Microbes with pathogen suppression functions

Abstract

The disclosure provides compositions comprising microbes with, inter alia, plant pathogen suppressive functionality. The microbes taught herein can suppress plant pathogens and prevent pathogen-caused diseases. Further, the disclosure provides methods of using the compositions to reduce severity of diseases associated with plant pathogens and produce improved soil for plant growth and vigor.

Description

BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)PCT INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONMICROBES WITH PATHOGEN SUPPRESSION FUNCTIONSCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 702,034 filed October 1, 2024, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the fields of microbiology, plant pathology, and agricultural science, and more particularly to microbial compositions and methods for suppressing plant pathogens, improving soil health, and enhancing crop growth and vigor.REFERENCE TO AN ELECTRONIC SEQUENCE LISTING

[0003] The contents of the electronic sequence listing (BICL_005_01WO_SeqList_ST26.xml; Size: 27,079 bytes; and Date of Creation: October 1, 2025) are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND

[0004] Agricultural productivity is routinely compromised by soil-borne pathogens that attack seedlings at their most vulnerable stages of growth. Among the most economically devastating pathogens are oomycetes such as Pythium species, which cause damping-off and root rot, and fungal pathogens such as Fusarium species, which cause wilt and Sudden Death Syndrome in soybean and other crops. These pathogens persist in soil, resist eradication, and inflict significant yield losses annually.

[0005] Conventional chemical seed treatments and fungicides have provided partial control, but are increasingly limited by evolving pathogen resistance, environmental concerns, regulatory restrictions, and narrowing pipelines of novel chemical actives. Moreover, chemical treatments often impose a burden on beneficial microbes in the rhizosphere, leading to variability in performance across geographies and soil types.

[0006] Thus, there exists an unmet need for reliable and sustainable alternatives that can provide consistent protection against soil-borne pathogens, while simultaneously supporting plant vigor and yield.

[0007] Attempts to deploy beneficial microbes, as biological seed treatments, have shown promise but remain plagued by inconsistency. Commercial microbial inoculants, including strains of Bacillus and Trichoderma. often display variable performance depending on soilBICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034) nutrient levels, environmental conditions, and background pathogen load. These inconsistencies limit grower adoption and reduce the agronomic value of microbial seed treatments relative to chemical benchmarks.

[0008] Furthermore, many existing microbial products lack robust suppressive activity against Pythium and Fusarium, the very pathogens that most aggressively damage early seedling establishment. As a result, growers are left with a toolbox dominated by chemical options, even as pressure mounts to reduce reliance on synthetic pesticides.

[0009] There is therefore a critical need for microbial compositions that can reliably inhibit or suppress key pathogens, function effectively across diverse agricultural conditions, and enhance crop establishment, vigor, and yield.SUMMARY

[0010] The present disclosure provides agricultural compositions and methods that address the longstanding problem of inconsistent and inadequate control of soil-borne plant pathogens such as Pythium and Fusarium.

[0011] In contrast to conventional chemical treatments and variable-performing microbial inoculants, the compositions disclosed herein comprise one or more Streptomyces bacteria uniquely defined by their 16S rRNA sequences (SEQ ID NOs: 1-11) and / or their corresponding deposited isolates. These compositions deliver consistent and enhanced pathogen suppression, leading to measurable improvements in plant emergence, vigor, and yield under high disease pressure conditions.

[0012] In some embodiments, the disclosure provides a method of treating a plant pathogen by applying to a locus a composition comprising a Streptomyces bacterium having at least about 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to one or more of SEQ ID NOs: 1-11.

[0013] The disclosed methods are particularly effective against oomycetes such as Pythium and fungi such as Fusarium. Unlike many existing commercial inoculants, the disclosed microbes demonstrate robust activity across variable soil environments and maintain suppressive function even in the presence of competing microbial communities.

[0014] In additional embodiments, the agricultural compositions further comprise agriculturally acceptable carriers, seed coatings, or supplemental actives (e.g. synthetic chemical compounds), enabling diverse formulations, including: seed treatments, foliar sprays, soil drenches, and granules.

[0015] In aspects, the compositions may also include compatible microbial partners (e.g., one or more additional biologies, for example a Bacillus species) or conventional agriculturalBICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034) chemistries (e.g., herbicide, insecticide, fungicide, and / or nematicide), without diminishing the pathogen suppressive functionality of the claimed Streptomyces isolates.

[0016] As such, the disclosed compositions provide growers with flexible, shelf-stable, and field-robust solutions that improve crop establishment, suppress key pathogens, and increase agricultural productivity while reducing reliance on traditional chemical fungicides.

[0017] Beyond direct suppression of Pythium and Fusarium, the disclosed microbial compositions provide a platform for enhancing overall soil and plant health. In aspects, the Streptomyces isolates of the disclosure act not only as pathogen suppressors on their own, but also as microbial “signalers” capable of enhancing the plant growth-promoting functions or plant pathogen suppressive function, of other beneficial microbes present in the rhizosphere. This includes stimulation of nutrient acquisition pathways, production of phytohormones, and improved resilience under abiotic stress conditions. For example, by stimulating the activity of target organisms such as Bacillus or Trichoderma, the taught isolates increase nutrient acquisition, phytohormone production, and pathogen suppression of these exemplary “target microbes.” This inter-microbial signaling confers benefits that exceed the sum of the individual components, enabling the development of microbial consortia with superior agronomic outcomes.

[0018] When formulated with agriculturally acceptable carriers and, in some embodiments, in combination with commercial seed treatments or chemical actives, the compositions yield shelf-stable, field-deployable products that integrate seamlessly into modem farming practices.

[0019] Thus, the present disclosure delivers a versatile and scalable solution that addresses pressing needs in sustainable agriculture by mitigating reliance on synthetic chemistries, improving crop vigor and yield stability, and establishing a new class of microbe-based agricultural inputs with broad applicability across crops, geographies, and growing conditions.

[0020] In aspects, the disclosed microbial isolates demonstrate an ability to function under agronomically relevant stresses that limit the performance of conventional inoculants. For example, many microbial products lose efficacy in soils with low nutrient availability, high pathogen load, or fluctuating moisture and temperature conditions. The taught Streptomyces isolates maintain suppressive activity across these conditions, including under high inoculum pressure of Pythium and Fusarium. This robustness ensures that the compositions deliver consistent performance, even in field environments where conventional chemical actives or commercial inoculants provide only partial control.

[0021] The disclosure also addresses a longstanding problem in microbial product development: compatibility with chemical seed treatments. Some beneficial microbes areBICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034) inhibited by fungicidal actives, leading to reduced viability when applied in combination. The disclosed Streptomyces isolates retain their suppressive function when formulated with conventional chemistries such as thiamethoxam, mefenoxam, fluopyram, fludioxonil, and sedaxane, thereby enabling integration into standard seed treatment programs. This compatibility allows growers to adopt microbial solutions without sacrificing the protection provided by chemical actives, providing a synergistic strategy for disease management.

[0022] In aspects, the present disclosure provides agricultural compositions and methods comprising Streptomyces isolates uniquely defined by their ribosomal nucleic acid sequences and corresponding deposits. The compositions solve the problem of inconsistent and inadequate control of economically important soil-borne pathogens such as Pythium and Fusarium. As described herein, the disclosed isolates not only inhibit pathogen proliferation directly, but also enhance plant growth-promoting functions through microbial signaling, thereby improving emergence, vigor, and yield under high disease pressure.

[0023] The compositions are distinguished from prior microbial inoculants by their genomic characterization and reproducible functionality across diverse soil environments. In particular, the disclosed Streptomyces bacteria comprise a 16S rRNA sequence having at least about 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-11, including exemplary strains deposited under the Budapest Treaty as NRRL B-68439, NRRL B-68437, NRRL B-68342, NRRL B-68343, NRRL B-68438, NRRL B- 68344, NRRL B-68435, NRRL B-68346, NRRL B-68436, NRRL B-68440, and NRRL B- 68345. These isolates exhibit pathogen-suppressive activity in vitro and in vivo, and retain activity when formulated with agriculturally acceptable carriers, chemical actives, or other microbial partners.

[0024] In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise at least one Streptomyces isolate alone, while in other embodiments the compositions include two or more isolates in combination, optionally with additional bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, or Trichoderma species.

[0025] In aspects, the compositions may be formulated for delivery as seed coats, soil-applied granules, soil drenches, or foliar sprays. When applied to a seed, seedling, or plant growth locus, the compositions provide consistent suppression of oomycete and fungal diseases, while simultaneously improving soil conditions for plant establishment.

[0026] By providing consistent pathogen suppression and growth promotion, the disclosed compositions deliver agronomically meaningful improvements in emergence, vigor, biomass, and yield.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)

[0027] In aspects, the disclosure provides compositions comprising a Streptomyces bacterium comprising a 16S rRNA sequence sharing at least about 97%, at least about 98%, or at least about 99% sequence identity to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11. In some embodiments, compositions comprise a Streptomyces bacterium comprising a 16S rRNA sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11.

[0028] In aspects, the taught compositions comprise a Streptomyces bacterium selected from the group consisting of Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68439, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68437, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68342, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68343, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68438, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68344, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68435, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68346, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68436, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68440, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68345, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the Streptomyces bacterium is Streptomyces mirabilis, Streptomyces lydicus, Streptomyces venezuelae, Streptomyces fodineus, Streptomyces platensis, Streptomyces nojiriensis, Streptomyces hygroscopicus, Streptomyces coelicolor, or Streptomyces spp.

[0029] In aspects, the taught compositions comprise at least two Streptomyces bacteria, with each bacterium comprising a 16S rRNA sequence sharing at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or 100% sequence identity to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11. In some embodiments, the composition comprises at least one additional bacterium not selected from a Streptomyces bacterium comprising a 16S rRNA sequence sharing at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or 100% sequence identity to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11. In some embodiments, the at least one additional bacterium, which is not a Streptomyces bacterium is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus firmus, Bacillus velezensis, Bacillus tequilensis, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus thuringiensis, or combinations thereof.

[0030] In aspects, the taught compositions comprise an agriculturally acceptable carrier. In some embodiments, the composition is formulated as a seed coat, a spray, a powder or granule. In some embodiments, the composition is a seed coat disposed on a seed. In some embodiments, the composition is a seed coat that is encapsulating a seed. The term “disposed on a seed” refers to the seed coat being “placed on” the seed. Generally, seed coatings fully encapsulate, wrap, cover, surround, or envelop the seed.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)

[0031] In aspects, the taught compositions comprise a chemistry. In some embodiments, the chemistry is selected from the group consisting of: an herbicide, an insecticide, a fungicide, and a nematicide. In some embodiments, the chemistry is selected from the group consisting of: thiamethoxam, picarbutraxoz, mefenoxam, fludioxinil, sedaxane, fluopyram, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the composition comprises a fertilizer. In some embodiments, the composition comprises a polymer.

[0032] In some embodiments, the composition is applied as a seed coating formulation, a soil- applied granule formulation, soil drench formulation, in furrow or a foliar spray formulation.

[0033] In aspects, the disclosure provides a method of treating a plant pathogen, comprising: applying to a locus a composition comprising a Streptomyces bacterium comprising a 16S rRNA sequence sharing at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or 100%sequence identity to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11. In some embodiments of the methods, compositions comprise a Streptomyces bacterium selected from the group consisting of Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68439, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68437, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68342, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68343, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68438, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68344, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68435, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68346, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68436, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68440, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68345, and combinations thereof.

[0034] In some embodiments of the methods, the plant pathogen is a fungal pathogen. In some embodiments, the plant pathogen is a member of the genus Fusarium. In some embodiments of the methods, the plant pathogen is an Oomycete. In some embodiments, the plant pathogen is a member of the genus Pythium.

