variation of ±10%, ±5%, ±1%, ±0.5%, or even ±0.1% of the specified value. For example, "about X," where X is a measurable value, is intended to include X, as well as a variation of ±10%, ±5%, ±1%, ±0.5%, or even ±0.1% of X. Ranges provided herein for measurable values ​​can include any other ranges and / or individual values ​​therein.

[0021] As used herein, phrases such as "between X and Y" and "between about X and Y" should be interpreted to include X and Y. As used herein, phrases such as "between about X and Y" mean "between about X and about Y," and phrases such as "from about X to Y" mean "from about X to about Y."

[0022] As used herein, the terms "comprise," "comprises," and "comprising" specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0023] As used herein, the transitional phrase "consisting essentially of" should be interpreted to indicate that a claim should include the specific materials or steps recited in the claim and that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed invention. Thus, the term "consisting essentially of" when used in the claims of this invention is not intended to be interpreted as the equivalent of "comprising."

[0024] As used herein, the terms "increase," "increasing," "increased," "enhance," "enhance," "enhance," and "enhancement" (and grammatical variations thereof) describe an increase of at least about 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%, 150%, 200%, 300%, 400%, 500%, or more compared to a control.

[0025] As used herein, the terms "reduce," "reduced," "reducing," "reduce," "reduce," and "decrease" (and grammatical variations thereof) describe a decrease of at least about 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 35%, 50%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, for example, as compared to a control. In certain embodiments, the decrease may result in no, or essentially no, detectable activity or amount (i.e., an insignificant amount, e.g., less than about 10% or even less than 5%).

[0026] As used herein, a "plant" may be, but is not limited to, any monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plant, and any annual and perennial dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous plant. Examples of plants include Glycine, Vitis, Asparagus, Populus, Pennisetum, Lolium, Oryza, Zea, Avena, Hordeum, Secale, Triticum, Helianthus, Gossypium, Medicago, Pisum, and the like. ), maple (Acer), actinidia (Actinidia), Abelmoschus (Abelmoschus), Agropyron (Agropyron), onion (Allium), Amaranthus (Amaranthus), Apium (Apium), peanut (Arachis), asparagus (Asparagus), Swiss chard (Beta), Brassica (Brassica), Camellia (Camellia), Canna (Canna), Capsicum (Capsicum), Carex (Carex), papaya (Carica) papaya), pecan (Carya), chestnut (Castanea), cinnamon (Cinnamomum), watermelon (Citrullus), citrus (Citrus), coconut (Cocos), coffee (Coffea), taro (Colocasia), cola (Cola), coriander (Coriandrum), hazel (Corylus), hawthorn (Crataegus), crocus (Crocus), pumpkin (Cucurbita), Cucumis, Cynara, Daucus, Desmodium, Dimocarpus, Dioscorea, Diospyros, Echinochloa, Elaeis, Eleusine, Eriobotrya, Eugenia,Buckwheat (Fagopyrum), Beech (Fagus), Fig (Ficus), Fortunella, Fragaria, Ginkgo, Daylily (Hemerocallis), Hibiscus, Sweet potato (Ipomoea), Walnut (Juglans), Lactuca, Lathyrus, Lens, Linum, Litchi, Lotus, Lupin inus, Luzula, Malus, Malpighia, Mammea, Mangifera, Manihot, Manilkara, Medicago, Melilotus, Mentha, Miscanthus, Musa, Nicotiana, Olea, Opuntia, Ornithoptera Ornithopus, Panicum, Passiflora, Persea, Phaseolus, Pinus, Pistacia, Pisum, Poa, Prosopis, Plum, Quercus, Raphanus, Rheum, Ribe, Rubus, Sambucus, Lime Secale, Sesamum, Sinapis, Solanum, Sorghum, Spinacia, Tamarind, Theobroma, Trifolium, Tropaeolum, Vaccinium, Vigna, Vitis, Zizania, or Ziziphus, Sorghum,Examples include, but are not limited to, Saccharum and Lycopersicum, or plants of the Liliaceae family. In some embodiments, the plant or part thereof is derived from Glycine max, Vitis vinifera, Asparagus tremula, Populus tremula, Pennisetum lanceolata, Lolium multiflorum, Oryza sativa, Maize, Avena sativa, Barley, Rye, Wheat, Sorghum sorghum, Saccharum sorghum, and Lycopersicum, or plants of the Liliaceae family.

[0027] As used herein, "parts thereof" includes, but is not limited to, plant reproductive tissue (e.g., petals, sepals, stamens, pistils, receptacles, anthers, pollen, flowers, fruits, florets, ovules, seeds, embryos, nuts, kernels, bulbs, ears, bulbs, and husks); plant vegetative tissue (e.g., petioles, stems, roots, root hairs, root tips, pith, coleoptiles, stalks, shoots, branches, bark, apical meristems, axillary buds, cotyledons, hypocotyls, and leaves); plant vascular tissue (e.g., phloem and xylem); specialized plant cells such as epidermal cells, parenchyma cells, sclerenchyma cells, stomata, guard cells, cuticle, mesophyll cells, and the like; callus tissue; and cuttings. It also includes plant cells, including intact plant cells in plants and / or plant parts, plant protoplasts, plant tissues, plant organs, plant cell tissue cultures, plant callus, plant clumps, and the like.

[0028] As used herein, "growth medium" or "growth medium" includes, but is not limited to, soil, synthetic growth medium, and / or an aqueous solution (e.g., hydroponic solution) into which a plant is planted. The growth medium can be treated / contacted with a composition comprising MLGs before and / or after sowing seedlings or seeds, for example, by spraying or pouring a composition comprising MLGs onto the growth medium. For example, a composition comprising MLGs formulated into a liquid formulation or a solid formulation such as a granule can be applied to the soil around the seedlings before, during, and / or after sowing. In some embodiments, both the growth medium and the plant or plant part planted or sown therein can be treated / contacted with a composition comprising MLGs.

[0029] As used herein, "growth characteristic" refers to any plant trait related to growth, such as biomass, root mass, yield, inflorescence size / weight, fruit yield, fruit quality, fruit size, seed production, leaf tissue weight, nodule number, nodule mass, nodulation activity, seed head number, tiller number, flower number, tuber number, tuber mass, bulb mass, seed number, total seed mass, leaf emergence rate, tiller emergence rate, budding rate, or any combination thereof. Thus, in some embodiments, an increase in a growth characteristic can include, but is not limited to, increased fruit production, increased inflorescence production, increased fruit quality, increased root mass, and / or biomass compared to a control plant and / or part thereof and / or growth medium to which a composition comprising MLGs has not been applied.

[0030] "Fruit quality" refers to typical fruit quality characteristics such as appearance, e.g., fruit size, diameter (e.g., inches, centimeters), and / or weight (g). Other fruit quality characteristics can include, but are not limited to, color (e.g., lycopene content in tomatoes), taste (sweetness, sourness, bitterness, etc.), and / or nutrient content (e.g., sugar content (Brix value)), protein, lipids, vitamins, and / or minerals, etc.).

[0031] As used herein, "nutrient utilization efficiency" refers to the ability of a plant to utilize available nutrients. In some embodiments, "nutrient utilization efficiency" can be defined in terms of total nutrient uptake (nutrient concentration in plant tissue x total biomass) and / or yield per unit of nutrient applied.

[0032] As used herein, the term "abiotic stress" refers to external, non-living factors that can cause adverse effects in plants. Therefore, as used herein, abiotic stress includes, but is not limited to, low temperatures resulting in freezing, chilling, heat or high temperatures, drought, high light intensity, low light intensity, salinity, waterlogging (excess water / flooding), ozone, and / or combinations thereof. Parameters for abiotic stressors are species- and even variety-specific and therefore vary widely depending on the species / variety exposed to the abiotic stress. Thus, one species may be severely affected by temperatures as high as 23°C, while another species may not be affected until temperatures reach at least 30°C. Temperatures above 30°C result in a dramatic reduction in yield for most plants. This is due to a decrease in photosynthesis, which begins at approximately 20-25°C, and the increased carbohydrate demand of crops grown at higher temperatures. Critical temperatures are not absolute but vary depending on factors such as the plant's acclimation to prevailing environmental conditions. In addition, most plants are exposed to multiple abiotic stresses at once, and interactions between stresses affect plant responses. Thus, the specific parameters of high / low temperature, light intensity, drought, etc. that affect plant productivity vary with species, variety, degree of acclimation, and exposure to a combination of environmental conditions.

[0033] The inventors of the present invention have discovered that treating plants and / or parts thereof and / or growth media for growing plants with a composition comprising an effective amount / ratio of MLGs can increase the growth characteristics, nutrient utilization efficiency, and / or abiotic and / or biotic stress tolerance / resistance of said plants and / or parts thereof.

[0034] In some embodiments, the composition may include a single MGL or a mixture of MLGs having a degree of polymerization (DP) ranging from about DP3 to greater than about DP 100. Thus, in some embodiments, the composition of the present invention may include DP3 (also referred to herein as "MLG43"), and / or DP4, and / or DP5, and / or DP6, and / or DP7, and / or DP8, and / or DP9, and / or DP10, and / or DP11, and / or DP12, and / or DP13, and / or DP14, and / or DP15, and / or DP16, and / or DP17, and / or DP18, and / or DP20, and / or DP30, and / or DP41, and / or DP42, and / or DP43. and / or DP21, and / or DP22, and / or DP23, and / or DP24, and / or DP25, and / or DP26, and / or DP27, and / or DP28, and / or DP29, and / or DP30, and / or DP40, and / or DP50, and / or DP60, and / or DP70, and / or DP80, and / or DP90, and / or DP100, and / or DP>100, and any range or value of MLG therein.In some embodiments, the composition comprises from about DP3 to about DP6, from about DP3 to about DP7, from about DP3 to about DP8, from about DP3 to about DP9, from about DP3 to about DP10, from about DP3 to about DP15, from about DP3 to about DP20, from about DP3 to about DP30, from about DP3 to about DP40, from about DP3 to about DP50, from about DP3 to about DP60, from about DP3 to about DP70, from about DP3 to about DP80, from about DP3 to about DP9 0, about DP3 to about DP100, about DP5 to about DP8, about DP5 to about DP9, about DP5 to about DP10, about DP5 to about DP15, about DP5 to about DP20, about DP5 to about DP50, about DP5 to about DP40, about DP5 to about DP50, about DP5 to about DP60, about DP5 to about DP70, about DP5 to about DP80, about DP5 to about DP90, about DP5 to about DP100, about DP10 to about DP15, about DP DP10 to about DP20, about DP10 to about DP30, about DP10 to about DP40, about DP10 to about DP50, about DP10 to about DP60, about DP10 to about DP70, about DP10 to about DP80, about DP10 to about DP90, about DP10 to about DP100, about DP20 to about DP30, about DP20 to about DP40, about DP120 to about DP50, about DP20 to about DP60, about DP20 to about DP70, about DP20 to about DP8 The present invention may include mixtures of MLGs with a DP of 0, about DP20 to about DP90, about DP20 to about DP100, DP40 to about DP50, about DP40 to about DP60, about DP40 to about DP70, about DP40 to about DP80, about DP40 to about DP90, about DP40 to about DP100, DP50 to about DP70, about DP50 to about DP80, about DP50 to about DP90, about DP50 to about DP100, and any range or value therein.

[0035] In some embodiments, the composition may include an amount of MLGs (including a single degree of polymerization or mixed degrees of polymerization) ranging from about 0.1 mg to about 100 g / L of composition.Thus, in some embodiments, the compositions of the present invention may contain from about 0.1 mg / L to about 1 mg / L, from about 0.1 mg / L to about 10 mg / L, from about 0.1 mg / L to about 100 mg / L, from about 0.1 mg / L to about 1 g / L, from about 0.1 mg / L to about 10 g / L, from about 0.1 mg / L to about 100 g / L, from about 0.1 g / L to about 1 g / L, from about 0.1 g / L to about 5 g / L, from about 0.1 g / L to about 10 g / L, from about 0.1 g / L to about 15 g / L, from about 0.1 g / L to about 20 g / L, from about 0.1 g / L to about 30 g / L / L, about 0.1g / L to about 40g / L, about 0.1g / L to about 100g / L, about 0.5g / L to about 1g / L, about 0.5g / L to about 5g / L, about 0.5g / L to about 10g / L, about 0.5g / L to about 20g / L, about 0.5g / L to about 30g / L, about 0.5g / L to about 40g / L, about 0.5g / L to about 50g / L, about 0.5g / L to about 100g / L, about 1g / L to about 5g / L, about 1g / L to about 10g / L, about 1g / L to about 15g / L, about 1g / L to about 20g / L, about 1g / L to about 30g / L, about 1g / L to about 40g / L, about 1g / L to about 50g / L, about 1g / L to about 100g / L, about 5g / L to about 10g / L, about 5g / L to about 15g / L, about 5g / L to about 20g / L, about 5g / L to about 30g / L, about 5g / L to about 40g / L, about 5g / L to about 50g / L, about 5g / L to about 100g / L, about 10g / L to about 15g / L, about 10g / L to about 20g / L, about 10g / L to about 30g / L, about 10g / L to about 40g / L, about 10g / L to about 50g / L, about 10g / L to about 100g / L, about 15g / L to about 20g / L, about 15g / L to about 30g / L, about 15g / L to about 40g / L, about 15g / L to about 50g / L, about 15g / L to about 100g / L, about 20g / L to about 30g / L, or about 20g / L to about 40g / L, about 20g / L to about 50g / L, about 20g / L to about 100g / L, about 30g / L to about 40g / L, about 30g / L to about 50g / L, about 30g / L to about 100g / L, about 40g / L to about 50g / L, or about 40g / L to about 100g / L, or any value or range therein.

