Methods for affecting plant pests and pathogens

Abstract

Methods for reducing the impacts of pests and / or pathogens on treated plants, which in turn provides many beneficial agricultural, environmental, and economic outcomes. The present invention includes methods of treating plants with compositions that include pest and / or pathogen-affecting microorganisms.

Description

Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 1 of 125 METHODS FOR AFFECTING PLANT PESTS AND PATHOGENS REFERENCE TO PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims benefit of PCT Application No. PCT / US24 / 31017, filed May 24, 2024; which claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No.63 / 606,485, filed December 5, 2023, and U.S. Patent Application No.63 / 561,055, filed March 4, 2024; U.S. Patent Application No.63 / 606,003, filed December 4, 2023; U.S. Patent Application No.63 / 624,133, filed January 23, 2024; U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 651,168, filed May 23, 2024; U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 694,457, filed September 13, 2024; U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 716,491, filed November 5, 2024; and U.S. Patent Application No.63 / 716,398, filed on November 5, 2024, the contents of each are specifically incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. SEQUENCE LISTING STATEMENT

[0002] The instant application contains a sequence listing, which has been submitted in XML file format by electronic submission and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The XML file, created on May 16, 2024, is named P14472WO00.xml and is 251,036 bytes in size. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Plants have developed a variety of defense mechanisms to ward off attacks by various organisms including fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes and insects. Defense mechanisms include structural barriers, production of chemicals that are toxic to invading organisms, production of chemicals that attract natural enemies of the target pest or pathogen, and a hypersensitive response characterized by rapid cell death at the point of infection. Despite these natural protection mechanisms, crop losses due to damage by plant pathogens and pests occur annually at a significant cost to the global economy. New methods are needed to reduce the impacts of pest and pathogen attacks on plants. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention provides, inter alia, methods for reducing white fly damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting a plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042. Also provided are such methods wherein the plant or plant part is a member of the Solanaceae family. Also provided are such methods wherein the plant or plant part is a tomato (Solanum).Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 2 of 125

[0005] The present invention also provides methods for mitigating white fly damage in a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of white fly larvae and / or white fly adults to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating white fly damage in the treated plant.

[0006] Also provided are such methods wherein white fly damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of white fly larvae and / or white fly adults. Also provided are such methods wherein the treated plant is a tomato plant.

[0007] The present invention also provides methods for reducing mite damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting a plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042. Also provided are such methods wherein the plant or plant part is a member of the Rosaceae family. Also provided are such methods wherein the plant or plant part is a strawberry (Fragaria).

[0008] The present invention also provides methods for mitigating mite damage in a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with an agriculture composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of mites to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating mite damage in the treated plant.

[0009] Also provided are such methods wherein the mite damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of mites. Also provided are such methods wherein the treated plant is a strawberry plant.

[0010] The present invention also provides methods for reducing burrower bugs damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting a plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042. Also provided are such methods wherein the plant or plant part is a member of the Fabaceae family. Also provided are such methods wherein the plant or plant part is a peanut (Arachis).Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 3 of 125

[0011] The present invention also provides methods for mitigating burrower bugs damage in a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of burrower bugs to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating burrower bugs damage in the treated plant.

[0012] Also provided are such methods wherein the burrower bugs damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of burrower bugs. Also provided are such methods wherein the treated plant is a peanut plant.

[0013] The present invention also provides methods of reducing aphids damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042. Also provided are such methods wherein the plant or plant part is selected from the group consisting of: cotton; peppers; soy; and tomato.

[0014] The present invention also provides methods of mitigating aphids damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of aphids to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating aphids damage in the treated plant.

[0015] Also provided are such methods wherein aphids damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of aphids. Also provided are such methods wherein the treated plant is selected from the group consisting of: cotton; peppers; soy; and tomato.

[0016] The present invention also provides methods of reducing cucumber beetles damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042. Also provided are such methods, wherein the plant or plant part is melon.

[0017] The present invention also provides methods of mitigating cucumber beetles damage to a plant, comprising:Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 4 of 125 a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of cucumber beetles to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating cucumber beetles damage in the treated plant.

[0018] Also provided are such methods wherein cucumber beetles damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of cucumber beetles. Also provided are such methods wherein the treated plant is melon.

[0019] The present invention also provides methods of reducing fall army worms damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042. Also provided are such methods wherein the plant or plant part is selected from the group consisting of: cotton; soy; and rice.

[0020] The present invention also provides methods of mitigating fall army worms damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of fall army worms to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating fall army worms damage in the treated plant.

[0021] Also provided are such methods wherein fall army worms damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of fall army worms. Also provided are such methods wherein the treated plant is selected from the group consisting of: cotton; soy; and rice.

[0022] The present invention also provides methods of reducing flea beetles damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042. Also provided are such methods wherein the plant or plant part is selected from the group consisting of: Brassicas; and tomato.

[0023] The present invention also provides methods of mitigating flea beetles damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; andAgent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 5 of 125 b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of flea beetles to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating flea beetles damage in the treated plant.

[0024] Also provided are such methods wherein flea beetles damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of flea beetles. Also provided are such methods wherein the treated plant is selected from the group consisting of: Brassicas; and tomato.

[0025] The present invention also provides methods of reducing lepidopterans damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042. Also provided are such methods wherein the plant or plant part is selected from the group consisting of: corn; peppers; and snap bean.

[0026] The present invention also provides methods of mitigating lepidopterans damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of lepidopterans to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating lepidopterans damage in the treated plant.

[0027] Also provided are such methods, wherein lepidopterans damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of lepidopterans. Also provided are such methods wherein the treated plant is selected from the group consisting of: corn; peppers; and snap bean.

[0028] The present invention also provides methods of reducing Mexican bean beetle damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042. Also provided are such methods wherein the plant or plant part is snap bean.

[0029] The present invention also provides methods of mitigating Mexican bean beetle damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; andAgent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 6 of 125 b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of Mexican bean beetle to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating Mexican bean beetle damage in the treated plant.

[0030] Also provided are such methods wherein Mexican bean beetle damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of Mexican bean beetle. Also provided are such methods, wherein the treated plant is snap bean.

[0031] The present invention also provides methods of reducing nematode damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042. Also provided are such methods wherein the plant or plant part is selected from the group consisting of: cotton; peanut; and tomato.

[0032] The present invention also provides methods of mitigating nematode damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of nematode to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating nematode damage in the treated plant.

[0033] Also provided are such methods wherein nematode damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of nematode. Also provided are such methods wherein the treated plant is selected from the group consisting of: cotton; peanut; and tomato. Also provided are such methods herein, wherein the nematode is root knot nematode.

[0034] The present invention also provides methods of reducing insect and / or nematode damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042 and one or more strains from Table 1A and / or Table 1B. Also provided are such methods, wherein the plant or plant part is selected from Tables 8A through Tables 8AAL.

[0035] The present invention also provides methods of mitigating insect and / or nematode damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042 and one or more strains from Table 1A and / or Table 1B; andAgent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 7 of 125 b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of insects and / or nematodes to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating insect and / or nematode damage in the treated plant.

[0036] Also provided are such methods, wherein insect and / or nematode damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of insects and / or nematodes. Also provided are such methods, wherein the treated plant is Tables 8A through Tables 8AAL.

[0037] The present invention also provides methods of reducing potato leafhopper damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042. Also provided are such methods, wherein the plant or plant part is potato.

[0038] The present invention also provides methods of mitigating potato leafhopper damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of potato leafhopper to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating potato leafhopper damage in the treated plant.

[0039] Also provided are such methods, wherein potato leafhopper damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of potato leafhopper. Also provided are such methods, wherein the treated plant is potato.

[0040] The present invention also provides methods of reducing southern corn rootworm damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042. Also provided are such methods, wherein the plant or plant part is peanut.

[0041] The present invention also provides methods of mitigating southern corn rootworm damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of southern corn rootworm to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating southern corn rootworm damage in the treated plant.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 8 of 125

[0042] Also provided are such methods, wherein southern corn rootworm damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of southern corn rootworm. Also provided are such methods, wherein the treated plant is peanut.

[0043] The present invention also provides methods of reducing soybean looper damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042. Also provided are such methods, wherein the plant or plant part is soy.

[0044] The present invention also provides methods of mitigating southern soybean looper damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of soybean looper to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating soybean looper damage in the treated plant.

[0045] Also provided are such methods, wherein soybean looper damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of soybean looper. Also provided are such methods, wherein the treated plant is soy.

[0046] The present invention also provides methods of reducing squash bugs damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042. Also provided are such methods, wherein the plant or plant part is selected from the group consisting of: melon; and zucchini.

[0047] The present invention also provides methods of mitigating squash bugs damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of squash bugs to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating squash bugs damage in the treated plant.

[0048] Also provided are such methods, wherein squash bugs damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of squash bugs. Also provided are such methods, wherein the treated plant is selected from the group consisting of: melon; and zucchini.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 9 of 125

[0049] The present invention also provides methods of reducing stinkbugs damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042. Also provided are such methods, wherein the plant or plant part is selected from the group consisting of: corn; soy; and tomato.

[0050] The present invention also provides methods of mitigating stinkbugs damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of stinkbugs to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating stinkbugs damage in the treated plant.

[0051] Also provided are such methods, wherein stinkbugs damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of stinkbugs. Also provided are such methods, wherein the treated plant is selected from the group consisting of: corn; soy; and tomato.

[0052] The present invention also provides methods of reducing thrips damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042. Also provided are such methods, wherein the plant or plant part is selected from the group consisting of: peanut; and peppers.

[0053] The present invention also provides methods of mitigating thrips damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of thrips to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating thrips damage in the treated plant.

[0054] Also provided are such methods, wherein thrips damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of thrips. Also provided are such methods, wherein the treated plant is selected from the group consisting of: peanut; and peppers.

[0055] The present invention also provides methods of reducing tobacco hornworm damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042. Also provided are such methods, wherein the plant or plant part is tomato.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 10 of 125

[0056] The present invention also provides methods of mitigating tobacco hornworm damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of tobacco hornworm to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating tobacco hornworm damage in the treated plant.

[0057] Also provided are such methods, wherein tobacco hornworm damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of tobacco hornworm. Also provided are such methods, wherein the treated plant is tomato.

[0058] The present invention also provides methods of reducing water weevil damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042. Also provided are such methods, wherein the plant or plant part is rice.

[0059] The present invention also provides methods of mitigating water weevil damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of water weevil to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating water weevil damage in the treated plant.

[0060] Also provided are such methods, wherein water weevil damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of water weevil. Also provided are such methods, wherein the treated plant is rice.

[0061] The present invention also provides methods of reducing western flower thrips damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042. Also provided are such methods, wherein the plant or plant part is selected from the group consisting of: cotton; and tomato.

[0062] The present invention also provides methods of mitigating western flower thrips damage to a plant, comprising:Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 11 of 125 a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of western flower thrips to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating western flower thrips in the treated plant.

[0063] Also provided are such methods, wherein western flower thrips damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of western flower thrips. Also provided are such methods, wherein the treated plant is selected from the group consisting of: cotton; and tomato.

[0064] The present invention also provides methods of reducing white grub damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042. Also provided are such methods, wherein the plant or plant part is corn.

[0065] The present invention also provides methods of mitigating white grub damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of white grub to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating white grub in the treated plant.

[0066] Also provided are such methods, wherein white grub damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of white grub. Also provided are such methods, wherein the treated plant is corn.

[0067] The present invention also provides methods of reducing wireworm damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042. Also provided are such methods, wherein the plant or plant part is corn.

[0068] The present invention also provides methods of mitigating wireworm damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; andAgent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 12 of 125 b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of wireworm to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating wireworm in the treated plant.

[0069] Also provided are such methods, wherein wireworm is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of wireworm. Also provided are such methods, wherein the treated plant is corn.

[0070] The present invention also provides methods for reducing botrytis damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting a plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0089. Also provided are such methods wherein the plant or plant part is a member of the Rosaceae family or the Solanaceae family. Also provided are such methods wherein the plant or plant part is a strawberry (Fragaria) or a tomato (Solanum).

[0071] The present invention also provides methods for reducing botrytis damage risk, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0089; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of botrytis to produce a treated plant; and c) reducing botrytis damage and / or incidence in the treated plant.

[0072] Also provided are such methods wherein the botrytis damage and / or incidence is reduced in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of botrytis. Also provided are such methods wherein the treated plant is a strawberry plant or a tomato plant.

[0073] The present invention also provides methods for reducing bacterial damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting a plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0089. Also provided are such methods wherein the bacterium is Erwinia amylovora. Also provided are such methods wherein the plant or plant part is a member of the Rosaceae family. Also provided are such methods wherein the plant or plant part is an apple (Malus).

[0074] The present invention also provides methods for mitigating Erwinia amylovora damage and / or incidence, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0089; andAgent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 13 of 125 b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of bacteria to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating Erwinia amylovora damage and / or incidence in the treated plant.

[0075] Also provided are such methods wherein the bacterium is Erwinia amylovora. Also provided are such methods wherein said bacterial disease damage and / or incidence is mitigated in the treated plant compared to an untreated plant grown in the presence of bacteria. Also provided are such methods wherein the treated plant is a strawberry plant.

[0076] The present invention provides methods for reducing Thielaviopsis spp. damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0089. Also provided are such methods wherein the plant or plant part is a member of the Solanaceae family. Also provided are such methods wherein the plant or plant part is a tomato (Solanum).

[0077] The present invention also provides methods for reducing Thielaviopsis sp. pathogen damage and / or incidence, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0089; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of Thielaviopsis sp. to produce a treated plant; and c) reducing Thielaviopsis sp. damage and / or incidence in the treated plant.

[0078] Also provided are such methods wherein Thielaviopsis sp. damage and / or incidence is reduced more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of Thielaviopsis sp. Also provided are such methods wherein the treated plant is a tomato plant.

[0079] The present invention also provides methods for reducing oomycete damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0089. Also provided are such methods wherein the oomycete is Pythium spp. Also provided are such methods wherein the plant or plant part is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family or the Asteraceae family. Also provided are such methods wherein the plant or plant part is a cucumber (Cucumis) or a lettuce (Lactuca).

[0080] The present invention also provides methods for reducing damage and / or incidence by oomycetes, comprising:Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 14 of 125 a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0089; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of oomycetes to produce a treated plant; and c) reducing damage and / or incidence by oomycetes in the treated plant.

[0081] Also provided are such methods wherein the oomycete is Pythium sp. Also provided are such methods wherein Pythium sp. is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of Pythium sp. Also provided are such methods wherein the treated plant is a cucurbit plant or a lettuce plant.

[0082] The present invention also provides methods of mitigating Neopestalotiopsis damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0089; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of Neopestalotiopsis to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating Neopestalotiopsis damage in the treated plant.

[0083] Also provided are such methods, wherein the plant or plant part is a member of the Rosaceae family. Also provided are such methods, wherein the plant or plant part is a strawberry (Fragaria). Also provided are such methods, wherein Neopestalotiopsis is reduced more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of Neopestalotiopsis.

[0084] The present invention also provides compositions comprising a Methylobacterium selected from the group consisting of: NLS0034; NLS0039; NLS0043; NLS0049; NLS0088; NLS0245; NLS0264; NLS0272; NLS0374; NLS0718; NLS1284; NLS1319; NLS4024; NLS4958; NLS7730; NLS7858; NLS7859; NLS7860; NLS7861; NLS7862; NLS7863; NLS7864; NLS7865; NLS7866; NLS7867; NLS7868; NLS7869; NLS7870; NLS7871; and NLS7872. Also provided are such compositions which further comprise at least one additional component selected from the group consisting of: an additional active ingredient; an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant; and an agriculturally acceptable excipient. Also provided are such compositions, which further comprise one or more additional methylobacterium. Also provided are such compositions, wherein said one or more methylobacterium is selected from the methylobacteria in Table 1A. Also provided are such compositions, wherein said composition further comprises one or more methanotroph. Also provided are such compositions wherein said one or more methanotroph is selected from the methanotrophs in Table 1B.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 15 of 125

[0085] The present invention also provides plants, plant parts, and seeds at least partially coated with a composition herein. Also provided are such plants, plant parts, and seeds herein, selected from the group consisting of: row crop; specialty crop; and rice. Also provided are such plants, plant parts, and seeds herein, selected from the plants in Table 4, Table 8A through 8AAL, and Table 9.

[0086] The present invention also provides isolated microorganisms selected from the group consisting of: NLS0034; NLS0039; NLS0043; NLS0049; NLS0088; NLS0245; NLS0264; NLS0272; NLS0374; NLS0718; NLS1284; NLS1319; NLS4024; NLS4958; NLS7730; NLS7858; NLS7859; NLS7860; NLS7861; NLS7862; NLS7863; NLS7864; NLS7865; NLS7866; NLS7867; NLS7868; NLS7869; NLS7870; NLS7871; and NLS7872.

[0087] The present invention also provides for improving growth metrics in a plant, comprising: a) introducing a composition herein to a plant, plant part, or seed; and b) growing the plant, plant part, or seed under conditions sufficient improve growth metrics.

[0088] Also provided are such methods, wherein the growth metrics are selected from the group consisting of: plant size; tiller counts; root length; and plant height. Also provided are such methods, wherein the plant, plant part, or seed is selected from the group consisting of: alfalfa; barley; brassica sp.; cannabis sp.; carrot; cassava; coconut; coffee; conifers; corn; cotton; cucurbits; cucumber; fruit plants (including fruit trees); green bean; herbs; leafy greens; lettuce; microgreens; millet; oat; onion; ornamental; pea; peanut; pepper; potato; rice; rye; safflower; sorghum; soybean; squash; sugar beet; sunflower; sweet potato; tobacco; tomato; turfgrass; and wheat.

[0089] The present invention also provides methods for improving yield metrics in a plant, comprising: a) introducing a composition herein to a plant, plant part, or seed; and b) growing the plant, plant part, or seed under conditions sufficient improve yield metrics.

[0090] Also provided are such methods, wherein the improved yield metrics are selected from the group consisting of: panicle counts; panicle weights; and shoot biomass. Also provided are such methods, wherein the plant, plant part, or seed is selected from the group consisting of: alfalfa; barley; brassica sp.; cannabis sp.; carrot; cassava; coconut; coffee; conifers; corn; cotton;Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 16 of 125 cucurbits; cucumber; fruit plants (including fruit trees); green bean; herbs; leafy greens; lettuce; microgreens; millet; oat; onion; ornamental; pea; peanut; pepper; potato; rice; rye; safflower; sorghum; soybean; squash; sugar beet; sunflower; sweet potato; tobacco; tomato; turfgrass; and wheat.