[0035] In some embodiments of the methods, compositions comprise at least two Streptomyces bacteria, with each bacterium comprising a 16S rRNA sequence sharing at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or 100% sequence identity to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11. In some embodiments of the methods, the composition comprises at least one additional bacterium not selected from a Streptomyces bacterium comprising a 16S rRNA sequence sharing at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or 100% sequence identity to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11.

[0036] The disclosure further provides that treating a plant pathogen comprises mitigating and / or reducing the severity of disease caused by the pathogen. In some embodiments of theBICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034) methods, the plant pathogen is a member of the genus Pythium and wherein treating comprises reduction of: a. Pythium associated disease, or damping off, or early season seedling disease. In some embodiments of the methods, the plant pathogen is a member of the genus Fusarium and wherein treating comprises reduction of: a Fusarium associated disease, or Fusarium rot, or Fusarium wilt, or Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS).

[0037] The disclosure also provides methods for reducing the severity of a disease or preventing a disease in a plant by applying the composition or formulation disclosed herein to soil around a plant seed, or to a plant part, wherein the disease is caused by a plant pathogen.

[0038] The disclosure also provides methods for producing an improved soil for growth of a plant by applying to soil the composition or formulation disclosed herein. The disclosure also provides methods for improving the growth, biomass, or yield of a plant by applying the composition or formulation disclosed herein to soil or to a plant part. The disclosure provides methods of improving plant vigor by applying the composition or formulation disclosed herein to soil or to a plant part.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0039] Fig. 1 demonstrates comparison of soybean seedling emergence in treated seeds relative to the chemistry control at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after planting. Traditionally treated seeds were planted in fields with high disease pressure created by inoculation with Pythium ultimum and seedling emergence was measured at days 7, 14, 21, and 28 to evaluate impacts of each treatment. Emergence was compared to the chemistry control and calculated as percent difference. The chemistry control was treated using Chemistry 1 (Treatment 1; tmtl). Bacillus amyloliquefaciens with Chemistry 1 (Treatment 2; tmt2) and Bacillus subtilis with Chemistry 1 (Treatment 7; tmt7) were microbial benchmark controls. Microbe isolates of the present disclosure were added in combination with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Chemistry 1 (Treatments (tmts) 3-6; tmt3: Microbe 6, tmt4: Microbe 2, tmt5: Microbe 1, tmt6: Microbe 5) or Bacillus subtilis and Chemistry 1 (Treatments 8-11; tmt8: Microbe 6, tmt9: Microbe 2, tmtlO: Microbe 1, tmtl l : Microbe 5). Chemistry 1 is a common chemical package of actives that included thiamethoxam, picarbutrazox, mefenoxam, fludioxinil, and sedaxane

[0040] Fig. 2 demonstrates percent improvement in vigor score of soybean seedlings relative to chemistry alone measured 14, 21, and 28 days after planting. Traditionally treated soybean seeds were planted in fields with high disease pressure created by inoculation with Pythium ultimum and vigor was scored 14, 21, and 28 days after planting, vigor scores were compared to the chemistry control and calculated as percent difference. The chemistry control was treated using Chemistry 1 (Treatment 1; tmtl). B. amyloliquefaciens with Chemistry 1 (Treatment 2;BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034) tmt2) and B. subtilis with Chemistry 1 (Treatment 3; tmt3) were microbial benchmark controls. Microbe isolates of the present disclosure were added in combination with B. amyloliquefaciens and Chemistry 1 (Treatments 3-6; tmt3: Microbe 6, tmt4: Microbe 2, tmt5: Microbe 1, tmt6: Microbe 5) or B. subtilis and Chemistry 1 (Treatments 8-11; tmt8: Microbe 6, tmt9: Microbe 2, tmtlO: Microbe 1, tmtl l: Microbe 5).

[0041] Fig. 3 demonstrates soybean yield (bu / ac) across treatments under high Pythium pressure. Traditional seed treatments were compared to the chemistry control, Chemistry 1 (Treatment 1; tmtl). B. amyloliquefaciens with Chemistry 1 (Treatment 2; tmt2) and 7>. subtilis with Chemistry 1 (Treatment 7; tmt7) were microbial benchmark controls. Microbe isolates of the present disclosure were added in combination with B. amyloliquefaciens and Chemistry 1 (Treatments 3-6; tmt3: Microbe 6, tmt4: Microbe 2, tmt5: Microbe 1, tmt6: Microbe 5) or B. subtilis and Chemistry 1 (Treatments 8-11; tmt8: Microbe 6, tmt9: Microbe 2, tmtlO: Microbe 1, tmtl 1 : Microbe 5).

[0042] Fig. 4 demonstrates percent improvement in emergence using biologicals alone relative to chemistry alone measured 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after planting. Soybean seedling emergence was measured 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after planting seeds treated with biological treatments in fields inoculated post-planting with Pythium ultimum to create high disease pressure. Emergence was compared to the chemistry control treatment (Treatment 12, Chemistry 1 alone) and displayed as percent difference. Treatment 13 (B. amyloliquefaciens alone) and Treatment 14 (B. subtilis alone) were used as microbial benchmarks. Microbe isolates of the present disclosure were delivered alone in Treatments 15 (Microbe 1) and 16 (Microbe 5).

[0043] Fig. 5 demonstrates percent improvement in vigor score of soybean seedlings relative to chemistry treatment alone measured 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after planting. Biological only treated soybean seeds were planted in Pythium inoculated fields and vigor was scored over time. The chemistry control (Treatment 12, Chemistry 1 only) was used as a benchmark. Scores were compared to the chemistry control treatment (Treatment 12, Chemistry 1 alone) and displayed as percent difference. Treatment 13 (B. amyloliquefaciens alone) and Treatment 14 (B. subtilis alone) were used as microbial benchmarks. Microbe isolates of the present disclosure were delivered alone in Treatments 15 (Microbe 1) and 16 (Microbe 5).

[0044] Fig. 6 demonstrates soybean yield (bu / ac) across biological-only treatments under high Pythium pressure. Biological-only treatments were compared to the chemical standard, Chemistry 1 only (Treatment 12). Treatment 13 (B. amyloliquefaciens alone) and Treatment 14 (B. subtilis alone) were used as microbial benchmarks. Individual microbe isolates of the present disclosure were delivered alone in Treatments 15 (Microbe 1) and 16 (Microbe 5).BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)

[0045] Fig. 7A-7B demonstrates above ground and below ground disease severity ratings for sudden death syndrome (SDS) symptoms in soybeans, by comparing treatments 19-27 (traditional chemistry applying fluopyram, biological treatment applying publicly known Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. biological treatment applying new microbe isolates of the present disclosure, and combinations thereof) to the Fw arzwm-inoculated control that was inoculated with the pathogen but received no SDS control actives (Treatment 18).

[0046] Fig. 8A-8B demonstrates above ground (Fig. 8A) and below ground (Fig. 8B) dried plant biomass of soybeans treated with various combinations of actives, by comparing treatments 19-27 (traditional chemistry applying fluopyram, biological treatment applying publicly known Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, biological treatment applying new microbe isolates of the present disclosure, and combinations thereof) to the F / .saz'zz / ziz-inoculated control that was inoculated with the pathogen but received no SDS control actives (Treatment 18).DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSUREDefinitions

[0047] While the following terms are believed to be well understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the following definitions are set forth to facilitate explanation of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0048] The term “a” or “an” may refer to one or more of that entity, i.e. can refer to plural referents. As such, the terms “a” or “an”, “one or more” and “at least one” are used interchangeably herein. In addition, reference to “an element” by the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the elements is present, unless the context clearly requires that there is one and only one of the elements.

[0049] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “one aspect”, or “an aspect” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0050] As used herein, in particular embodiments, the terms “about” or “approximately” when preceding a numerical value indicates the value plus or minus a range of 10% unless otherwise stated or otherwise evident by the context, and except where such a range would exceed 100% of a possible value, or fall below 0% of a possible value, such as less than 0 CFU / ml of a bacteria, or more than 100% of a inhibition of growth.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)

[0051] As used herein the terms “microorganism” or “microbe” should be taken broadly. These terms are used interchangeably and include, but are not limited to, the two prokaryotic domains, Bacteria and Archaea, eukaryotic fungi and protozoa, as well as viruses.

[0052] The term “microbial community” means a group of microbes comprising two or more species or strains. Unlike microbial consortia, a microbial community does not have to be carrying out a common function, or does not have to be participating in, or leading to, or correlating with, a recognizable parameter, such as a phenotypic trait of interest (e.g. antimicrobial activity or production of compounds beneficial to plant growth).

[0053] As used herein, “isolate,” “isolated,” “isolated microbe,” “microbe isolate” and like terms, are intended to mean that the one or more microorganisms has been separated from at least one of the materials with which it is associated in a particular environment (for example soil, water, plant tissue).

[0054] Microbes of the present disclosure may include spores and / or vegetative cells. In some embodiments, microbes of the present disclosure include microbes in a viable but non- culturable (VBNC) state, or a quiescent state.

[0055] Thus, an “isolated microbe” or “microbe isolate” does not exist in its naturally occurring environment; rather, it is through the various techniques described herein that the microbe has been removed from its natural setting and placed into a non-naturally occurring state of existence. Thus, the isolated strain or isolated microbe may exist as, for example, a biologically pure culture, or as spores (or other forms of the strain) in association with an acceptable carrier.

[0056] As used herein, “spore” or “spores” refer to structures produced by bacteria and fungi that are adapted for survival and dispersal. Spores are generally characterized as dormant structures; however, spores are capable of differentiation through the process of germination. Germination is the differentiation of spores into vegetative cells that are capable of metabolic activity, growth, and reproduction. The germination of a single spore results in a single fungal or bacterial vegetative cell. Fungal spores are units of asexual reproduction, and in some cases are necessary structures in fungal life cycles. Bacterial spores are structures for surviving conditions that may ordinarily be not conducive to the survival or growth of vegetative cells.

[0057] As used herein, “microbial composition” refers to a composition comprising one or more microbes or microbe isolates of the present disclosure, wherein a microbial composition, in some embodiments, is administered to the soil, field, or plants described herein.

[0058] As used herein, “soil” refers to any plant growth medium including any agriculturally acceptable growing media. Growing media may include, for example, soil, sand, compost, peat, soilless growing media containing organic and / or inorganic ingredients, artificial plant-growthBICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034) substrates, polymer-based growth matrices, hydroponic nutrient and growth solutions, and combinations or mixtures thereof.

[0059] As used herein, “carrier”, “acceptable carrier”, or “agriculturally acceptable carrier” refers to a diluent, adjuvant, excipient, or vehicle with which the compound is administered and is suitable for agricultural applications.

[0060] In some embodiments, carriers may be granular in structure, such as soil, sand, soil particles, or sand particles. In further embodiments, the carriers may be dry, as opposed to a moist or wet carrier. In some embodiments, carriers can be in solid or liquid form.

[0061] The terms “multi strain inoculate composition”, “consortium”, “microbial consortia,” and “synthetic consortia” interchangeably refer to a composition comprising two or more microbes. In some embodiments, the microbes in the consortium do not exist together in a naturally occurring environment. In some embodiments, the microbes are present in the consortium at ratios or amounts that are not naturally occurring. In some embodiments, the consortium comprises two or more species, or two or more strains of a species, of microbes.