[0036] In some embodiments, an effective amount of MLGs is an amount sufficient to increase the growth characteristics of a plant and / or parts thereof, increase nutrient utilization efficiency in the plant and / or parts thereof, and / or increase the abiotic and / or biotic stress tolerance / resistance of the plant and / or parts thereof. In some embodiments, an effective amount of MLGs in a composition can be from about 0.1 mg per liter to about 100 g per liter of composition.In some embodiments, the effective amount of MLGs in the composition is from about 0.1 mg / L to about 1 mg / L, from about 0.1 mg / L to about 10 mg / L, from about 0.1 mg / L to about 100 mg / L, from about 0.1 mg / L to about 1 g / L, from about 0.1 mg / L to about 10 g / L, from about 0.1 mg / L to about 100 g / L, from about 0.1 g / L to about 1 g / L, from about 0.1 g / L to about 5 g / L, from about 0.1 g / L to about 10 g / L, from about 0.1 g / L to about 15 g / L, from about 0.1 g / L to about 20 g / L, from about 0.1 g / L to about 30 g / L, g / L, about 0.1 g / L to about 40 g / L, about 0.1 g / L to about 100 g / L, about 0.5 g / L to about 1 g / L, about 0.5 g / L to about 5 g / L, about 0.5 g / L to about 10 g / L, about 0.5 g / L to about 20 g / L, about 0.5 g / L to about 30 g / L, about 0.5 g / L to about 40 g / L, about 0.5 g / L to about 50 g / L, about 0.5 g / L to about 100 g / L, about 1 g / L to about 5 g / L, about 1 g / L to about 10 g / L, about 1 g / L to about 15 g / L, about 1 g / L to about 20 g / L, about 1 g / L to about 30 g / L, about 1 g / L from about 40g / L, from about 1g / L to about 50g / L, from about 1g / L to about 100g / L, from about 5g / L to about 10g / L, from about 5g / L to about 15g / L, from about 5g / L to about 20g / L, from about 5g / L to about 30g / L, from about 5g / L to about 40g / L, from about 5g / L to about 50g / L, from about 5g / L to about 100g / L, from about 10g / L to about 15g / L, from about 10g / L to about 20g / L, from about 10g / L to about 30g / L, from about 10g / L to about 40g / L, from about 10g / L to about 50g / L, from about 10g / L to about 100g / L, from about 15g / L to about 20 g / L, about 15 g / L to about 30 g / L, about 15 g / L to about 40 g / L, about 15 g / L to about 50 g / L, about 15 g / L to about 100 g / L, about 20 g / L to about 30 g / L, or about 20 g / L to about 40 g / L, about 20 g / L to about 50 g / L, about 20 g / L to about 100 g / L, about 30 g / L to about 40 g / L, about 30 g / L to about 50 g / L, about 30 g / L to about 100 g / L, about 40 g / L to about 50 g / L, or about 40 g / L to about 100 g / L, or any value or range therein.

[0037] In some embodiments, compositions comprising MLGs may further comprise peptides, proteins, sugars, and / or carbohydrates, hi some embodiments, MLGs compositions may comprise peptides and / or proteins in an amount from about 0.1% w / w to about 10% w / w of the extract. In some embodiments, compositions comprising MLGs comprise peptides and / or proteins in an amount of from about 0.1% to about 1%, about 0.1% to about 3%, about 0.1% to about 5%, about 0.1% to about 7%, about 0.5% to about 1%, about 0.5% to about 3%, about 0.5% to about 5%, about 0.5% to about 7%, about 0.5 to about 10%, about 1% to about 3%, about 1% to about 5%, about 1% to about 7%, about 1% to about 10%, about 3% to about 5%, about 3% to about 7%, about 3% to about 10%, about 5% to about 7%, about 5% to about 10%, or about 7% to about 10% of the composition, or any range or value therein. Thus, in some embodiments, compositions comprising MLGs may contain peptides and / or proteins in an amount of about 0.1% w / w, 0.25% w / w, 0.5% w / w, 0.75% w / w, 1% w / w, 1.5% w / w, 2% w / w, 2.5% w / w, 3% w / w, 3.5% w / w, 4% w / w, 4.5% w / w, 5% w / w, 5.5% w / w, 6% w / w, 6.5% w / w, 7% w / w, 7.5% w / w, 8% w / w, 8.5% w / w, 9% w / w, 9.5% w / w, or 10% w / w of the composition, or any range or value therein.

[0038] In some embodiments, compositions comprising MLGs may include other sugars and / or carbohydrates in an amount from about 1% w / w to about 35% w / w of the extract. In some embodiments, the composition comprising MLGs may further comprise other sugars and / or carbohydrates in an amount ranging from about 1% w / w to about 5% w / w, about 1% w / w to about 10% w / w, about 1% w / w to about 15% w / w, about 1% w / w to about 20% w / w, about 1% w / w to about 25% w / w, about 1% w / w to about 30% w / w, about 5% w / w to about 10% w / w, about 5% w / w to about 15% w / w, about 5% w / w to about 20% w / w, about 5% w / w to about 25% w / w, about 5% w / w to about 30% w / w, about 5% w / w to about 35% w / w, about 10% w / w to about 1 ... The composition may comprise an amount of from about 10% w / w to about 20% w / w, from about 10% w / w to about 25% w / w, from about 10% w / w to about 30% w / w, from about 10% w / w to about 35% w / w, from about 15% w / w to about 20% w / w, from about 15% w / w to about 25% w / w, from about 15% w / w to about 30% w / w, from about 15% w / w to about 35% w / w, from about 20% w / w to about 25% w / w, from about 20% w / w to about 30% w / w, from about 20% w / w to about 35% w / w, from about 25% w / w to about 30% w / w, from about 25% w / w to about 35% w / w, or from about 30% w / w to about 35% w / w, or any value or range therein. Thus, in some embodiments, the composition comprising MLGs may comprise additional sugars and / or carbohydrates in an amount of about 1% w / w, 2% w / w, 3% w / w, 4% w / w, 5% w / w, 6% w / w, 7% w / w, 8% w / w, 9% w / w, 10% w / w, 11% w / w, 12% w / w, 13% w / w, 14% w / w, 15% w / w, 16% w / w, 17% w / w, 18% w / w, 19% w / w, 20% w / w, 21% w / w, 22% w / w, 23% w / w, 24% w / w, 25% w / w, 26% w / w, 27% w / w, 28% w / w, 29% w / w, 30% w / w, 31% w / w, 32% w / w, 33% w / w, 34% w / w, 35% w / w, 36% w / w, 37% w / w, 38% w / w, 39% w / w, 40% w / w, 41% w / w, 42% w / w, 43% w / w, 44% w / w, 45% w / w, 46% w / w, 47% w / w, 48% w / w, 49% w / w, 50% w / w, 51% w / w, 52% w / w, 53% w / w, 54% w / w, 55% w / w, 56% w / w, 57% w / w, 58% w / w, 59% w / w, 60% w / w, 61% w / w, 62% w % w / w, 18% w / w, 19% w / w, 20% w / w, 21% w / w, 22% w / w, 23% w / w, 24% w / w, 25% w / w, 26% w / w, 27% w / w, 28% w / w, 29% w / w, 30% w / w, 31% w / w, 32% w / w, 33% w / w, 34% w / w, or 35% w / w, or any range or value therein.

[0039] In some embodiments, sugars and / or carbohydrates that may be included in compositions comprising MLGs include, but are not limited to, glucose, mannose, galactose, arabinose, xylose, other glucan oligosaccharides, glucose-derived low-branching polysaccharides, glycogen, mannan oligosaccharides, mannose-derived low-branching polysaccharides, galactan, galactomannan, arabinan, and / or xylan.

[0040] In some embodiments, compositions comprising MLGs may further comprise additional ingredients including, but not limited to, surfactants, humectants, adjuvants, antioxidants, preservatives, plant macronutrients, plant micronutrients, plant growth regulators, insecticides, fungicides, antivirals, antibacterials, herbicides, or any combination thereof.

[0041] Examples of surfactants include alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, and ammonium salts of lignosulfonic acid, naphthalenesulfonic acid, phenolsulfonic acid, dibutylnaphthalenesulfonic acid, alkylarylsulfonates, sodium dodecyl sulfate, alkyl sulfates, alkylsulfonates, fatty alcohol sulfates, glycol ethers of fatty acids and sulfated fatty alcohols, sulfated condensates of naphthalene and naphthalene derivatives with formaldehyde, condensates of naphthalene or naphthalenesulfonic acid with phenol and formaldehyde, polyoxyethylene octyl-phenyl ether, ethoxylated methyl methyl ether, ... The polyols and / or polyols that can be used include, but are not limited to, ethoxylated isooctylphenol, octylphenol, nonylphenol, alkylphenyl poly-glycol ethers, tributylphenyl polyglycol ethers, tristearylphenyl polyglycol ethers, alkylaryl polyether alcohols, alcohol and fatty alcohol / ethylene oxide condensates, ethoxylated castor oil, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, ethoxylated polyoxypropylene, lauryl alcohol, polyglycol ether acetals, sorbitol esters, lignin sulfite waste liquor, and / or methylcellulose.

[0042] In some embodiments, the surfactant may be present in a composition comprising MLGs in an amount from about 10% to about 40% w / w of the composition, hi some embodiments, the surfactant may be present in a composition comprising MLGs in an amount from about 10% to about 15% w / w, from about 10% to about 20% w / w, from about 10% to about 25% w / w, from about 10% to about 30% w / w, from about 10% to about 35% w / w, from about 15% to about 20% w / w, from about 15% to about 25% w / w, from about 15% to about 30% w / w, from about 15% to about 35% w / w, or from about 15% to about 40% w / w of the composition. It may be present in an amount of about 40% w / w, about 20% w / w to about 25% w / w, about 20% w / w to about 30% w / w, about 20% w / w to about 35% w / w, about 20% w / w to about 40% w / w, about 25% w / w to about 30% w / w, about 25% w / w to about 35% w / w, about 25% w / w to about 40% w / w, about 30% w / w to about 35% w / w, about 30% w / w to about 40% w / w, about 35% w / w to about 40% w / w, or any range or value therein. Thus, in some embodiments, the surfactant is present in a composition comprising MLGs at about 10% w / w, 11% w / w, 12% w / w, 13% w / w, 14% w / w, 15% w / w, 16% w / w, 17% w / w, 18% w / w, 19% w / w, 20% w / w, 21% w / w, 22% w / w, 23% w / w, 24% w / w, 25% w / w, 26% w / w, 27% w / w, 28% w / w, 29% w / w, 30% w / w, 31% w / w, 32% w / w, 33% w / w, 34% w / w, 35% w / w, 36% w / w, 37% w / w, 38% w / w, 39% w / w, 40% w / w, 41% w / w, 42% w / w, 43% w / w, 44% w / w, 45% w / w, 46% w / w, 47% w / w, 48% w / w, 49% w / w, 50% w / w, 51% w / w, 52% w / w, 53% w / w, 54% w / w, 55% w / w, 56% w / w, 57% w / w, 58% w / w, 59% w / w, 60% w / w, 61% w / w, 62% w / w, 63% w / w, 64% w / w, 65% w / w, 66% w / w, 67% w / w, 68% w / w, 69% w / w, 70% w / w, 72% It may be present in an amount of 24% w / w, 25% w / w, 26% w / w, 27% w / w, 28% w / w, 29% w / w, 30% w / w, 31% w / w, 32% w / w, 33% w / w, 34% w / w, 35% w / w, 36% w / w, 37% w / w, 38% w / w, 39% w / w, 40% w / w, or any range or value therein.

[0043] Examples of humectants can include, but are not limited to, glycerol, sorbitol, xylitol, maltitol, glyceryl triacetate, sodium lactate, urea formaldehyde, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, and / or fatty acids.

[0044] Examples of antioxidants may include, but are not limited to, ascorbic acid, tocopherol, propyl gallate, tertiary butylhydroquinone, butylhydroxyanisole, and / or butylhydroxytoluene.