[0091] Additional embodiments, definitions, descriptions, and inventive scope are provided in the Figures, Detailed Description (definitions, descriptions, examples), Abstract, and Background. Brief Description of the Figures

[0092] FIG. 1. Results of feeding choice assay when choice is between NLS0042-treated and untreated corn roots. The larvae overwhelmingly chose the untreated roots over the NLS0042- treated roots. The circles indicate the percent of larvae making a given choice in each of the 12 replicates of this experiment.

[0093] FIG. 2. Results of feeding choice assay when choice is between two NLS0042-treated corn roots. In this instance, most larvae do not make a choice but instead stay in the middle petri dish where they began. The circles indicate the percent of larvae making a given choice in each of the 12 replicates of this experiment.

[0094] FIG.3. Results of feeding choice assay when choice is between two untreated corn roots. The circles indicate the percent of larvae making a given choice in each of the 12 replicates of this experiment.

[0095] FIG.4. Results of a tomato : whitefly greenhouse assay in which NLS0042 was applied as a seedling drench. White fly counts were assessed over 28 days. Shaded area: 95% confidence interval. Letters represent statistically significant differences between treatments at a given timepoint, student’s t-test, p < 0.05. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION DEFINITIONS

[0096] AND / OR. As used herein, the term "and / or" refers to the inclusion of each specified feature or component either individually or in any combination with others. For instance, "A and / or B" covers "A and B," "A or B," "A" (alone), and "B" (alone). Similarly, "A, B, and / or C" covers all possible configurations of A, B, and C, including any combination of these elements or any one of them alone.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 17 of 125

[0097] EXICIPIENT. Excipients that enhance the use of the present compositions or methods may be included as a feature of the present invention.

[0098] GROWING. Ultimately, the present invention benefits the public by improving KPIs of plants that grow and are useful. Growing, in this context, may be any stage of the cycle: seed selection, seed saving, seed treatment, seed germination, plant gene expression, plant cellular differentiation, vegetative growth, root growth, flowering, fruiting, fruit set, and maturation.

[0099] AGRICULTURE COMPOSITION(S). A microbial formulation comprising one or more biological and one or more non-biological ingredient, for example, one or more agriculturally- acceptable adjuvant and / or one or more agriculturally-acceptable excipient.

[0100] BIOLOGICAL(S). As used herein, the term “biological” refers to a component of a composition for treatment of plants or plant parts comprised of or derived from a microorganism.

[0101] INCLUDE(S). As used herein, the terms “include,” “includes,” and “including” are to be construed as at least having the features or encompassing the items to which they refer while not excluding any additional unspecified features or unspecified items.

[0102] METHYLOBACTERIUM / METHYLOBACTERIA. As used herein, the term “Methylobacterium” refers to genera and species in the methylobacteriaceae family, including bacterial species in the Methylobacterium genus and proposed Methylorubrum genus (Green and Ardley (2018)). Methylobacterium includes pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophic bacteria (PPFM) and also encompasses the non-pink-pigmented Methylobacterium nodulans, as well as colorless mutants of Methylobacterium isolates.

[0103] METHANOTROPH(S): As used herein, the term "methanotroph(s)" refers to a group of microorganisms that utilize methane as their primary source of carbon and energy.

[0104] STRAIN(S). As used herein, the term “strain” shall include all isolates of such strain.

[0105] TREATING. As used herein, “treating” means any application of Agriculture Composition to soil, plant, plant part, or seed.

[0106] Where a term is provided in the singular, other embodiments described by the plural of that term are also provided.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 18 of 125

[0107] To the extent to which any of the preceding definitions are inconsistent with definitions provided in any patent or non-patent reference incorporated herein by reference, any patent or non-patent reference cited herein, or in any patent or non-patent reference found elsewhere, it is understood that the preceding definition will be used herein. Description

[0108] KPIs. The present invention provides positive outcomes by increasing the following agriculturally-significant positive key performance indicators (positive KPIs): bee health protection, biodiversity of beneficial insects, brand value, carbon sequestration, consumer demand, consumer health, consumer perception, cost-benefit ratio, crop loss reduction, crop quality, export compliance, farmer education and training, farmer income, food safety, food security, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, integrated pest management adoption rate, labor efficiency, market access, monitoring crop residue levels compliance, nutrient use efficiency, pest control efficiency, pest threshold, pollinator health protection, precision agriculture adoption, product differentiation, regulation compliance, resistance management, safety perception, shelf life, soil biodiversity, soil health, soil organic matter, sustainability certification labeling, sustainability reporting and transparency, water use efficiency, worker health and safety, and yield.

[0109] In this context, “increasing” has the meaning typically understood in the art, and is optionally described as: accelerating, advancing, amplifying, augmenting, boosting, elevating, enhancing, expanding, fostering, fortifying, heightening, improving, maximizing, promoting, raising, scaling up, stimulating, strengthening, surging, and uplifting.

[0110] The present invention provides positive outcomes by decreasing the following agriculturally-significant negative key performance indicators (negative KPIs): cost per acre / hectare, deforestation, ecosystem disruption, energy use, environmental impact, environmental toxicity index, food waste, greenhouse gas emissions from machinery, overreliance on chemical fertilizers, pesticide drift, pesticide residue, pesticide resistance development, regulation risk, soil degradation, soil erosion, time to market, water contamination, water pollution, and water wastage.

[0111] In this context, “decreasing” has the meaning typically understood in the art, and is optionally described as: abating, alleviating, attenuating, capping, contracting, curtailing, cutting,Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 19 of 125 cutting back, declining, diminishing, easing, lessening, lowering, minimizing, mitigating, reducing, suppressing, tapering off, and trimming.

[0112] In some cases, “increasing” or “decreasing” is optionally described as: adapting, adjusting, affecting, altering, changing, fluctuating, impacting, influencing, modifying, reconfiguring, revising, shaping, shifting, transforming, and varying.

[0113] Methods for measuring agricultural KPIs include comparing current performance against historical data from previous seasons, using control groups or plantings for direct comparison, and benchmarking against industry standards or regional averages using databases such as FAOSTAT, USDA NASS, and EUROSTAT. Real-time monitoring with precision agriculture tools like FieldView®, AgSense®, and the John Deere Operations Center® provides immediate insights, while surveys and farmer feedback offer qualitative data. Manual field scouting remains a practical method for on-the-ground data collection, and environmental impact assessments, using tools like the GHG Protocol, SAFA, and LEAP, track sustainability metrics. Global and local agricultural information systems, including FAOSTAT, AgMIP, and IFA, provide comprehensive data for larger comparisons. Satellite and remote sensing data, accessed through platforms like Sentinel Hub and NASA Earth Observing System, help monitor crop health, while weather data and climate models from sources like NOAA and WMO assist in forecasting and planning. Supply chain and market data, sourced from databases such as AMIS and USDA ERS, track economic KPIs, and mobile platforms like FarmLogs®, Climate FieldView®, and CropX may be used to log field data in real-time.

[0114] METHYLOBACTERIA. For example, and not by way of limitation, “Methylobacterium” refers to bacteria of the species listed below as well as any new Methylobacterium species that have not yet been reported or described that can be characterized as Methylobacterium or Methylorubrum based on phylogenetic analysis: Methylobacterium adhaesivum; Methylobacterium oryzae; Methylobacterium aerolatum; Methylobacterium oxalidis; Methylobacterium aquaticum; Methylobacterium persicinum; Methylobacterium brachiatum; Methylobacterium phyllosphaerae; Methylobacterium brachythecii; Methylobacterium phyllostachyos; Methylobacterium bullatum; Methylobacterium platani; Methylobacterium cerastii; Methylobacterium pseudosasicola; Methylobacterium currus; Methylobacterium radiotolerans; Methylobacterium dankookense; Methylobacterium soli; Methylobacterium frigidaeris; Methylobacterium specialis; Methylobacterium fujisawaense; Methylobacterium tardum; Methylobacterium gnaphalii; Methylobacterium tarhaniae; MethylobacteriumAgent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 20 of 125 goesingense; Methylobacterium thuringiense; Methylobacterium gossipiicola; Methylobacterium trifolii; Methylobacterium gregans; Methylobacterium variabile; Methylobacterium haplocladii; Methylobacterium aminovorans (Methylorubrum aminovorans); Methylobacterium hispanicum; Methylobacterium extorquens (Methylorubrum extorquens); Methylobacterium indicum; Methylobacterium podarium (Methylorubrum podarium); Methylobacterium iners; Methylobacterium populi (Methylorubrum populi); Methylobacterium isbiliense; Methylobacterium pseudosasae (Methylorubrum pseudosasae); Methylobacterium jeotgali; Methylobacterium rhodesianum (Methylorubrum rhodesianum); Methylobacterium komagatae; Methylobacterium rhodinum (Methylorubrum rhodinum); Methylobacterium longum; Methylobacterium salsuginis (Methylorubrum salsuginis); Methylobacterium marchantiae; Methylobacterium suomiense (Methylorubrum suomiense; Methylobacterium mesophilicum; Methylobacterium thiocyanatum (Methylorubrum thiocyanatum); Methylobacterium nodulans; Methylobacterium zatmanii (Methylorubrum zatmanii); or Methylobacterium organophilum.

[0115] MINERAL NUTRIENTS. As used herein “mineral nutrients” (also sometime referred to simply as “nutrients”) are micronutrients or macronutrients required or useful for plants or plant parts including for example, but not limited to, nitrogen (N), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S), and the micronutrients chlorine (Cl), Iron (Fe), Boron (B), manganese (Mn), zinc (Z), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), and nickel (Ni).

[0116] PLANT, PLANT PART, OR SEED. In the context of the present invention, any plant, plant part, or seed is included. For example, included are bud, bulbs, cones, flowers (petals, pistil / stigma / style / ovary, sepals, stamens / anther / filament), fruits (aggregate, dry, fleshy, multiple), leaves (compound, needle-like, simple, spines, succulent), root (adventitious root, fibrous root, root hairs, taproot), seeds (cotyledons, embryo, endosperm, seed coat), spores, and stem (corms, herbaceous stems, rhizomes, shoots, stolons / runners, tubers, woody stems).

[0117] VITAMINS. As used herein, “vitamins” are organic compounds required in small amounts for normal growth and metabolism. Vitamins are important for human and / or animal growth, and some vitamins have been reported to be beneficial to plants. Vitamins include but are not limited to vitamin A (including but not limited to all-trans-retinol and all-trans-retinyl-esters, as well as all-trans-beta-carotene and other provitamin A carotenoids), vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), vitaminAgent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 21 of 125 B7 (biotin), vitamin B9 (folic acid or folate), vitamin B12 (cobalamins), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin D (calciferols), vitamin E (tocopherols and tocotrienols), and vitamin K (quinones).

[0118] In some embodiments, plants are treated with a deposited bacterial strain or strains disclosed in Table 1A and / or Table 1B. [Intentionally left blank]Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 22 of 125 Table 1A. MethylotrophsAgent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 23 of 125 Table 1A. ContinuedAgent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 24 of 125 NLS7872 B-68383 2024-06-20 Methylorubrum extorquens 099 FM Table 1B. MethanotrophsDeposit Statement.

[0119] The NRRL numbers referenced herein are the deposit identification numbers for strains deposited with the AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE CULTURE COLLECTION (NRRL) of the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1815 North University Street, Peoria, Illinois 61604 U.S.A. under the terms of the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure. Subject to 37 CFR §1.808(b), all restrictions imposed by the depositor on the availability to the public of the deposited material will be irrevocably removed upon the granting of any patent from this patent application.

[0120] The microorganisms deposited with the NRRL were sourced from deposits maintained by Newleaf Symbiotics, Inc. 1005 N Warson Rd, St. Louis, MO 63132 before and after the filing date of this application. Access to these deposits will be available during the pendency of the application to the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks and persons determined by theAgent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 25 of 125 Commissioner to be entitled thereto upon request. Upon issue of claims, the Applicant(s) will make available to the public, pursuant to 37 CFR 1.808, the deposit with the NRRL. This deposit will be maintained in the depository, which is a public depository, for a period of 30 years, or 5 years after the most recent request, or for the enforceable life of the patent, whichever is longer, and will be replaced if it becomes nonviable during that period. Additionally, Applicant has satisfied all the requirements of 37 C.F.R. §§1.801 - 1.809, including providing an indication of the viability of the sample. Applicant has no authority to waive any restrictions imposed by law on the transfer of biological material or its transportation in commerce.

[0121] Aforementioned deposits have been disclosed and / or claimed in U.S. Patent Nos. 10757946, 10212939, 10945441, 10980240, 10993443, 10111438, 10945440, 10368547, 11147276, 10905127, 11278029, 11284622, 10098353, 10716307, 10448645, U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 20220053768, 20220015370, 20220304310, and 20230309564, or US Patent Application Serial No.18 / 247,934, which are each incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. EMBODIMENTS. Additional Components of the Compositions / Methods.

[0122] In certain embodiments provided herein, plants, plant seeds and / or plant parts comprise and / or are treated with both a methylotroph strain and at least one additional component, for instance, additional components as described in this section. In some embodiments, an additional component can be an additional active ingredient, for example, a pesticide or a second biological. In certain embodiments, the pesticide may be an insecticide, a fungicide, an herbicide, a nematicide or other biocide. The second biological could be a strain that improves yield or controls an insect, pest, fungi, weed, or nematode. In some embodiments, a second biological is an additional methanotroph strain. In some embodiments, a second biological is a methanotroph strain. In some embodiments, an additional strain in the methods and compositions provided herein is selected from the Methylotrophs listed in Table 1A and / or a Methanotroph in Table 1B.

[0123] Insecticides and Nemacides. Non-limiting examples of insecticides and nematicides include carbamates, diamides, macrocyclic lactones, neonicotinoids, organophosphates, phenylpyrazoles, pyrethrins, spinosyns, synthetic pyrethroids, tetronic and tetramic acids. In particular embodiments insecticides and nematicides include abamectin, aldicarb, aldoxycarb, bifenthrin, carbofuran, chlorantraniliporle, chlothianidin, cyfluthrin, cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, dinotefuran, emamectin, ethiprole, fenamiphos, fipronil, flubendiamide, fosthiazate, imidacloprid, ivermectin, lambda-cyhalothrin, milbemectin, nitenpyram, oxamyl, permethrin,Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 26 of 125 tioxazafen, spinetoram, spinosad, spirodichlofen, spirotetramat, tefluthrin, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, and thiodicarb.

[0124] Fungicides. Non-limiting examples of useful fungicides include aromatic hydrocarbons, benzimidazoles, benzthiadiazole, carboxamides, carboxylic acid amides, morpholines, phenylamides, phosphonates, quinone outside inhibitors (e.g. strobilurins), thiazolidines, thiophanates, thiophene carboxamides, and triazoles. Particular examples of fungicides include acibenzolar-S-methyl, azoxystrobin, benalaxyl, bixafen, boscalid, carbendazim, cyproconazole, dimethomorph, epoxiconazole, fluopyram, fluoxastrobin, flutianil, flutolanil, fluxapyroxad, fosetyl-Al, ipconazole, isopyrazam, kresoxim-methyl, mefenoxam, metalaxyl, metconazole, myclobutanil, orysastrobin, penflufen, penthiopyrad, picoxystrobin, propiconazole, prothioconazole, pyraclostrobin, sedaxane, silthiofam, tebuconazole, thifluzamide, thiophanate, tolclofos-methyl, trifloxystrobin, and triticonazole. Non-limiting examples of other biocides, include isothiazolinones, for example 1,2 Benzothiazolin-3-one (BIT), 5-Chloro-2-methyl-4- isothiazolin-3-one (CIT), 2-Methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (MIT), octylisothiazolinone (OIT), dichlorooctylisothiazolinone (DCOIT), and butylbenzisothiazolinone (BBIT); 2-Bromo-2-nitro- propane-1,3-diol (Bronopol), 5-bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane (Bronidox), Tris(hydroxymethyl)nitromethane, 2,2-Dibromo-3-nitrilopropionamide (DBNPA), and alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides.

[0125] Herbicides. Non-limiting examples of herbicides include ACCase inhibitors, acetanilides, AHAS inhibitors, carotenoid biosynthesis inhibitors, EPSPS inhibitors, glutamine synthetase inhibitors, PPO inhibitors, PS II inhibitors, and synthetic auxins, Particular examples of herbicides include acetochlor, clethodim, dicamba, flumioxazin, fomesafen, glyphosate, glufosinate, mesotrione, quizalofop, saflufenacil, sulcotrione, and 2,4-D.

[0126] Active Ingredient. In some embodiments, the composition or method disclosed herein may comprise a methanotroph strain and an additional active ingredient selected from the group consisting of clothianidin, ipconazole, imidacloprid, metalaxyl, mefenoxam, tioxazafen, azoxystrobin, thiomethoxam, fluopyram, prothioconazole, pyraclostrobin, and sedaxane.

[0127] Additional biological.

[0128] The second biological may be a biological control agent, other beneficial microorganisms, microbial extracts, plant extracts, yeast extracts, vegetal chitosan, natural products, plant growth activators or plant defense agent. Non-limiting examples of the second biological could includeAgent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 27 of 125 bacteria, fungi, beneficial nematodes, and viruses. In certain embodiments, the second biological can be a Methylotroph and / or a Methanotroph. In certain embodiments, the second biological is a strain listed in Table 1A and / or Table 1B.

[0129] In further embodiments, the second biological may include, but are not limited to, various Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Coniothyrium sp., Pantoea sp., Streptomyces sp., and Trichoderma sp. Microbial biopesticides can be a bacterium, fungus, virus, or protozoan. Particularly useful biopesticidal microorganisms include various Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus pumilis, Pseudomonas syringae, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma virens, and Streptomyces lydicus strains. Other microorganisms that are added can be genetically engineered or wild-type isolates that are available as pure cultures. In certain embodiments, it is anticipated that the second biological can be provided in the composition in the form of a spore. In further embodiments the second biological can be a biostimulant, including but not limited to seaweed extract or hummates, plant growth activators or plant defense agents including, but not limited to harpin, Reynoutria sachalinensis, jasmonate, lipochito-oligosaccharides, and isoflavones.

[0130] Methylotrophs. In certain embodiments, the second biological can be a Methylobacterium selected from M. gregans, M. radiotolerans, M. extorquens, M. populi, M. salsuginis, M. brachiatum, and M. komagatae.