[0062] In certain embodiments of the disclosure, the isolated microbes exist as isolated and biologically pure cultures (e.g., microbial isolate(s)). It will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, that an isolated and biologically pure culture of a particular microbe, denotes that said culture is substantially free (within scientific reason) of other living organisms and contains only the individual microbe in question. The culture can contain varying concentrations of said microbe. The present disclosure notes that isolated and biologically pure microbes often “necessarily differ from less pure or impure materials.” See, e.g. In re Bergstrom, 427 F.2d 1394, (CCPA 1970)(discussing purified prostaglandins), see also, In re Bergy, 596 F.2d 952 (CCPA 1979)(discussing purified microbes), see also, Parke-Davis & Co. v. H.K. Mulford & Co., 189 F. 95 (S.D.N.Y. 1911) (Learned Hand discussing purified adrenaline), aff’d in part, rev ’d in part, 196 F. 496 (2d Cir. 1912), each of which are incorporated herein by reference. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the disclosure provides for certain quantitative measures of the concentration, or purity limitations, that must be found within an isolated and biologically pure microbial culture. The presence of these purity values, in certain embodiments, is a further attribute that distinguishes the presently disclosed microbes from those microbes existing in a natural state. See, e.g., Merck & Co. v. Olin Mathieson Chemical Corp., 253 F.2d 156 (4thCir. 1958) (discussing purity limitations for vitamin B12 produced by microbes), incorporated herein by reference.

[0063] As used herein, “individual isolates” should be taken to mean a composition, or culture, comprising a predominance of a single genera, species, or strain, of microorganism, followingBICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034) separation from one or more other microorganisms. The phrase should not be taken to indicate the extent to which the microorganism has been isolated or purified. However, “individual isolates” can comprise substantially only one genus, species, or strain, of microorganism.

[0064] As used herein, “improved” or “enhanced” should be taken broadly to encompass improvement of a characteristic of interest, as compared to a control group, or as compared to a known average quantity associated with the characteristic in question. In the present disclosure, “improved” does not necessarily demand that the data be statistically significant (z.e. p < 0.05); rather, any quantifiable difference demonstrating that one value (e.g. the average treatment value) is different from another (e.g. the average control value) can rise to the level of “improved.”

[0065] As used herein, “inhibiting” and “suppressing” are used interchangeably and these and other like terms should not be construed to require complete inhibition or suppression, although this may be desired in some embodiments.

[0066] The term “marker” or “unique marker” as used herein is an indicator of unique microorganism type, microorganism strain or activity of a microorganism strain. A marker can be measured in biological samples and includes without limitation, a nucleic acid-based marker such as a ribosomal RNA gene, a peptide- or protein-based marker, and / or a metabolite or other small molecule marker.

[0067] The term “growth medium” as used herein, is any medium which is suitable to support growth of a microbe. By way of example, the media may be natural or artificial. It should be appreciated that the media may be used alone or in combination with one or more other media. It may also be used with or without the addition of exogenous nutrients.

[0068] The medium may be amended or enriched with additional compounds or components, for example, a component which may assist in the interaction and / or selection of specific groups of microorganisms. For example, antibiotics (such as penicillin) or sterilants (for example, quaternary ammonium salts and oxidizing agents) could be present and / or the physical conditions (such as salinity, nutrients (for example organic and inorganic minerals (such as phosphorus, nitrogenous salts, ammonia, potassium and micronutrients such as cobalt and magnesium), pH, and / or temperature), methionine, prebiotics, ionophores, and beta glucans could be amended.

[0069] The term “metabolite” as used herein is an intermediate or product of metabolism. A metabolite in one embodiment is a small molecule. Metabolites have various functions, including in fuel, structural, signaling, stimulatory and inhibitory effects on enzymes, as a cofactor to an enzyme, in defense, and in interactions with other organisms (such as pigments,BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034) odorants and pheromones). A primary metabolite is directly involved in normal growth, development and reproduction. A secondary metabolite is not directly involved in these processes but usually has an important ecological function. Examples of metabolites include but are not limited to antibiotics and pigments such as resins and terpenes, etc. Some antibiotics use primary metabolites as precursors, such as actinomycin which is created from the primary metabolite, tryptophan. Metabolites, as used herein, include small, hydrophilic carbohydrates; large, hydrophobic lipids and complex natural compounds.

[0070] As used herein, the term “genotype” refers to the genetic makeup of an individual cell, cell culture, tissue, organism, or group of organisms.

[0071] As used herein, the term “molecular marker” or “genetic marker” refers to an indicator that is used in methods for visualizing differences in characteristics of nucleic acid sequences. Examples of such indicators are restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers, amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), insertion mutations, microsatellite markers (SSRs), sequence-characterized amplified regions (SCARs), cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) markers or isozyme markers or combinations of the markers described herein which defines a specific genetic and chromosomal location. Markers further include polynucleotide sequences encoding 16S or 18S rRNA, and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences, which are sequences found between small-subunit and large-subunit rRNA genes that have proven to be especially useful in elucidating relationships or distinctions among when compared against one another.

[0072] The primary structure of major rRNA subunit 16S comprise a particular combination of conserved, variable, and hypervariable regions that evolve at different rates and enable the resolution of both very ancient lineages such as domains, and more modern lineages such as genera. The secondary structure of the 16S subunit include approximately 50 helices which result in base pairing of about 67% of the residues. These highly conserved secondary structural features are of great functional importance and can be used to ensure positional homology in multiple sequence alignments and phylogenetic analysis. Over the previous few decades, the 16S rRNA gene has become the most sequenced taxonomic marker and is the cornerstone for the current systematic classification of bacteria and archaea (Yarza et al. 2014. Nature Rev. Micro. 12:635-45).

[0073] As used herein, the term “trait” refers to a characteristic or phenotype. A trait may be inherited in a dominant or recessive manner, or in a partial or incomplete-dominant manner. A trait may be monogenic (i.e. determined by a single locus) or polygenic (i.e. determined byBICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034) more than one locus) or may also result from the interaction of one or more genes with the environment.

[0074] As used herein, the term “phenotype” refers to the observable characteristics of an individual cell, cell culture, organism (e.g., a bacterium), or group of organisms which results from the interaction between that individual’s genetic makeup (z.e., genotype) and the environment.

[0075] As used herein, the term “gene” refers to any segment of DNA associated with a biological function. Thus, genes include, but are not limited to, coding sequences and / or the regulatory sequences required for their expression. Genes can also include non-expressed DNA segments that, for example, form recognition sequences for other proteins. Genes can be obtained from a variety of sources, including cloning from a source of interest or synthesizing from known or predicted sequence information, and may include sequences designed to have desired parameters.

[0076] As used herein “shelf-stable” refers to a functional attribute and new utility acquired by the microbes formulated according to the disclosure, which enable said microbes to exist in a useful / active state outside of their natural environment in a plant or soil (i.e. a markedly different characteristic). Thus, shelf-stable is a functional attribute created by the formulations / compositions of the disclosure and denoting that the microbe formulated into a shelf-stable composition can exist under ambient conditions for a period of time that can be determined depending upon the particular formulation utilized, but in general means that the microbes can be formulated to exist in a composition that is stable under ambient conditions for at least a few days and generally at least one week.

[0077] In some embodiments, a “microbial signaler” refers to a microbe that has the capability to influence or alter a characteristic or function of a second microbe (referred to herein, as a “target microbe” or a “signaled microbe”) which is in its physical proximity. In some embodiments, the composition comprising a microbe isolate of the present disclosure has the ability to enhance a plant growth-promoting function of the target microbe and / or a plant pathogen suppressive function of a target microbe. In aspects, the microbes identified in Table 1 and Table 2 can be referred to as “microbial signalers.”

[0078] As used herein, the “plant growth promoting function” refers to the ability of a microbe isolate to enhance the growth of a plant. The growth of the plant may be reflected by the height of the plant, the yield of the plant, disease resistance, or any combination thereof.

[0079] As used herein, the term “plant part” refers to any portion, tissue, or organ of a plant, whether living or harvested, whole or in fragments, and whether in its natural state or processed.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)Plant parts include, without limitation, seeds, seedlings, roots, tubers, stolons, stems, stalks, shoots, leaves, needles, flowers, fruits, husks, pods, and grains. The term further encompasses any tissue culture, callus, cell, or protoplast derived from a plant, as well as harvested or processed materials such as flour, meal, oil, or fiber.

[0080] In certain embodiments, a plant part is a seed or seedling to which an agricultural composition is applied as a coating, drench, or encapsulation. In other embodiments, a plant part is an aerial tissue (e.g., leaf, stem, or flower) or a subterranean tissue (e.g., root, rhizome, or tuber) that receives a foliar spray, soil drench, or in-furrow application. Application of the disclosed compositions to a “plant part” therefore includes, but is not limited to: coating or encapsulating a seed prior to planting; applying a suspension or granule formulation to soil surrounding roots; spraying leaves or stems; or treating flowers or fruits to reduce disease incidence. Unless otherwise specified, “plant part” includes any material originating from a plant that can serve as a substrate for colonization, protection, or treatment by the disclosed microbial compositions.Compositions Comprising Microbe Isolates

[0081] The present disclosure provides agricultural compositions comprising at least one microbe, bacterium, or microbe isolate taught herein. The terms “microbe” “bacterium” and “bacteria” are often used interchangeably, with the understanding that common usage dictates that the plural “bacteria” is often used to refer to a singular “bacterium” in some instances.

[0082] In some embodiments, the microbes disclosed herein can provide plant growthpromoting function and control diseases associated with plant pathogens. For instance, the microbes disclosed herein by themselves can exhibit the plant pathogen-inhibiting function, function of improving a plant’s nutrient acquisition, production of plant growth hormones, or any combination thereof.

[0083] In some embodiments, the microbes disclosed herein can suppress and / or inhibit plant pathogens such as Pythium and Fusarium.

[0084] In some embodiments, the microbes taught herein are capable of: (a) reducing the severity of a disease or preventing a disease in a plant, (b) producing an improved soil for growth of a plant, (c) improving the growth of a plant, (d) improving plant vigor, and (e) any combination thereof. In further embodiments, the microbes can enhance a plant growthpromoting function of a target microbe.

[0085] The disclosure provides compositions comprising a microbe and a chemical. The disclosure also provides compositions comprising a microbe and an additional target microbe. The disclosure further provides a microbe, a chemical, and a target microbe.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)

[0086] In some embodiments, the compositions disclosed herein comprise one or more microbes listed in Table 1.

[0087] In some embodiments, the microbes comprise polynucleotide sequences that share at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 95.1%, 95.2%, 95.3%, 95.4%, 95.5%, 95.6%, 95.7%, 95.8%, 95.9%, 96%, 96.1%, 96.2%, 96.3%, 96.4%, 96.5%, 96.6%, 96.7%, 96.8%, 96.9%, 97%, 97.1%, 97.2%, 97.3%, 97.4%, 97.5%, 97.6%, 97.7%, 97.8%, 97.9%, 98%, 98.1%, 98.2%, 98.3%, 98.4%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8%, 99.9%, or 100% sequence identity with a given nucleotide sequence, e.g. 16S rRNA sequence. In some embodiments, the microbes comprise a 16S nucleic acid sequence having one of the aforementioned sequence identities with respect to SEQ ID Nos: 1-11.

[0088] In some embodiments, the microbes belong to the genus Streptomyces.