[0045] Examples of preservatives include sorbic acid, sodium sorbate, sorbates, benzoic acid, sodium benzoate, benzoates, hydroxybenzoic acid and derivatives, sulfur dioxide and sulfites, nitrites, nitrates, lactic acid, propionic acid and sodium propionate, tocopherol, plant extracts, hops, salt, sugar, vinegar, alcohol (e.g., methanol and ethanol), diatomaceous earth and castor oil, citric acid, ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, phenol derivatives (butylhydroxytoluene, butylhydroxyanisole, BHA, BHT, TBHQ, and propyl gallate), gallic acid, sodium gallate, sulfur dioxide, sulfites, tocopherol, and / or methylchloroisothiazolinone. Examples of suitable amines include, but are not limited to, azolinone, 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one (BIT), hexahydro-1,3,5-tris-hydroxyethyl-s-triazine (HTHT), 5-chloro-2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one (CMIT), 2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one (MIT), zinc pyrithione (ZPT), 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (bronopol), formaldehyde, 1,3-dimethylol-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (DMDMH), 2,2-dibromo-3-nitrilopropionamide (DBNPA), and / or poly(hexamethylenebiguanide) hydrochloride (PHMB).

[0046] In some embodiments, a preservative may be present in a composition comprising MLGs in an amount ranging from about 0.001% w / w to about 5% w / w, or any range or value therein. In some embodiments, the composition may contain a preservative in an amount ranging from about 0.001% w / w to about 0.1% w / w, about 0.001% w / w to about 0.5% w / w, about 0.001% w / w to about 1% w / w, about 0.001% w / w to about 2% w / w, about 0.001% w / w to about 3% w / w, about 0.001% w / w to about 4% w / w, about 0.01% w / w to about 0.1% w / w, about 0.01% w / w to about 0.5% w / w, about 0.0 1% w / w to about 1% w / w, about 0.01% w / w to about 2% w / w, about 0.01% w / w to about 3% w / w, about 0.01% w / w to about 4% w / w, about 0.01% w / w to about 5% w / w, about 0.05% w / w to about 0.1% w / w, about 0.05% w / w to about 0.5% w / w, about 0.05% w / w to about 1% w / w, about 0.05% w / w to about 2% w / w, about 0.05% w / w to about 3% w / w, about 0.05% w / w to about 4% w / w / w, about 0.05% w / w to about 5% w / w, about 0.1% w / w to about 0.5% w / w, about 0.1% w / w to about 1% w / w, about 0.1% w / w to about 2% w / w, about 0.1% w / w to about 3% w / w, about 0.1% w / w to about 4% w / w, about 0.1% w / w to about 5% w / w, about 0.5% w / w to about 1% w / w, about 0.5% w / w to about 2% w / w, about 0.5% w / w to about 3% w / w, about 0.5% w / w to about 4% w / w, about It may be present in an amount ranging from 0.5% w / w to about 5% w / w, from about 1% w / w to about 2% w / w, from about 1% w / w to about 3% w / w, from about 1% w / w to about 4% w / w, from about 1% w / w to about 5% w / w, from about 2% w / w to about 3% w / w, from about 2% w / w to about 4% w / w, from about 4% w / w to about 5% w / w, from about 3% w / w to about 4% w / w, from about 3% w / w to about 5% w / w, from about 4% w / w to about 5% w / w, or any range or value therein.Thus, in some embodiments, a preservative is present in a composition comprising MLGs at about 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% w / w of the composition. % w / w, 0.2% w / w, 0.3% w / w, 0.4% w / w, 0.5% w / w, 0.6% w / w, 0.7% w / w, 0.8% w / w, 0.9%, 1% w / w, 1.1% w / w, 1.2% w / w, 1.3% w / w, 1.4% w / w, 1.5% w / w, 1.6% w / w, 1.7% w / w, 1.8% w / w, 1.9% w / w, 2% w / w, 2.5% w / w, 3% w / w, 3.5% w / w, 4% w / w, 4.5% w / w, 5% w / w, or any range or value therein.

[0047] Plant macronutrients include, but are not limited to, nitrogen, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and / or sulfur.

[0048] Examples of micronutrients can include, but are not limited to, iron, manganese, boron, molybdenum, copper, zinc, chlorine, and / or cobalt.

[0049] Plant growth regulators include, but are not limited to, auxins (including, but not limited to, naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and / or indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and / or indole-3-acetic acid (IAA, 3-IAA)), cytokinins, abscisic acid, gibberellins, ethylene, salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, brassinosteroids (e.g., brassinolide), or any combination thereof.

[0050] Examples of insecticides include, but are not limited to, malathion, parathion, methyl parathion, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, dichlorvos, phosmet, fenitrothion, tetrachlorvinphos, azamethiphos, fenvalerate, cyfluthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, zeta-cypermethrin, permethrin, piperonyl butoxide, imidacloprid, acetamiprid, clothianidin, nitenpyram, nithiazine, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, ryanodol, 9,21-didehydroryanodol, chlorantraniliprole, flubendiamide, and / or cyantraniliprole.

[0051] Examples of fungicides include, but are not limited to, prothioconazole, trifloxystrobin, azoxystrobin, propiconazole, and / or pyraclostrobin.

[0052] Examples of antibacterial agents (bactericides) include, but are not limited to, methylisothiazolinone, chloromethylisothiazolinone, benzisothiazolinone, octylisothiazolinone, dichlorooctylisothiazolinone, and / or butylbenzisothiazolinone.

[0053] Examples of herbicides include, but are not limited to, glyphosate, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, atrazine, S-metolachlor, and / or 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid.

[0054] In some embodiments, the composition comprising MLGs may further comprise an antifoaming agent. Any antifoaming agent used with produce and / or food products may be used. Examples of antifoaming agents include, but are not limited to, long-chain unsaturated fatty acids, such as, but not limited to, C12-C14, C18:1, and C18:2 unsaturated fatty acids, and / or synthetic polysiloxanes (silicones), such as, but not limited to, polydimethylsiloxane and / or hydrophobic silica. In some embodiments, the composition comprising MLGs may comprise an amount of antifoaming agent ranging from about 0.0001% w / w to about 0.05% w / w of the composition, or any range or value therein. Thus, in some embodiments, the anti-foaming agent may be present in an amount of about 0.0001% w / w, 0.0002% w / w, 0.0003% w / w, 0.0004% w / w, 0.0005% w / w, 0.0006% w / w, 0.0007% w / w, 0.0008% w / w, 0.0009% w / w, 0.001% w / w, 0.002% w / w, 0.0009% w / w, 0.001% w / w, 0.002% w / w, 0.0001% w / w, 0.0002% w / w, 0.0003% w / w, 0.0004% w / w, 0.0005% w / w, 0.0006% w / w, 0.0007% w / w, 0.0008% w / w, 0.0009% w / w, 0.001% w / w, 0.002 ... It may be present in the composition in an amount of 0.003% w / w, 0.004% w / w, 0.005% w / w, 0.006% w / w, 0.007% w / w, 0.008% w / w, 0.009% w / w, 0.01% w / w, 0.02% w / w, 0.03% w / w, 0.04% w / w, or 0.05% w / w, or any range or value therein.

[0055] In some embodiments, the composition comprising MLGs may further comprise a biocide. Any biocide used with produce and / or food may be used. When included in a composition comprising MLGs, the biocide may be present in an amount of about 0.1 g / L per 1 L of the composition. -1 to about 20gL -1Thus, in some embodiments, the biocide may be present in the composition in an amount of about 0.1 g, 0.2 g, 0.3 g, 0.4 g, 0.5 g, 0.6 g, 0.7 g, 0.8 g, 0.9 g, 1 g, 1.1 g, 1.2 g, 1.3 g, 1.4 g, 1.5 g, 1.6 g, 1.7 g, 1.8 g, 1.9 g, or 2 g, 3 g, 4 g, 5 g, 6 g, 7 g, 8 g, 9 g, 10 g, 11 g, 12 g, 13 g, 14 g, 15 g, 16 g, 17 g, 18 g, 19 g, or 20 g per liter of the composition, or any range or value therein.

[0056] A composition comprising MLGs can be applied to a plant and / or parts thereof. In some embodiments, a composition comprising MLGs can be atomized and sprayed onto the plant and / or parts thereof. A smearing process can also be used, for example, when a wettable powder, emulsion, or flowable material of a composition comprising MLGs can be applied with or without added water. In another embodiment, a dipping process can be used in which a plant and / or parts thereof are dipped into a composition comprising MLGs. In some embodiments, a composition comprising MLGs can be used for film coating and / or pellet coating of a plant and / or parts thereof, such as seeds and / or bulbs.

[0057] Compositions containing MLGs can be applied as soil treatments in solid or liquid form. Thus, in some embodiments, the compositions can be applied as a spray onto the soil, by soil incorporation, and / or by irrigating the soil with liquid chemicals (liquid chemical drench, liquid chemical soil injection, and drip). Methods for applying compositions containing MLGs during soil treatment include, but are not limited to, planting holes, furrows, around planting holes, around furrows, the entire cultivated land surface, the area between the soil and the plant, the area between the roots, the area directly under the trunk, the main furrow, growing boxes, seedling trays, and seedbeds. Soil treatments can be applied before sowing, at the time of sowing, immediately after sowing, at the time of germination, and / or during the growing period after planting. Alternatively, a drench solution can be mixed in advance with a composition containing MLGs and used for treatment by a suitable irrigation method, including, for example, the irrigation methods mentioned above and any other methods and compositions for improving plant health and protection.

[0058] Compositions comprising MLGs can be applied to plants and / or plant parts thereof and / or to the medium in which the plants are growing, for example, to increase growth characteristics, nutrient utilization efficiency, disease resistance (resistance to biotic stresses, e.g., fungal, bacterial, and / or viral diseases), and / or to increase abiotic stress tolerance. Thus, in some embodiments, the present invention provides methods for increasing the growth characteristics of plants and / or parts thereof, comprising applying an effective amount of a composition comprising MLGs to the plants and / or parts thereof and / or growth medium, thereby increasing the growth characteristics of the plants and / or parts thereof compared to a control plant and / or part thereof (e.g., a plant and / or part thereof to which the composition of the present invention has not been applied). In some embodiments, the method comprises applying a composition comprising MLGs to a plant and / or parts thereof and / or growth medium in which said plant and / or parts thereof are present at least once (e.g., about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and / or 12 or more times; e.g., 1 to about 2 times, 1 to about 3 times, 1 to about 4 times, 1 to about 5 times, 1 to about 6 times, 1 to about 7 times, 1 to about 8 times, 1 to about 9 times, 1 to about 10 times, 1 to about 11 times, or 1 to about 12 times, or any range or value therein). In some embodiments, the method comprises applying the composition at least twice (e.g., about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or more times; e.g., about 2 to about 3 times, about 2 to about 4 times, about 2 to about 5 times, about 2 to about 6 times, about 2 to about 7 times, about 2 to about 8 times, about 2 to about 9 times, about 2 to about 10 times, about 2 to about 11 times, or about 2 to about 12 times, or any range or value therein).

[0059] In some embodiments, the invention provides methods for increasing disease resistance of plants and / or parts thereof, comprising applying an effective amount of a composition comprising MLGs to a plant and / or part thereof and / or growth medium, thereby increasing the disease resistance of the plant and / or part thereof compared to a control plant and / or part thereof (e.g., a plant and / or part thereof to which the composition comprising MLGs has not been applied). In some embodiments, the method comprises applying the composition at least once (e.g., about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or more times). In some embodiments, the method comprises applying the composition at least twice (e.g., about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or more times).

[0060] In some embodiments, when a composition comprising MLGs is applied to a plant and / or its parts and / or growth medium at least twice, the time between applications can vary. Thus, for example, the next application of a composition comprising MLGs can be any time from about 1 day to about 6 months after the previous application. Thus, for example, the next application can be about 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, or about 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks, 6 weeks, 7 weeks, 8 weeks, 9 weeks, 10 weeks, 11 weeks, 12 weeks, 13 weeks, 14 weeks, 15 weeks, 16 weeks, 17 weeks, 18 weeks, 19 weeks, 20 weeks, 21 weeks, 22 weeks, 23 weeks, 24 weeks, 25 weeks, or 26 weeks after the previous application, or any range or value therein.

[0061] In some embodiments, compositions comprising MLGs applied to plants and / or parts thereof and / or growth media may increase disease resistance or tolerance to viral pathogens, including but not limited to Caulimoviridae, Potyviridae, Sequiviridae, Rheoviridae, Capillovirus, Geminiviridae, Bromoviridae, Closteroviridae, Comoviridae, Tombusviridae, Rhabdoviridae, Bunyaviridae, These include, but are not limited to, viruses from the genera Partitiviridae, Carlavirus, Enamovirus, Furovirus, Hordeivirus, Idaeovirus, Luteovirus, Marafivirus, Potexvirus, Sobemovirus, Tenuivirus, Tobamovirus, Tobravirus, Trichovirus, Tymovirus, and / or Umbravirus.