[0131] Methanotrophs. In certain embodiments, the second biological can be a methanotroph selected from Methyloacidimicrobium, Methyloacidiplilum, Methylobacter, Methylocaldum, Methylocapsa, Methylocella, Methylococcus, Methylocystis, Methyloferula, Methylogaea, Methyloglobus, Methylohalobius, Methylomagnum, Methylomarinum, Methylomicrobium, Methylomonas, Methyloparacoccus, Methyloperedens, Methyloprofundus, Methylosarcina, Methylosinus, Methylosoma, Methylosphaera, Methylothermus, and Methylovulum. In some embodiments, a methanotroph provided herein is a Methylocystis species selected from M. hirsuta, M. rosea and M. parvus. In some embodiments, a methanotroph provided herein is a Methylosinus species selected from M. trichosporium and M. sporium. In some embodiments, a methanotroph provided herein is a Methylomicrobium lacus or Methylosarcina fibrate strain.

[0132] Bacterium. In certain embodiments, the second biological can be a bacterium of the genus Actinomycetes, Agrobacterium, Arthrobacter, Alcaligenes, Aureobacterium, Azobacter, Azorhizobium, Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Beijerinckia, Bacillus, Brevibacillus, Burkholderia, Chromobacterium, Clostridium, Clavibacter, Comomonas, Corynebacterium, Curtobacterium, Enterobacter, Flavobacterium, Gluconacetobacter, Gluconobacter, Herbaspirillum,Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 28 of 125 Hydrogenophage, Klebsiella, Luteibacter, Lysinibacillus, Mesorhizobium, Methylobacterium, Microbacterium, Ochrobactrum, Paenibacillus, Pantoea, Pasteuria, Phingobacterium, Photorhabdus, Phyllobacterium, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, Rhodococcus, Bradyrhizobium, Serratia, Sinorhizobium, Sphingomonas, Streptomyces, Stenotrophomonas, Variovorax, Xanthomonas and Xenorhadbus. In particular embodiments the bacteria is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus firmus, Bacillus, lichenformis, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus sphaericus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus thuringiensis, Chromobacterium suttsuga, Pasteuria penetrans, Pasteuria usage, and Pseudomona fluorescens.

[0133] Fungus. In certain embodiments the second biological can be a fungus of the genus Acremonium, Alternaria, Ampelomyces, Aspergillus, Aureobasidium, Beauveria, Botryosphaeria, Cladosporium, Cochliobolus, Colletotrichum, Coniothyrium, Embellisia, Epicoccum, Fusarium, Gigaspora, Gliocladium, Glomus, Laccaria, Metarhisium, Muscodor, Nigrospora, Paecilonyces, Paraglomus, Penicillium, Phoma, Pisolithus, Podospora, Rhizopogon, Scleroderma, Trichoderma, Typhula, Ulocladium, and Verticilium. In particular embodiments, the fungus is Beauveria bassiana, Coniothyrium minitans, Gliocladium vixens, Muscodor albus, Paecilomyces lilacinus, or Trichoderma polysporum.

[0134] Biostimulant. In further embodiments the second biological can be a biostimulant, including but not limited to seaweed extract or hummates, plant growth activators or plant defense agents including, but not limited to harpin, Reynoutria sachalinensis, jasmonate, lipochitooligosaccharides, and isoflavones.

[0135] Biopesticides. In further embodiments, the second biological can include, but are not limited to, various Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Coniothyrium sp., Pantoea sp., Streptomyces sp., and Trichoderma sp. Microbial biopesticides can be a bacterium, fungus, virus, or protozoan. Particularly useful biopesticidal microorganisms include various Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus pumilis, Pseudomonas syringae, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma virens, and Streptomyces lydicus strains. Other microorganisms that are added can be genetically engineered or wild-type isolates that are available as pure cultures. In certain embodiments, it is anticipated that the second biological can be provided in the composition in the form of a spore.

[0136] Lubricants. In certain embodiments where plant seeds are treated with compositions provided herein, the compositions further comprise one or more lubricants to ensure smooth flow and separation (singulation) of seeds in the seeding mechanism, for example a planter box. Lubricants for use in such compositions include talc, graphite, polyethylene wax based powdersAgent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 29 of 125 (such as Fluency Agent), protein powders, for example soybean protein powders, or a combination of protein powders and a lipid, for example lecithin or a vegetable oil. Lubricants can be applied to seeds simultaneously with application of a methanotroph, or may be mixed with a methanotroph prior to application of the compositions to the seeds.

[0137] Excipients. Agriculturally acceptable excipients include, but are not limited to, woodflours, clays, activated carbon, diatomaceous earth, fine-grain inorganic solids, calcium carbonate and the like. Clays and inorganic solids that can be used with the include, but are not limited to, calcium bentonite, kaolin, china clay, talc, perlite, mica, vermiculite, silicas, quartz powder, montmorillonite and mixtures thereof. Agriculturally acceptable excipients also include various lubricants such as talc, graphite, polyethylene wax based powders (such as Fluency Agent), protein powders, for example soybean protein powders, or a combination of protein powders and a lipid, for example lecithin or a vegetable oil.

[0138] Adjuvants. Preferably, the agriculturally acceptable adjuvant comprises kaolin, talc, graphite, mica, vermiculite, soyobean protein powder, or a combination thereof. Agriculturally acceptable adjuvants that promote sticking to the seed that can be used include, but are not limited to, polyvinyl acetates, polyvinyl acetate copolymers, hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetates, polyvinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, polyvinyl methyl ether, polyvinyl methyl ether-maleic anhydride copolymer, waxes, latex polymers, celluloses including ethylcelluloses and methylcelluloses, hydroxy methylcelluloses, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxymethylpropylcelluloses, polyvinyl pyrrolidones, alginates, dextrins, malto-dextrins, polysaccharides, fats, oils, proteins, karaya gum, jaguar gum, tragacanth gum, polysaccharide gums, mucilage, gum arabics, shellacs, vinylidene chloride polymers and copolymers, soybean-based protein polymers and copolymers, lignosulfonates, acrylic copolymers, starches, polyvinylacrylates, zeins, gelatin, carboxymethylcellulose, chitosan, polyethylene oxide, acrylamide polymers and copolymers, polyhydroxyethyl acrylate, methylacrylamide monomers, alginate, ethylcellulose, polychloroprene and syrups or mixtures thereof. Other useful agriculturally acceptable adjuvants that can promote coating include, but are not limited to, polymers and copolymers of vinyl acetate, polyvinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer and water-soluble waxes. Further, agriculturally acceptable adjuvants also include various lubricants (which can provide for smooth flow and separation (singulation) of seeds) such as talc, graphite, polyethylene wax based powders (such as Fluency Agent), protein powders, for example soybean protein powders, or a combination of protein powders and a lipid, for example lecithin or a vegetable oil. Various surfactants, dispersants, anticaking-agents, foam-controlAgent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 30 of 125 agents, and dyes disclosed herein and in US Patent No. 8,181,388 can be adapted for use with compositions comprising a suitable methanotroph strain. In certain embodiments, the seed and / or seedling is exposed to the composition by providing the strain in soil in which the plant or a plant arising from the seed are grown, or other plant growth media in which the plant or a plant arising from the seed are grown. Examples of methods where the strain is provided in the field and soil include in furrow applications, soil drenches, and the like. Preferably, agriculturally acceptable adjuvants that promote sticking to the seed are celluloses dextrins, maltodextrins, polysaccharides, polysaccharide gums, or a combination thereof.

[0139] Stabilizers. In some embodiments compositions comprise additional components to facilitate or enhance long term storage and / or stability as a dried composition. In some embodiments, long term stability as a dried powder and / or on treated seeds is enhanced in comparison to other compositions (e.g., compositions lacking components that facilitate long term storage and / or stability, including stability on a treated plant part or seed). Additional components which can facilitate or enhance long term storage and / or stability can include, but are not limited to, one or more oligosaccharides or polysaccharides. In some embodiments polysaccharides are selected from dextrins, maltodextrins, disaccharides, starches, chitosan, alginates, and gums, including but not limited to karaya gum, jaguar gum, xanthan gum, glucomannan, tragacanth gum, Konjac gum, polysaccharide gums, mucilage, gum arabics and other natural gums.

[0140] Coaters. Other useful agriculturally acceptable adjuvants that can promote coating of the soil, seed, plant, or plant part include, but are not limited to, polymers and copolymers of vinyl acetate, polyvinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer, and water-soluble waxes.

[0141] Control Agents. Various surfactants, dispersants, anticaking-agents, foam-control agents, and dyes disclosed herein and in US Patent No.8,181,388 can be adapted to improve use of the compositions in the present methods. In some embodiments, dried compositions comprise a Methylobacterium strain and other components selected from the group consisting of maltodextrin, trehalose, glucomannan, soybean protein, soybean-based protein polymers and copolymers, talc and graphite. Formulations of the compositions / methods of treatment.

[0142] In some embodiments for plant treatment, microbial inoculants can be formulated and / or applied as dried powders and / or particulates into a non-aqueous continuous phase comprising a non-aqueous solvent (e.g., a water-immiscible solvent). In some embodiments, the microbialAgent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 31 of 125 inoculant is homogeneously dispersed into the non-aqueous continuous phase. Such compositions comprise additional components to enhance mixing of the microbial inoculants with aqueous compositions comprising agricultural chemicals and / or enhance the stability of microbial inoculants in such aqueous compositions. See, for example US patent publication US20230337681, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, for non-limiting examples of components useful in such compositions. Various methods can be used to generate dried microbial powders for use in such compositions, including but not limited to encapsulation, spray drying, freeze drying, air drying, fluid bed drying, electrospray drying, or other drying methods. See US patent publication US20220312772, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, for non-limiting examples of methods to prepare dried microbial compositions.

[0143] Compositions for application to plants can be without limitation aqueous or non-aqueous liquids, dried compositions or emulsions. In certain embodiments, plant seeds or cuttings can be immersed and / or imbibed with compositions comprising a microbial strain. In certain embodiments, seed imbibition and / or immersion can be performed with gentle agitation. Seed treatments can be affected with both continuous and / or batch seed treaters. In certain embodiments, coated seeds can be prepared by slurrying seeds with a coating composition comprising a microbial strain. Alternatively, microbial strains may be applied to soil or other growth medium where plants are grown. Soil treatments or applications can include, but are not limited to, in-furrow applications (e.g., before, during, and / or after seed deposition), soil drenches, and distribution of granular or other dried formulations to the soil (e.g., before, during, and / or after seed deposition or plant growth). Treatments for plants grown in hydroponic systems can include seed treatments prior to germination, foliar applications to germinated plants or parts thereof, and applications in a liquid solution used in the hydroponic system.

[0144] The agriculturally acceptable adjuvant, excipient, lubricant, and / or other ingredients, can be present in the composition at a concentration of from 0 wt.% to about 95 wt.%, from about 0.1 wt.% to about 95 wt.%, from about 0.5 wt.% to about 95 wt.%, from about 1 wt.% to about 95 wt.%, from about 2 wt.% to about 95 wt.%, from about 3 wt.% to about 95 wt.%, from about 4 wt.% to about 95 wt.%, from about 5 wt.% to about 95 wt.%, from about 0.1 wt.% to about 90 wt.%, from about 0.5 wt.% to about 90 wt.%, from about 1 wt.% to about 90 wt.%, from about 2 wt.% to about 90 wt.%, from about 3 wt.% to about 90 wt.%, from about 4 wt.% to about 90 wt.%, from about 5 wt.% to about 90 wt.%, from about 0.1 wt.% to about 85 wt.%, from about 0.5 wt.% to about 85 wt.%, from about 1 wt.% to about 85 wt.%, from about 2 wt.% to about 85 wt.%, from about 3 wt.% to about 85 wt.%, from about 4 wt.% to about 85 wt.%, from about 5 wt.% to aboutAgent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 32 of 125 85 wt.%, from about 0.1 wt.% to about 80 wt.%, from about 0.5 wt.% to about 80 wt.%, from about 1 wt.% to about 80 wt.%, from about 2 wt.% to about 80 wt.%, from about 3 wt.% to about 80 wt.%, from about 4 wt.% to about 80 wt.%, or more preferably, from about 5 wt.% to about 80 wt.%.

[0145] Genetic Engineering. In certain embodiments, microbial strains provided and used in the methods which can confer resistance, repellant, tolerance, reduced damage, reduced infection, reduced forage, and / or reduced infestation to or by a pest or pathogen disclosed herein are obtained by transferring DNA from a microbial strain which can confer resistance, act as a repellant, tolerance, reduced damage, forage, reduced infection, and / or reduced infestation to a pest or pathogen by increasing production of one or more plant defense compounds derived from anthranilate in a plant to a microbial strain which does not confer such resistance, tolerance, reduced damage, reduced infection, and / or reduced infestation and recovering or selecting a new microbial strain with the pest or pathogen resistance, tolerance, reduced damage, reduced infection, and / or reduced infestation conferred by the transferred DNA. In other embodiments, DNA transferred from a microbial strain which can confer resistance, act as a repellant, tolerance, reduced damage, forage, reduced infection, and / or reduced infestation to a pest or pathogen, encodes a protein having a sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO:21-35, or a protein having a sequence at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NO:21-35. In some embodiments, DNA is transferred on a mobilizable plasmid from a microbial strain that induces a plant response to an insect and / or pathogen. In some embodiments, a mobilizable plasmid is transferred from a Methylobacterium or Methylorubrum strain to a second Methylobacterium or Methylorubrum strain. In some embodiments, a mobilizable plasmid comprises SEQ ID NO:87 or a variant thereof comprising: (i) DNA sequences having at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 87 and / or (ii) DNA sequences encoding proteins encoded by SEQ ID NO: 87. In other embodiments, a mobilizable plasmid comprises SEQ ID NO:86 or a variant thereof comprising: (i) DNA sequences having at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 86; and / or (ii) DNA sequences encoding proteins encoded by SEQ ID NO: 86. In further embodiments, a mobilizable plasmid that is transferred to a microorganism to impart the ability to induce a plant defense response encodes one or more proteins comprising a polypeptide sequence having at least 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:21-35. In some embodiments, a mobilizable plasmid that is transferred to a microorganism to impart the ability to induce a plant defense response comprises one or more sequences having at least 70%, 80%,Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 33 of 125 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:36-50. In some embodiments, a mobilizable plasmid that is transferred to a microorganism to impart the ability to induce a plant defense response encodes one or more proteins comprising a polypeptide sequence having at least 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:51-85. In some embodiments, one or more proteins having a sequence of SEQ ID NO:51-85 or a sequence having at least 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:51-85 facilitates transfer of a mobilizable plasmid.

[0146] In certain embodiments, the DNA that can confer resistance, tolerance, reduced damage, reduced infection, and / or reduced infestation to or by a pest or pathogen by increasing production by a plant of one or more plant defense compounds derived from anthranilate or one or more plant defense compounds is DNA from NLS0042 and / or NLS0089 or a derivative thereof (e.g., DNA donor strain) and / or the microbial strain which does not confer such resistance, tolerance, reduced damage, reduced infection, and / or reduced infestation (e.g., DNA recipient strain) is a strain other than NLS0042 which is provided in Table 1. Methods for transferring DNA from a donor strain (e.g., NLS0042) to a recipient strain (e.g., another strain in Table 1A or Table 1B) include but are not limited to DNA transfer methods disclosed in US patent application publication US20210171961, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Methods of Treating / Compositions for treating.

[0147] The compositions and methods herein are useful for the treatment of various environments and can be applied in a variety of locations and timing intervals.

[0148] Environments. The invention is useful in various environments, for example: in plant production, fields, wetlands, landfills, and agricultural applications, including plant production in flooded fields. In some embodiments, strains provided herein not only provide additional benefits to a treated plant, such as increases in growth metrics and / or yield, but also provide methane mitigation.

[0149] Application. Compositions herein may be applied to soil or other growth medium where plants are grown. Soil treatments or applications can include, but are not limited to, fields (e.g. flooded or irrigated fields), in-furrow applications (e.g., before, during, and / or after seed deposition), soil drenches, distribution of granular or other dried formulations to the soil (e.g., before, during, and / or after seed deposition or plant growth). Treatments for plants grown in hydroponic systems can include seed treatments prior to germination, foliar applications toAgent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 34 of 125 germinated plants or parts thereof, and applications in a liquid solution used in the hydroponic system. In certain embodiments, treatment of a plant can include application to the seed, plant, and / or a part of the plant and can thus comprise any methanotroph treatment or application resulting in colonization of the plant by the composition(s). In some embodiments, application of can enhance growth and / or rooting of such plants. Field transplants of such treated and rooted cuttings may demonstrate decreased cycling time, and / or improved biomass and / or yield as a result of such treatments. In certain embodiments, an effective amount of a microbial strain or strains that provides for enhanced plant response to a pathogen and / or pest that is provided in a treatment of a seed or plant part is at least about 103, 104, 105, or 106CFU per seed or treated plant part.

[0150] Treatments or applications to plants described herein can include, but are not limited to, spraying, coating, partially coating, immersing, drenching, and / or imbibing the field, seed, plant or plant parts with the compositions herein. In certain embodiments, soil, a seed, a leaf, a stem, a root, a tuber, or a shoot can be sprayed, immersed, drenched, and / or imbibed with a liquid, semi- liquid, emulsion, or slurry of a composition provided herein. In some embodiments, one or more compositions may be applied together or separately with other compositions. In some embodiments, compositions herein are applied to multiple plant parts and / or at multiple stages of plant growth. In certain embodiments, compositions described herein are applied as foliar sprays or seed treatments to row crops.

[0151] Timing and Conditions. In some embodiments, the compositions is delivered in a planter box application. In some embodiments, plants are treated with an initial foliar In some embodiments, additional foliar applications are made. In some embodiments, a second, third, fourth or fifth foliar application is made within the growing cycle following the initial application.

[0152] Such treatments, applications, seed immersion, or imbibition can be sufficient to, enhanced early growth and / or increased levels of one or more mineral nutrients and / or vitamins content in harvestable tissue from a treated plant or plant grown from a treated seed in comparison to an untreated plant or plant grown from an untreated seed, and may provide for mitigation of green- house gas emissions. Enhanced early growth can lead to further improvements in plant production including an increase in biomass of treated plants, such as increased shoot, root, or whole seedling biomass. Enhanced early growth can result in various additional improvements in plant production, including for example increased yield of harvested plants or harvested plant parts,Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 35 of 125 increased and / or more uniform fruit production, faster seed set, earlier maturation, increased rate of leaf growth, increased rate of root growth, increased seed yield, and decreased cycle time.