[0089] In some embodiments, the microbes belong to: Streptomyces avidinii, Streptomyces colombiensis, Streptomyces lavendulae, Streptomyces roseochromogenus, Streptomyces spororaveus, Streptomyces sporoverrucosus, Streptomyces venezuelae, Streptomyces xanthophaeus, Streptomyces angustmyceticus, Streptomyces hygroscopicus, Streptomyces libani, Streptomyces lydicus, Streptomyces nigrescens, Streptomyces platensis, Streptomyces rimosus, Streptomyces tubercidicus, Streptomyces bungoensis, Streptomyces cyslabdanicus, Streptomyces galbus, Streptomyces kagawaensis, Streptomyces lasaliensis, Streptomyces lasalocidi, Streptomyces longwoodensis, Streptomyces spinichromogenes, Streptomyces cirratus, Streptomyces nojiriensis, Streptomyces verne, Streptomyces vinaceus, Streptomyces virginiae, Streptomyces catenulae, Streptomyces cinereus, Streptomyces griseocarneus, Streptomyces sioyaensis, Streptomyces subrutilus, Streptomyces atrolaccus, Streptomyces auratus, Streptomyces fagopyri, Streptomyces kaempferi, Streptomyces mirabilis, Streptomyces olivochromogenes, Streptomyces chattanoogensis, Streptomyces flaveus, Streptomyces goshikiensis, Streptomyces cinnamonensis, Streptomyces senoensis, Streptomyces echinatus, Streptomyces fdipinensis, Streptomyces gulbargensis, Streptomyces myxogenes, Streptomyces novaecaesareae, Streptomyces spectabilis, Streptomyces tanashiensis, Streptomyces ginsengisoli, Streptomyces graminisoli, Streptomyces lucensis, Streptomyces yaanensis, Streptomyces caniferus, Streptomyces decoyicus, Streptomyces glebosus, Streptomyces ossamyceticus, Streptomyces badius, Streptomyces cyaneofuscatus, Streptomyces flavogriseus, Streptomyces griseus, Streptomyces mediolani, Streptomyces praecox, Streptomyces pratensis, Streptomyces omiyaensis, Streptomyces aquilus, Streptomyces caeruleatus, Streptomyces griseochromogenes, Streptomyces pseudovenezuelae,BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)Streptomyces viridochromogenes, Streptomyces argenteolus, Streptomyces chrestomyceticus, Streptomyces coelicolor, Streptomyces microsporus, Streptomyces aureus, Streptomyces lutosisoli, Streptomyces minoensis, Streptomyces rhizosphaerihabitans, Streptomyces griseoruber, Streptomyces scabiei, Streptomyces achromogenes, Streptomyces canarius, Streptomyces capoamus, Streptomyces cellostaticus, or Streptomyces katrae. In some embodiments, the at least one microbe isolate is Streptomyces echinatus, Streptomyces galbus, Streptomyces lavendulae, Streptomyces libani, Streptomyces lydicus, Streptomyces mirabilis, or Streptomyces venezuelae.

[0090] In some embodiments, the microbes belong to: Streptomyces mirabilis, Streptomyces lydicus, Streptomyces venezuelae, Streptomyces fodineus, Streptomyces platensis, Streptomyces nojiriensis, Streptomyces hygroscopicus, Streptomyces coelicolor, or Streptomyces spp.

[0091] In some embodiments, the microbes belong to: Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68439, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68437, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68342, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68343, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68438, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68344, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68435, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68346, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68436, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68440, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68345.Table 1. 16S rRNA Sequences of Streptomyces MicrobesBICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)Target Microbes as Biological Treatments to Combine with Microbes of the Disclosure

[0092] The present disclosure provides that the compositions comprising a microbe disclosed herein have an enhanced ability to inhibit or suppress one or more plant pathogens in soil or a plant part, as compared to a comparator control soil or a plant part to which the compositions are not applied.

[0093] In some embodiments, compositions comprising: (i) one or more microbes listed in Table 1, further comprise (ii) one or more additional “target microbes” listed in Table A, which have an enhanced ability to inhibit or suppress one or more plant pathogens listed in Table B, as compared to the one or more target microbes alone.

[0094] That is, in some embodiments, the microbes taught herein in Table 1 and Table 2 can be called “microbial signalers” that can influence or alter a characteristic or function of a second microbe from, for example, Table A and termed a “target microbe” or a “signaled microbe.” In this instance, the target microbes of Table A have an improved pathogen suppressive function against a pathogen in Table B. Table A. Exemplary Genera of Target Microbes to Be Combined with Microbes of the DisclosureBICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)

[0095] In some embodiments, a target microbe belongs to the genus Amycolatopsis, Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Bacillus, Bradyrhizobium, Comamonas, Curtobacterium, Enterobacter, Kitasatospora, Kosakonia, Paenibacillus, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, Sinorhizobium, Stretacidiphilus, Streptomyces, Talaromyces, or Trichoderma. In some embodiments, the at least one target microbe is Talaromyces flavus, Streptomyces griseoviridis, Streptomyces lydicus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus velezensis, Bacillus tequilensis, Bacillus firmus, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus megaterium, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma afroharzianum, Trichoderma spirale, Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas chlororaphis, Comamonas testosterone, Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter cloacae, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the at least one target microbe is Talaromyces flavus SAY-Y-94-01. In some embodiments, the at least one target microbe is Streptomyces lydicus WYEC 108.

[0096] In some embodiments, the target microbe is one or more of Talaromyces flavus, Trichoderma harzianum, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Streptomyces sp., Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus velezensis, Bacillus tequilensis, Bacillus firmus, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus pumilus, Streptomyces lydicus, Pseudomonas chlororaphis, Azospirillum brasilense, Trichoderma asperellum, Trichoderma gamsii, Trichoderma spirale, Pseudomonas putida, Comamonas testosterone, Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter cloacae, Streptomyces spp., Trichoderma viride, Bacillus megaterium, Azospirillum spp., Bradyrhizobium japonicum, Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viciae, Bradyrhizobium spp., Rhizobium leguminosarum, Azospirillum amazonense, Azospirillum lipoferum, Glomus intraradices, Rhizophagus intraradices, Glomus mosseaem, or any combination thereof.

[0097] In some embodiments, the target microbe belongs to the genus Bacillus, which comprises a species selected from the group consisting of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus firmus, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus velezensis, Bacillus tequilensis, and combinations thereof.

[0098] The plant pathogen is not limited, and may be a soil-borne plant pathogen, a seed-borne plant pathogen, a pathogen of leaves and / or foliage, a pathogen of fruit, a pathogen of stem, a pathogen of root, or any combination thereof. Non-limiting examples of the plant pathogen include those listed below in Table B.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)Table B. Exemplary Plant PathogensBICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)

[0099] In some embodiments, the target microbe is present in a commercial product. Nonlimiting examples of target microbes that may be present in the compositions disclosed herein, and / or used in the methods disclosed herein include, but are not limited to: Amycolatopsis, Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Bacillus, Bradyrhizobium, Comamonas, Curtobacterium, Enterobacter, Kitasatospora, Kosakonia, Paenibacillus, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, Sinorhizobium, Stretacidiphilus, Streptomyces, Talaromyces, or Trichoderma.Chemistry to Combine with Microbes of the Disclosure

[0100] In some embodiments, the compositions comprising a microbe disclosed herein further comprise an agricultural chemical compound or product, which is used interchangeably with the term “chemistry.”

[0101] The traditional chemical includes a commercial chemical product used as a fungicide, an insecticide, or a pesticide, such as a mixture of the actives: thiamethoxam, picarbutrazox, mefenoxam, fludioxinil, and sedaxane that provides protection against early-season insects, including soybean aphids, and diseases, such as Pythium and Phytophthora.

[0102] In some embodiments, the active ingredients of “Chemistry 1” that is used for experiments herein is Thiamethoxam, Mefenoxam, Picarbutrazox, Fludioxonil, and Sedaxane.

[0103] Thiamethoxam is a neonicotinoid insecticide (group 4A insecticide resistance action committee (IRAQ group). Other group 4A insecticides may substitute in for thiamethoxam such as Acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, nitenpyram, and thiacloprid.

[0104] Picarbutrazox is a member of the terazolyloxime chemical group of fungicides and any chemical having the terazolyloxime group could be used as a substitute for picarbutrazox.

[0105] Mefenoxam is a fungicide that is also known as metalaxyl-M. Metalaxyl is a racemic mixture containing both R- and S- enantiomers, while Mefenoxam (aka metalaxyl-M) is the enriched form that predominantly contains the R-enantiomer, providing greater fungicidal efficacy at lower application rates.

[0106] Metalaxyl and mefenoxam fall into the FRAC group 4 and is a phenylamide chemical active Others in Group 4 may substitute in for mefenoxam, including: Benalaxyl, Benalaxyl- M (aka Kiralaxyl), Furalaxyl, and Metalaxyl. Also, metalaxyl base can be used as a base fungicide that suppresses background levels of native fungi.

[0107] Fludioxonil is a phenylpyrrole fungicide in FRAC Group 12. Other actives that may be used as a substitute include Fenpiclonil.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)

[0108] Sedaxane is an SDHI fungicide (targets succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors) and is the in FRAC Group 7 of actives. This is a large group and many chemistries can be substituted for sedaxane, including: Pydiflumetofen, fenfuram, carboxin, oxycarboxin, benodanil, flutolanil, mepronil, isofetamid, benzovindiflupyr, bixafen, fluindapyr, fluxapyroxad, furametpyr, inpyrfluxam, isopyrazam, penflufen, penthiopyrad, isoflucypram, boscalid, fluopyram, cyclobutrifluram, thifluzamide, pyraziflumid

[0109] Additionally, fluopyram can be used as a chemical to control fungi and insects.

[0110] In some embodiments, the chemical comprises thiamethoxam, mefenoxam, picarbutrazox, fludioxonil, sedaxane, fluopyram, and a combination thereof.

[0111] The compositions comprising a microbe isolate alone or a microbe isolate + a target microbe, a chemical, or both have an enhanced ability for plant growth-promoting functions, which includes the inhibition or suppression of one or more plant pathogens listed in Table B, as compared to soil or a plant part to which the compositions are not applied.Compositions Including Agriculturally Acceptable Carriers

[0112] The disclosure provides compositions comprising one or more of the microbes disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the microbial compositions further comprise an agriculturally acceptable carrier and / or optionally other additives.

[0113] In some embodiments, the compositions described herein comprises at least one microbe belonging to the genus Streptomyces, in combination with an agriculturally acceptable carrier. The carrier facilitates the delivery, stability, and application of the microbe to the target plant or soil environment.

[0114] An agriculturally acceptable carrier refers to any material or formulation that is safe for use in agricultural settings and does not adversely affect the viability or activity of the microbe. The carrier may be selected based on the intended mode of application (e.g., foliar spray, soil drench, seed coating, powder or granule) and the physical or chemical compatibility with the microbe and other active ingredients.

[0115] Examples of the carrier forms include: (1) liquid carriers, such as aqueous buffers, vegetable oils, mineral oils, or emulsions, (2) powder carriers, including talc, graphite, clay, diatomaceous earth, or other inert powders, (3) granular carriers, such as sand, vermiculite, or other granulated substrates, (4) suspensions, where the microbe is suspended in a liquid medium with stabilizers or surfactants, (5) emulsions, including oil-in-water or water-in-oil systems, and (6) gels, such as hydrogel matrices or polymer-based gels that retain moisture and support microbial viability.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)

[0116] In some embodiments, the carrier comprises buffer, fertilizer, nutrient medium, talc, graphite, clay, diatomaceous earth, starch, cellulose, polymer matrix, oil, emulsifier, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the carrier is in a form selected from the group consisting of liquid, solution, suspension, emulsion, powder, dust, granule, pellet, bead, gel, paste, and film.

[0117] The carrier may optionally include adjuvants, stabilizers, wetting agents, surfactants, or nutrient supplements to enhance microbial survival, adherence to plant surfaces, or compatibility with other active agents such as chemical fungicides or biological control organisms.

[0118] In some embodiments, the composition may be formulated for dry application, such as dusting or granule broadcasting, or for wet application, such as spraying or irrigation. The carrier may also be optimized for controlled release, allowing sustained delivery of the microbe isolate over time.

[0119] In some embodiments, the composition is formulated as a seed coating, foliar spray, soil drench, powder, or granule.