[0062] In some embodiments, compositions comprising MLGs applied to plants and / or parts thereof and / or growth media may increase resistance to viruses, including turnip mosaic virus, papaya ring spot virus, bud blight virus, bean pod mottle virus, lettuce mosaic virus, maize mosaic virus, cauliflower mosaic virus, tobacco mosaic virus, soybean mosaic virus, African cassava mosaic virus, tomato mosaic virus, pepino mosaic virus, zucchini yellow mosaic virus, plum pox virus, and others. virus, tomato bushy stunt virus, tomato spot wilt virus, tomato yellow leaf curl virus, rice ragged stunt virus, rice tungro bacilliform virus, rice tungro spherical virus, rice yellow mottle virus, cucumber mosaic virus, brome mosaic virus, wheat yellow mosaic virus, barley yellowdwarf virus, sugarcane mosaic virus, beet yellows virus, lettuce yellows virus, maize dwarf mosaic virus, maize streak virus, peanut stunt virus, Citrus tristeza virus, potato leafroll virus, potato virus X, potato virus Y, sweet potato feathery mottle potyvirus, melon necrotic spot virus, maize white line mosaic virus, maize chlorotic mottle virus, banana bunchy top virus virus, cacao swollen shoot virus, tomato leaf curl New Dehli virus, banana streak virus, and / or sweet potato sunken vein closterovirus.

[0063] In some embodiments, compositions comprising MLGs applied to plants and / or parts thereof and / or growth media may increase resistance to fungal pathogens, including fungal pathogens from the families Physodermataceae, Synchytriaceae, Olpidiaceae, Choanephoraceae, Gilbertellaceae, Mucoraceae, Dipodascaceae, and the like. e), Eremotheciaceae, Taphrinaceae, Botryosphaeriaceae, Capnodiaceae, Phaeosphaeriaceae, Leptosphaeriaceae, Cucurbitariaceae, Didymellaceae, Davidiellaceae, Mycosphaeriaceae cosphaerellaceae, Schizothyriaceae, Dothideaceae, Dothioraceae, Lahmiaceae, Elsinoaceae, Lophiostomataceae, Pleosporaceae, Venturiaceae, Trichochomaceae, Erysiphaceae, Cyttariaceae, Hemiphacidiaceae, Hyaloscyphaceae, Phacidiaceae, Sclerotiniaceae, Ascodichaenaceae, Mediolariaceae, Rhytismataceae, Meliolaceae, Caloscyphaceae,Sarcosomataceae, Cryphonectriaceae, Diaporthaceae, Gnomoniaceae, Valsaceae, Glomerellaceae, Plectosphaerellaceae, Bionectriaceae, Clavicipitaceae, Hypocreaceae, Nectriaceae, Magnaporthaceae, Pyriculariaceae, Ceratocystideae, Ophiostomataceae, Phyllachoraceae, Chaetomiaceae, Amphisphaeriaceae, Diatrypaceae, Xylariacea e), Psathyrellaceae, Marasmiaceae, Mycenaceae, Schizophyllaceae, Typhulaceae, Thelephoraceae, Atheliaceae, Atheliaceae, Stereaceae, Echinodontiaceae, Corticiaceae ), Ganodermatae, Hymenochaetaceae, Cystofilobasidiaceae, Helicobasidiaceae, Helicobasidiaceae, Melampsoraceae, Phakopsoraceae, Pucciniaceae, Tilletiaceae,These include, but are not limited to, fungal / oomycete pathogens from the families Entylomataceae, Ustilaginaceae, Leptolegniaceae, and / or Peronosporaceae.

[0064] In some embodiments, compositions comprising MLGs applied to plants and / or parts thereof and / or growth media may increase resistance to fungal pathogens, including Physoderma alfalfa, Physoderma maydis, Synchytrium endobioticum, Olpidium brassicae, Choanephora cucurbitarum, Mucor circinelloides, Rhizopus stolonifera, Geotrichum candidum, Taphrina caerulescens, Taphrina deformans, and the like. deformans, Taphrina populina, Botryosphaeria dothidea, Diplodia mutila, Dothiorella sarmentorum, Macrophomina phaseolina, Phyllosticta ampelicida, Phyllosticta citricarpa, Stenocarpella maydis, Cladosporium allii-cepae, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Acrodontium simplex, Cercospora species spp.), Cercospora apii, Cercospora beticola, Cercospora brassicicola, Cercospora kikuchii, Corynespora cassiicola, Cercospora zeae-maydis, Cercospora zeina, Dothistroma septosporum, Lecanosticta acicula, Mycocentrospora acerina, Passalora species spp.), Pseudocercospora fijiensis, Aureobasidium spp., Ophiosphaerella herpotricha, Parastagonospora nodorum, Diplodia tumefaciens, Alternaria alternate, Bipolaris maydis, Bipolaris oryzae, Bipolaris sacchari, Bipolaris victoria, Curvularia spp., Leptosphaerulina trifoli trifolii, Venturia inaequalis, Aspergillus spp., Aspergillus flavus, Blumeria graminis, Erysiphe spp.), Podosphaera leucotricha, Botrytis cinerea, Monilinia spp., Monilinia fructicola, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Amphilogia gyrosa, Cryphonectria parasitica, Diaporthe citri, Diaporthe helianthi, Diaporthe phaseolorum, Cytospora leucospora, Colletotrichum spp. spp.), Colletotrichum coccodes, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Colletotrichum graminicola, Plectosphaerella cucumerina, Verticillium albo-atrum, Verticillium dahlia, Claviceps purpurea, Epichloe typhina, Trichoderma viride, Fusarium spp., Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani solani), Fusarium graminearum, Nectria cinnabarina, Neonectria spp.), Gaeumannomyces graminis, Pyricularia grisea, Pyricularia oryzae, Ceratocystis spp., Thielaviopsis basicola, Ophiostoma ulmi, Phyllachora graminis, Cronartium spp., Uromyces graminicola, Tranzschelia spp., Tilletia spp., Ustilago spp., Ustilago maydis maydis, Peronospora spp., Hyalperonospora spp., Albugo spp., Phytophthora spp., Pythium spp., Aphanomyces spp., Magnaporthe oryzae, Puccinia spp., Blumeria graminis, Exserohilum turcicum, Mycosphaerella graminicola, Melampsora lini, Phakopsora pachyrhizi pachyrhizi, and / or Rhizoctonia solani.

[0065] In some embodiments, compositions comprising MLGs applied to plants and / or parts thereof and / or growth media may increase resistance to bacterial pathogens, including Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Rhizobiaceae, Microbacteriaceae, Xanthomonadaceae, Rhizobiaceae, Corynebacteriaceae, Acetobacteraceae, Comamonadaceae, and the like. Bacterial pathogens include, but are not limited to, bacterial pathogens from the families Bacillaceae, Bacillaceae, Burkholderiaceae, Micrococcaceae, Ralstoniaceae, Xanthomonadaceae, Spiroplasmataceae, Sphingomonadaceae, Acholeplasmataceae, Corynebacteriaceae, and / or Streptomycetaceae.In some embodiments, a composition comprising MLG applied to a plant and / or part thereof and / or growth medium may increase resistance to bacterial pathogens, including Erwinia spp., Dickeya spp., Pseudomonas spp., Xanthomonas spp., Agrobacterium spp., Rhizobium spp., Corynebacterium spp., Streptomyces spp., Pantoea spp., Serratia spp., Acetobacter spp., Acidovorax spp., and the like. spp.), Arthrobacter spp., Bacillus spp., Brenneria spp., Burkholderia spp., Clavibacter spp., Pectobacterium spp., Pantoea spp., Ralstonia spp., Xylella spp., Spiroplasma spp., Phytoplasma spp., and / or Sphingomonas spp., bacterial pathogens.

[0066] In some embodiments, compositions comprising MLGs applied to plants and / or parts thereof and / or growth media may increase resistance to bacterial pathogens, including Erwinia amylovora, Erwinia carotovora var. chrysanthemi, D. dadanti, Pseudomonas tabaci, P. angulate, P. phaseolicola, P. lachrymans, P. pisi, P. fluorescens, P. glycinea, P. vesicatoria (P. vesicatoria, Pseudomonas savastanoi, Pseudomonas syringae, Pseudomonas solanacearum, Xanthamonas phaseoli, Xanthamonas malvacearum, Xanthamonas oryzae, Xanthamonas translucens, Xanthomonas pruni, Xanthomonas campestris, Xanthomonas vasuclarum, Acidovorax avenae, Agrobacterium tumefaciens tumefaciens), Agrobacterium rubi (A. rubi) (= Rhizobium rubi), Agrobacterium rhizogenes (A. rhizogenes) (= Rhizobium rhizogenes), and Agrobacterium vitis (A.vitis (=Rhizobium vitis), Bacillus pumilus, Brenneria alni (=Erwinia alni), Clavibacter michiganensis, Pectobacterium carotovorum, Pantoea agglomerans, Ralstonia solanacearum, Corynebacterium insidiosum, C. sepedonicum, C. fascians, Corynebacterium fracumfaciens flacumfaciens, Corynebacterium michiganense, Streptomyces scabies, Streptomyces ipomoeae, Pantoea agglomerans, Serratia marcescens, Streptomyces reticuliscabei, Acetobacter aceti, Spiroplasma citri, Xylella fastidiosa, and / or Sphingomonas melonis.

[0067] As used herein, "disease resistance" or "disease tolerance" are used interchangeably and refer to a reduction in disease symptoms and / or pathogen growth and proliferation of a plant and / or its parts. In some embodiments, the percent (%) increase in disease resistance / tolerance compared to a control can range from about 0.1% to about 100%. In some embodiments, the percent increase in disease resistance / tolerance compared to a control is from about 0.1% to about 10%, 0.1% to about 30%, about 0.1% to about 50%, about 0.1% to about 80%, about 0.1% to about 90%, about 0.1% to about 95%, about 1% to about 10%, about 1% to about 20%, about 1% to about 40%, about 1% to about 50%, about 1% to about 75%, about 1% to about 95%, about 1% to about 100%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10% to about 40%, about 10% to about 50%, The increase can be in the range of about 10% to about 70%, about 10% to about 80%, about 10% to about 90%, about 10% to about 100%, about 20% to about 40%, about 20% to about 75%, about 20% to about 90%, about 20% to about 95%, about 20% to about 100%, about 25% to about 50%, about 50% to about 75%, about 50% to about 95%, about 50% to about 100%, about 75% to about 90%, about 75% to about 100%, about 90% to about 95%, about 90% to about 100%, or any value or range therein. In some embodiments, the % increase in disease resistance / tolerance compared to a control is about 0.1%, 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%, 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%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 100%, 101%, 102%, 103%, 104%, 105%, 106%, 107%, 108%, 10 It may be 18%, 19%, 20%, 21%, 22%, 23%, 24%, 25%, 26%, 27%, 28%, 29%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, or any value or range therein.

[0068] In some embodiments, a method is provided for increasing the abiotic stress tolerance of a plant and / or part thereof, comprising applying an effective amount of a composition comprising MLGs to the plant and / or part thereof and / or growth medium, thereby increasing the abiotic stress tolerance of the plant and / or part thereof compared to a control plant and / or part thereof (e.g., a plant and / or part thereof to which the composition comprising MLGs has not been applied). In some embodiments, the method comprises applying the composition at least once (e.g., about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or more times, or any range or value therein). In some embodiments, the method comprises applying the composition at least twice (e.g., about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or more times, or any range or value therein).

[0069] In some embodiments, abiotic stresses include drought, salinity (e.g., medium salinity (EC e =4~8dSm -1 ); High salinity (EC e >8dSm -1 ), flooding, freezing (e.g., below about 0°C), chilling or low temperatures (e.g., below about 10-15°C), heat or high temperatures (e.g., above about 40°C), high light intensity (e.g., above about 10,000 foot-candles), low light intensity (e.g., below about 1000 foot-candles), and / or ozone, and / or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the abiotic stress is drought. In some embodiments, the abiotic stress is salinity.

[0070] As used herein, "increased tolerance to abiotic stress" or "increased resistance to abiotic stress" are used interchangeably and refer to the ability of a plant and / or part thereof to tolerate a given abiotic stress better when the plant and / or part thereof and / or growth medium is in contact with a composition comprising MLGs than a control plant and / or part thereof (i.e., a plant and / or part thereof and / or growth medium exposed to the same abiotic stress but not in contact with a composition comprising MLGs). Increased tolerance to abiotic stress can be measured using various parameters, including, but not limited to, the size and number of plants and / or parts thereof and the like (e.g., the number and size of fruits), the level or amount of cell division, the amount of flower stunting, the amount of sunburn damage, crop yield, and the like. Thus, in some embodiments of the invention, plants and / or parts thereof that exhibit increased resistance to abiotic stress when the plants and / or parts thereof and / or growth medium are contacted with a composition comprising MLGs exhibit, for example, an increased number and / or weight of fruits / seeds compared to plants and / or parts thereof exposed to the same stress but not contacted with the composition.