[0153] In certain embodiments, plant seeds or cuttings can be immersed and / or imbibed for at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 hours. Such immersion and / or imbibition can, in certain embodiments, be conducted at temperatures that are not deleterious to the plant seed. In certain embodiments, the seeds can be treated at about 15 degrees Centigrade to about 30 degrees Centigrade or at about 20 degrees Centigrade to about 25 degrees Centigrade. In certain embodiments, seed imbibition and / or immersion can be performed with gentle agitation. Seed treatments can be effected with both continuous and / or batch seed treaters. In certain embodiments, the coated seeds can be prepared by slurrying seeds with a coating composition comprising a helper strain that increases the levels of one or more mineral nutrients and / or vitamins and air-drying the resulting product. Air-drying can be accomplished at any temperature that is not deleterious to the seed or the strain(s) but will typically not be greater than 30 degrees Centigrade. The proportion of coating that comprises the strain includes, but is not limited to, a range of 0.1% to 25% by weight of the seed or other plant part, 0.5% to 5% by weight of the seed or other plant part, and 0.5% to 2.5% by weight of the seed or other plant part. In certain embodiments, a solid substance used in the seed coating or treatment will have a strain that increases mineral nutrient and or vitamin content adhered to a solid substance as a result of being grown in biphasic media comprising the strain, solid substance, and liquid media.

[0154] Hydroponics. In certain embodiments, treated plants are cultivated in a hydroponic system. In some embodiments, plant seeds are treated, and plants are grown from the treated seeds continuously in the same cultivation system. In some embodiments, plant seeds are treated and cultivated in a hydroponic nursery to produce seedlings. The seedlings transferred to a different hydroponic system, for example for commercial production of leafy greens. In some embodiments, a strain that enhances early growth or increases the levels of one or more mineral nutrients and / or vitamins persists in the seedlings transferred to a greenhouse production system and continues to provide advantages such as improved micronutrient and / or vitamin content and / or biomass production, through the further growth of the leafy green plant. PLANT COMPOSITIONS / METHODS TO TREAT PLANTS.

[0155] Plant Parts. Such pests and pathogens may attack one or more parts of a plant, including but not limited to leaf, stem, shoot, flower, fruit, bud, root, tuber, rhizome, runner, bulb, and corm.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 36 of 125

[0156] Plants, Plant Parts, Seeds. Plant, plant part, and seed compositions and methods to treat plants include those plants in Table 8A through Table 8AAL, for example, alfalfa; barley; brassica sp.; cannabis sp.; carrot; cassava; coconut; coffee; conifers; corn; cotton; cucurbits; cucumber; fruit plants (including fruit trees); green bean; herbs; leafy greens; lettuce; microgreens; millet; oat; onion; ornamental; pea; peanut; pepper; potato; rice; rye; safflower; sorghum; soybean; squash; sugar beet; sunflower; sweet potato; tobacco; tomato; turfgrass; and wheat.

[0157] For instance, the following plants are commercially improved by the present invention and included in the present compositions and methods:

[0158] Cereal grain crops: amaranth (pseudocereal), arborio rice, barley, basmati rice, black rice, brown rice, buckwheat (pseudocereal), bulgur, corn (maize), durum wheat, emmer, farro, fonio, glutinous rice, jasmine rice, millet, oats, pearl millet, quinoa (pseudocereal), red rice, rye, sorghum, spelt, teff, triticale, wheat, white rice, and wild rice.

[0159] Fruiting vegetables: acorn squash, avocado, bell pepper, bitter melon, calabash, cantaloupe, caper berries, chayote, cherry tomato, chili pepper, cucumber, eggplant, gourds, ground cherry, honeydew melon, jicama, kabocha, luffa, okra, pattypan squash, pepino melon, pumpkin, roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa), snap peas, spaghetti squash, squash, string beans, taro fruit, tomatillo, tomato, watermelon, winter melon, and zucchini.

[0160] Legume vegetables: adzuki bean, black bean, black-eyed pea (cowpea), butter bean, cannellini bean, chickpea (garbanzo bean), cranberry bean, edamame (young soybean), fava bean (broad bean), green bean, hyacinth bean, kidney bean, lentil, lima bean, mung bean, navy bean, pigeon pea, pinto bean, runner bean, snap pea, snow pea, sugar snap pea, winged bean, and yardlong bean.

[0161] Pome fruit: apple, loquat, medlar, nashi pear (Asian pear), pear, and quince.

[0162] Seed crops: amaranth, basil, black cumin, buckwheat, canola, caraway, chia, coriander, cumin, flax, hemp, millet, mustard, nigella, poppy, pumpkin, quinoa, safflower, sesame, squash, sunflower, and watermelon.

[0163] Small fruit crops and berries: aronia (chokeberry), barberry, blackberry, blackcurrant, blueberry, boysenberry, buffaloberry, cloudberry, cranberry, currant, elderberry, feijoa (pineapple guava), fig, gooseberry, grape, huckleberry, jostaberry, juneberry (serviceberry), kiwi,Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 37 of 125 lingonberry, loganberry, mulberry, olallieberry, pomegranate, raspberry, redcurrant, salal berry, saskatoon berry, sea buckthorn, serviceberry (Juneberry), strawberry, tayberry, and white currant. Methods to improve plant response.

[0164] The methods disclosed herein are applicable to improving plant response to a variety of plant pests and pathogens, including bacterial and fungal pathogens, viruses, nematodes and insects. Such pathogens may attack one or more parts of a plant, including but not limited to leaf, stem, shoot, flower, fruit, bud, root, tuber, rhizome, runner, bulb, and corm. An improved plant response to a pathogen or pest will result in decreased damage or other adverse effects of the pathogen or pest. Adverse effects of pathogen or pest attack on a plant include, but are not limited to, any type of plant tissue damage or necrosis, any type of plant yield reduction, any reduction in the value of the crop plant product, and / or production of undesirable metabolites or growth products of the pathogen or pest, including, but not limited to fungal metabolites or fungal growth by-products including, but not limited to, mycotoxins.

[0165] Fungal Pathogens. In some embodiments, methods provided herein improve a plant response to a fungal pathogen selected from the group consisting of an Alternaria sp., an Ascochyta sp., an Aspergillus sp., a Bipolaris sp., a Botrytis sp., a Bremia sp., a Cercospora sp., a Cochliobolus sp., a Colletotrichum sp., a Diplodia sp., an Erysiphe sp., an Exserohilum sp., a Fusarium sp., Gaeumanomyces sp., Macrophomina sp., a Magnaporthe sp., a Nectria sp., a Peronospora sp., a Phakopsora sp., a Phialophora sp., a Phoma sp., a Phymatotrichum sp., a Phytophthora sp., a Plasmopara sp., a Puccinia sp., a Podosphaera sp., a Pyrenophora sp., a Pyricularia sp, a Pythium sp., a Rhizoctonia sp., a Sclerotium sp., a Sclerotinia sp., a Septoria sp., a Stagonospora sp., a Thielaviopsis sp., an Uncinula sp, an Ustilago sp., a Venturia sp., and a Verticillium sp.

[0166] Bacterial Pathogens. In some embodiments, methods provided herein improve a plant response to a bacterial pathogen selected from the group consisting of a Pseudomonas sp., a Ralstonia sp., an Agrobacterium sp., a Xanthomonas sp., an Erwinia sp., a Xylella sp., a Dickeya sp., a Pectobacterium sp., a Clavibacter sp., and a Candidatus sp.

[0167] Viral Pathogens. In some embodiments where a plant is attacked by an insect, an improved response can result in reduction of damage caused by an insect directly, and / or can reduce damage caused by a plant pathogen transmitted by the insect. Some viruses that affect agriculture crops are topoviruses and gemini viruses. Some common viruses that can severelyAgent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 38 of 125 affect plants include tomato spotted wilt virus, beet curly top virus, tomato yellow leaf curl virus, cucumber mosaic virus, potato virus y, potato virus x, cauliflower mosaic virus, african cassava mosaic virus, plum pox virus, brome mosaic virus, potato virus, tobacco mosaic virus, tomato spotted wilt virus, tomato yellow leaf curl virus, cucumber mosaic virus, cauliflower mosaic virus, african cassava mosaic virus, plum pox virus, and brome mosaic virus.

[0168] Insect Pests.

[0169] A. Piercing-sucking insects. Piercing-sucking insects can, for example, cause damage such as spotting or stippling of foliage, leaf curling, and stunted or misshapen fruits, in addition to effects caused by vectored pathogens. Piercing-sucking insects include leafhoppers, thrips and aphids, and attack plant vascular tissues, such as are present in roots, stems, leaves and other plant organs.

[0170] B. Chewing insects. In some embodiments of methods and compositions described herein, an improved plant response to insects with chewing mouthparts (chewing insects) is obtained. Damage caused by chewing insects can take many forms. In some cases, foliage or flowers are completely consumed by some insects, or plants or plant parts appear ragged and have chewed edges or centers. In some cases, only upper or lower surfaces are consumed and can be observed as a brown, scorched appearance, or openings between the veins. Chewing damage inside a plant is sometimes referred to as mining or boring. Chewing and biting pests may bite into and chew leaves, stems, buds, flowers, and / or roots of plants. Damage from such pests can include defoliation from extensive feeding; tunneling, for example from burrowing of insects such as leaf miners into plant leaves; girdling from beetles that feed on living wood; and root damage from insect feeding, leading to lodging. Common chewing pests include snails, slugs, caterpillars, borers, cutworms, hornworms and beetles.

[0171] Example Crops / Pests. Non-limiting examples of crops and target pests for which the methods, microbial strains, and compositions provided herein find use include those depicted in Table 8A – Table 8AAL, including: Peppers - aphids, thrips, and lepidopterans; Tomato – stinkbugs, aphids, white fly, beet leafhopper (BCTV vector) flea beetles, thrips, nematodes, including root-knot nematodes, and lepidopterans; Snap bean - potato leaf hopper, Mexican bean beetle, lepidopteran insects; Brassicas - flea beetles; Soybean – aphids, Fall armyworm, Soybean looper, nematodes, including root-knot nematodes,, lepidopterans, and stinkbugs; Cotton - Western flower thrips, Fall armyworm, nematodes, including root-knot nematodes,, aphids; Rice - Fall armyworm, water weevil; melon – cucumber beetles and squash bugs; zucchini – squashAgent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 39 of 125 bugs; and Corn - corn rootworm, cutworms, beetles, corn leaf and root aphids, white grubs, mites, armyworms, lepidopterans, stinkbugs, nematodes, including root-knot nematodes, and wireworms.

[0172] Corn Rootworm. In some embodiments of methods described herein, an insect pest is a corn rootworm (CRW), a member of the widespread beetle genus, Diabrotica. In some embodiments, methods described herein enhance the response of a corn plant to attack by Western corn rootworm (WCR), leading to decreased lodging and / or increased yield in comparison to control plants. In some embodiments of methods described herein, improved response of a corn plant to feeding by CRW is obtained by treatment of a corn plant, part or seed with a beneficial microbe. In some embodiments, a corn plant is treated with a beneficial bacterium. In some embodiments, a corn plant is treated with a Methylobacterium or Methylorubrum species. In some embodiments, a corn plant is treated with a deposited Methylobacterium or Methylorubrum species listed in Table 1A. In some embodiments, a corn plant is treated with NLS0042 (NRRL B-50932). In some embodiments, a corn plant is treated with a Methylobacterium or Methylorubrum species other than NLS0042 (NRRL B-50932). In some embodiments, improved response of a corn plant to feeding by CRW is obtained by modifying a corn plant genome to increase expression of one or more gene transcripts involved in production of one or more plant defense compounds. In some embodiments, a corn plant genome is modified to increase expression of a native corn gene transcript. In some embodiments, a corn plant genome is modified to increase expression of a heterologous gene transcript, for example from a microbial source or from a plant other than corn. In some embodiments, a plant is modified to increase expression of an anthranilate synthase subunit transcript. In some embodiments, expression of an alpha and / or beta subunit transcript is increased. In some embodiments, expression of an anthranilate N-benzoyltransferase is increased. In some embodiments, expression of an anthranilate synthase beta subunit transcript and an anthranilate N-benzoyltransferase transcript are increased. In some embodiments, expression of one or more gene transcripts encoding a protein having a sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, or SEQ ID NO:7 is increased. Additional Embodiments.

[0173] Methods to affect Gene Expression. In some embodiments of methods provided herein, a gene transcript involved in production of one or more plant defense compounds from anthranilate encodes an Anthranalite Synthase (AS) alpha or beta component. In some embodiments, a gene transcript encodes an AS (Anthranalite Synthase) beta component. In someAgent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 40 of 125 embodiments an AS beta gene transcript is a corn plant transcript. In some embodiments, expression of an AS beta subunit protein having a sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or a homolog or ortholog, thereof is increased. Homologs and orthologs of SEQ ID NO:2 include Arabidopsis proteins AT1G24909, AT1G25155, AT1G24807, AT1G25083, ASB2, and ASB1; and rice proteins OASB1 (Os04g0463500), and OASB2 (Os03g0718000). In some embodiments, a gene transcript encodes an AS alpha component. In some embodiments an AS alpha gene transcript is a corn plant transcript. In some embodiments, expression of an AS alpha subunit protein having a sequence of SEQ ID NO:4 or a homolog or ortholog, thereof is increased. Homologs and orthologs of SEQ ID NO:4 include Arabidopsis proteins AT3G55870, ASA1, and ASA2; and rice proteins OASA2 (Os03g0264400), and OASA1 (Os03g0826500). Additional plant AS alpha and beta subunit genes can be identified, for example, from plant genome sequences. In some embodiments, a gene encoding an AS alpha or beta protein component is transcribed to produce multiple transcripts and translated proteins. Examples of additional corn AS genes for use in the methods described herein are provided in Example 4.

[0174] In other embodiments of methods disclosed herein a gene transcript involved in production of one or more plant defense compounds from anthranilate encode an anthranilate N- benzoyltransferase protein that catalyzes the production of N-benzoylanthranilate from benzoyl- CoA and anthranilate, a reaction involved in the production of anthramide phytoalexins. The enzyme, EC 2.3.1.144, is sometimes referred to as anthranilate N-hydroxycinammoyl / benzoyltransferase due to its ability to use other thioesters of coenzyme A as donors in the reaction with anthranilate, including cinnamoyl-CoA, 4-coumaroyl-CoA and salicyloyl-CoA. Compounds resulting from reaction with such other donor substrates may also be involved in production of plant defense compounds. In one embodiment of methods described herein, a gene transcript involved in production of one or more plant defense compounds encodes maize anthranilate N- benzoyltransferase protein represented by SEQ ID NO:6 and / or SEQ ID NO:7. Other plant anthranilate N-benzoyltransferase proteins are also of interest in the methods described herein, including DcHCBT2_Z84386 from Dianthus caryophyllus.

[0175] In other embodiments of methods disclosed herein, a gene transcript involved in production of a protein that enhances the response of a plant to a pathogen or pest, encodes a protein having an amino acid sequence with at least 80% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:21. In some embodiments, a gene transcript encodes a protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 8990, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:21.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 41 of 125

[0176] Identification and Selection of Microbes that Enhance a Plant Response to Pest or Pathogens. Also provided herein are methods to identify a microbe that enhances the response of a plant to one or more pathogens or pests, wherein the microbe is not a pathogen of said plant, and wherein the plant response is enhanced by increased production in the plant of one or more plant defense compounds derived from anthranilate. In some embodiments, a method to identify a microbe that enhances a plant response to one or more pathogens or pests comprises the steps of treating a plant, plant part or plant seed with at least a first microbial strain that is not a pathogen of said plant to obtain a treated seed and / or a treated plant; growing the treated plant, or growing a plant from a treated plant part or treated seed, in the presence of said pathogen or pest; harvesting one or more tissue samples from said plant and from an untreated control plant, wherein said tissue samples are harvested at a growing stage during which said pest or pathogen is attacking said plant tissue; and assaying said samples to identify a microbe that provides for increased production of one or more plant defense compounds derived from anthranilate. In some embodiments, such methods comprise the additional step of selecting samples for analysis of levels of said one or more plant defense compounds from treated plants that exhibit reduced damage from said pathogen or pest as compared to untreated control plants, or that exhibit reduced damage from said plant pathogen or pest as compared to other plants treated with said microbe.

[0177] In some embodiments a method of selecting a microbial strain that enhances the response of a plant to a pathogen or pest comprises the steps of: (i) assaying one or more tissue samples from a plant treated with at least a first microbial strain that is not a pathogen of said plant or from a plant grown from a plant part or seed treated with the first microbial strain for increased levels of one or more plant defense compounds derived from anthranilate as compared to one or more control tissue samples from an untreated control plant, wherein said tissue samples were harvested from the treated and untreated plant during or after said pest or pathogen attacked said plant tissue; and; (ii) selecting a microbial strain that is not a pathogen of said plant and that provides the increased levels of the one or more plant defense compounds, thereby selecting a microbial strain that enhances the response of a plant to said pathogen or pest.

[0178] In some embodiments, a plant tissue extract or plant part, such as a germinating seedling is treated and assayed in vitro, for example in a culture dish or test tube. In some embodiments a method of selecting a microbial strain that enhances the response of a plant to a pathogen or pest comprises the steps of: (i) assaying one or more plant tissue samples treated with at least a first microbial strain that is not a pathogen of said plant for increased levels of one or more plantAgent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 42 of 125 defense compounds derived from anthranilate as compared to one or more untreated control plant tissue samples, wherein said tissue samples were exposed to said pest or pathogen during or after treatment with said first microbial strain; and; (ii) selecting a microbial strain that provides the increased levels of the one or more plant defense compounds, thereby selecting a microbial strain that enhances the response of a plant to said pathogen or pest.