[0120] In some embodiments, the composition comprises at least two different microbes, and wherein the at least two microbes are present in the composition at a ratio of 1 :2, 1 :3, 1 :3, 1:5, 1:6, 1:7, 1:8, 1:9, 1:10, 1:11, 1:12, 1:13, 1:14, 1:15, 1:16, 1:17, 1:18, 1:19, 1:20, 1:21, 1:22, 1:23, 1:24, 1:25, 1:26, 1:27, 1:28, 1:29, 1:30, 1:40, 1:50, 1:60, 1:100, 1:125, 1:150, 1:175, or 1:200 or the inverse thereof. In some embodiments, the microbial composition comprises at least three different microbes, and wherein the three microbes are present in the composition at a ratio of 1:2:1, 1:1:2, 2:2:1, 1:3:1, 1:1:3, 3:1:1, 3:3:1, 1:5:1, 1:1:5, 5:1:1, 5:5:1, or 1:5:5.Encapsulating Compositions

[0121] In some embodiments, the microbes are encapsulated in an encapsulating composition. An encapsulating composition protects the microbes from external stressors. In some embodiments, external stressors include thermal and physical stressors. In some embodiments, external stressors include chemicals present in the compositions. Encapsulating compositions further create an environment that may be beneficial to the microbes, such as minimizing the oxidative stresses of an aerobic environment on anaerobic microbes.

[0122] In one embodiment, the encapsulation is a reservoir-type encapsulation. In one embodiment, the encapsulation is a matrix-type encapsulation. In one embodiment, the encapsulation is a coated matrix-type encapsulation.

[0123] In some embodiments, the microbes are encapsulated in one or more of the following: gellan gum, xanthan gum, K-Carrageenan, cellulose acetate phthalate, chitosan, starch, milkBICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034) fat, whey protein, Ca-alginate, raftilose, raftiline, pectin, saccharide, glucose, maltodextrin, gum arabic, guar, seed flour, alginate, dextrins, dextrans, celluloase, gelatin, gelatin, albumin, casein, gluten, acacia gum, tragacanth, wax, paraffin, stearic acid, monodiglycerides, and diglycerides.

[0124] In some embodiments, the microbes are encapsulated by one or more of polymer, carbohydrate, sugar, plastic, glass, polysaccharide, lipid, wax, oil, fatty acid, or glyceride.

[0125] In some embodiments, the encapsulation of the microbes is carried out by an extrusion, emulsification, coating, agglomeration, lyophilization, vitrification, foam drying, preservation by vaporization, vacuum-drying, or spray-drying.

[0126] In some embodiments, the encapsulating compositions comprise at least two layers of encapsulation. In some embodiments, each layer of encapsulation confers a different characteristic to the composition. In some embodiments, no two consecutive layers confer the same characteristic. In some embodiments, at least one layer of the at least two layers of encapsulation confers thermostability, shelf stability, ultraviolet resistance, moisture resistance, hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, lipophobicity, lipophilicity, pH stability, acid resistance, and base resistance.Agricultural Compositions

[0127] The compositions disclosed herein may be in the form of a dry powder, a slurry of powder and water, a granular material, or a flowable seed treatment. The compositions comprising microbe populations disclosed herein may be coated on a surface of a seed, and may be in liquid form.

[0128] In some examples, one or more compositions may be coated onto a seed. In some examples, one or more compositions may be coated onto a seedling. In some examples, one or more compositions may be coated onto a surface of a seed. In some examples, one or more compositions may be coated as a layer above a surface of a seed. In some examples, a composition that is coated onto a seed may be in liquid form, in dry product form, in foam form, in a form of a slurry of powder and water, or in a flowable seed treatment. In some examples, one or more compositions may be applied to a seed and / or seedling by spraying, immersing, coating, encapsulating, and / or dusting the seed and / or seedling with the one or more compositions. In some examples, multiple bacteria or bacterial populations can be coated onto a seed and / or a seedling of the plant.

[0129] Examples of compositions may include seed coatings for commercially important agricultural crops, for example, soybean, sorghum, canola, tomato, strawberry, barley, rice, maize, and wheat. Examples of compositions can also include seed coatings for com, soybean,BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034) canola, sorghum, potato, rice, vegetables, cereals, and oilseeds. Seeds as provided herein can be genetically modified organisms (GMO), non-GMO, organic, or conventional.

[0130] In some examples, compositions may be sprayed on the plant aerial parts, or applied to the roots by inserting into furrows in which the plant seeds are planted, watering to the soil, or dipping the roots in a suspension of the composition.

[0131] In some examples, compositions may be dehydrated in a suitable manner that maintains cell viability and the ability to artificially inoculate and colonize host plants. The bacterial species may be present in compositions at a concentration of between 103to 1010CFU / ml, 103to 109CFU / ml, or 103to 108CFU / ml.

[0132] In some examples, compositions may be supplemented with trace metal ions, such as molybdenum ions, iron ions, manganese ions, or combinations of these ions. The concentration of ions in examples of compositions as described herein may between about 0.1 mM and about 50 mM. Some examples of compositions may also be formulated with a carrier, such as betaglucan, carboxylmethyl cellulose (CMC), bacterial extracellular polymeric substance (EPS), sugar, animal milk, or other suitable carriers.

[0133] In some examples, peat or planting materials can be used as a carrier, or biopolymers in which a composition is entrapped in the biopolymer can be used as a carrier. The compositions comprising the bacterial populations described herein can improve plant traits, such as promoting plant growth, maintaining high chlorophyll content in leaves, increasing fruit or seed numbers, and increasing fruit or seed unit weight.

[0134] The compositions comprising the bacterial populations described herein may be coated on to the surface of a seed. As such, compositions comprising a seed coated with one or more bacteria described herein are also contemplated. The seed coating may be formed by mixing the bacterial population with a porous, chemically inert carrier. Alternatively, the compositions may be inserted directly into the furrows into which the seed is planted or sprayed onto the plant leaves or applied by dipping the roots into a suspension of the composition. An effective amount of the composition can be used to populate the sub-soil region adjacent to the roots of the plant with viable bacterial growth, or populate the leaves of the plant with viable bacterial growth. In general, an effective amount is an amount sufficient to result in plants with improved traits (e.g. a desired level of nitrogen fixation).

[0135] In some embodiments, the microbes, or microbial compositions of the present disclosure may be formulated using an agriculturally acceptable carrier. The formulation useful for these embodiments may include at least one member selected from the group consisting of a tackifier, a microbial stabilizer, a fungicide, a biopesticide, an antibacterial agent, aBICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034) preservative, a stabilizer, a surfactant, an anti-complex agent, an herbicide, a nematicide, an insecticide, a plant growth regulator, a fertilizer, a rodenticide, a dessicant, a bactericide, a nutrient, a hormone, or any combination thereof. In some examples, compositions may be shelf-stable. For example, any of the compositions described herein can include an agriculturally acceptable carrier (e.g., one or more of a fertilizer such as a non-naturally occurring fertilizer, an adhesion agent such as a non- naturally occurring adhesion agent, and a pesticide such as a non-naturally occurring pesticide). A non-naturally occurring adhesion agent can be, for example, a polymer, copolymer, or synthetic wax. For example, any of the coated seeds, seedlings, or plants described herein can contain such an agriculturally acceptable carrier in the seed coating.

[0136] In any of the compositions or methods described herein, an agriculturally acceptable carrier can be or can include a non-naturally occurring compound (e.g., a non-naturally occurring fertilizer, a non-naturally occurring adhesion agent such as a polymer, copolymer, or synthetic wax, or a non-naturally occurring pesticide). Non- limiting examples of agriculturally acceptable carriers are described below. Additional examples of agriculturally acceptable carriers are known in the art.

[0137] In some cases, the microbes, or microbial compositions of the present disclosure may be mixed with an agriculturally acceptable carrier. The carrier can be a solid carrier or liquid carrier, and in various forms including microspheres, powders, emulsions and the like. The carrier may be one or more of a number of carriers that confer a variety of properties, such as increased stability, wettability, or dispersability. Wetting agents such as natural or synthetic surfactants, which can be nonionic or ionic surfactants, or a combination thereof can be included in the composition. Water-in-oil emulsions can also be used to formulate a composition that includes the isolated bacteria. Suitable formulations that may be prepared include wettable powders, granules, gels, agar strips or pellets, thickeners, and the like, microencapsulated particles, and the like, liquids such as aqueous flowables, aqueous suspensions, water-in-oil emulsions, etc. The formulation may include grain or legume products, for example, ground grain or beans, broth or flour derived from grain or beans, starch, sugar, or oil.

[0138] In some embodiments, the agricultural carrier may be soil or a plant growth medium. Other agricultural carriers that may be used include water, fertilizers, plant-based oils, humectants, or combinations thereof. Alternatively, the agricultural carrier may be a solid, such as diatomaceous earth, loam, silica, alginate, talc, graphite, clay, bentonite, vermiculite, seed cases, other plant and animal products, or combinations, including granules, pellets, orBICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034) suspensions. Mixtures of any of the aforementioned ingredients are also contemplated as carriers, such as but not limited to, pesta (flour and kaolin clay), agar or flour-based pellets in loam, sand, or clay, etc. Formulations may include food sources for the bacteria, such as barley, rice, or other biological materials such as seed, plant parts, sugar cane bagasse, hulls or stalks from grain processing, ground plant material or wood from building site refuse, sawdust or small fibers from recycling of paper, fabric, or wood.

[0139] For example, a fertilizer can be used to help promote the growth or provide nutrients to a seed, seedling, or plant. Non-limiting examples of fertilizers include nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, sulfur, magnesium, boron, chloride, manganese, iron, zinc, copper, molybdenum, and selenium (or a salt thereof). Additional examples of fertilizers include one or more amino acids, salts, carbohydrates, vitamins, glucose, NaCl, yeast extract, NH4H2PO4, (NH4)2SO4, glycerol, valine, L-leucine, lactic acid, propionic acid, succinic acid, malic acid, citric acid, KH tartrate, xylose, lyxose, and lecithin. In one embodiment, the formulation can include a tackifier or adherent (referred to as an adhesive agent) to help bind other active agents to a substance (e.g., a surface of a seed). Such agents are useful for combining bacteria with carriers that can contain other compounds (e.g., control agents that are not biologic), to yield a coating composition. Such compositions help create coatings around the plant or seed to maintain contact between the microbe and other agents with the plant or plant part. In one embodiment, adhesives are selected from the group consisting of: alginate, gums, starches, lecithins, formononetin, polyvinyl alcohol, alkali formononetinate, hesperetin, polyvinyl acetate, cephalins, Gum Arabic, Xanthan Gum, Mineral Oil, Polyethylene Glycol (PEG), Polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), Arabino-galactan, Methyl Cellulose, PEG 400, Chitosan, Polyacrylamide, Polyacrylate, Polyacrylonitrile, Glycerol, Triethylene glycol, Vinyl Acetate, Gellan Gum, Polystyrene, Polyvinyl, Carboxymethyl cellulose, Gum Ghatti, and polyoxyethylene-polyoxybutylene block copolymers.

[0140] In some embodiments, the adhesives can be, e.g. a wax such as carnauba wax, beeswax, Chinese wax, shellac wax, spermaceti wax, candelilla wax, castor wax, ouricury wax, and rice bran wax, a polysaccharide (e.g., starch, dextrins, maltodextrins, alginate, and chitosans), a fat, oil, a protein (e.g., gelatin and zeins), gum arables, and shellacs. Adhesive agents can be nonnaturally occurring compounds, e.g., polymers, copolymers, and waxes. For example, nonlimiting examples of polymers that can be used as an adhesive agent include: polyvinyl acetates, polyvinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, celluloses (e.g., ethylcelluloses, methylcelluloses, hydroxymethylcelluloses, hydroxypropylcelluloses, andBICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034) carboxymethylcelluloses), polyvinylpyrolidones, vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride copolymers, calcium lignosulfonates, acrylic copolymers, polyvinylacrylates, polyethylene oxide, acylamide polymers and copolymers, polyhydroxyethyl acrylate, methylacrylamide monomers, and polychloroprene.