[0071] In some embodiments, the percent increase in resistance / tolerance to abiotic stress compared to a control can range from about 0.1% to about 100% increase. In some embodiments, the percent increase in resistance / tolerance to abiotic stress compared to a control can range from about 0.1% to about 10%, 0.1% to about 30%, about 0.1% to about 50%, about 0.1% to about 80%, about 0.1% to about 90%, about 0.1% to about 95%, about 1% to about 10%, about 1% to about 20%, about 1% to about 40%, about 1% to about 50%, about 1% to about 75%, about 1% to about 95%, about 1% to about 100%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10% to about 40%, about 10% to about The range may be 50%, about 10% to about 70%, about 10% to about 80%, about 10% to about 90%, about 10% to about 100%, about 20% to about 40%, about 20% to about 75%, about 20% to about 90%, about 20% to about 95%, about 20% to about 100%, about 25% to about 50%, about 50% to about 75%, about 50% to about 95%, about 50% to about 100%, about 75% to about 90%, about 75% to about 100%, about 90% to about 95%, about 90% to about 100%, or any value or range therein. In some embodiments, the percent increase in resistance / tolerance to abiotic stress compared to a control is about 0.01%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 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%, 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%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 100%, 101%, 102%, 103%, 104%, 105%, 10 %, 16%, 17, 5, 18%, 19%, 20%, 21%, 22%, 23%, 24%, 25%, 26%, 27%, 28%, 29%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, or any value or range therein.

[0072] Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide methods for obtaining plants that produce increased fruit production compared to plants to which a composition comprising MLGs has not been applied.

[0073] Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide methods for obtaining plants that exhibit increased inflorescence production compared to plants to which a composition comprising MLGs has not been applied.

[0074] Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide methods for obtaining plants that produce increased fruit quality when compared to plants to which a composition comprising MLGs has not been applied.

[0075] Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide methods for obtaining plants that produce increased production of defense / immune-related calcium when compared to plants to which a composition comprising MLGs has not been applied.

[0076] Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide methods for obtaining plants that exhibit increased expression of defense / immunity-related genes when compared to plants to which a composition comprising MLGs has not been applied.

[0077] Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide methods for obtaining plants that develop increased resistance to fungi when compared to plants to which a composition comprising MLGs has not been applied.

[0078] Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a method for obtaining pepper plants that exhibit increased resistance to white mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) when compared to plants to which a composition comprising MLGs has not been applied.

[0079] Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a method for obtaining a cucumber plant that exhibits increased resistance to Podosphaera fusca when compared to a plant that has not received a composition comprising MLGs.

[0080] Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide methods for obtaining plants that develop increased resistance to bacteria when treated with a composition comprising MLGs.

[0081] Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide methods for obtaining plants that develop increased resistance to bacterial leaf spot (Pseudomonas syringae) when treated with a composition comprising MLGs.

[0082] Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide methods for obtaining plants that develop increased resistance to plant viruses when compared to plants to which a composition comprising MLGs has not been applied.

[0083] Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide methods for obtaining plants that develop a reduced viral load when compared to plants to which a composition comprising MLGs has not been applied.

[0084] Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide methods for obtaining zucchini plants that develop increased resistance to Tomato Leaf Curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) compared to plants to which a composition comprising MLGs has not been applied.

[0085] In some embodiments, methods are provided for increasing the nutrient utilization efficiency of a plant and / or part thereof, comprising applying a composition comprising an effective amount of MLGs to a plant and / or part thereof and / or growth medium, thereby increasing the nutrient utilization efficiency of the plant and / or part thereof compared to a control plant and / or part thereof (e.g., a plant and / or part thereof to which the composition of the present invention has not been applied). In some embodiments, the method comprises applying the composition at least once (e.g., about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and / or 12 or more times, or any range or value therein). In some embodiments, the method comprises applying the composition at least twice (e.g., about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or more times, or any range or value therein).

[0086] In some embodiments, increased fruit production (e.g., about 5% to about 100% or more; e.g., about 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%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 100%, 101%, 102%, 103%, 104%, 105%, 106%, 107%, 108%, 109%, 110%, 111%, 112%, 113%, 114%, 115%, 116%, 117%, 118%, 119%, 12 In some embodiments, methods are provided for obtaining plants having an increase in chromosome size (e.g., 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%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 100%, 110%, 120%, 130%, 140%, 150% or more, or any range or value therein). Thus, in some embodiments, the methods of the present invention provide a method for improving plant growth by about 5% to about 10%, about 5% to about 15%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about 25%, about 5% to about 30%, about 5% to about 40%, about 5% to about 50%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10% to about 30%, about 10% to about 50%, 10% to about 70%, about 15% to about 20%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15% to about 50%, about 15% to about 60%, about 15% to about 70%, about 15% to about 80%, about 15% to about 90%, about 15% to about 100%, about 15% to about 20%, about 15% to about 25%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15% to about 40%, about 15% to about 50%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10% to about 30%, about 10% to about 50%, about 10% to about 70%, about 15% to about 20%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15% to about 25%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15% to about 40%, about 15% to about 50%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10 ...50%, about 10% to about 50%, about 10% to about 60%, about 15% to about 25%, about 15% to about 30%, about 1 In some embodiments, plants may be provided that produce increased fruit production of from about 100% to about 50%, from about 20% to about 30%, from about 20% to about 50%, from about 20% to about 70%, from about 40% to about 50%, from about 40% to about 60%, from about 40% to about 80%, from about 40% to about 100%, from about 50% to about 70%, from about 50% to about 100%, from about 50% to about 125%, from about 75% to about 100%, from about 75% to about 120%, from about 75% to about 140%, and any range or value therein.

[0087] In some embodiments, an increase in inflorescence production (e.g., from about 5% to about 100% or more; e.g., about 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%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 100%, 101%, 102%, 103%, 104%, 105%, 106%, 107%, 108%, 109%, 110%, 111%, 112%, 113%, 114%, 115%, 116%, 117%, 118%, 1 In some embodiments, methods are provided for obtaining plants having an increase in chromosome size (e.g., 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%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 100%, 110%, 120%, 130%, 140%, 150% or more, or any range or value therein). Thus, in some embodiments, the methods of the present invention provide a method for improving plant growth by about 5% to about 10%, about 5% to about 15%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about 25%, about 5% to about 30%, about 5% to about 40%, about 5% to about 50%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10% to about 30%, about 10% to about 50%, 10% to about 70%, about 15% to about 20%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15% to about 50%, about 15% to about 60%, about 15% to about 70%, about 15% to about 80%, about 15% to about 90%, about 15% to about 100%, about 15% to about 20%, about 15% to about 25%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15% to about 40%, about 15% to about 50%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10% to about 30%, about 10% to about 50%, about 10% to about 70%, about 15% to about 20%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15% to about 25%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15% to about 40%, about 15% to about 50%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10 ...50%, about 10% to about 50%, about 10% to about 60%, about 15% to about 25%, about 15% to about 30%, about 1 % to about 50%, about 20% to about 30%, about 20% to about 50%, about 20% to about 70%, about 40% to about 50%, about 40% to about 60%, about 40% to about 80%, about 40% to about 100%, about 50% to about 70%, about 50% to about 100%, about 50% to about 125%, about 75% to about 100%, about 75% to about 120%, about 75% to about 140%, and any range or value therein.

[0088] In some embodiments, an increase in fruit quality (e.g., about 5% to about 100% or more; e.g., about 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%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 100%, 101%, 102%, 103%, 104%, 105%, 106%, 107%, 108%, 109%, 110%, 111%, 112%, 113%, 114%, 115%, 116%, 117%, 118%, 119%, 1%, 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%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 100%, 110%, 120%, 130%, 140%, 150%, or more, or any range or value therein, is provided. Thus, in some embodiments, the methods of the present invention provide a method for improving plant growth by about 5% to about 10%, about 5% to about 15%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about 25%, about 5% to about 30%, about 5% to about 40%, about 5% to about 50%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10% to about 30%, about 10% to about 50%, 10% to about 70%, about 15% to about 20%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15% to about 50%, about 15% to about 60%, about 15% to about 70%, about 15% to about 80%, about 15% to about 90%, about 15% to about 100%, about 15% to about 20%, about 15% to about 25%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15% to about 40%, about 15% to about 50%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10% to about 30%, about 10% to about 50%, about 10% to about 70%, about 15% to about 20%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15% to about 25%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15% to about 40%, about 15% to about 50%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10 ...50%, about 10% to about 50%, about 10% to about 60%, about 15% to about 25%, about 15% to about 30%, about 1 % to about 50%, about 20% to about 30%, about 20% to about 50%, about 20% to about 70%, about 40% to about 50%, about 40% to about 60%, about 40% to about 80%, about 40% to about 100%, about 50% to about 70%, about 50% to about 100%, about 50% to about 125%, about 75% to about 100%, about 75% to about 120%, about 75% to about 140%, and any range or value therein.

[0089] Embodiments of the present invention may also provide an increase in defense / immune-related calcium production (e.g., from about 1 fold to about 100 fold or more; e.g., about 5 fold, 6 fold, 7 fold, 8 fold, 9 fold, 10 fold, 11 fold, 12 fold, 13 fold, 14 fold, 15 fold, 16 fold, 17 fold, 18 fold, 19 fold, 20 fold, 21 fold, 22 fold, 23 fold, 24 fold, 25 fold, 26 fold, 27 fold, 28 fold, 29 fold, 30 fold, 31 fold, 32 fold, 33 fold, 34 fold, 35 fold, 36 fold, 37 fold, 38 fold, 39 fold, 40 fold, 41 fold, 42 fold, 43 fold, 44 fold, 45 fold, 46 fold, 47 fold, 48 fold, 49 fold, 50 fold, 51 fold, 52 fold, Further provided are methods for obtaining a plant having a 53x, 54x, 55x, 56x, 57x, 58x, 59x, 60x, 61x, 62x, 63x, 64x, 65x, 66x, 67x, 68x, 69x, 70x, 71x, 72x, 73x, 74x, 75x, 76x, 77x, 78x, 79x, 80x, 81x, 82x, 83x, 84x, 85x, 86x, 87x, 88x, 89x, 90x, 91x, 92x, 93x, 94x, 95x, 96x, 97x, 98x, 99x, 100x, 110x, 120x, 130x, 140x, 150x or more, or any range or value therein. Thus, in some embodiments, the methods of the present invention provide a method for increasing the growth rate of plants by about 1 to about 5 times, about 1 to about 10 times, about 1 to about 20 times, about 5 to about 15 times, about 5 to about 20 times, about 5 to about 25 times, about 5 to about 30 times, about 5 to about 50 times, about 10 to about 20 times, about 10 to about 30 times, about 10 to about 50 times, about 10 to about 70 times, about 15 ... Plants can be provided that produce increased defense / immune related calcium production of about 20 fold, about 15% to about 50 fold, about 20 to about 30 fold, about 20 to about 50 fold, about 20 to about 70 fold, about 40 to about 50 fold, about 40 to about 80 fold, about 40 to about 100 fold, about 50 to about 70 fold, about 50 to about 100 fold, about 70 to about 100 fold, about 80 to about 100 fold, and any range or value therein.

[0090] an increase in the expression of defense / immunity-related genes (e.g., from about 1-fold to about 100-fold or more; e.g., about 5-fold, 6-fold, 7-fold, 8-fold, 9-fold, 10-fold, 11-fold, 12-fold, 13-fold, 14-fold, 15-fold, 16-fold, 17-fold, 18-fold, 19-fold, 20-fold, 21-fold, 22-fold, 23-fold, 24-fold, 25-fold, 26-fold, 27-fold, 28-fold, 29-fold, 30-fold, 31-fold, 32-fold, 33-fold, 34-fold, 35-fold, 36-fold, 37-fold, 38-fold, 39-fold, 40-fold, 41-fold, 42-fold, 43-fold, 44-fold, 45-fold, 46-fold, 47-fold, 48-fold, 49-fold, 50-fold, 51-fold, 52-fold, 53-fold, 54-fold, 55-fold, 56-fold, 57-fold, 58-fold, 59-fold, 60-fold, 61-fold, 62-fold, 63-fold, 64-fold, 65-fold, 66-fold, 67-fold, 68-fold, 69-fold, 70-fold, 71-fold, 72-fold, 73-fold, 74-fold, 75-fold, 76-fold, 77-fold, 78-fold, 79-fold, 80-fold, 81-fold, 82-fold, 83-fold, 50x, 55x, 56x, 57x, 58x, 59x, 60x, 61x, 62x, 63x, 64x, 65x, 66x, 67x, 68x, 69x, 70x, 71x, 72x, 73x, 74x, 75x, 76x, 77x, 78x, 79x, 80x, 81x, 82x, 83x, 84x, 85x, 86x, 87x, 88x, 89x, 90x, 91x, 92x, 93x, 94x, 95x, 96x, 97x, 98x, 99x, 100x, 110x, 120x, 130x, 140x, 150x, or more, or any range or value therein. Thus, in some embodiments, the methods of the present invention provide for an increase in plant growth rate of about 1 to about 5 fold, about 1 to about 10 fold, about 1 to about 20 fold, about 5 to about 15 fold, about 5 to about 20 fold, about 5 to about 25 fold, about 5 to about 30 fold, about 5 to about 50 fold, about 10 to about 20 fold, about 10 to about 30 fold, about 10 to about 50 fold, about 10 to about 70 fold, about 15 ...20 fold, about 10 to about 20 fold, about 10 to about 20 fold, about 10 to about 20 fold, about 10 to about 20 fold, about 10 to about 20 fold, about 10 to about In some embodiments, plants may be provided that exhibit an increase in expression of defense / immunity related genes of a factor of about 15 to about 20 fold, about 15 to about 50 fold, about 20 to about 30 fold, about 20 to about 50 fold, about 20 to about 70 fold, about 40 to about 50 fold, about 40 to about 80 fold, about 40 to about 100 fold, about 50 to about 70 fold, about 50 to about 100 fold, about 70 to about 100 fold, about 80 to about 100 fold, and any range or value therein.