[0179] Additional methods can also be employed to identify a microbe that enhances the response of a plant to one or more pathogens or pests, wherein the microbe is not a pathogen of said plant, and wherein the plant response is enhanced by expression of a gene in said microbe. In certain embodiments, such methods can comprise subjecting a sample to a nucleic acid analysis technique and determining that the sample contains nucleic acids expressing one or more proteins involved in production a protein that enhances the response of a plant to a pathogen or pest. In some embodiments, a microbe is identified as having one or more genes that encode proteins involved in biosynthesis of polyketides. In some embodiments, genes encoding one or more polyketide synthesis proteins are encoded by sequences present in SEQ ID NO:86, SEQ ID NO: 87, or variants thereof. Variants of SEQ ID NO: 87 include: (i) DNA sequences having at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 87 and / or (ii) DNA sequences encoding proteins encoded by SEQ ID NO: 87. Variants of SEQ ID NO: 86 include: (i) DNA sequences having at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 86; and / or (ii) DNA sequences encoding proteins encoded by SEQ ID NO: 86. In some embodiment, genes encoding polyketide synthesis proteins are homologs or orthologs of polyketide synthesis protein expressing sequences present in SEQ ID NO:86 and / or SEQ ID NO: 87. In some embodiments, polyketide biosynthesis protein encoding sequences identified in microorganisms encode a protein having at least 80% identity to a protein having a sequence of SEQ ID NO:21-35. In some embodiments, such polyketide biosynthesis protein encoding sequences have at least 70% identity to a polyketide biosynthesis protein encoding sequence of SEQ ID NO:36-50. In some embodiments, a polyketide biosynthesis protein has the sequence of SEQ ID NO:21 or has about 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 8990, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:21. Nucleic acid analysis to identify such sequences include, but are not limited to, techniques based on sequencing, using BLAST to compare sequences, nucleic acid hybridization, polymerase chain reactions (PCR), mass spectroscopy, nanopore based detection, branched DNA analyses, combinations thereof, and the like. In some embodiments, a nucleic acid analysis can be used to detect microbial strains present at a concentration of 103, 104, 105, 106or more per gram of sample. Samples of interest forAgent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 43 of 125 identification of microbial strains that enhance the response of a plant to a pathogen or pest include soil samples, plants, plant parts, residual plant material, various water sources, including water from rice paddies or crop irrigation.

[0180] Various methods can be employed to treat plants with a microbe to identify or select one or more microbes that enhance a plant response to a target pathogen or pest.

[0181] The present invention provides methods of improving a plant response to a pest, wherein said method comprises: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of said pest, whereby the response of said plant to said pest is improved as compared to a control plant.

[0182] In some embodiments, the present invention provides such methods wherein said plant is selected from the group consisting of: corn, wheat, rye, rice, alfalfa, barley, oats, rye, sorghum, millet, soybean, Brassica sp., Cannabis sp., tobacco, potato, peanut, carrot, cotton, coffee, coconut, sugar beet, oat, barley, tomato, squash, cucumber, cucurbits, lettuce, pepper, pea, onion, green bean, sunflower, safflower, sweet potato, cassava, coffee, coconut, conifers, turfgrass, leafy greens, microgreens, herbs, fruit plants, including fruit trees, and ornamentals.

[0183] In some embodiments, the present invention provides such methods wherein the level of one or more plant defense compounds in said plant is increased in comparison to a control plant.

[0184] In some embodiments, the present invention provides such methods wherein said pest is an insect pest selected from the group consisting of: rootworms; thrips; leafhoppers; aphids; nematodes; flies; lepidopterans; mites; grubs; loopers; true bugs; and beetles.

[0185] In some embodiments, the present invention provides such methods wherein said pest is an insect pest selected from the group consisting of: tobacco hornworm; Western flower thrips; leafhopper, stinkbugs, aphids, root-knot nematode; white fly; lepidopterans, mites, wireworm, white grub, soybean looper, fall army worm, peanut burrower bug, and southern corn rootworm.

[0186] Also provided are methods of improving a plant response to a pathogen, wherein said method comprises:Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 44 of 125 a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0089; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of said pathogen, whereby the response of said plant to said pest is improved as compared to a control plant.

[0187] In some embodiments, the present invention provides such methods wherein said plant is selected from the group consisting of: corn, wheat, rye, rice, alfalfa, barley, oats, rye, sorghum, millet, soybean, Brassica sp., Cannabis sp., tobacco, potato, peanut, carrot, cotton, coffee, coconut, sugar beet, oat, barley, tomato, squash, cucumber, cucurbits, lettuce, pepper, pea, onion, green bean, sunflower, safflower, sweet potato, cassava, coffee, coconut, conifers, turfgrass, leafy greens, microgreens, herbs, fruit plants, including fruit trees, and ornamentals.

[0188] In some embodiments, the present invention provides such methods wherein the level of one or more plant defense compounds in said plant is increased in comparison to a control plant.

[0189] In some embodiments, the present invention provides such methods wherein said pathogen is selected from the group consisting of: fungus, oomycete, and bacterium.

[0190] In some embodiments, the present invention provides such methods wherein said pathogen is selected from the group consisting of: Pythium, Fusarium, Botrytis, Thielaviopsis, Rhizoctonia, Phytophthora, Sclerotinia, Botrytis, and Erwinia.

[0191] In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods wherein reduced risk or improved response is due to pest or pathogen resistance, tolerance, reduced infection, and / or reduced infestation to the treated plant or plant grown from the treated part or seed in comparison to an untreated control plant.

[0192] In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods wherein the plant is a crop plant set forth in Table 2 and / or wherein the pathogen or pest is set forth in Table 2 and / or 3.

[0193] In some embodiments, the present invention provides such methods which further comprises reduced risk of damage by other pathogens or pests.

[0194] In some embodiments, the present invention provides such methods wherein said plant and / or plant part is selected from the group consisting of a leaf, stem, shoot, flower, fruit, bud, root, tuber, rhizome, runner, bulb, and corm.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 45 of 125

[0195] In some embodiments, the present invention provides such methods wherein said plant and / or plant part is selected from the group consisting of: tomato, pepper, strawberry, corn, soybean; cotton; rice; and peanut.

[0196] In some embodiments, the present invention provides such methods which further comprises contacting the plant and / or plant part with at least one further bacterial strain selected from the group consisting of: Methylobacterium, or Methylorubrum, and / or a methanotrophic strain.

[0197] In some embodiments, the present invention provides such methods wherein said bacterial strain is selected from the strains set forth in Table 1A.

[0198] In some embodiments, the present invention provides plants, plant parts, and / or compositions resulting from a method herein.

[0199] In some embodiments, the present invention provides compositions useful for achieving a method herein.

[0200] Plant defense enhancement.

[0201] In some embodiments of methods provided herein, a plant or plant part or seed reduces or mitigates, repels, and / or reduces the effects of a pathogen or pest following treatment of soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a microbial strain that produces a metabolite, wherein such metabolite increases a defense mechanism of a plant, plant part or seed and the defense mechanism protects the roots of a plant or a plant from attack by a pathogen or pest. In some embodiments, a plant defense mechanism includes increased production of anthranilate and / or anthranilate derived compounds. In some embodiments, production of anthranilate and / or anthranilate derived compounds in roots is enhanced. In some embodiments, the plant defense response protects the plant roots from attack. In some embodiments, a plant response is improved by treatment of a plant, plant part, seed or soil with a microbe that expresses a gene involved in induction of an ISR response, including for example a gene involved in biosynthesis of siderophores and / or polyketides. In some embodiments, proteins in a pathway for production of a polyketide that induces a plant response to a pathogen or pest are present on a mobilizable plasmid. In some embodiments, proteins in a pathway for production of a polyketide are encoded by genes on DNA having a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 87 or variants thereof comprising (i) DNA sequences having at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 87 and / or (ii) DNAAgent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 46 of 125 sequences encoding proteins encoded by SEQ ID NO: 87. In some embodiments, proteins in a pathway for production of a polyketide that induces a plant response to a pathogen or pest are encoded by genes on DNA having a sequence SEQ ID NO: 86 or variants thereof comprising (i) DNA sequences having at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 86 and / or (ii) DNA sequences encoding proteins encoded by SEQ ID NO: 86. In some embodiments, proteins in a pathway for production of a polyketide that induces a plant response to a pathogen or pest are encoded by a polynucleotide comprising a DNA sequence having at least 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NOS: 36-50. In some embodiments, proteins in a pathway for production of a polyketide that induces a plant response to a pathogen or pest comprise a polypeptide sequence plant response to a pathogen or pest are encoded by a polynucleotide comprising a DNA sequence having at least 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS:21-35. In some embodiments, a protein in a microbe that induces a plant response to a pathogen or pest is a homolog or ortholog of any one of SEQ ID NOS:21-35. In some embodiments, a gene in a pathway for production of a polyketide is a bfmBAB_2 gene. In some embodiments, the bfmBAB_2 gene comprises a polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:36. In some embodiments a bfmBAB_2 gene encodes a protein having a sequence of SEQ ID NO:21. In some embodiments, thebfmBAB_2 gene comprises a polynucleotide having at least 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:36, and / or encodes a protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:21. In some embodiments, the bacterial strain is a Methylobacterium or Methylorubrum strain. In some embodiments, the bacterial strain is NLS0042 (NRRL B-50932). In some embodiments, the bacterial strain is not NLS0042 (NRRL B-50932). In some embodiments, a method of reducing feeding or repelling of a pathogen or pest comprises treating soil, a plant, a plant part or a seed with a microbial strain, wherein said microbial strain expresses a metabolite; and growing the plant in the presence of the pathogen or pest, whereby the treated plant, plant part or seed pathogen or pest repels the pathogen or pest more or reduces feeding of the pathogen or pest as compared to a control plant, wherein the control plant is not genetically modified or treated with said microbial strain. In some embodiments, the plant defense compound reduces foraging of insect larvae on plant roots. In some embodiments, the plant defense compound reduces foraging of insect larvae on plant roots in comparison to the control.

[0202] In some embodiments, plants are treated with a bacterial strain to increase expression in said plant of one or more gene transcripts involved in production of a plant defense compoundAgent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 47 of 125 derived from anthranilate or reduce or repel or a plant pathogen or pest. In some embodiments, a plant defense compound is derived from anthranilate.

[0203] Microbial strains comprising heterologous DNA which can confer resistance, act as a repellant, tolerance, reduced damage, forage, reduced infection, and / or reduced infestation of a plant to a pest or pathogen as well as methods of making such microbial strains are provided. In some embodiments, DNA is transferred from a microbial strain which can confer resistance, act as a repellant, tolerance, reduced damage, forage, reduced infection, and / or reduced infestation of a plant to a pest or pathogen to a distinct microbial strain lacking that DNA. In certain embodiments, the heterologous DNA which is transferred to the distinct microbial strain encodes a protein having a sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO:21-35, or a protein sequence at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, 99%, or 100 sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NO:21-35. In some embodiments, DNA is transferred on a mobilizable plasmid from a microbial strain that induces a plant response to an insect and / or pathogen. In some embodiments, a mobilizable plasmid is transferred from a Methylobacterium or Methylorubrum strain to a second Methylobacterium or Methylorubrum strain. In some embodiments, a mobilizable plasmid comprises SEQ ID NO:87 or a variant thereof comprising (i) DNA sequences having at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 87; and / or (ii) DNA sequences encoding proteins encoded by SEQ ID NO: 87. In other embodiments, a mobilizable plasmid comprises SEQ ID NO:86 or a variant thereof comprising (i) DNA sequences having at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 86; and / or (ii) DNA sequences encoding proteins encoded by SEQ ID NO: 86. In further embodiments, a mobilizable plasmid that is transferred to a microorganism to impart the ability to induce a plant defense response encodes one or more of the proteins comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:21-35. In some embodiments, genes encoding proteins that enhance plant response to an insect and / or pathogen are heterologous to a microbial host. In some embodiments, genes encoding one or more of SEQ ID NO:21-35 or derivatives, variants, homologs or orthologs thereof are genetically manipulated to prepare recombinant constructs that provide for expression of one or more proteins comprising an amino acid sequence having at least SEQ ID NO:21-35. In some embodiments, such recombinant constructs comprise regulatory sequences to provide for expression of said protein or proteins in a target microbial host. In some embodiments, recombinant DNA constructs for expression of any one or more of a protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:21-35 are stably integrated into the genome of aAgent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 48 of 125 target microbial host. In some embodiments, constructs for expression of any one or more of a protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:21-35 are introduced and maintained on a plasmid or other extrachromosomal element in a target microbial host. In some embodiments, one or more of the genes encoding a protein comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:21-35 are present in and expressed from an operon. In other embodiments, one or more of the genes encoding the proteins comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:21-35 are present in individual recombinant expression constructs. Also provided are recombinant DNA constructs comprising a heterologous promoter which is operably linked to one or more of the genes encoding the proteins comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:21-35, as well as microbial cells comprising the recombinant DNA constructs. In some embodiments, microbial strains that are engineered to express one or more proteins comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:21-35 are bacterial strains. In certain embodiments, the aforementioned or otherwise provided DNA molecules are introduced into a microbial strain other than Methylobacterium sp. #4 (NLS0042; NRRL B-50932). In certain embodiments, the aforementioned or otherwise provided DNA molecules are introduced into a microbial strain in Table 1A selected from the group consisting of Methylobacterium sp. #1 to 3, #5 to #53, and #54. In certain embodiments, the aforementioned or otherwise provided DNA molecules are introduced into a Methylorubrum sp. including Methylorubrum sp. #63 of Table 1. In some embodiments, microbial strains that are engineered to express one or more proteins comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:21-35 are fungal strains.

[0204] Bacterial strains of use in the present methods include, but are not limited to bacterial strains of the genera Actinomycetes, Agrobacterium, Arthrobacter, Alcaligenes, Aureobacterium, Azobacter, Azorhizobium, Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Beijerinckia, Bacillus, Brevibacillus, Burkholderia, Chromobacterium, Clostridium, Clavibacter, Comomonas, Corynebacterium, Curtobacterium, Enterobacter, Flavobacterium, Gluconacetobacter, Gluconobacter, Herbaspirillum, Hydrogenophage, Klebsiella, Luteibacter, Lysinibacillus, Mesorhizobium, Methylobacterium, Methylorubrum, Microbacterium, Ochrobactrum, Paenibacillus, Pantoea, Pasteuria, Phingobacterium, Photorhabdus, Phyllobacterium, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium,Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 49 of 125 Rhodococcus, Bradyrhizobium, Serratia, Sinorhizobium, Sphingomonas, Streptomyces, Stenotrophomonas, Variovorax, Xanthomonas and Xenorhadbus. In some embodiments the bacteria is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus firmus, Bacillus, lichenformis, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus sphaericus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus thuringiensis, Chromobacterium suttsuga, Pasteuria penetrans, Pasteuria usage, and Pseudomonas fluorescens.

[0205] In some embodiments plants are treated with a beneficial fungus, including but not limited to strains of the genera Acremonium, Alternaria, Ampelomyces, Aspergillus, Aureobasidium, Beauveria, Botryosphaeria, Cladosporium, Cochliobolus, Colletotrichum, Coniothyrium, Embellisia, Epicoccum, Fusarium, Gigaspora, Gliocladium, Glomus, Laccaria, Metarhisium, Muscodor, Nigrospora, Paecilonyces, Paraglomus, Penicillium, Phoma, Pisolithus, Podospora, Rhizopogon, Scleroderma, Trichoderma, Typhula, Ulocladium, and Verticillium. In particular embodiments, the fungus is Beauveria bassiana, Coniothyrium minitans, Gliocladium vixens, Muscodor albus, Paecilomyces lilacinus, and Trichoderma polysporum. EXAMPLES Example 1. Field Trial Analysis of Effects of Methylobacterium strain NLS0042 on Infestation of Plants.

[0206] Field trials were conducted on tomato to determine the ability of NLS0042 to enhance plant defense against stinkbugs, flea beetles, and lepidopterans.

[0207] Field trials were conducted on snapbean to determine the ability of NLS0042 to enhance plant defense against potato leaf hopper, Mexican bean beetle, and lepidopterans.

[0208] Field trials were conducted on zucchini to determine the ability of NLS0042 to enhance plant defense against squash bugs.

[0209] Field trials were conducted on melon to determine the ability of NLS0042 to enhance plant defense against cucumber beetles and squash bugs.

[0210] Field trials were conducted on soy to determine the ability of NLS0042 to enhance plant defense against aphids.

[0211] Field trials will be conducted on Brassica species to determine the ability of NLS0042 to enhance plant defense against flea beetles.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 50 of 125

[0212] Field trials will be conducted on peppers to determine the ability of NLS0042 to enhance plant defense against aphids, thrips and lepidopterans.

[0213] Field trials will be conducted on tomato to determine the ability of NLS0042 to enhance plant defense against aphids and thrips.

[0214] Plants, plant parts and / or seeds will be treated with NLS0042 as a foliar spray, a seed treatment, a drench (e.g., soil drench), an in-furrow treatment, or combinations thereof. Treated plants will be grown in the presence of natural and / or artificially supplemented infestations of the target insect pests. Plants will be evaluated for yield and insect damage and compared to control plants to identify enhanced plant response to the insect pests resulting from treatment with NLS0042. Example 2. Greenhouse Tomato Trials for NLS0042 Effect on White Fly.

[0215] Tomato plants, parts and / or seeds were treated with NLS0042 as a foliar spray, a seed treatment, a drench, or combinations thereof. The NLS0042 foliar spray contains the Methylobacterium sp. #4 suspended in water and applied at a rate of 125g / acre with a 1e9 cfu / g concentration. Treated plants and untreated control plants were infested with white fly. White fly counts were made weekly following inoculation and compared to counts in control plants not treated with NLS0042 to identify enhanced plant response to white fly.

[0216] As shown in Figure 4, untreated control tomato plants became infested with white flies. Tomato plants treated with the NLS0042 foliar spray (labeled TS201) had a minimal near zero whitefly count by 25 days. Tomato plants treated with commercial Verimark® insecticide, containing Cyantraniliprole, showed a higher whitefly count than the tomato plants treated with the NLS0042 foliar spray. Example 3. Tomato Trials for NLS0042 Effect on Leafhoppers.

[0217] Treated and untreated tomato plants will be exposed to viruliferous leafhoppers carrying beet curly top virus (BCTV) in a greenhouse. NLS0042 will be applied as a foliar spray, a seed treatment, a drench, or combinations thereof. Treated plants will be assessed with digital PCR to determine viral loads. Treated and untreated control plants will be transplanted into a field trial to determine effects on plant vigor (hyperspectral imaging), yield, and fruit quality. Insect presence will also be determined using sweep netting and / or sticky cards.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 51 of 125 Example 4. Greenhouse Experiments to Evaluate NLS0042 Effects on Caterpillar Pests of Solanaceous, Soybean, Cotton and Rice Crops.

[0218] Tomato, eggplant, pepper, soybean, cotton and rice plants will be treated with NLS0042 as a foliar spray, a seed treatment, a drench, or combinations thereof. Pre-weighed caterpillars of tobacco hornworm will be allowed to feed on treated and untreated control tomato plants at various phenological stages for a fixed period of time. Pre-weighed caterpillars of soybean looper and fall armyworm will be allowed to feed separately on treated and untreated control soybean plants at various phenological stages for a fixed period of time. Pre-weighed caterpillars of fall armyworm will be allowed to feed on treated and untreated control soybean, cotton, tomato, pepper, and rice plants at various phenological stages for a fixed period of time. During the treatment period for all experiments, data on caterpillar growth, mortality, volume, and developmental milestones will be collected and analyzed to identify enhanced plant response to the insect pests resulting from treatment with NLS0042.