[0141] In some examples, one or more of the adhesion agents, anti-fungal agents, growth regulation agents, and pesticides (e.g., insecticide) are non-naturally occurring compounds (e.g., in any combination). Additional examples of agriculturally acceptable carriers include dispersants (e.g., polyvinylpyrrolidone / vinyl acetate PVPIVA S-630), surfactants, binders, and filler agents. The formulation can also contain a surfactant. Non-limiting examples of surfactants include nitrogen-surfactant blends such as Prefer 28 (Cenex), Surf-N(US), Inhance (Brandt), P-28 (Wilfarm) and Patrol (Helena); esterified seed oils include Sun-It II (AmCy), MSO (UAP), Scoil (Agsco), Hasten (Wilfarm) and Mes-100 (Drexel); and organo-silicone surfactants include Silwet L77 (UAP), Silikin (Terra), Dyne-Amic (Helena), Kinetic (Helena), Sylgard 309 (Wilbur-Ellis) and Century (Precision). In one embodiment, the surfactant is present at a concentration of between 0.01% v / v to 10% v / v. In another embodiment, the surfactant is present at a concentration of between 0.1% v / v to 1% v / v.

[0142] In certain cases, the formulation includes a microbial stabilizer. Such an agent can include a desiccant, which can include any compound or mixture of compounds that can be classified as a desiccant regardless of whether the compound or compounds are used in such concentrations that they in fact have a desiccating effect on a liquid inoculant. Such desiccants are ideally compatible with the bacterial population used, and should promote the ability of the microbial population to survive application on the seeds and to survive desiccation.

[0143] Examples of suitable desiccants include one or more of trehalose, sucrose, glycerol, and Methylene glycol. Other suitable desiccants include, but are not limited to, non-reducing sugars and sugar alcohols (e.g., mannitol or sorbitol). The amount of desiccant introduced into the formulation can range from about 5% to about 50% by weight / volume, for example, between about 10% to about 40%, between about 15% to about 35%, or between about 20% to about 30%.

[0144] In some embodiments, it is advantageous for the formulation to contain agents such as a fungicide, a biopesticide, an antibacterial agent, an herbicide, a nematicide, an insecticide, a plant growth regulator, a rodenticide, bactericide, or a nutrient. In some examples, agents may include protectants that provide protection against seed surface-borne pathogens. In some examples, protectants may provide some level of control of soil-borne pathogens. In some examples, protectants may be effective predominantly on a seed surface.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)Formulations

[0145] The present disclosure provides that the compositions described herein may be formulated as a seed coating, foliar spray, soil drench, or granule. These compositions may be then applied as a seed coating formulation, a soil-applied granule formulation, a soil drench formulation, or a foliar spray formulation.

[0146] In one embodiment, the compositions described herein are formulated as a seed- applied treatment, wherein compositions, formulations, or commercial products comprising microbial isolates are incorporated onto or into crop seeds, optionally in combination with chemical (e.g., fungicides, insecticides, fertilizers, micronutrients, and / or biological inputs).

[0147] (1) Seed coating

[0148] The microbe isolate(s) in the composition, formulation, or commercial product is delivered as (i) direct coating: a slurry of the composition, formulation, or commercial product applied to seed surface; (ii) polymer coating: microbe isolates encapsulated within or adhered to a polymer matrix; (iii) pelleted seed treatment: microbe isolated embedded within pelleting materials (e.g., clay, starch, polymers). Polymers useful for seed coating include polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), acrylic resins, polyurethane dispersions, polysaccharides (e.g., alginate, xanthan, starch), or mixtures thereof. The polymeric layer may further include chemical fungicides or insecticides, micronutrients (zinc, manganese, iron), or stickers / spreaders to enhance adherence.

[0149] (2) Dry Application (Powder or Granule)

[0150] In some embodiments, the compositions are formulated as a dry powder or granular product suitable for planter box application at the time of planting. The dry formulation may include (i) powders (freeze-dried or spray-dried microbe isolate blended with carriers such as talc, graphite, clay, diatomaceous earth, or starch) and (ii) granules (e.g., clay granules, corncob grit, biochar, or silica). The product may be applied directly to seed in the planter box prior to planting, either alone or mixed with other seed lubricants.

[0151] Granular products may also be designed for in-furrow placement at planting, ensuring delivery of the microbe isolates to the root zone.

[0152] (3) Soil Drench Formulation

[0153] In some embodiments, the compositions are provided as a soil drench formulation, typically in liquid suspension form. The microbe isolates can be prepared as: (i) aqueous suspensions; (ii) oil dispersions for stability and extended release, and (iii) encapsulated liquid beads (e.g., alginate or polymer capsules) for controlled release.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)

[0154] In some embodiments, the composition or formulation is applied as a seed treatment prior to planting. In some embodiments, the composition or formulation is applied as a soil drench during plant growth. In some embodiments, the composition or formulation is applied as a foliar spray.Agricultural Products

[0155] The present disclosure provides a plurality of agricultural products comprising at least one microbe isolate, chemistry (e.g., commercial chemical products used as fungicide, insecticide, or pesticide), other commercial microbe(s) of the genus that is different from the microbe isolate of the present disclosure, and combinations thereof. The agricultural products can be formulated and manufactured for commercial purposes.

[0156] 1. Microbe isolate alone (i.e., microbe isolate 1)

[0157] In some embodiments, product 1 comprises or consists of a single microbial isolate without any composition (including chemi stry / chemi cal and microbe(s) other than Streptomyces bacteria of the present disclosure). The microbial isolate in product 1 is one of the microbes presented in Tables 1 and 2. The carrier used in product 1 is described in the above section. In further embodiments, product 1 can optionally comprise a single microbial isolate formulated with an agriculturally acceptable carrier.

[0158] In some embodiments, the single microbe isolate belongs to the genus Streptomyces. In some embodiments, the single microbe isolate is a Streptomyces bacterium sharing at least about 97% at least about 98%, or at least about 99% sequence identity to a 16S rRNA sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11. In some embodiments, the Streptomyces bacterium comprises a 16S rRNA sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11.

[0159] In some embodiments, the single microbe isolate is selected from the group consisting of Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68439, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68437, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68342, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68343, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68438, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68344, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68435, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68346, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68436, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68440, and Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68345.

[0160] 2. Microbe Isolate combined with Chemistry (e.g., commercial fungicide / insecticide)

[0161] In some embodiments, product 2 comprises or consists of a single microbial isolate formulated with one of the agricultural chemicals that may be commercially available. TheBICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034) microbial isolate in product 2 is at least one microbe presented in Tables 1 and 2. The chemistry used in product 2 is described in the above section.

[0162] In some embodiments, the single microbe isolate combined with chemi stry / chemi cal belongs to the genus Streptomyces. In some embodiments, the single microbe isolate (i.e., Streptomyces bacterium) combined with chemi stry / chemi cal has at least about 97% at least about 98%, or at least about 99% sequence identity to a 16S rRNA sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11. In some embodiments, the microbe isolate has 100% sequence identity to a 16S rRNA sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11.

[0163] In some embodiments, the single microbe isolate combined with chemi stry / chemi cal is selected from the group consisting of Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68439, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68437, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68342, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68343, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68438, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68344, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68435, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68346, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68436, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68440, and Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68345.

[0164] 3. Microbe Isolate 1 + Microbe Isolate 2 (with or without chemistry)

[0165] In some embodiments, product 3 comprises or consists of at least two microbial isolates, without any other composition (including chemi stry / chemi cal and microbe(s) other than Streptomyces bacteria of the present disclosure). In other embodiments, product 3 comprises or consists of at least two microbial isolates formulated with a chemi stry / chemi cal. In further embodiments, product 3 comprises or consists of at least two microbial isolates formulated with a chemi stry / chemi cal and an agricultural acceptable carrier. Both carrier and chemistry used in product 3 are described in the above section.

[0166] In some embodiments, the at least two microbial isolates in product 3 belong to the genus Streptomyces . In some embodiments, each of the at least two Streptomyces microbial isolates share at least about 97% at least about 98%, or at least about 99% sequence identity to a 16S rRNA sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11. In some embodiments, each of the at least two Streptomyces bacterium microbial isolates have 100% sequence identity to a 16S rRNA sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11.

[0167] In some embodiments, the at least two microbial isolates are selected from the group consisting of Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68439, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68437, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68342, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68343, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited asBICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)NRRL B-68438, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68344, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68435, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68346, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68436, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68440, and Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68345.

[0168] 4. At Least One Microbe Isolate + Additional Microbe of Other Genus (with or without chemistry)

[0169] In some embodiments, product 4 comprises or consists of at least one bacterium microbial isolate formulated with at least one additional microbe(s) different from the genus Streptomyces of the present disclosure, but without a chemistry / chemical. In other embodiments, product 4 comprises or consists of at least one microbial isolate formulated with another additional microbe(s) different from the genus Streptomyces of the present disclosure and a chemistry / chemical.

[0170] In some embodiments, the at least one additional microbe(s) different from the genus Streptomyces of the present disclosure is an additional bacterium not selected from a Streptomyces bacterium comprising a 16S rRNA sequence sharing at least about 97% sequence identity to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11.

[0171] In some embodiments, the at least one Streptomyces microbial isolate in product 4 share at least about 97% at least about 98%, or at least about 99% sequence identity to a 16S rRNA sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11. In some embodiments, the at least one Streptomyces microbial isolate share 100% sequence identity to a 16S rRNA sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11.

[0172] In some embodiments, the at least one Streptomyces microbial isolate is selected from the group consisting of Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68439, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68437, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68342, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68343, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68438, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68344, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68435, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68346, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68436, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68440, and Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68345.

[0173] In some embodiments, the microbial cells can be coated freely onto any number of compositions or they can be formulated in a liquid or solid composition before being coated onto a composition. For example, a solid composition comprising the microorganisms can be prepared by mixing a solid carrier with a suspension of the spores until the solid carriers areBICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034) impregnated with the spore or cell suspension. This mixture can then be dried to obtain the desired particles.

[0174] In some embodiments, it is contemplated that the solid or liquid microbial compositions of the present disclosure further contain functional agents e.g., activated carbon, minerals, vitamins, and other agents capable of improving the quality of the products or a combination thereof.

[0175] In some embodiments, the microbe isolates or compositions of the present disclosure exhibit a synergistic effect, on one or more of the traits described herein, in the presence of one or more of the microbes or microbial compositions coming into contact with one another. The synergistic effect obtained by the taught methods can be quantified, for example, according to Colby’s formula (i.e., (E) = X+Y - (X*Y / 100)). See Colby, R.S., “Calculating Synergistic and Antagonistic Responses of Herbicide Combinations,” 1967. Weeds. Vol. 15, pp. 20-22, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Thus, “synergistic” is intended to reflect an outcome / parameter / effect that has been increased by more than an additive amount.Suppressing Plant Pathogens and Promoting Plant Growth

[0176] In some embodiments, the plant growth-promoting function comprises plant pathogen-inhibiting function, a function of improving a plant’ s nutrient acquisition, production of plant growth hormones, or any combination thereof.

[0177] In some embodiments, the microbe is capable of providing the plant pathogeninhibiting function to soil or a plant part by at least about 1%, at least about 2%, at least about 3%, at least about 4%, at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 100%, at least about 200%, at least about 300%, at least about 400%, at least about 500%, at least about 600%, at least about 700%, at least about 800%, at least about 900% or at least about 1000%, including all values and subranges that lie therebetween.

[0178] In some embodiments, the microbe is capable of enhancing the plant pathogeninhibiting function of the target microbe by at least about 1%, at least about 2%, at least about 3%, at least about 4%, at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%,BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034) at least about 95%, at least about 100%, at least about 200%, at least about 300%, at least about 400%, at least about 500%, at least about 600%, at least about 700%, at least about 800%, at least about 900% or at least about 1000%, including all values and subranges that lie therebetween.