[0091] In some embodiments, an increase in resistance to one or more fungal pathogens (e.g., from about 5% to about 100% or more; e.g., about 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%, In some embodiments, methods are provided for obtaining plants having an increase in chromosome size (e.g., 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%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 100%, 110%, 120%, 130%, 140%, 150% or more, or any range or value therein). Thus, in some embodiments, the methods of the present invention provide a method for improving plant growth by about 5% to about 10%, about 5% to about 15%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about 25%, about 5% to about 30%, about 5% to about 40%, about 5% to about 50%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10% to about 30%, about 10% to about 50%, 10% to about 70%, about 15% to about 20%, about 15% to about 30%, 15% to about 50%, or about 60% to about 70%, or about 80% to about 85%, or about 90% to about 95%, or about 10% to about 100%, or about 10% to about 150%, or about 15% to about 20%, or about 15% to about 30%, or about 15% to about 50%, or about 15% to about 25%, or about 10% to about 250%, or about 10% to about 300%, or about 10% to about 500%, or about 10% to about 70%, or about 15% to about 20%, or about 15% to about 30%, or about 15% to about 500%, or about 15% to about 500%, or about 15% to about 250%, or about 15% to about 3 ... Plants can be provided that result in increased resistance to one or more fungal pathogens of about 20% to about 30%, about 20% to about 50%, about 20% to about 70%, about 40% to about 50%, about 40% to about 60%, about 40% to about 80%, about 40% to about 100%, about 50% to about 70%, about 50% to about 100%, about 50% to about 125%, about 75% to about 100%, about 75% to about 120%, about 75% to about 140%, and any range or value therein.

[0092] In some embodiments, an increase in resistance to white mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) (e.g., from about 5% to about 100% or more; e.g., about 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%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 100%, 101%, 102%, 103%, 104%, 105%, 106%, 107%, 108%, 109%, 110%, 111%, 112%, 113%, 114%, 115%, 116%, %, 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%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 100%, 110%, 120%, 130%, 140%, 150%, or more, or any range or value increase therein). Thus, in some embodiments, the methods of the present invention provide a method for improving plant growth by about 5% to about 10%, about 5% to about 15%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about 25%, about 5% to about 30%, about 5% to about 40%, about 5% to about 50%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10% to about 30%, about 10% to about 50%, 10% to about 70%, about 15% to about 20%, about 15% to about 30%, 15% to about 40%, about 5% to about 50%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10% to about 30%, about 10% to about 50%, about 10% to about 70%, about 15% to about 20%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15% to about 40%, about 15% to about 50%, about 10% to about 20%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15% to about 40%, about 15% to about 50%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10 ... to about 50%, about 20% to about 30%, about 20% to about 50%, about 20% to about 70%, about 40% to about 50%, about 40% to about 60%, about 40% to about 80%, about 40% to about 100%, about 50% to about 70%, about 50% to about 100%, about 50% to about 125%, about 75% to about 100%, about 75% to about 120%, about 75% to about 140%, and any range or value therein.

[0093] In some embodiments, an increase in resistance to Podosphaera fusca (e.g., from about 5% to about 100% or more; e.g., about 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%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 100%, 101%, 102%, 103%, 104%, 105%, 106%, 107%, 108%, 109%, 110%, 111%, 112%, 113%, 114%, 115%, 116%, 117%, , 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%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 100%, 110%, 120%, 130%, 140%, 150% or more, or any range or value increase therein). Thus, in some embodiments, the methods of the present invention provide a method for improving plant growth by about 5% to about 10%, about 5% to about 15%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about 25%, about 5% to about 30%, about 5% to about 40%, about 5% to about 50%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10% to about 30%, about 10% to about 50%, 10% to about 70%, about 15% to about 20%, about 15% to about 30%, 15% to about 50%, or , about 20% to about 30%, about 20% to about 50%, about 20% to about 70%, about 40% to about 50%, about 40% to about 60%, about 40% to about 80%, about 40% to about 100%, about 50% to about 70%, about 50% to about 100%, about 50% to about 125%, about 75% to about 100%, about 75% to about 120%, about 75% to about 140%, and any range or value therein.

[0094] In some embodiments, when treated with a composition comprising MLGs, an increase in resistance to one or more pathogenic bacteria (e.g., from about 5% to about 100% or more; e.g., about 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%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 100%, 101%, 102%, 103%, 104%, 105%, 106%, 107%, 108%, 109%, 110%, 111%, 112%, 113%, 114%, 115%, 116 In some embodiments, methods are provided for obtaining plants having an increase in saturation energy (e.g., 3%, 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%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 100%, 110%, 120%, 130%, 140%, 150% or more, or any range or value therein). Thus, in some embodiments, the methods of the present invention provide a method for improving plant growth by about 5% to about 10%, about 5% to about 15%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about 25%, about 5% to about 30%, about 5% to about 40%, about 5% to about 50%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10% to about 30%, about 10% to about 50%, 10% to about 70%, about 15% to about 20%, about 15% to about 30%, 15% to about 50%, or about 60% to about 70%, or about 80% to about 85%, or about 90% to about 95%, or about 10% to about 100%, or about 10% to about 150%, or about 15% to about 20%, or about 15% to about 30%, or about 15% to about 50%, or about 15% to about 25%, or about 10% to about 250%, or about 10% to about 300%, or about 10% to about 500%, or about 10% to about 70%, or about 15% to about 20%, or about 15% to about 30%, or about 15% to about 500%, or about 15% to about 500%, or about 15% to about 250%, or about 15% to about 3 ... Plants can be provided that result in increased resistance to one or more pathogenic bacteria of about 20% to about 30%, about 20% to about 50%, about 20% to about 70%, about 40% to about 50%, about 40% to about 60%, about 40% to about 80%, about 40% to about 100%, about 50% to about 70%, about 50% to about 100%, about 50% to about 125%, about 75% to about 100%, about 75% to about 120%, about 75% to about 140%, and any range or value therein.

[0095] In some embodiments, when treated with a composition comprising MLGs, increased resistance to bacterial spot disease (Pseudomonas syringae) (e.g., from about 5% to about 100% or more; e.g., about 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%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 100%, 101%, 102%, 103%, 104%, 105%, 106%, 107%, 108%, 109%, 110%, 111%, 112%, 113%, 114%, 11 In some embodiments, methods are provided for obtaining plants having an increase in chromosome size (e.g., 2%, 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%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 100%, 110%, 120%, 130%, 140%, 150% or more, or any range or value therein). Thus, in some embodiments, the methods of the present invention provide a method for improving plant growth by about 5% to about 10%, about 5% to about 15%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about 25%, about 5% to about 30%, about 5% to about 40%, about 5% to about 50%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10% to about 30%, about 10% to about 50%, 10% to about 70%, about 15% to about 20%, about 15% to about 30%, 15% to about 40%, about 5% to about 50%, about 10% to about 20%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15% to about 50%, about 10% to about 70%, about 15% to about 20%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15% to about 40%, about 5% to about 50%, about 10 ... Plants can be provided that exhibit increased resistance to bacterial leaf spot of 50%, about 20% to about 30%, about 20% to about 50%, about 20% to about 70%, about 40% to about 50%, about 40% to about 60%, about 40% to about 80%, about 40% to about 100%, about 50% to about 70%, about 50% to about 100%, about 50% to about 125%, about 75% to about 100%, about 75% to about 120%, about 75% to about 140%, and any range or value therein.

[0096] In some embodiments, an increase in resistance to one or more plant pathogenic viruses (e.g., from about 5% to about 100% or more; e.g., about 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%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 100%, 101%, 102%, 103%, 104%, 105%, 106%, 107%, 108%, 109%, 110%, 111%, 112%, 113%, 114%, 115%, 116%, 117%, 11 %, 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%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 100%, 110%, 120%, 130%, 140%, 150% or more, or any range or value therein, are provided methods for obtaining plants having an increase in saturation, saturation, or saturation of a plant. Thus, in some embodiments, the methods of the present invention provide a method for improving plant growth by about 5% to about 10%, about 5% to about 15%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about 25%, about 5% to about 30%, about 5% to about 40%, about 5% to about 50%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10% to about 30%, about 10% to about 50%, 10% to about 70%, about 15% to about 20%, about 15% to about 30%, 15% to about 50%, about 20% to about 60%, about 30% to about 70%, about 40% to about 80%, about 40% to about 90%, about 50% to about 100%, about 50% to about 150%, about 50% to about 10 ... % to about 30%, about 20% to about 50%, about 20% to about 70%, about 40% to about 50%, about 40% to about 60%, about 40% to about 80%, about 40% to about 100%, about 50% to about 70%, about 50% to about 100%, about 50% to about 125%, about 75% to about 100%, about 75% to about 120%, or about 75% to about 140%, and any range or value therein, can be provided.

[0097] In some embodiments, a reduction in viral load (e.g., from about 5% to about 100% or more; e.g., about 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%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 100%, 101%, 102%, 103%, 104%, 105%, 106%, 107%, 108%, 109%, 110%, 111%, 112%, 113%, 114%, 115%, 116%, 117%, 118%, 119%, , 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%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%, or any range or value therein. Thus, in some embodiments, the methods of the present invention provide a method for improving plant growth by about 5% to about 10%, about 5% to about 15%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about 25%, about 5% to about 30%, about 5% to about 40%, about 5% to about 50%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10% to about 30%, about 10% to about 50%, 10% to about 70%, about 15% to about 20%, about 15% to about 30%, 15% to about 40%, about 5% to about 50%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10% to about 30%, about 10% to about 50%, about 10% to about 70%, about 15% to about 20%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15% to about 40%, about 15% to about 50%, about 10% to about 20%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15% to about 40%, about 15% to about 50%, about 10% to about 20%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15% to about 40%, about 15% to about 50%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10 ...0% to about 30%, about 15% to to about 50%, about 20% to about 30%, about 20% to about 50%, about 20% to about 70%, about 40% to about 50%, about 40% to about 60%, about 40% to about 80%, about 40% to about 100%, about 50% to about 70%, about 50% to about 100%, about 50% to about 125%, about 75% to about 100%, about 75% to about 120%, or about 75% to about 140%, and any range or value therein.

[0098] In some embodiments, the composition comprising MLGs may be applied to plants to which the composition comprises MLGs, and the composition may be applied to plants to which the composition comprises MLGs. In some embodiments, the composition comprises MLGs, and ... 1%, 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%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 100%, 110%, 120%, 130%, 140%, 150%, or more, or any range or value increase therein). Thus, in some embodiments, the methods of the present invention provide a method for increasing plant growth by about 5% to about 10%, about 5% to about 15%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about 25%, about 5% to about 30%, about 5% to about 40%, about 5% to about 50%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10% to about 30%, about 10% to about 50%, 10% to about 70%, about 15% to about 20%, about 15% to about 30%, 15% to about 50%, about 20% to about Plants can be provided that exhibit increased resistance to Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) of 30%, about 20% to about 50%, about 20% to about 70%, about 40% to about 50%, about 40% to about 60%, about 40% to about 80%, about 40% to about 100%, about 50% to about 70%, about 50% to about 100%, about 50% to about 125%, about 75% to about 100%, about 75% to about 120%, or about 75% to about 140%, and any range or value therein.

[0099] The present invention will now be described with reference to the following examples. It should be understood that these examples are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but rather are intended to be illustrative of certain embodiments. Any variations of the exemplary methods that occur to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the present invention. [Example]

[0100] [Example 1] MLG induces an increase in cytosolic calcium in Arabidopsis thaliana. Figure 1, panels a, b, and c, shows the growth of 8-day-old Arabidopsis Col-0 plants after treatment with mixed-linkage glucans (MLGs) purified from horsetail (Equisetum arvense) and Hordeum vulgare (barley) β-glucans. AEQ Cellular calcium flux measured as relative luminescence units (RLU) over time in seedlings. Figure 1, panel b: MLG purified from barley β-glucan. Figure 1, panel c: synthetic MLG. Data represent mean ± σ (n = 8). Figure 1, panel d: Structural scheme of the different MLG oligosaccharides used in the calcium assay.

[0101] The results shown in Figure 1, panels a, b, and c clearly show that MLG oligosaccharides obtained by enzymatic digestion of β-glucans from different plant sources (Equisetum arvense and Hordeum vulgare) and with a degree of polymerization (DP) between 3 and 5 were enriched in Ca 2+ As shown in Figure 1, panel c, MLG oligosaccharides with a DP higher than 5 (MLG DP>5) were also active in eliciting calcium influx. Differences in signal intensity were observed between similar MLG structures derived from different natural β-glucan sources and may be due to differences in purity between these sources. Differences in calcium signal intensity between MLGs of different DP may reflect differences in biological activity.

[0102] [Example 2] MLG43 induces gene expression changes in Arabidopsis Twelve-day-old Arabidopsis seedlings grown on liquid MS medium were treated with 50 μM MLG43 or mock water for 0 and 30 min. Total RNA was purified using the RNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen) according to the manufacturer's protocol.