[0219] In a second experiment, an artificial diet fortified with 10% leaf material from treated and untreated control plants will be prepared. Hornworm, fall armyworm and soybean looper caterpillars will be allowed to feed and develop and complete their life cycle on these diets. Data on life history traits will be collected to further evaluate the effect of NLS0042 treatment of plants on insect pests.

[0220] A choice assay will be conducted between treated and control plants to evaluate the effect of treatment with NLS0042 on herbivore choice, and to evaluate potential antibiosis effects. Example 5. Greenhouse Experiments to Evaluate NLS0042 Effects on Thrips and Aphid Pests of Cotton, Tomatoes, and Peppers.

[0221] A population assay will be conducted using a known number of western flower thrips or aphids. The thrips or aphids will be allowed to feed and develop on NLS0042 treated and untreated control plants. Plants will be monitored for population growth over an extended period of time. Electrophysiology experiments will also be run using a technique called electrical penetration graph that provides information on how the NLS0042 treated and untreated control plants vary in their antibiosis and antixenotic properties.

[0222] A choice assay will also be conducted between treated and control plants to evaluate the effect of treatment with NLS0042 on herbivore choice, and to evaluate potential antibiosis effects.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 52 of 125 Example 6. Evaluation of Effects of Microbes Comprising Genes Providing for Induction of a Plant Defense Response to Insect and / or Pathogen Pests

[0223] Microbial strains comprising one or more genes for expression of one or more polyketide synthesis proteins having a sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS: 21-35, or homologs or orthologs thereof, will be identified by genome screening and / or selection as described herein. Alternatively, such strains will be generated by transfer of genes encoding polyketide synthesis proteins identified herein by plasmid transfer and / or genetic transformation with recombinant constructs. The microbial strains will be used to treat target plants in greenhouse, growth chamber and / or field assays, and the plants are evaluated for enhanced plant defense response to a target pest. Treatments include foliar applications, imbibition or drench, and seed treatments. Table 2 below shows plants and pests that will be evaluated.

[0224] Table 2. Evaluation of Plant Defense Response to Insect PestsAgent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 53 of 125Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 54 of 125Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 55 of 125

[0225] Table 3. Evaluation of Plant Defense Response to Additional Pests in Crops including but not limited to Corn, Soybean, Peanut, and CottonAgent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 56 of 125Example 7. Field Potato Trials for NLS0089 Effect on Pathogen.

[0226] Potato plants will be treated with NLS0042 as a foliar spray, 6 days after emergence. Treated plants and untreated control plants will be inoculated with Phytophthora infestans zoospores in the laboratory and subsequently monitored for symptoms in humid chambers. Observations will be made weekly following inoculation and compared to observations in control plants not treated with NLS0089 to identify enhanced plant response, including visual ratings of disease incidence and severity. Example 8. Evaluation of Plant Defense Response to Insect Pests

[0227] Table 4. Plant Defense Response to Insect Pests - for NLS0042Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 57 of 125Example 9. Evaluation of Plant Defense Response to Insect Pests

[0228] Table 5. Plant Defense Response to Insect Pests - NLS0042Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 58 of 125Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 59 of 125 Example 10. Evaluation of Plant Defense Response to Pathogen

[0229] Table 6. Evaluation of Plant Defense Response to Pathogen - NLS0089Example 11. Evaluation of Plant Defense Response to Pathogen

[0230] Table 7. Evaluation of Plant Defense Response to Pathogen - NLS0089Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 60 of 125Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 61 of 125 Example 12. Other Specific Embodiments

[0231] Plants – in addition to previously described plants, the following plants will be shown to be improved. a) Fruiting vegetables: tomato, bell pepper, cucumber, zucchini, eggplant, chili pepper, pumpkin, squash, avocado, snap peas, string beans, okra, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, tomatillo, chayote, spaghetti squash, acorn squash, pattypan squash, luffa, gourds, kabocha, winter melon, bitter melon, ground cherry, cherry tomato, calabash, pepino melon, caper berries, jicama, roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa), taro fruit.: b) Small fruit crops: strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, cranberry, grape, kiwi, currant, gooseberry, elderberry, mulberry, fig, pomegranate, blackcurrant, boysenberry, loganberry, cloudberry, lingonberry, sea buckthorn, aronia (chokeberry), redcurrant, white currant, serviceberry (Juneberry), feijoa (pineapple guava), jostaberry, tayberry, olallieberry, saskatoon berry, huckleberry, salal berry, buffaloberry, barberry. c) Berries: strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, cranberry, grape, blackcurrant, redcurrant, white currant, gooseberry, elderberry, mulberry, boysenberry, loganberry, lingonberry, cloudberry, aronia (chokeberry), huckleberry, saskatoon berry, tayberry, olallieberry, juneberry (serviceberry), feijoa (pineapple guava), jostaberry, sea buckthorn. d) Legume Vegetables: green bean, snap pea, snow pea, edamame (young soybean), lima bean, yardlong bean, chickpea (garbanzo bean), lentil, pigeon pea, black-eyed pea (cowpea), fava bean (broad bean), mung bean, adzuki bean, butter bean, hyacinth bean, sugar snap pea, navy bean, pinto bean, kidney bean, black bean, cannellini bean, runner bean, cranberry bean, winged bean. e) Cereal grain crops: wheat, rice, corn (maize), barley, sorghum, oats, millet, rye, triticale, durum wheat, spelt, emmer, farro, bulgur, quinoa (pseudocereal), buckwheat (pseudocereal), amaranth (pseudocereal), teff, wild rice, pearl millet, fonio. a) Pome fruit: apple, pear, quince, nashi pear (Asian pear), medlar, loquat.

[0232] Insects - in addition to previously described pests, the following pests will be shown to be improved. a) Whiteflies: Silverleaf Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), Greenhouse Whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum), Sweetpotato Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci B biotype), Cabbage Whitefly (Aleyrodes proletella), Bandedwinged Whitefly (Trialeurodes abutilonea), Citrus Whitefly (Dialeurodes citri), Spiraling Whitefly (Aleurodicus dispersus), Giant WhiteflyAgent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 62 of 125 (Aleurodicus dugesii), Woolly Whitefly (Aleurothrixus floccosus), Tobacco Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Q biotype), Ash Whitefly (Siphoninus phillyreae), Pomegranate Whitefly (Siphoninus phillyreae), Cloudywinged Whitefly (Dialeurodes citrifolii), Fig Whitefly (Singhiella simplex), Avocado Whitefly (Tetraleurodes perseae), Bemisia afer (Tobacco Whitefly, distinct from B. tabaci), Australian Whitefly (Orchamoplatus citri), Papaya Whitefly (Trialeurodes variabilis), Coconut Whitefly (Aleurodicus cocois), Tea Whitefly (Aleurocanthus woglumi), Woolly Apple Whitefly (Aleurothrixus mali), Brazilian Whitefly (Aleurothrixus aepim). b) Aphids: Green Peach Aphid (Myzus persicae), Cotton / Melon Aphid (Aphis gossypii), Cabbage Aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae), Pea Aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum), Potato Aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae), Black Bean Aphid (Aphis fabae), Woolly Apple Aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum), Rose Aphid (Macrosiphum rosae), Grain Aphid (Sitobion avenae), Russian Wheat Aphid (Diuraphis noxia), Bird Cherry-Oat Aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi), Corn Leaf Aphid (Rhopalosiphum maidis), Apple Grain Aphid (Rhopalosiphum insertum), Cereal Aphid (Metopolophium dirhodum), Cotton Aphid (Aphis gossypii), Plum Aphid (Hyalopterus pruni), Spirea Aphid (Aphis spiraecola), Cowpea Aphid (Aphis craccivora), Black Cherry Aphid (Myzus cerasi), Rice Root Aphid (Rhopalosiphum rufiabdominalis), Banana Aphid (Pentalonia nigronervosa), Bean Aphid (Aphis fabae), Woolly Elm Aphid (Eriosoma americanum), Sugarcane Aphid (Melanaphis sacchari), Yellow Sugarcane Aphid (Sipha flava), Chrysanthemum Aphid (Macrosiphoniella sanborni), Tobacco Aphid (Myzus persicae nicotianae), Bluegreen Aphid (Acyrthosiphon kondoi), Giant Willow Aphid (Tuberolachnus salignus), Pea Leaf Aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum), Gladiolus Aphid (Aphis gladioli), Green Citrus Aphid (Aphis spiraecola), Lupin Aphid (Macrosiphum albifrons), Foxglove Aphid (Aulacorthum solani). c) Leafhoppers: Potato Leafhopper (Empoasca fabae), Glassy-winged Sharpshooter (Homalodisca vitripennis), Beet Leafhopper (Circulifer tenellus), Grape Leafhopper (Erythroneura elegantula), Variegated Leafhopper (Erythroneura variabilis), Blue-green Sharpshooter (Graphocephala atropunctata), Aster Leafhopper (Macrosteles quadrilineatus), Rose Leafhopper (Edwardsiana rosae), Meadow Spittlebug (Philaenus spumarius), Green Rice Leafhopper (Nephotettix cincticeps), Corn Leafhopper (Dalbulus maidis), Brown Planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens), White Apple Leafhopper (Typhlocyba pomaria), Maize Leafhopper (Cicadulina mbila), Citrus Leafhopper (Scaphytopius acutus), European Grapevine Moth (Lobesia botrana), Rice Green LeafhopperAgent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 63 of 125 (Nephotettix virescens), American Leafhopper (Empoasca mali), Sweetpotato Leafhopper (Empoasca kraemeri), Alfalfa Leafhopper (Empoasca fabae), Apple Leafhopper (Typhlocyba pomaria), Almond Leafhopper (Empoasca solani), Vine Leafhopper (Erythroneura vitis), Red-banded Leafhopper (Graphocephala coccinea), Japanese Leafhopper (Orientus ishidae), Potato Tuberworm Leafhopper (Empoasca abrupta), Pear Leafhopper (Typhlocyba pyri), Tea Green Leafhopper (Empoasca vitis), Sugarcane Leafhopper (Perkinsiella saccharicida), Olive Leafhopper (Euphyllura olivina), Grapevine Leafhopper (Scaphoideus titanus), Citrus Sharpshooter (Dikrella cruentata), Cucumber Leafhopper (Empoasca duffieldi), Blueberry Leafhopper (Scaphytopius acutus), Rice Orange Leafhopper (Pandanus rubrovenosus). d) Thrips: Western Flower Thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis), Onion Thrips (Thrips tabaci), Thrips palmi (Melon Thrips), Chili Thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis), Tobacco Thrips (Frankliniella fusca), Greenhouse Thrips (Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis), Avocado Thrips (Scirtothrips perseae), Rose Thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis), Banana Rust Thrips (Chaetanaphothrips signipennis), Corn Thrips (Frankliniella williamsi), Bean Thrips (Caliothrips fasciatus), Pear Thrips (Taeniothrips inconsequens), Gladiolus Thrips (Thrips simplex), Citrus Thrips (Scirtothrips citri), Tomato Thrips (Frankliniella schultzei), Grain Thrips (Limothrips denticornis), Grape Thrips (Drepanothrips reuteri), Soybean Thrips (Neohydatothrips variabilis), Pea Thrips (Kakothrips pisivorus), Rice Thrips (Stenchaetothrips biformis), Cotton Thrips (Thrips tabaci), Palm Thrips (Thrips palmi), Wheat Thrips (Haplothrips tritici), Greenhouse Flower Thrips (Echinothrips americanus), Lily Thrips (Thrips tabaci), Dracaena Thrips (Parthenothrips dracaenae), Cuban Laurel Thrips (Gynaikothrips ficorum), Tea Thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis), Soya Bean Thrips (Thrips nigropilosus), Gladiolus Rust Thrips (Gladiolus floridensis). e) Mealybugs: Citrus Mealybug (Planococcus citri), Grape Mealybug (Pseudococcus maritimus), Longtailed Mealybug (Pseudococcus longispinus), Pink Hibiscus Mealybug (Maconellicoccus hirsutus), Solenopsis Mealybug (Phenacoccus solenopsis), Mexican Mealybug (Phenacoccus gossypii), Obscure Mealybug (Pseudococcus viburni), Coffee Mealybug (Planococcus lilacinus), Vine Mealybug (Planococcus ficus), Pineapple Mealybug (Dysmicoccus brevipes), Cassava Mealybug (Phenacoccus manihoti), Papaya Mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus), Root Mealybug (Rhizoecus falcifer), Rice Mealybug (Brevennia rehi), Bougainvillea Mealybug (Phenacoccus peruvianus), Spherical Mealybug (Nipaecoccus viridis), Mango Mealybug (Drosicha mangiferae), GreenhouseAgent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 64 of 125 Mealybug (Pseudococcus calceolariae), Apple Mealybug (Phenacoccus aceris), Cactus Mealybug (Hypogeococcus pungens), Bamboo Mealybug (Antonina pretiosa), Coconut Mealybug (Dysmicoccus cocotis), Madeira Mealybug (Phenacoccus madeirensis), Strawberry Mealybug (Phenacoccus fraxinus), Ferrisia Mealybug (Ferrisia virgata), Sugarcane Mealybug (Saccharicoccus sacchari), Banana Mealybug (Dysmicoccus neobrevipes), Oleander Mealybug (Paracoccus burnerae), Japanese Mealybug (Planococcus kraunhiae). f) Plant bugs: Tarnished Plant Bug (Lygus lineolaris), Cotton Fleahopper (Pseudatomoscelis seriatus), Apple Red Bug (Lygus communis), Western Tarnished Plant Bug (Lygus hesperus), Green Plant Bug (Lygocoris pabulinus), European Tarnished Plant Bug (Lygus rugulipennis), Blister Bug (Calocoris norvegicus), Mirid Bug (Phytocoris longipennis), Clouded Plant Bug (Neurocolpus nubilus), Four-lined Plant Bug (Poecilocapsus lineatus), Apple Dimpling Bug (Campylomma verbasci), Alfalfa Plant Bug (Adelphocoris lineolatus), Rice Bug (Leptocorisa acuta), Garden Fleahopper (Halticus bractatus), Whitefly Assassin Bug (Orius insidiosus), Leaf-footed Bug (Leptoglossus phyllopus), Tomato Bug (Nesidiocoris tenuis), Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys), Chocolate Vine Bug (Riptortus pedestris), Strawberry Bug (Orthops campestris), Willow Leaf Bug (Atractotomus mali), Bean Bug (Riptortus clavatus), Citrus Leaf-footed Bug (Leptoglossus zonatus), Cucumber Bug (Lygus pratensis), Potato Bug (Lygus elisus), Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum), Blackberry Bug (Halticus apterus), Tobacco Bug (Lygus lineolaris), Rose Bug (Piezodorus lituratus). g) Stink bugs: Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys), Southern Green Stink Bug (Nezara viridula), Green Stink Bug (Chinavia hilaris), Brown Stink Bug (Euschistus servus), Rice Stink Bug (Oebalus pugnax), Harlequin Bug (Murgantia histrionica), Red- banded Stink Bug (Piezodorus guildinii), Dusky Stink Bug (Euschistus tristigmus), One- spotted Stink Bug (Euschistus variolarius), Say’s Stink Bug (Chlorochroa sayi), Spined Soldier Bug (Podisus maculiventris), Conchuela Stink Bug (Chlorochroa ligata), African Cluster Bug (Agonoscelis puberula), Shield Bug (Acrosternum hilare), Florida Predatory Stink Bug (Euthyrhynchus floridanus), Rough Stink Bug (Brochymena quadripustulata), Consperse Stink Bug (Euschistus conspersus), Redshouldered Stink Bug (Thyanta custator), Western Conifer Seed Bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis), Bean Plataspid (Megacopta cribraria), Australian Green Shield Bug (Glaucias amyoti), Brown Shield BugAgent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 65 of 125 (Dictyotus caenosus), Kununurra Stink Bug (Nezara viridula), Large Citrus Stink Bug (Rhynchocoris humeralis), Large Stink Bug (Poecilometis patruelis). h) Psyllids: Asian Citrus Psyllid (Diaphorina citri), Potato Psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli), Pear Psyllid (Cacopsylla pyricola), Tomato / Potato Psyllid (Bactericera trigonica), Olive Psyllid (Euphyllura olivina), Apple Psyllid (Cacopsylla mali), Psyllid Yellows (Cacopsylla pyri), Citrus Psyllid (Trioza erytreae), Jumping Plant Louse (Trioza apicalis), Eugenia Psyllid (Trioza eugeniae), Boxwood Psyllid (Cacopsylla buxi), Eucalyptus Psyllid (Ctenarytaina eucalypti), Australian Eggplant Psyllid (Acizzia solanicola), Potato Psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli), Asian Pear Psyllid (Cacopsylla chinensis), Lerp Psyllid (Glycaspis brimblecombei), European Pear Psyllid (Cacopsylla pyri), Blueberry Psyllid (Cacopsylla vaccinii), Alder Psyllid (Psylla alni), Acacia Psyllid (Acizzia uncatoides), Eugenia Psyllid (Trioza eugeniae), Redgum Lerp Psyllid (Glycaspis brimblecombei), Eucalyptus Redgum Lerp Psyllid (Glycaspis brimblecombei), Pittosporum Psyllid (Trioza vitreoradiata). i) Lepidopterans: Cabbage Moth (Mamestra brassicae), Diamondback Moth (Plutella xylostella), Corn Earworm (Helicoverpa zea), European Corn Borer (Ostrinia nubilalis), Codling Moth (Cydia pomonella), Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar), Asian Corn Borer (Ostrinia furnacalis), Tomato Hornworm (Manduca quinquemaculata), Tobacco Hornworm (Manduca sexta), Cotton Bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera), Pink Bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella), Indian Meal Moth (Plodia interpunctella), Cabbage Looper (Trichoplusia ni), Greater Wax Moth (Galleria mellonella), Small White (Pieris rapae), Large White (Pieris brassicae), Pine Processionary Moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa), Peach Twig Borer (Anarsia lineatella), Carob Moth (Ectomyelois ceratoniae), Apple Maggot (Rhagoletis pomonella), Mediterranean Flour Moth (Ephestia kuehniella), Light Brown Apple Moth (Epiphyas postvittana), Bertha Armyworm (Mamestra configurata), Meal Moth (Pyralis farinalis), Sugarcane Borer (Diatraea saccharalis), Cereal Leaf Beetle (Oulema melanopus), Pink Bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella), Oriental Fruit Moth (Grapholita molesta), Orange Tortrix (Argyrotaenia franciscana), Coffee Berry Borer (Hypothenemus hampei), Beet Armyworm (Spodoptera exigua), African Armyworm (Spodoptera exempta), Diamondback Moth (Plutella xylostella), Swede Midge (Contarinia nasturtii), Egyptian Cotton Leafworm (Spodoptera littoralis).Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 66 of 125 j) Mites: Two-Spotted Spider Mite (Tetranychus urticae), Red Spider Mite (Tetranychus cinnabarinus), Broad Mite (Polyphagotarsonemus latus), Cyclamen Mite (Phytonemus pallidus), Russet Mite (Aculops lycopersici), Eriophyid Mite (Eriophyes spp.), Citrus Red Mite (Panonychus citri), European Red Mite (Panonychus ulmi), Strawberry Spider Mite (Tetranychus turkestani), Avocado Brown Mite (Oligonychus punicae), Citrus Rust Mite (Phyllocoptruta oleivora), Grapevine Rust Mite (Calepitrimerus vitis), Clover Mite (Bryobia praetiosa), Bulb Mite (Rhizoglyphus echinopus), Tomato Russet Mite (Aculops lycopersici), Wheat Curl Mite (Aceria tosichella), Almond Mite (Bryobia rubrioculus), Bamboo Mite (Schizotetranychus bambusae), Coffee Mite (Oligonychus coffeae), Date Palm Dust Mite (Oligonychus afrasiaticus), Apple Rust Mite (Aculus schlechtendali), Maple Spider Mite (Oligonychus aceris), Blackberry Mite (Acalitus essigi), Tea Mite (Oligonychus coffeae), Pine Needle Rust Mite (Nalepella spp.), Papaya Mite (Tetranychus cinnabarinus), Hemp Russet Mite (Aculops cannabicola), Cactus Mite (Brevipalpus russulus). k) Beetles: Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica), Mexican Bean Beetle (Epilachna varivestis), Cucumber Beetle (Diabrotica spp.), Red Flour Beetle (Tribolium castaneum), Western Corn Rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera), Southern Corn Rootworm (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi), Asian Longhorned Beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis), Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis), Cotton Boll Weevil (Anthonomus grandis), European Corn Borer (Ostrinia nubilalis), Elm Leaf Beetle (Xanthogaleruca luteola), Lily Beetle (Lilioceris lilii), Flea Beetle (Phyllotreta spp.), Pine Shoot Beetle (Tomicus piniperda), Striped Cucumber Beetle (Acalymma vittatum), Spotted Cucumber Beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata), Sweet Potato Weevil (Cylas formicarius), Boll Weevil (Anthonomus grandis), Potato Flea Beetle (Epitrix cucumeris), Coffee Berry Borer (Hypothenemus hampei), Khapra Beetle (Trogoderma granarium), Longhorn Beetle (Cerambycidae spp.), Grain Weevil (Sitophilus granarius), Tobacco Beetle (Lasioderma serricorne), Pea Weevil (Bruchus pisorum), Almond Bark Beetle (Scolytus amygdali), Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros), Banana Weevil (Cosmopolites sordidus), Vine Weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus), Carpet Beetle (Anthrenus verbasci), Rose Chafer (Macrodactylus subspinosus), Maize Weevil (Sitophilus zeamais), Rice Weevil (Sitophilus oryzae), Red Palm Weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus), Asian Ambrosia Beetle (Xylosandrus crassiusculus), Citrus Root Weevil (Diaprepes abbreviatus), Bean Leaf Beetle (Cerotoma trifurcata), Sugarcane Beetle (Euetheola rugiceps), Whitefringed Beetle (Graphognathus leucoloma).Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 67 of 125