[0179] In some embodiments, the microbe is capable of providing the plant pathogenic disease suppression to soil or a plant part by at least about 1%, at least about 2%, at least about 3%, at least about 4%, at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 100%, at least about 200%, at least about 300%, at least about 400%, at least about 500%, at least about 600%, at least about 700%, at least about 800%, at least about 900% or at least about 1000%, including all values and subranges that lie therebetween.

[0180] In some embodiments, the microbe is capable of enhancing the plant pathogenic disease suppression function of the target microbe by at least about 1%, at least about 2%, at least about 3%, at least about 4%, at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 100%, at least about 200%, at least about 300%, at least about 400%, at least about 500%, at least about 600%, at least about 700%, at least about 800%, at least about 900% or at least about 1000%, including all values and subranges that lie therebetween.

[0181] The enhancement of plant pathogenic disease suppression function as disclosed herein may be seen in any plant. Non-limiting examples of plants that may used with the microbes and / or compositions disclosed herein, or used in the methods disclosed herein are corn, soybean, wheat, alfalfa, cotton, rice, oats, barley, oil crops (e.g. sunflower, canola), vegetable crops (e.g. potato, sweet potato, corn, cassava, yams, plantains, tomato, beans, sugar beets), sugar cane, fruit crops, grain crops, pulses, legumes, maize, millet, sorghum, tuber crops, feed crops, ornamental crops, industrial crops, food crops, fiber crops, beverage plants (e.g. tea, coffee), seed trees, nut trees, herb plants, bioenergy crops (e.g. switch grass, aspen), forest trees, and spices plants (e.g. saffron).BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)Methods for Reducing or Mitigating the Severity of Diseases Caused by Pathogens

[0182] The present disclosure provides methods for reducing or mitigating the severity of a disease or preventing a disease in a plant, comprising: applying the composition or formulation described herein to soil around a plant seed or to a plant part, wherein the disease is caused by a plant pathogen. In some embodiments, the plant part is a shoot, a root, a leaf, a flower, a fruit, a seed, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, seeds or plants are present in soil.

[0183] In some embodiments, the plant pathogen is the genus selected from the group consisting of: Pseudomonas, Erwinia, Raltsonia, Rhizomonas, Agrobacterium, Streptomyces, Bacillus, Sclerotium, Rhizoctonia, Fusarium, Pythium, Phytophthora, Synchytrium, Rhizopus, Alternaria, Macrophomina, Drechslera, Bipolaris, Curvularia, Phomopsis, Caloscypha fulgens, Lasiodiplodia, Sirococcus, Diplodia, Ustilago, Pyrenophora, Xanthomonas, Pseudomonas, Bipolaris sorokiniana, Aciculosporium, Mycosphaerella, Ceratobasidium, Albugo, Alternaria, Myrothecium, Cochliobolus, Hyaloperonospora, Alveopora, Neonectria, Colletotrichum, Peronospora, Cadophora, Oculimacula , Curvularia , Phytophthora, Calyptella Omphalotus, Cylindrocladiella, Plasmopara , Chrysomyxa , Peyronellaea, Pythiogeton, Cladophialophora, Phaeoacremonium, Heterobasidion, Pythium, Coleosporium, Pseudocercospora, Magnaporthe, Colletotrichum, Puccinia, Microdochium, Corynespora, Pucciniastrum, Olpidium, Craterocolla, Pseudotetraploa, Phoma, Cronartium, Septoria, Plectosphaerella, Didymella, Sphacelotheca, Pyrenochaeta, Drechslera, Spongipellis, Rhizoctonia, Endocronartium, Stenocarpella, Setophoma, Entyloma, Sydowia, Spongospora, Fomitopsis, Taphrina, Thielaviopsis, Tritirachium, Typhula, Ganoderma, Urocystis, Verticillium, Hypohelion, Ustilago, Waitea, Itersonilia, Venturia, Leptosphaerulina, and Monilinia.

[0184] Plants are susceptible to a wide range of diseases caused by microbial pathogens, including fungi, oomycetes, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes. Among these, soilborne fungal and oomycete pathogens are particularly destructive due to their persistence in the environment and ability to infect plants at multiple growth stages. Two of the most economically significant genera, Pythium and Fusarium, which are responsible for a broad spectrum of diseases across numerous crop species.

[0185] In some embodiments, the plant pathogen is a parasite from the genus Pythium or a fungus from the genus Fusarium. Plant diseases caused by Pythium and / or Fusarium are provided below.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)

[0186] (1) Diseases Caused by Pythium spp.

[0187] Pythium is an oomycete genus that includes several species known to cause damping- off, root rot, and seedling blight. These diseases are especially prevalent in wet or poorly drained soils and greenhouse environments. Common diseases caused by Pythium include: damping-off (pre- and post-emergence), root rot, seed rot, stalk rot, and fruit rot. Affected crops include but are not limited to soybean, corn, wheat, tomato, pepper, cucumber, lettuce, spinach, turfgrass, and the like.

[0188] (2) Diseases Caused by Fusarium spp.

[0189] Fusarium is a genus of filamentous fungi that includes numerous pathogenic species affecting a wide range of crops. These pathogens are known for their ability to produce mycotoxins and persist in soil and plant debris. Common diseases caused by Fusarium include Fusarium wilt, Fusarium root rot, Fusarium crown rot, Fusarium head blight (scab), Fusarium stalk rot, Fusarium ear rot. Affected crops include, but are not limited to, tomato, banana, cotton, soybean, corn, wheat, barley, pea, lentil, potato, melon, strawberry, and the like.

[0190] In some embodiments, diseases caused by Pythium and Fusarium significantly reduce plant biomass and yield by damaging root systems, limiting water and nutrient uptake. Also, they can disrupt vascular tissues, impairing translocation of nutrients, and cause premature senescence and plant death. Further, seed germination and seedling establishment can be reduced.

[0191] In some embodiments, the composition or formulation suppresses the parasite from the genus Pythium and / or the disease caused thereby. In some embodiments, the composition or formulation suppresses the fungus from the genus Fusarium and / or the disease caused thereby. In some embodiments, the severity of the disease is reduced in a plant by at least 1%, at least 2%, at least 5%, at least 10% when applied.

[0192] In some embodiments, the composition or formulation suppresses the parasite from the genus Pythium and / or the diseases caused thereby.

[0193] The present disclosure provides methods of reducing early season seedling disease caused by Pythium with the application of the composition, formulation, and / or products comprising at least one microbe isolate, optionally with a chemistry and / or other microbes (e.g., target microbes) not selected from Streptomyces bacteria of the present disclosure.

[0194] The present disclosure provides methods of reducing sudden death syndrome caused by Fusarium with the application of the composition, formulation, and / or products comprising at least one microbe isolate, optionally with a chemistry and / or other microbes (e.g., target microbes) not selected from Streptomyces bacteria of the present disclosure.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)Methods for Treating Pathogens or Preventing Incurrence of Diseases caused by Pathogens

[0195] The present disclosure provides methods for treating diseases caused by plant pathogens or preventing incurrence of plant diseases caused by pathogens, comprising: applying the composition or formulation described herein to soil around a plant seed or to a plant part, wherein the disease is caused by a plant pathogen. In some embodiments, the plant part is a shoot, a root, a leaf, a flower, a fruit, a seed, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, seeds or plants are present in soil.

[0196] In some embodiments, the plant pathogen is the genus selected from the group consisting of: Pseudomonas, Erwinia, Raltsonia, Rhizomonas, Agrobacterium, Streptomyces, Bacillus, Sclerotium, Rhizoctonia, Fusarium, Pythium, Phytophthora, Synchytrium, Rhizopus, Alternaria, Macrophomina, Drechslera, Bipolaris, Curvularia, Phomopsis, Caloscypha fulgens, Lasiodiplodia, Sirococcus, Diplodia, Ustilago, Pyrenophora, Xanthomonas, Pseudomonas, Bipolaris sorokiniana, Aciculosporium, Mycosphaerella, Ceratobasidium, Albugo, Alternaria, Myrothecium, Cochliobolus, Hyaloperonospora, Alveopora, Neonectria, Colletotrichum, Peronospora, Cadophora, Oculimacula , Curvularia , Phytophthora, Calyptella Omphalotus, Cylindrocladiella, Plasmopara , Chrysomyxa , Peyronellaea, Pythiogeton, Cladophialophora, Phaeoacremonium, Heterobasidion, Pythium, Coleosporium, Pseudocercospora, Magnaporthe, Colletotrichum, Puccinia, Microdochium, Corynespora, Pucciniastrum, Olpidium, Craterocolla, Pseudotetraploa, Phoma, Cronartium, Septoria, Plectosphaerella, Didymella, Sphacelotheca, Pyrenochaeta, Drechslera, Spongipellis, Rhizoctonia, Endocronartium, Stenocarpella, Setophoma, Entyloma, Sydowia, Spongospora, Fomitopsis, Taphrina, Thielaviopsis, Tritirachium, Typhula, Ganoderma, Urocystis, Verticillium, Hypohelion, Ustilago, Waitea, Itersonilia, Venturia, Leptosphaerulina, and Monilinia.

[0197] In some embodiments, the plant pathogen is a parasite from the genus Pythium or a fungus from the genus Fusarium. In some embodiments, the composition, formulation, or product described herein suppresses the parasite from the genus Pythium and / or the disease caused thereby. In some embodiments, the composition, formulation, or product described herein suppresses the fungus from the genus Fusarium and / or the disease caused thereby. In some embodiments, the diseases caused by Pythium or Fusarium are treated and / or improved by at least 1%, at least 2%, at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 50%, or 100% when applied.

[0198] In some embodiments, the incurrence of the disease is prevented or suppressed in a plant with the application of the composition, formulation, or product described herein.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)Methods of Producing Compositions Comprising Microbe isolates and Target Microbes

[0199] The isolation, identification, and culturing of the microbes of the present disclosure can be affected using standard microbiological techniques. Examples of such techniques may be found in Gerhardt, P. (ed.) Methods for General and Molecular Microbiology. American Society for Microbiology, Washington, D.C. (1994) and Lennette, E. H. (ed.) Manual of Clinical Microbiology, Third Edition. American Society for Microbiology, Washington, D.C. (1980), each of which is incorporated by reference.

[0200] Isolation can be effected by streaking the specimen on a solid medium (e.g., nutrient agar plates) to obtain a single colony, which is characterized by the phenotypic traits described herein (e.g., Gram positive / negative, capable of forming spores aerobically / anaerobically, cellular morphology, carbon source metabolism, acid / base production, enzyme secretion, metabolic secretions, etc.) and to reduce the likelihood of working with a culture which has become contaminated.

[0201] For example, for microbes of the disclosure, biologically pure isolates can be obtained through repeated subculture of biological samples, each subculture followed by streaking onto solid media to obtain individual colonies or colony forming units. Methods of preparing, thawing, and growing lyophilized bacteria are commonly known, for example, Gherna, R. L. and C. A. Reddy. 2007. Culture Preservation, p 1019-1033. In C. A. Reddy, T. J. Beveridge, J. A. Breznak, G. A. Marzluf, T. M. Schmidt, and L. R. Snyder, eds. American Society for Microbiology, Washington, D.C., 1033 pages; herein incorporated by reference. Thus freeze dried liquid formulations and cultures stored long term at -70° C in solutions containing glycerol are contemplated for use in providing formulations of the present disclosure.