[0103] For RNA-seq analysis, samples from three biological replicates for each treatment were selected and processed as previously described (Melida et al., 2018). Incubation with MLG43 regulated the expression of 2,062 genes, the majority of which (1,375) were upregulated, as shown in Table 1 (see end of Examples, pp. 37–83). MLG43-upregulated genes primarily fell into GO terms related to immune system processes and responses to different stimuli (including biotic and abiotic stimuli, as shown in Appendix Table 1).

[0104] [Example 3] Tomato plants treated with MLG43 exhibit higher fruit yield and quality Tomato plants variety Mayoral were sown in a greenhouse on December 15, 2018. MLG43 at 0.05 g / l (containing adjuvants surfactant 0.05%, antifoam, and biocide) was applied at three different rates by foliar spray, starting one week after transplanting, every three weeks for a total of six applications. Tomato fruits were harvested at six different time points in 2019. Total yield at each harvest time point was recorded. Fruit quality was evaluated at harvest points 2, 4, and 6. Data represent the mean + / - SD of four replicates distributed in random blocks with 40 plants / replicate ( ** p<0.05, * P<0.1).

[0105] As shown in Table 2, tomato plants treated with MLG43 showed a 9% increase in total fruit weight when compared to untreated plants. Fruit size and weight increased by 8% and 7%, respectively, in MLG43-treated tomato plants (Table 3).

[0106] JPEG0007780154000001.jpg55170

[0107] JPEG0007780154000002.jpg45170

[0108] [Example 4] Watermelon plants treated with MLG43 exhibit higher yield and fruit quality Watermelon plants of varieties Motril and Boston were sown in a greenhouse on December 19, 2018. Eight hundred control plants and eight hundred MLG43-treated plants were distributed in random blocks, for a total of 1,600 plants. MLG43-treated plants were sprayed with 0.05 g / l MLG43 (containing adjuvants, surfactant 0.05%, antifoam, and biocide) at 10 ml / plant / month four times, once per month from January to April 2019. Control plants were treated with water or mock (adjuvant only). Starting in April 2020, plants were harvested twice, and production data per harvest date was collected according to categories, with Category 1 (CAT1) representing the best quality and Category 2 (CAT2) representing lower quality. Data represent the mean + / - SD of four replicates distributed in random blocks, with 40 plants per replicate. ** p<0.05).

[0109] JPEG0007780154000003.jpg48170

[0110] As shown in Table 4 above, watermelon plants treated with MLG43 showed a 46.5% increase in total fruit production and a 62% increase in fruit quality when compared to untreated plants. Furthermore, only 5.2% of MLG43-treated plants in Category 2 compared to 14.4% of untreated plants.

[0111] [Example 5] Pepper plants treated with MLG43 result in increased fruit production and quality Capsicum plants varieties California, Guepard, and Ferrari were sown in a greenhouse on December 19, 2018. 256 control plants and 256 MLG43-treated plants were used, totaling 512 plants, distributed in random blocks. MLG43-treated plants were sprayed with 0.05 g / l MLG43 (containing adjuvants 0.05% surfactant, antifoam, and biocide) at 5 ml / plant / month for 5 sessions, once per month from January to April 2019. Data represent the mean + / - SD of 4 replicates distributed in random blocks, with 1 plant per replicate. * P<0.1).

[0112] JPEG0007780154000004.jpg52170

[0113] As shown in Table 5 above, pepper plants treated with MLG43 produced an increase in fruit production of between 22.5% and 33.7% compared to untreated plants.

[0114] JPEG0007780154000005.jpg43170

[0115] As shown in Table 6 above, pepper plants treated with MLG43 produced an increase in average fruit weight of between 3.48% and 14% compared to untreated plants.

[0116] [Example 6] Pepper plants treated with MLG43 develop increased resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Capsicum annuum plants (variety Ferrari) were sown on November 26, 2018, and grown in a greenhouse. Two days before inoculation with a 5 ml / plant foliar spray of a 250 cfu / ml suspension of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, 0.125 g / L MLG43 (containing adjuvants 0.05% surfactant, antifoam, and biocide) was applied to 5-week-old plants as a 2 ml / plant foliar spray. Plants were maintained at 100% relative humidity for 10 days, after which humidity was reduced to 80% for the remainder of the experiment. Disease symptoms were determined according to a Disease Severity Index score (0 corresponding to no symptoms and 4 corresponding to dead leaves) at 5 and 9 days post-inoculation (dpi). Data represent the mean + / - SD of four replicates distributed in random blocks of six plants per replicate (p<0.05). Different letters indicate statistically significant differences by Student's t-test (p<0.05).

[0117] JPEG0007780154000006.jpg37170

[0118] As shown in Table 7 above, the disease index in MLG43-treated pepper plants was significantly lower than in untreated pepper plants at 9 dpi.

[0119] [Example 7] Tomato plants treated with MLG43 develop increased resistance to Pseudomonas syringae Tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum var. Moneymaker) were sown on November 15, 2018, and grown in a greenhouse. Three-week-old tomato plants were sprayed with 2 ml of a 0.125 g / l MLG43 solution (containing adjuvants: 0.05% surfactant, antifoam, and biocide) or mock treatment (0.05% surfactant, antifoam, and biocide). Pseudomonas syringae DC3000 (10 8cfu / ml) infection was performed 48 hours after treatment with MLG43 solution or mock. Tomato leaf discs were collected at 0 and 11 days post-inoculation (dpi) to determine colony forming units (cfu) per leaf area. Data represent mean ± σ (n=8). Statistical significance ( ** p<0.01).

[0120] As shown in Figure 2, the apparent log cfu / cm in tomato MLG43-pretreated plants compared to mock plants. 2 Decreased (1.02).

[0121] [Example 8] Cucumber plants treated with MLG43 develop increased resistance to Podosphaera fusca Cucumber plants were seeded and distributed randomly in blocks of nine plants with seven replicates (63 plants per treatment) and grown in a standard greenhouse between March and September 2019. Two days before inoculation with Podosphaera fusca, they were sprayed with 1 g / L MLG43 (containing adjuvants: 0.05% surfactant, antifoam, and biocide) at 1 g / ha, 5 g / ha, 10 g / ha, 50 g / ha, 100 g / ha, and 200 g / ha. Plants were then evaluated 6, 9, and 14 days postinoculation (dpi) according to a disease severity index score (0 corresponds to no symptoms, 5 corresponds to dead plants). The area under the disease progression curve (AUDPC) was used as a quantitative summary of disease intensity over time, and protection efficacy was calculated. Different letters indicate statistically significant differences by Student's t-test (p<0.05).

[0122] JPEG0007780154000007.jpg60170

[0123] As shown in Table 8 above, the AUDPC and efficacy in cucumber plants treated with six different rates of MLG43 were significantly lower than in untreated cucumber plants inoculated with Podosphaera fusca. The difference was dose-dependent, with the highest rate providing the statistically highest level of protection against pathogen disease. The EC50 value (the rate inducing half-maximal resistance) was 50 g / ha.

[0124] [Example 9] Zucchini plants treated with MLG43 develop increased resistance to Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV). Natural ToLCNDV infection occurred in zucchini plants, var. Victoria and var. Cronos, grown under standard greenhouse conditions by experimental farm workers in Almería, Spain. A total of 2,200 (var. Victoria) and 4,300 (var. Cronos) plants served as untreated controls, while 4,400 (var. Victoria) and 2,190 (var. Cronos) plants were sprayed with 0.05 g / L MLG43 (containing adjuvants 0.05% surfactant, antifoam, and biocide) every two weeks in combination with two doses of abamectin and alternating with either imidacloprid or spinosad every two weeks. Mangozeb was also added twice as a combination. Control plants were treated with abamectin, imidacloprid, spinosad, or mancozeb alone. To detect viral load, completely randomized blocks of 10 plants with 18 replicates (180 plants for each control and MLG43 treatment) were designed, and two young leaves per plant were harvested and used for tissue print hybridization with virus-specific digoxigenin-labeled probes on positively charged nylon membranes. The digoxigenin-labeled probe was obtained by PCR amplification of the partial AV1 gene from ToLCNDV DNA-A using the primer pair ToNDA-580F: 5'-TCACACATCGCGTAGGCAAG-3' (SEQ ID NO: 1) and ToNDA-935R: 5'-TGCCGGCCTCTTGTTGATTG-3' (SEQ ID NO: 2) using PCR DIG Labeling Mix (Roche Diagnostics, Switzerland) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Immunodetection was performed using alkaline phosphatase-conjugated anti-digoxigenin antibody (Roche Diagnostics, Switzerland) and chemiluminescence with CSPD (Roche Diagnostics, Switzerland) as substrate, according to the manufacturer's instructions, after different times of exposure to Lumifilm (Amersham Bioscience, UK) for 15 minutes to overnight.The viral disease index was calculated as the number of TolCNDV-positive plants / total number of 180 plants sampled.

[0125] JPEG0007780154000008.jpg48170

[0126] As shown in Table 9 above, plants treated with MLG43 had a lower infection index with Tomato Leaf Curl New Delhi Virus (ToLCNDV). Table 10 below shows the total zucchini fruit production per plant for treated and untreated plants. Treated plants were sprayed with 0.05 g / l MLG43 every three weeks.

[0127] Column 1 indicates the location, column 2 indicates the group, column 3 indicates the average yield for each plant in kilograms, column 4 indicates the number of plants for each group, column 5 indicates the percentage increase relative to the control value, and column 6 indicates the P-value corresponding to the statistical T2 analysis of the daily yield per plant data and treatment. A P-value lower than 0.05 indicates a significant difference between the control and treated plants (α=0.05). Plants were grown in conventional production greenhouses in Almería, Murcia, and Granada, Spain. Percentages relative to the control value are shown for the harvest date of each year.

[0128] JPEG0007780154000009.jpg57170

[0129] As shown in Table 10 above, plants treated with MLG43 showed an increase in fruit production of between 4.9% and 38.3% compared to untreated plants.

[0130] [Example 10] Pepper plants treated with MLG43 develop increased resistance to Botrytis cinerea Five-week-old pepper plants (Capsicum annuum, Murano) were pretreated with MLG43 as a foliar spray application (0.25 mg / plant) two days before inoculation with the fungus Botrytis cinerea. Control plants were mock-treated. Two days after treatment, control and MLG43-treated plants were transferred to a 75% humidity greenhouse chamber and inoculated by spray with 3 ml of Gamborg B5 medium containing B. cinerea conidia. Disease symptoms were determined on all leaves of each plant (n = 12) at 5 and 9 dpi using a scale of 0 to 4 (0 = no symptoms; 1 = 9 small necrotic spots (<10% of leaf area); 2 = 2 or more significant necrotic spots (10-25% of leaf area); 3 = large necrotic area (25-50% of leaf area); 4 = more than 50% diseased leaf area; 5 = leaf senescence). MLG43-treated pepper plants showed a reduced disease symptom index compared to mock-treated plants; the reduction was significant (p < 0.05) for Botrytis cinerea infection at both 5 and 9 dpi (days post-inoculation). The results are shown in Figure 3 ( ** p<0.05).

[0131] In a further study, chili pepper plants were treated with 0.125 mg / ml of MLG43. In this study, chili pepper plants (Quercus capsicum, Murano) were grown in a greenhouse in soil-vermiculite (3:1) at 21-19°C under a 14-hour light / 10-hour dark cycle. Five-week-old plants were either mock-treated (control) or treated with 2 ml of MLG43 solution (0.125 mg / ml). Two days after treatment, the plants were transferred to a 75% humidity greenhouse chamber and incubated for 10 days. 6Plants were spray-inoculated with 3 ml of Gamborg B5 medium containing Botrytis cinerea conidia (Benito et al., 1998). Disease symptoms were determined on all leaves of each plant (n = 12) at 5 and 9 dpi using a scale of 0 to 5 (0 = no symptoms; 1 = small necrotic spots (<10% of leaf area); 2 = two or more significant necrotic spots (10-25% of leaf area); 3 = large necrotic area (25-50% of leaf area); 4 = more than 50% diseased leaf area; 5 = leaf senescence). The disease symptom index caused by Botrytis cinerea on pepper plant leaves at 5 and 9 days post-inoculation (dpi) is shown in Figure 4. Data represent the mean ± SE (n = 12). Statistical significance ( * p<0.05; ** p<0.01) was observed. These results indicate that treatment of pepper plants with MLG43 at 0.125 mg / ml confers enhanced disease resistance to Botrytis cinerea. The results are graphically displayed in Figure 4.