[0233] Pathogens - in addition to previously described pathogens, the following pathogens will be shown to be improved. a) Pythium: Pythium aphanidermatum (damping-off, root rot), Pythium ultimum (damping-off, root rot, seedling blight), Pythium irregulare (root rot, damping-off), Pythium dissotocum (root rot), Pythium myriotylum (damping-off, root rot), Pythium debaryanum (damping-off, root rot), Pythium sylvaticum (damping-off, root rot), Pythium paroecandrum (damping-off, root rot), Pythium graminicola (root rot, seedling blight), Pythium vexans (root rot, damping-off), Pythium middletonii (root rot), Pythium acanthicum (damping-off), Pythium rostratum (root rot), Pythium periilum (root rot, damping-off), Pythium oligandrum (damping-off, root rot), Pythium arrhenomanes (root rot, seedling blight), Pythium insidiosum (damping-off, root rot), Pythium violae (root rot), Pythium diclinum (root rot, damping-off), Pythium aristosporum (damping-off, root rot), Pythium uncinulatum (root rot, damping-off). b) Fusarium: Fusarium oxysporum (vascular wilt, root rot, damping-off), Fusarium graminearum (head blight, root rot), Fusarium solani (root rot, stem rot, wilt), Fusarium verticillioides (ear rot, stalk rot), Fusarium proliferatum (ear rot, root rot, seedling blight), Fusarium culmorum (crown rot, foot rot, head blight), Fusarium avenaceum (crown rot, seedling blight, head blight), Fusarium equiseti (root rot, seedling blight, stem rot), Fusarium poae (head blight, root rot), Fusarium sporotrichioides (root rot, head blight), Fusarium moniliforme (stalk rot, ear rot), Fusarium tricinctum (crown rot, root rot), Fusarium lateritium (canker, stem rot), Fusarium subglutinans (pineapple disease, stalk rot, seedling blight), Fusarium sambucinum (crown rot, dry rot), Fusarium solani f. sp. pisi (pea wilt, root rot), Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (tomato wilt), Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (banana wilt, Panama disease). c) Rhizoctonia: Rhizoctonia solani (damping-off, root rot, stem rot, blight), Rhizoctonia cerealis (sharp eyespot, root rot), Rhizoctonia oryzae (sheath blight, root rot), Rhizoctonia zeae (banded leaf and sheath blight, root rot), Rhizoctonia crocorum (crown rot, root rot), Rhizoctonia carotae (cavity spot, root rot), Rhizoctonia tuliparum (tulip fire, bulb rot), Rhizoctonia fragariae (root rot, black root rot in strawberries), Rhizoctonia violacea (violet root rot), Rhizoctonia bataticola (charcoal rot, root rot). d) Phytophthora: Phytophthora infestans (late blight), Phytophthora capsici (blight, fruit rot, root rot), Phytophthora cinnamomi (root rot, collar rot), Phytophthora sojae (stemAgent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 68 of 125 rot, root rot in soybeans), Phytophthora ramorum (sudden oak death, blight), Phytophthora nicotianae (black shank, root rot), Phytophthora cactorum (crown rot, leather rot in strawberries), Phytophthora palmivora (bud rot, fruit rot), Phytophthora parasitica (root rot, damping-off), Phytophthora megakarya (black pod rot in cocoa), Phytophthora drechsleri (root rot, damping-off), Phytophthora cryptogea (root rot, crown rot), Phytophthora erythroseptica (pink rot in potatoes), Phytophthora alni (alder root and collar rot), Phytophthora citrophthora (brown rot in citrus, root rot), Phytophthora fragariae (red stele in strawberries), Phytophthora kernoviae (leaf blight, canker), Phytophthora quercina (oak decline). e) Sclerotinia: Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (white mold, stem rot, crown rot), Sclerotinia minor (lettuce drop, stem rot), Sclerotinia trifoliorum (clover rot, stem rot), Sclerotinia homoeocarpa (dollar spot in turfgrass), Sclerotinia borealis (root and crown rot in various crops, particularly in colder regions), Sclerotinia libertiana (white mold, root rot), Sclerotinia tuberosa (root rot, tuber rot). f) Botrytis: Botrytis cinerea (gray mold, botrytis blight), Botrytis allii (neck rot in onions), Botrytis fabae (chocolate spot in faba beans), Botrytis squamosa (leaf blight in onions), Botrytis aclada (neck rot in onions), Botrytis paeoniae (botrytis blight in peonies), Botrytis tulipae (tulip fire), Botrytis gladiolorum (gladiolus corm rot), Botrytis elliptica (lily gray mold), Botrytis porri (garlic and onion blight). g) Erwinia: Erwinia amylovora (fire blight in apples, pears, and other rosaceous plants), Erwinia carotovora (soft rot, blackleg in potatoes), Erwinia chrysanthemi (soft rot, stem rot in a variety of crops including chrysanthemums and potatoes), Erwinia pyrifoliae (Asian pear blight), Erwinia tracheiphila (bacterial wilt in cucurbits), Erwinia rhapontici (pink seed in legumes), Erwinia herbicola (bacterial speck in tomatoes), Erwinia billingiae (fire blight, associated with apple and pear trees), Erwinia mallotivora (papaya dieback). h) Thielaviopsis: Thielaviopsis basicola (black root rot in various crops including tobacco, cotton, and ornamentals), Thielaviopsis paradoxa (pineapple disease in sugarcane, stem end rot in bananas, coconut and palm rot), Thielaviopsis ethacetica (black rot in sugarcane), Thielaviopsis punctulata (crown rot in date palms), Thielaviopsis musarum (black rot in bananas), Thielaviopsis radicicola (root rot in various crops including tomatoes and cucurbits).Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 69 of 125 i) Neopestalotiopsis (Pestalotia): Neopestalotiopsis spp. (Leaf, fruit, and crown rot of strawberry), Neopestalotiopsis rosae (Leaf, fruit, and crown rot of strawberry) Example 13. Application of Methylobacterium composition and Methylobacterium compositions

[0234] Application of Methylobacterium composition is accomplished by foliar, soil drench, in- furrow, shanked-in, or injected, planter box, hopper box, drip, irrigation, transplant, tank mix, spray, seed treatment.

[0235] Application of Methylobacterium composition and / or Methylobacterium composition comprises liquid, slurry, mist, or powder (granules, dust).

[0236] Application of Methylobacterium composition and / or Methylobacterium composition comprises adjuvants, lubricants, pesticides, surfactants, and / or fertilizers.

[0237] Application of Methylobacterium composition is accomplished by evenly coating, drenching, and / or applying soil, furrow, foliage, plant part, plant, and / or seed.

[0238] Application of Methylobacterium composition and / or Methylobacterium composition is to a crop or non-crop.

[0239] Application of Methylobacterium composition and / or Methylobacterium composition is to ameliorate and / or prevent pathological Rhizoctonia, Pythium, Fusarium, Verticillium and Phytophthora.

[0240] Application of Methylobacterium composition and / or Methylobacterium composition is one time or several times, including use in a rotational program, with or without other insecticides and / or fungicides.

[0241] Application of Methylobacterium composition and / or Methylobacterium composition is increased or decreased based on pest and / or disease pressure.

[0242] Application of Methylobacterium composition is accomplished via spray drift, ground, aerial, and / or chemigation. Example 14. A. NLS0042 composition applied to plant, plant part, and / or seed.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 70 of 125

[0243] A composition comprising NLS0042 will be applied to a plant, plant part, and / or seed. Insects and / or nematodes are reduced compared to non-treated plants, for example, in field crops, indoor / outdoor nurseries, greenhouses, shadehouses, interiorscapes, commercial landscapes, and on turf. B. NLS0089 composition applied to plant, plant part, and / or seed.

[0244] A composition comprising NLS0089 will be applied to a plant, plant part, and / or seed. Pathogens are reduced compared to non-treated plants, for example, in field crops, indoor / outdoor nurseries, greenhouses, shadehouses, interiorscapes, commercial landscapes, and on turf.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 71 of 125 Table 8A. through Table 8AAL. Table 8A.Table 8B.Table 8C.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 72 of 125Table 8D.Table 8E.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 73 of 125Table 8F.Table 8G.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 74 of 125Table 8H.Table 8I.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 75 of 125Table 8J.Table 8K.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 76 of 125Table 8L.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 77 of 125Table 8M.Table 8N.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 78 of 125Table 8O.Table 8P.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 79 of 125Table 8Q.Table 8R.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 80 of 125Table 8S.Table 8T.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 81 of 125Table 8U.Table 8V.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 82 of 125Table 8W.Table 8X.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 83 of 125Table 8Y.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 84 of 125 Table 8Z.Table 8AA.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 85 of 125Table 8AB.Table 8AC.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 86 of 125Table 8AD.Table 8AE.Table 8AF.Table 8AG.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 87 of 125Table 8AH.Table 8AI.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 88 of 125Table 8AJ.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 89 of 125Table 8AK.Table 8AL.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 90 of 125Table 8AM.Table 8AN.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 91 of 125Table 8AO.Table 8AP.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 92 of 125Table 8AQ.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 93 of 125Table 8AS.Table 8AT.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 94 of 125Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 95 of 125Table 8AW.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 96 of 125Table 8AX.Table 8AY.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 97 of 125Table 8AZ.Table 8AAA. Strawberry - Foliar and Soil Application MethodsAgent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 98 of 125Table 8AAB.Table 8AAC.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 99 of 125Table 8AAD.Table 8AAE.Table 8AAF.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 100 of 125Table 8AAG.Table 8AAH.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 101 of 125Table 8AAI.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 102 of 125Table 8AAJ.Table 8AAK.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 103 of 125Table 8AAL.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 104 of 125 Example 14. Decrease in Disease v. Control.

[0245] A composition comprising NLS0089 was applied to a plant, plant part, and / or seed. Disease incidence, severity, and area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) were reduced compared to non-treated plants. Treated plants and untreated control plants were inoculated with the pathogen. Visual Ratings of disease incidence and severity counts were made weekly following inoculation and compared to counts in control plants not treated with NLS0089 to identify enhanced plant response to the pathogen. Asterisk indicates a statistically significant reduction, LSD *p < 0.10, ** p, 0.05. All data from inoculated greenhouse assays except for footnote 1, which was treated in field and tested in a detached leaf assay.

[0246] Table 9.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 105 of 125

[0247] AUDPC is a method plant pathologists use to measure the progression of a disease over time with repeated measurements of the same plants using a disease severity index. The percentage is calculated as the [(Inoculated + NLS0089)-(Inoculated control)] / (Inoculated control)*100 Example 15.

[0248] NLS0089 will be applied as a dry seed treatment in combination with several chemical and biological products to soy, peanut, and cotton in a greenhouse setting and challenged with soilborne diseases including Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium spp., Pythium spp., and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Disease incidence, severity, and AUDPC are measured compared to non-treated plants and plants treated with other chemical and biological products. Visual Ratings of disease incidence and severity counts will be made weekly following inoculation and compared to counts in control plants to identify enhanced plant response to the pathogen. Example 16.

[0249] NLS0089 will be assessed for its protective properties against Phytophthora spp. in a potato field trial. NLS0089 will be applied as a liquid seed-piece treatment on top of the grower standard practice application: Cruisermaxx Vibrance. The NLS0089 treatment will be compared to a Cruisermaxx Vibrance only control. The trial will be naturally infested with Phytophthora spp. Overall tonnage and quality of the crop will be assessed. Example 17.

[0250] NLS0042 will be assessed for its protective properties against Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera) on corn and Dichelops spp. (Hemiptera) on soy in caged pots and in field trials. In caged pots, a set number of insects is added per cage. The number of ovipositions from the insects will be compared between NLS0042 treated plants and control plants. In the field trials, natural infestation will occur. Counts of the number of live insects and % damage will be assessed at regular intervals. Example 18. Method to find additional PPFMs with ISR activity

[0251] Additional PPFMs will be tested that are 1) phylogenetically different from NLS0042 and / or NLS0089, and / or 2) contained sequences identified in Examples 4, 8, and / or 9 that could affect the production of volatiles in NLS0042.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 106 of 125 Table 10.

[0252] Non-Bt corn seeds will be either treated with water for untreated control (UTC) or treated with a PPFM at rate of 2E6 cfu / seed at planting. Methyl jasmonate will be a positive control for an ISR response and these plants will be treated with a foliar spray at the rate of 1mM per plant 1 -2 days before harvesting. All plants will be grown for 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and / or 10 days to allow time for the PPFMs to set up the ISR response in the plant. Roots will be harvested and immediately frozen on dry ice to preserve the RNA integrity.

[0253] RNA will be extracted and DNase treated. High quality DNA will undergo cDNA synthesis with oligo(dT) primers. qPCR will be performed using ISR responsive or indicative genes to identify other PPFMs with ISR activity. Positive controls will be NLS0042, NLS0089, and Methyl jasmonate. Negative controls will be untreated and killed NLS0042 cells. Relative fold change will be calculated from the qPCR results using the delta delta Ct method (Livak & Schmittgen 2001). Fold changes above 1.5 will be considered a positive result. Fold changes below 0.5 also will be considered when assessing activity. One or more of these genes at least one time point will need to show activity to be considered positive. PPFMs responses will be classified as NLS0042-like, NLS0089-like, or both when determining further screening for these PPFMs. Table 11. Target genes for screening.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 107 of 125Example 19. NLS0042 Effect on Root Knot Nematodes (RKN) in Corn.

[0254] NLS0042 was assessed for the ability to reduce root knot nematode numbers on corn plants in the greenhouse. NLS0042 was applied at a rate of at least 1E6 cfu / seed to corn seed at planting, and control products applied at label rates. Plants were grown at least 10 days before adding nematode inoculation which allowed NLS0042 to set up an ISR response. No root knot nematodes plants and root knot only plants were included as negative controls for plant metrics and treatments, respectively. A biological control product (Majestene, a heat-killed Burkholderia product from Marrone Bio Innovations) and a chemical control product Ilevo (fluopyram from BASF) were included as positive controls. Plants were grown for approximately 30 days in the greenhouse after inoculation with root knot nematode before harvesting and measuring plant metrics and nematode counts. NLS0042 reduced RKN counts per g of root and increased root biomass with metrics similar to or better than one or more of the control products included as positive controls. Table 12.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 108 of 125 Example 20. a) NLS0042 will be assessed for its protective properties against beetles on blueberry in caged pots and in field trials. In caged pots, a set number of insects will be added per cage. The number of insects will be compared between NLS0042 treated plants and control plants. In the field trials, natural infestation will occur. Counts of the number of live insects and % damage will be assessed at regular intervals. b) NLS0042 will be assessed for its protective properties against mealybug on pineapple in caged pots and in field trials. In caged pots, a set number of insects will be added per cage. The number of insects will be compared between NLS0042 treated plants and control plants. In the field trials, natural infestation will occur. Counts of the number of live insects and % damage will be assessed at regular intervals. c) NLS0042 will be assessed for its protective properties against diamond back moth on brassica in caged pots and in field trials. In caged pots, a set number of insects is added per cage. The number of insects will be compared between NLS0042 treated plants and control plants. In the field trials, natural infestation will occur. Counts of the number of live insects and % damage will be assessed at regular intervals. d) NLS0042 will be assessed for its protective properties against darkling beetle on fig in caged pots and in field trials. In caged pots, a set number of insects is added per cage. The number of insects will be compared between NLS0042 treated plants and control plants. In the field trials, natural infestation will occur. Counts of the number of live insects and % damage will be assessed at regular intervals. References. Balmer D, de Papajewski DV, Planchamp C, Glauser G, Mauch-Mani B. Induced resistance in maize is based on organ-specific defence responses. Plant J. 2013 Apr;74(2):213-25. doi: 10.1111 / tpj.12114. Epub 2013 Feb 18. PMID: 23302050. Du H, Feng BR, Yang SS, Huang YB, Tang YX. The R2R3-MYB transcription factor gene family in maize. PLoS One. 2012;7(6):e37463. doi: 10.1371 / journal.pone.0037463. Epub 2012 Jun 7. PMID: 22719841; PMCID: PMC3370817.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 109 of 125 Liu L, Zhang Y, Tang C, Wu J, Fu J, Wang Q. Genome-wide identification of ZmMYC2 binding sites and target genes in maize. BMC Genomics. 2024 Apr 23;25(1):397. doi: 10.1186 / s12864- 024-10297-z. Erratum in: BMC Genomics. 2024 May 17;25(1):491. doi: 10.1186 / s12864-024- 10386-z. PMID: 38654166; PMCID: PMC11036654. Livak KJ, Schmittgen TD. Analysis of relative gene expression data using real-time quantitative PCR and the 2(-Delta Delta C(T)) Method. Methods. 2001 Dec;25(4):402-8. doi: 10.1006 / meth.2001.1262. PMID: 11846609. Ray S, Gaffor I, Acevedo FE, Helms A, Chuang WP, Tooker J, Felton GW, Luthe DS. Maize Plants Recognize Herbivore-Associated Cues from Caterpillar Frass. J Chem Ecol. 2015 Sep;41(9):781-92. doi: 10.1007 / s10886-015-0619-1. Epub 2015 Aug 26. PMID: 26306592.

Claims

Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 110 of 125 CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A method of reducing white fly damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plant or plant part is a member of the Solanaceae family.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the plant or plant part is a tomato (Solanum).

4. A method of mitigating white fly damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of white fly larvae and / or white fly adults to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating white fly damage in the treated plant.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein white fly damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of white fly larvae and / or white fly adults.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the treated plant is a tomato plant.

7. A method of reducing mite damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the plant or plant part is a member of the Rosaceae family.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the plant or plant part is a strawberry (Fragaria).

10. A method of mitigating mite damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of mites to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating mite damage in the treated plant.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 111 of 125 11. The method of claim 10, wherein mite damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of mites.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the treated plant is a strawberry plant.

13. A method of reducing burrower bugs damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the plant or plant part is a member of the Fabaceae family.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the plant or plant part is a peanut (Arachis).

16. method of mitigating burrower bugs damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of burrower bugs to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating burrower bugs damage in the treated plant.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein burrower bugs damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of burrower bugs.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the treated plant is a peanut plant.

19. A method of reducing aphids damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the plant or plant part is selected from the group consisting of: cotton; peppers; soy; and tomato.

21. A method of mitigating aphids damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of aphids to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating aphids damage in the treated plant.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein aphids damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of aphids.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the treated plant is selected from the group consisting of: cotton; peppers; soy; and tomato.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 112 of 125 24. A method of reducing cucumber beetles damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the plant or plant part is melon.

26. A method of mitigating cucumber beetles damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of cucumber beetles to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating cucumber beetles damage in the treated plant.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein cucumber beetles damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of cucumber beetles.

28. The method of claim 24, wherein the treated plant is melon.

29. A method of reducing fall army worms damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the plant or plant part is selected from the group consisting of: cotton; soy; and rice.

31. A method of mitigating fall army worms damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of fall army worms to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating fall army worms damage in the treated plant.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein fall army worms damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of fall army worms.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the treated plant is selected from the group consisting of: cotton; soy; and rice.

34. A method of reducing flea beetles damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the plant or plant part is selected from the group consisting of: Brassicas; and tomato.

36. A method of mitigating flea beetles damage to a plant, comprising:Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 113 of 125 a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of flea beetles to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating flea beetles damage in the treated plant.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein flea beetles damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of flea beetles.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the treated plant is selected from the group consisting of: Brassicas; and tomato.

39. A method of reducing lepidopterans damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the plant or plant part is selected from the group consisting of: corn; peppers; and snap bean.

41. A method of mitigating lepidopterans damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of lepidopterans to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating lepidopterans damage in the treated plant.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein lepidopterans damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of lepidopterans.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein the treated plant is selected from the group consisting of: corn; peppers; and snap bean.

44. A method of reducing Mexican bean beetle damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the plant or plant part is snap bean.

46. A method of mitigating Mexican bean beetle damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of Mexican bean beetle to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating Mexican bean beetle damage in the treated plant.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 114 of 125 47. The method of claim 46, wherein Mexican bean beetle damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of Mexican bean beetle.

48. The method of claim 46, wherein the treated plant is snap bean.

49. A method of reducing nematode damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the plant or plant part is selected from the group consisting of: cotton; peanut; and tomato.

51. A method of mitigating nematode damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of nematode to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating nematode damage in the treated plant.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein nematode damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of nematode.

53. The method of claim 51, wherein the treated plant is selected from the group consisting of: cotton; peanut; and tomato.

54. The method of any of claims 49 through 53, wherein the nematode is root knot nematode.

55. A method of reducing insect and / or nematode damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042 and one or more strains shown in Table 1A and / or Table 1B.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein the plant or plant part is selected from a plant shown in Table 8A through Table 8AAL.

57. A method of mitigating insect and / or nematode damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042 and one or more strains shown in Table 1A and / or Table 1B; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of insects and / or nematodes to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating insect and / or nematode damage in the treated plant.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein the insect and / or nematode damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of insects and / or nematodes.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 115 of 125 59. The method of claim 57, wherein the treated plant is selected from a plant shown in Table 8A through Table 8AAL.

60. A method of reducing potato leafhopper damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein the plant or plant part is potato.

62. A method of mitigating potato leafhopper damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of potato leafhopper to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating potato leafhopper damage in the treated plant.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein potato leafhopper damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of potato leafhopper.

64. The method of claim 62, wherein the treated plant is potato.

65. A method of reducing southern corn rootworm damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein the plant or plant part is peanut.

67. A method of mitigating southern corn rootworm damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of southern corn rootworm to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating southern corn rootworm damage in the treated plant.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein southern corn rootworm damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of southern corn rootworm.

69. The method of claim 67, wherein the treated plant is peanut.

70. A method of reducing soybean looper damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042.

71. The method of claim 70, wherein the plant or plant part is soy.

72. A method of mitigating southern soybean looper damage to a plant, comprising:Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 116 of 125 a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of soybean looper to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating soybean looper damage in the treated plant.

73. The method of claim 72, wherein soybean looper damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of soybean looper.

74. The method of claim 72, wherein the treated plant is soy.

75. A method of reducing squash bugs damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042.

76. The method of claim 75, wherein the plant or plant part is selected from the group consisting of: melon; and zucchini.

77. A method of mitigating squash bugs damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of squash bugs to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating squash bugs damage in the treated plant.

78. The method of claim 77, wherein squash bugs damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of squash bugs.

79. The method of claim 77, wherein the treated plant is selected from the group consisting of: melon; and zucchini.

80. A method of reducing stinkbugs damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042.

81. The method of claim 80, wherein the plant or plant part is selected from the group consisting of: corn; soy; and tomato.

82. A method of mitigating stinkbugs damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of stinkbugs to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating stinkbugs damage in the treated plant.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 117 of 125 83. The method of claim 82, wherein stinkbugs damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of stinkbugs.

84. The method of claim 82, wherein the treated plant is selected from the group consisting of: corn; soy; and tomato.

85. A method of reducing thrips damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042.

86. The method of claim 84, wherein the plant or plant part is selected from the group consisting of: peanut; and peppers.

87. A method of mitigating thrips damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of thrips to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating thrips damage in the treated plant.

88. The method of claim 87, wherein thrips damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of thrips.

89. The method of claim 87, wherein the treated plant is selected from the group consisting of: peanut; and peppers.

90. A method of reducing tobacco hornworm damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042.

91. The method of claim 90, wherein the plant or plant part is tomato.

92. A method of mitigating tobacco hornworm damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of tobacco hornworm to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating tobacco hornworm damage in the treated plant.

93. The method of claim 92, wherein tobacco hornworm damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of tobacco hornworm.

94. The method of claim 92, wherein the treated plant is tomato.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 118 of 125 95. A method of reducing water weevil damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042.

96. The method of claim 95, wherein the plant or plant part is rice.

97. A method of mitigating water weevil damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of water weevil to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating water weevil damage in the treated plant.

98. The method of claim 97, wherein water weevil damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of water weevil.

99. The method of claim 97, wherein the treated plant is rice.

100. A method of reducing western flower thrips damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042.

101. The method of claim 100, wherein the plant or plant part is selected from the group consisting of: cotton; and tomato.

102. A method of mitigating western flower thrips damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of western flower thrips to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating western flower thrips in the treated plant.

103. The method of claim 102, wherein western flower thrips damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of western flower thrips.

104. The method of claim 102, wherein the treated plant is selected from the group consisting of: cotton; and tomato.

105. A method of reducing white grub damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042.

106. The method of claim 105, wherein the plant or plant part is corn.

107. A method of mitigating white grub damage to a plant, comprising:Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 119 of 125 a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of white grub to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating white grub in the treated plant.

108. The method of claim 107, wherein white grub damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of white grub.

109. The method of claim 107, wherein the treated plant is corn.

110. A method of reducing wireworm damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0042.

111. The method of claim 110, wherein the plant or plant part is corn.

112. A method of mitigating wireworm damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of wireworm to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating wireworm in the treated plant.

113. The method of claim 110, wherein wireworm is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of wireworm.

114. The method of claim 110, wherein the treated plant is corn.

115. A method of improving a plant response to a pest, wherein said method comprises: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0042; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of said pest, whereby the response of said plant to said pest is improved as compared to a control plant.

116. The method of claim 115, wherein said plant is selected from the group consisting of: alfalfa; barley; brassica sp.; cannabis sp.; carrot; cassava; coconut; coffee; conifers; corn; cotton; cucurbits; cucumber; fruit plants (including fruit trees); green bean; herbs; leafy greens; lettuce; microgreens; millet; oat; onion; ornamental; pea; peanut; pepper; potato; rice; rye; safflower; sorghum; soybean; squash; sugar beet; sunflower; sweet potato; tobacco; tomato; turfgrass; and wheat.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 120 of 125 117. The method of any one of claims 115 to 116, wherein the level of one or more plant defense compounds in said plant is increased in comparison to a control plant.

118. The method of any one of claims 115 to 117, wherein said pest is an insect pest selected from the group consisting of: aphid; beetle; bug; fly; grub; leafhopper; lepidopterans; looper; mite; nematode; rootworm; and thrips.

119. The method of any one of claims 115 to 118, wherein said pest is an insect pest selected from the group consisting of: aphids; fall army worm; leafhopper; lepidopterans; mites; peanut burrower bug; root-knot nematode; southern corn rootworm; soybean looper; stinkbugs; tobacco hornworm; Western flower thrips; white fly; white grub; and wireworm.

120. A method of reducing botrytis damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising a composition comprising NLS0089.

121. The method of claim 120, wherein the plant or plant part is a member of the Rosaceae family or the Solanaceae family.

122. The method of claim 121, wherein the plant or plant part is a strawberry (Fragaria) or a tomato (Solanum).

123. A method of mitigating botrytis damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising a composition comprising NLS0089; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of botrytis to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating botrytis damage in the treated plant.

124. The method of claim 123, wherein botrytis damage and / or incidence is reduced in the treated plant compared to untreated plant grown in the presence of botrytis.

125. The method of claim 123, wherein the treated plant is selected from the group consisting of: strawberry; and tomato.

126. A method of reducing bacterial damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising a composition comprising NLS0089.

127. A method of claim 126, wherein the bacterium is Erwinia.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 121 of 125 128. The method of claim 127, wherein the plant or plant part is a member of the Rosaceae family.

129. The method of claim 128, wherein the plant or plant part is an apple (Malus).

130. A method of mitigating bacteria damage in a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0089; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of bacteria to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating bacteria damage in the treated plant.

131. The method of claim 130, wherein bacteria is Erwinia.

132. The method of claim 130, wherein bacteria damage is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of bacteria.

133. The method of claim 130, wherein the treated plant is a strawberry plant.

134. A method of reducing thielaviopsis damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0089.

135. The method of claim 134, wherein the plant or plant part is a member of the Solanaceae family.

136. The method of claim 135, wherein the plant or plant part is a tomato (Solanum).

137. A method of mitigating Thielaviopsis damage in a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0089; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of thielaviopsis to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating Thielaviopsis damage in the treated plant.

138. The method of claim 137, wherein thielaviopsis is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of thielaviopsis.

139. The method of claim 137, wherein the treated plant is a tomato plant.

140. A method of reducing oomycete damage risk to a plant and / or plant part, comprising contacting the plant or plant part with a composition comprising NLS0089.

141. The method of claim 140, wherein the oomycete is pythium.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 122 of 125 142. The method of claim 140, wherein the plant or plant part is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family or the Asteraceae family.

143. The method of claim 140, wherein the plant or plant part is a cucumber (Cucumis) or a lettuce (Lactuca).

144. A method of mitigating oomycetes damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0089; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of oomycetes to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating oomycetes damage in the treated plant.

145. The method of claim 144, wherein the oomycete is pythium.

146. The method of claim 144, wherein pythium is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of pythium.

147. The method of claim 144, wherein the treated plant is a cucurbit plant or a lettuce plant.

148. A method of mitigating Neopestalotiopsis damage to a plant, comprising: a) treating soil, a plant, plant part, or seed with a composition comprising NLS0089; and b) growing a plant from said soil, plant, plant part, or seed in the presence of oomycetes to produce a treated plant; and c) mitigating Neopestalotiopsis damage in the treated plant.

149. The method of claim 148, wherein the plant or plant part is a member of the Rosaceae family.

150. The method of claim 148, wherein the plant or plant part is a strawberry (Fragaria.

151. The method of claim 148, wherein Neopestalotiopsis is mitigated more in the treated plant than an untreated plant grown in the presence of Neopestalotiopsis.

152. A composition comprising a Methylobacterium selected from the group consisting of: NLS0034; NLS0039; NLS0043; NLS0049; NLS0088; NLS0245; NLS0264; NLS0272; NLS0374; NLS0718; NLS1284; NLS1319; NLS4024; NLS4958; NLS7730; NLS7858; NLS7859; NLS7860; NLS7861; NLS7862; NLS7863; NLS7864; NLS7865; NLS7866; NLS7867; NLS7868; NLS7869; NLS7870; NLS7871; and NLS7872.Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 123 of 125 153. The composition of claim 152, wherein said composition further comprises at least one additional component selected from the group consisting of: an additional active ingredient; an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant; and an agriculturally acceptable excipient.

154. The composition of claim 152, wherein said composition further comprises one or more additional methylobacterium.

155. The composition of claim 154, wherein said one or more methylobacterium is selected from the methylobacteria in Table 1A.

156. The composition of claim 152, wherein said composition further comprises one or more methanotroph.

157. The composition of a claim 156, wherein said one or more methanotroph is selected from the methanotrophs in Table 1B.

158. A plant, plant part, or seed at least partially coated with a composition of any one of claims 152 through 157.

159. The plant, plant part, or seed of claim 158, selected from the group consisting of: row crop, specialty crop, and rice.

160. The plant, plant part, or seed of claim 158, selected from the plants in Table 4, Table 8A through 8AAL, and Table 9.

161. An isolated microorganism selected from the group consisting of: NLS0034; NLS0039; NLS0043; NLS0049; NLS0088; NLS0245; NLS0264; NLS0272; NLS0374; NLS0718; NLS1284; NLS1319; NLS4024; NLS4958; NLS7730; NLS7858; NLS7859; NLS7860; NLS7861; NLS7862; NLS7863; NLS7864; NLS7865; NLS7866; NLS7867; NLS7868; NLS7869; NLS7870; NLS7871; and NLS7872.

162. A method for improving growth metric in a plant, comprising: a) introducing a composition herein to a plant, plant part, or seed; and b) growing the plant, plant part, or seed under conditions sufficient improve growth metrics.

163. The method of claim 162, wherein the growth metrics are selected from the group consisting of: plant size; tiller counts; root length; and plant height.

164. The method of claim 162, wherein the plant, plant part, or seed is selected from the group consisting of: alfalfa; barley; brassica sp.; cannabis sp.; carrot; cassava; coconut; coffee; conifers; corn; cotton; cucurbits; cucumber; fruit plants (including fruit trees); green bean; herbs;Agent Ref.: P14472WO04 / MOA2-PCT Page 124 of 125 leafy greens; lettuce; microgreens; millet; oat; onion; ornamental; pea; peanut; pepper; potato; rice; rye; safflower; sorghum; soybean; squash; sugar beet; sunflower; sweet potato; tobacco; tomato; turfgrass; and wheat.

165. A method for improving yield metrics in a plant, comprising: a) introducing a composition comprising any one of claims 152 through 161 to a plant, plant part, or seed; and b) growing the plant, plant part, or seed under conditions sufficient improve yield metrics.

166. The method of claim 165, wherein the improved yield metrics are selected from the group consisting of: panicle counts; panicle weights; and shoot biomass.

167. The method of claim 165, wherein the plant, plant part, or seed is selected from the group consisting of: alfalfa; barley; brassica sp.; cannabis sp.; carrot; cassava; coconut; coffee; conifers; corn; cotton; cucurbits; cucumber; fruit plants (including fruit trees); green bean; herbs; leafy greens; lettuce; microgreens; millet; oat; onion; ornamental; pea; peanut; pepper; potato; rice; rye; safflower; sorghum; soybean; squash; sugar beet; sunflower; sweet potato; tobacco; tomato; turfgrass; and wheat.

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