[0132] [Example 11] MLG43 confers enhanced disease resistance to oomycetes. Treatment of Arabidopsis thaliana (Col-0 ecotype) with MLG43 confers enhanced disease resistance to the oomycete Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis (Noco2 isolate). In this example, Arabidopsis thaliana (Col-0 ecotype) plants were grown in a soil-vermiculite (3:1) mixture at 21-20°C and 75% humidity under short-day conditions (10 hours light / 14 hours dark). Two-week-old plants were either untreated (mock control) or treated by foliar spray with 0.1 ml of MLG43 solution per pot at either 0.1 mg / ml or 0.5 mg / ml. Two days after treatment, the plants were inoculated with 0.1 ml of a conidial suspension (4 x 10 4Plants were spray-inoculated with 100 conidia (1000 conidia / ml). The presence of H. arabidopsidis on the plants was quantified as the abundance of conidia / mg fresh plant weight by taking the inoculated plants into water, shaking them, and counting the conidia using a Neubauer chamber 7 days after inoculation. The number of H. arabidopsidis conidia per mg fresh plant weight determined 7 days after inoculation indicated increased disease resistance in MLG43-treated plants. Statistical significance (Student's t-test) was determined. * p<0.05; ** p<0.01) was measured in MLG43-treated plants compared to mock-treated control plants. The results are shown in Figure 5.

[0133] [Example 12] Wheat plants treated with MLG43 exhibit enhanced disease resistance to Zymoseptoria tritici Seeds from wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cv. Chinese Spring were sown on a peat substrate and grown in a greenhouse at 17°C (day) and 15°C (night), with a 16-h photoperiod and 60% humidity. For all infection experiments, 2 × 3 pot arrays (7 × 7 cm and 200 ml each) containing two seedlings per unit were used.

[0134] Zymoceptoria tritici inoculum (Swiss strain ST99CH_3D7) (described by Zhan et al., Molecular Ecology, 14:2683-2693 (2005)) was prepared as follows: 3D7 was inoculated onto YPD (yeast extract 10 g / L, peptone 10 g / L, dextrose 20 g / L, agar 15 g / L) plates. After 4 days of incubation at 18°C, spores were collected in sterile deionized water and stored on ice until infection. The concentration of the spore suspension was determined using a Neubauer counting chamber and 2.5 × 10 spores were used for inoculation at 0.1% (v / v). 6spores ml -1 was adjusted to.

[0135] Wheat plants were either mock-treated (control) or sprayed with 12 ml of MLG43 at either 0.25 mg / ml or 0.75 mg / ml. 24 hours later, the plants were spray-inoculated with 12 ml of a fungal spore suspension. The pot arrays were placed in sealed bags to maintain 100% humidity for 2 days after inoculation. For symptom quantification, second leaves were mounted on paper sheets, scanned with a flatbed scanner (CanoScan LiDE 400), and analyzed using automated image analysis (Stewart et al., Molecular Plant Pathology, 19:201-216 (2016)). Data analysis and plotting were performed using RStudio v.1.0.143. Confidence intervals for medians were determined using the "boot" package within RStudio, and Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) tests for statistical significance were performed using the "matching" package. A statistically significant difference in disease resistance was observed in MLG43 treated compared to mock treated plants by Kolmogorov-Smirnov (p value < 0.1), the results of which are shown in Figure 6.

[0136] JPEG0007780154000010.jpg245170 JPEG0007780154000011.jpg251170 JPEG0007780154000012.jpg251170 JPEG0007780154000013.jpg251170 JPEG0007780154000014.jpg251170 JPEG0007780154000015.jpg252170 JPEG0007780154000016.jpg251170 JPEG0007780154000017.jpg251170 JPEG0007780154000018.jpg251170 JPEG0007780154000019.jpg251170 JPEG0007780154000020.jpg251170 JPEG0007780154000021.jpg253170 JPEG0007780154000022.jpg255170 JPEG0007780154000023.jpg255170 JPEG0007780154000024.jpg251170 JPEG0007780154000025.jpg255170 JPEG0007780154000026.jpg251170 JPEG0007780154000027.jpg251170 JPEG0007780154000028.jpg251170 JPEG0007780154000029.jpg252170 JPEG0007780154000030.jpg254170 JPEG0007780154000031.jpg251170 JPEG0007780154000032.jpg251170 JPEG0007780154000033.jpg251170 JPEG0007780154000034.jpg255170 JPEG0007780154000035.jpg250170 JPEG0007780154000036.jpg252170 JPEG0007780154000037.jpg251170 JPEG0007780154000038.jpg251170 JPEG0007780154000039.jpg252170 JPEG0007780154000040.jpg254170 JPEG0007780154000041.jpg251170 JPEG0007780154000042.jpg252170 JPEG0007780154000043.jpg250170 JPEG0007780154000044.jpg254170 JPEG0007780154000045.jpg251170 JPEG0007780154000046.jpg251170 JPEG0007780154000047.jpg252170 JPEG0007780154000048.jpg252170 JPEG0007780154000049.jpg255170 JPEG0007780154000050.jpg55170

[0137] The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention, and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. The present invention is defined by the following claims, including equivalents of the claims to which such claims may be directed. The scope of the claims at the time of filing is as follows: [Claim 1] A composition for increasing the growth characteristics of a plant or part thereof, increasing the nutrient utilization efficiency of a plant or part thereof, and / or increasing the abiotic and / or biotic stress tolerance of a plant or part thereof, the composition comprising an effective amount / ratio of mixed linkage β-1,3 / β-1,4 glucans (MLGs). [Claim 2] 10. The composition of claim 1, further comprising a surfactant, a wetting agent, an adjuvant, an antioxidant, a preservative, a plant macronutrient, a plant micronutrient, a plant growth regulator, a plant biostimulant, an insecticide, a fungicide, an antiviral, an antibacterial, a herbicide, or any combination thereof. [Claim 3] 4. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 3, in the form of an aqueous solution, a non-aqueous solution, a suspension, a gel, a foam, a paste, a powder, a dust, a solid, and / or an emulsion. [Claim 4] 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the mixed linkage β-1,3 / β-1,4 glucans (MLGs) comprise a degree of polymerization of 2 to more than 100, preferably 3 to 8. [Claim 5] 5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the mixed linkage β-1,3 / β-1,4 glucans (MLGs) are present in the composition in an amount of from about 0.1 mg / L to more than 100 g / L of the composition, preferably from 0.5 mg / L to 5 g / L. [Claim 6] A method for increasing the growth characteristics of a plant or part thereof, comprising applying an effective amount / ratio of a composition comprising mixed linkage β-1,3 / β-1,4 glucans (MLGs) to the plant or plant part thereof, or to the soil, hydroponic solution, or growth medium in which the target plant is growing. [Claim 7] A method for increasing the nutrient utilization efficiency of a plant or part thereof, comprising applying to the plant or part thereof, or to the soil, hydroponic solution, or growth medium in which the target plant is growing, a composition comprising an effective amount / ratio of mixed-linkage β-1,3 / β-1,4 glucans (MLGs). [Claim 8] 8. The method of claim 6 or 7, wherein applying comprises contacting the plant with the composition at least two times. [Claim 9] 9. The method of any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the composition further comprises a surfactant, a wetting agent, an adjuvant, an antioxidant, a preservative, a plant macronutrient, a plant micronutrient, a plant growth regulator, a plant biostimulant, an insecticide, a fungicide, an antiviral agent, an antibacterial agent, a herbicide, or any combination thereof. [Claim 10] 10. The method of any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the mixed linkage β-1,3 / β-1,4 glucans (MLGs) are present in the composition in an amount of from about 0.1 mg / L to more than 100 g / L of the composition, preferably from 0.5 mg / L to 5 g / L. [Claim 11] 11. The method of any one of claims 6 or 8 to 10, wherein the increased growth characteristic is increased fruit production, increased inflorescence production, increased fruit quality, and / or increased biomass compared to a control plant or part of the plant. [Claim 12] 12. The method of any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the plant is a monocotyledonous or dicotyledonous plant. [Claim 13] 13. The method of any one of claims 6 to 12, wherein the plant part is a seed. [Claim 14] A method for increasing disease resistance / disease tolerance of a plant or part thereof, comprising applying an effective amount / ratio of a composition comprising mixed linkage β-1,3 / β-1,4 glucans (MLGs) to the plant or plant part thereof, or to the soil, hydroponic solution, or growth medium in which the target plant is growing. [Claim 15] A method for increasing the abiotic stress tolerance of a plant or part thereof, comprising applying an effective amount / ratio of a composition comprising mixed linkage β-1,3 / β-1,4 glucans (MLGs) to the plant or part thereof, or to the soil, hydroponic solution, or growth medium in which the target plant is growing. [Claim 16] 16. The method of claim 14 or 15, wherein applying comprises contacting the plant with the composition at least two times. [Claim 17] 17. The method of any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the composition further comprises a surfactant, a wetting agent, an adjuvant, an antioxidant, a stabilizer, a plant macronutrient, a plant micronutrient, a plant growth regulator, a plant biostimulant, an insecticide, a fungicide, an antiviral agent, an antibacterial agent, a herbicide, or any combination thereof. [Claim 18] 10. The method of any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the mixed linkage β-1,3 / β-1,4 glucans (MLGs) are present in the composition in an amount of from about 0.1 mg / L to more than 100 g / L of the composition, preferably from 0.5 mg / L to 5 g / L. [Claim 19] 19. The method of any one of claims 14 or 16 to 18, wherein the disease to which the plant or part thereof has increased resistance is a fungal disease, a bacterial disease, an insect disease, and / or a viral disease. [Claim 20] 19. The method of any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the abiotic stress is due to salinity, drought, flooding, freezing, low temperature, and / or high temperature. [Claim 21] 21. The method of any one of claims 14 to 20, wherein the plant is a monocotyledonous or dicotyledonous plant.

Claims

1. 1. A composition for increasing the growth characteristics of a plant or part thereof, increasing the nutrient utilization efficiency of a plant or part thereof, and / or increasing the abiotic and / or biotic stress tolerance of a plant or part thereof, the composition comprising an effective amount / ratio of mixed linkage β-1,3 / β-1,4 glucans (MLGs).

2. 10. The composition of claim 1, further comprising a surfactant, a wetting agent, an adjuvant, an antioxidant, a preservative, a plant macronutrient, a plant micronutrient, a plant growth regulator, a plant biostimulant, an insecticide, a fungicide, an antiviral agent, an antibacterial agent, a herbicide, or any combination thereof.

3. 3. The composition of claim 1, in the form of an aqueous solution, a non-aqueous solution, a suspension, a gel, a foam, a paste, a powder, a dust, a solid, and / or an emulsion.

4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the mixed linkage β-1,3 / β-1,4 glucans (MLGs) comprise a degree of polymerization of from 2 to 100, preferably from 3 to 8.

5. 5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the mixed linkage β-1,3 / β-1,4 glucans (MLGs) are present in the composition in an amount of from about 0.1 mg / L to 100 g / L of the composition, preferably from 0.5 mg / L to 5 g / L.

6. A method for increasing the growth characteristics or nutrient utilization efficiency of a plant or part thereof, comprising applying an effective amount / ratio of a composition comprising mixed linkage β-1,3 / β-1,4 glucans (MLGs) to the plant or plant part thereof, or to the soil, hydroponic solution, or growth medium in which the target plant is growing.

7. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein applying comprises contacting the plant with the composition at least twice.

8. 8. The method of claim 6 or 7, wherein the composition further comprises a surfactant, a wetting agent, an adjuvant, an antioxidant, a preservative, a plant macronutrient, a plant micronutrient, a plant growth regulator, a plant biostimulant, an insecticide, a fungicide, an antiviral agent, an antibacterial agent, a herbicide, or any combination thereof.

9. 9. The method of any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the mixed linkage β-1,3 / β-1,4 glucans (MLGs) are present in the composition in an amount of from about 0.1 mg / L to 100 g / L of the composition, preferably from 0.5 mg / L to 5 g / L.

10. 10. The method of any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the increased growth characteristic is increased fruit production, increased inflorescence production, increased fruit quality, and / or increased biomass compared to a control plant or part of that plant.

11. 11. The method of any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the plant is a monocotyledonous or dicotyledonous plant.

12. 12. The method of any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the plant part is a seed.

13. A method for increasing disease resistance / resistance or abiotic stress tolerance of a plant or part thereof, comprising applying an effective amount / ratio of a composition comprising mixed linkage β-1,3 / β-1,4 glucans (MLGs) to the plant or plant part thereof, or to the soil, hydroponic solution, or growth medium in which the target plant is growing.

14. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein applying comprises contacting the plant with the composition at least two times.

15. 15. The method of claim 13 or 14, wherein the composition further comprises a surfactant, a wetting agent, an adjuvant, an antioxidant, a stabilizer, a plant macronutrient, a plant micronutrient, a plant growth regulator, a plant biostimulant, an insecticide, a fungicide, an antiviral agent, an antibacterial agent, a herbicide, or any combination thereof.

16. 16. The method of any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the mixed linkage β-1,3 / β-1,4 glucans (MLGs) are present in the composition in an amount of from about 0.1 mg / L to 100 g / L of the composition, preferably from 0.5 mg / L to 5 g / L.

17. 17. The method of any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the disease to which the plant or part thereof has increased resistance is a fungal disease, a bacterial disease, an insect disease, and / or a viral disease.

18. 17. The method of any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the abiotic stress is due to salinity, drought, flooding, freezing, low temperature, and / or high temperature.

19. 19. The method of any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the plant is a monocotyledonous or dicotyledonous plant.

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