[0202] The microbes of the present disclosure can be propagated in a liquid or solid medium under aerobic conditions, or alternatively anaerobic conditions. Medium for growing the bacterial strains of the present disclosure may include a carbon source, a nitrogen source, and inorganic salts, as well as specially required substances such as vitamins, amino acids, nucleic acids and the like. In some embodiments, the media comprises water and agar. Examples of suitable carbon sources which can be used for growing the microbes include, but are not limited to, starch, peptone, yeast extract, amino acids, sugars such as glucose, arabinose, mannose, glucosamine, maltose, and the like; salts of organic acids such as acetic acid, fumaric acid, adipic acid, propionic acid, citric acid, gluconic acid, malic acid, pyruvic acid, malonic acid and the like; alcohols such as ethanol and glycerol and the like; oil or fat such as soybean oil, rice bran oil, olive oil, corn oil, sesame oil. The amount of the carbon source added varies according to the kind of carbon source and is typically between 1 to 100 gram(s) per liter ofBICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034) medium. Preferably, glucose, starch, and / or peptone is contained in the medium as a major carbon source, at a concentration of 0.1-5% (W / V). Examples of suitable nitrogen sources which can be used for growing the bacterial strains of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, amino acids, yeast extract, tryptone, beef extract, peptone, potassium nitrate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium chloride, ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, ammonia or combinations thereof. The amount of nitrogen source varies according to the type of nitrogen source, typically between 0.1 to 30 gram(s) per liter of medium. The inorganic salts, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, dipotassium hydrogen phosphate, di sodium hydrogen phosphate, magnesium sulfate, magnesium chloride, ferric sulfate, ferrous sulfate, ferric chloride, ferrous chloride, manganous sulfate, manganous chloride, zinc sulfate, zinc chloride, cupric sulfate, calcium chloride, sodium chloride, calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate can be used alone or in combination. The amount of inorganic acid varies according to the kind of the inorganic salt, typically between 0.001 to 10 gram(s) per liter of medium. Examples of specially required substances include, but are not limited to, vitamins, nucleic acids, yeast extract, peptone, meat extract, malt extract, dried yeast and combinations thereof. Cultivation can be effected at a temperature, which allows the growth of the microbial strains, essentially, between 20°C and 46°C. In some embodiments, a temperature range is 30°C-39°C. For optimal growth, in some embodiments, the medium can be adjusted to pH 6.0-7.4. It will be appreciated that commercially available media may also be used to culture the microbial strains, such as oatmeal agar, starch casein agar, nutrient broth, or nutrient agar. It will be appreciated that cultivation time may differ depending on the type of culture medium used and the concentration of sugar as a major carbon source.

[0203] In some embodiments, cultivation lasts between about 24 to about 96 hours. In some embodiments, cultivation lasts longer than 96 hours, such as, for example, about 4 days, about 5 days, about 1 week, about 2 weeks, about 3 weeks, about 4 weeks, about 6 weeks, or about 2 months. Microbial cells thus obtained are isolated using methods, which are well known in the art. Examples include, but are not limited to, membrane filtration and centrifugal separation. The pH may be adjusted using sodium hydroxide and the like and the culture may be dried using a freeze dryer, until the water content becomes equal to 4% or less. Microbial co-cultures may be obtained by propagating each strain as described hereinabove. In some embodiments, microbial multi-strain cultures may be obtained by propagating two or more of the strains described hereinabove. It will be appreciated that the microbial strains may be cultured together when compatible culture conditions can be employed.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)Methods of Enhancing Plant Growth Promoting Function of Target Microbes

[0204] The disclosure provides methods of enhancing a plant growth-promoting function of a target microbe, the method comprising: bringing the target microbe in the physical proximity of one or more of the microbe isolates disclosed herein.

[0205] The disclosure also provides methods of enhancing a plant growth-promoting function of a target microbe, the method comprising: bringing the target microbe in the physical proximity of at least one microbe isolate belonging to the genus Streptomyces disclosed herein.

[0206] In some embodiments, the methods comprise increasing the plant growth-promoting function of the target microbe by at least about 1%, at least about 2%, at least about 3%, at least about 4%, at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 100%, at least about 200%, at least about 300%, at least about 400%, at least about 500%, at least about 600%, at least about 700%, at least about 800%, at least about 900% or at least about 1000%, including all values and subranges that lie therebetween.

[0207] In some embodiments, the plant growth-promoting function comprises: plant pathogen-inhibiting function, a function of improving a plant’ s nutrient acquisition, production of plant growth hormones, or any combination thereof.

[0208] In some embodiments, the methods disclosed herein enhance the plant pathogeninhibiting function of the target microbe by at least about 1%, at least about 2%, at least about 3%, at least about 4%, at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 100%, at least about 200%, at least about 300%, at least about 400%, at least about 500%, at least about 600%, at least about 700%, at least about 800%, at least about 900% or at least about 1000%, including all values and subranges that lie therebetween. In some embodiments, the method enhances the plant pathogen-inhibiting function of the target microbe by at least about 1%. In some embodiments, the method enhances the plant pathogen-inhibiting function of the target microbe by at least about 5%.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)Methods of Improving Soil

[0209] The disclosure provides methods of producing an improved soil for plant growth, comprising: applying the compositions or formulations disclosed herein to soil, thereby producing the improved soil for plant growth.

[0210] In some embodiments, the method comprises allowing a plant to grow in the improved soil. As used herein, the improved soil is the soil applied or treated with the composition described herein.

[0211] In some embodiments, the growth of the plant is enhanced in the improved soil, as compared to the growth of the plant in a negative control soil, wherein the composition is not applied to the negative control soil. In some embodiments, the method inhibits a plant pathogen in the improved soil.

[0212] Direct inhibition of the pathogen can be measured in vitro. The inhibition of the pathogens as measured by in vitro assays can be translated into to lower pathogen load in the soils due to direct suppression activity of the compositions comprising the microbe isolate of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the growth of the plant is enhanced in the improved soil, as compared to the growth of the plant in a negative control soil, wherein the composition is not applied to the negative control soil. In some embodiments, the method inhibits a plant pathogen in the improved soil. In some embodiments, the inhibition of a plant pathogen in the improved soil is higher than in a negative control soil, wherein the composition is not applied to the negative control soil.

[0213] In some embodiments, the inhibition of a plant pathogen in the improved soil is at least about 1%, at least about 2%, at least about 3%, at least about 4%, at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, or about 100%, including all values and subranges that lie therebetween, higher than in a negative control soil, wherein the composition is not applied to the negative control soil.

[0214] In some embodiments, the number, density and / or function of a plant pathogen in the improved soil is lower than in a negative control soil, wherein the composition is not applied to the negative control soil. In some embodiments, the number, density and / or function of a plant pathogen in the improved soil is at least about 1%, at least about 2%, at least about 3%, at least about 4%, at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least aboutBICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)45%, at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, or about 100%, including all values and subranges that lie therebetween, lower than in a negative control soil, wherein the composition is not applied to the negative control soil.

[0215] Methods of Promoting or Increasing Plant Growth, Biomass, and Yield

[0216] In some embodiments, the growth of the plant is enhanced in the soil treated with the composition described herein due to suppression or inhibition of pathogens in the treated soil. In some embodiments, the growth, biomass, and yield of the plant is at least about 1%, at least about 2%, at least about 3%, at least about 4%, at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 100%, at least about 200%, at least about 300%, at least about 400%, at least about 500%, at least about 600%, at least about 700%, at least about 800%, at least about 900% or at least about 1000%, including all values and subranges that lie therebetween, higher in the soil treated, as compared to the growth, biomass, and yield of the plant in a comparator control soil, wherein the compositions, formulations, or products comprising the at least one microbe isolate is not applied to the comparator control soil.

[0217] The parameter used to measure plant growth is not limited. For instance, plant growth may be measured using the following exemplary parameters: fresh aboveground biomass, dry aboveground biomass, the number or frequency of plants that reach a particular vegetative growth stage in a given time period (e.g. the number or frequency of plants that reach vegetative growth stage 4 in com), intemodal length, root length, fresh belowground biomass, dry belowground biomass, increase in average growth stage (e.g. among soybean plants), improved plant vigor, reduction in frequency of purple coloration (e.g. associated with nutrient stress), increase in frequency of healthy unifolate leaves (e.g. in soybean), plant height, reduction in frequency of chlorotic leaves, and plant yield.

[0218] In some embodiments, the method increases the amount and / or concentration of soluble zinc in the improved soil. In some embodiments, the amount and / or concentration of soluble zinc in the improved soil is higher than in a comparator control soil.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)

[0219] In some embodiments, the method increases the amount and / or concentration of soluble phosphate in the improved soil. In some embodiments, the amount and / or concentration of soluble phosphate in the improved soil is higher than in a comparator control soil.

[0220] In some embodiments, the method increases the above-ground biomass or yield of the plant. In some embodiments, the above-ground biomass or yield of the plant is higher than in a comparator control soil.

[0221] In some embodiments, the method increases the below-ground biomass of the plant. In some embodiments, the below-ground biomass of the plant is higher than in a comparator control soil.

[0222] In some embodiments, the composition is applied before planting, after plant germination, as a seed treatment, as a spray, and / or as a soil drench.

[0223] In some embodiments, the plant pathogen: (a) belongs to the genus Colletotrichum, Fusarium, Verticillium, Phytophthora, Cercospora, Rhizoctonia, Septoria, Pythium, Aphanomyces, Premia, Monosporascus, Sclerotinia, or Stagnospora, or (b) is a member of Plasmodiophoromyces, Zygomycetes, Oomycetes, Ascomycetes, and Basidiomycetes; or (c) is Plasmodiophora brassicae, Spongospora subterranean, Macrophomina phaseolina, Monosporascus cannonballus, Pythium aphanidermatum, or Sclerotium rolfsii.

[0224] In some embodiments, the plant pathogen is a species of a genus selected from the group consisting of Pythium and Fusarium.Methods of Improving Plant Vigor

[0225] The present disclosure provides methods of improving plant vigor, comprising: applying the compositions or formulations to soil or to a plant part.

[0226] In some embodiments, the vigor of the plant is increased in the soil or the plant part to which the composition or formulation is applied, as compared to a comparator control soil or a plant part to which the composition or formulation is not applied.

[0227] It is to be understood that the description above, as well as the examples that follow, are intended to illustrate, and not limit, the scope of the disclosure. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications within the scope of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the subject matter pertains.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)BUDAPEST TREATY ON THE INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF THEDEPOSIT OF MICROORGANISMS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PATENTPROCEDURES

[0043] The microbial deposits of the present disclosure were made under the provisions of the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purpose of Patent Procedure (Budapest Treaty).

[0044] Applicant states that pursuant to 37 C.F.R. § 1.808(a)(2) “all restrictions imposed by the depositor on the availability to the public of the deposited material will be irrevocably removed upon the granting of the patent.” This statement is subject to paragraph (b) of this section (i.e. 37 C.F.R. § 1.808(b)).

[0045] Microorganims described in this application were deposited with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Culture Collection (NRRL®), located at 1815 N. University St., Peoria, IL 61604, USA.

[0046] As aforementioned, all deposits were made under the terms of the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure.

[0047] The deposit accession numbers and dates of deposit for the microorganisms described in this application are provided in Table 2.

[0048] The strains designated in the tables below have been deposited in the labs of Applicant since at least before the date of filing of the present application and before the date of deposit with the noted depository institution.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)Table 2. Microorganisms Deposited under the Budapest TreatyBICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)EXAMPLESExample 1. Plant emergence and vigor in plants treated with agricultural compositions including microbe isolates of the present disclosure

[0228] The objective of the experiment was to determine if inclusion of microbe isolates of the present disclosure (microbes 1-11 in Table 1, interchangeably used as “JBS microbes” and “JBS microbe isolates” isolated by Applicant) in seed treatments can result in increased protection of soybean plants against Pythium disease when applied to seeds in the presence of both a traditional chemistry used for Pythium disease control and commercially relevant microbial Bacillus species. The trial was conducted on soybean crops within a disease nursery located in Georgia, at site that uses inoculation to create a consistently high Pythium pressure.

[0229] A randomized complete block design with four replicates was implemented to ensure statistical reliability for both trials. All seed treatments were carried out at Applicant’s facilities using a bench-level seed treatment system. Each treatment component, whether biological or chemical, was applied in the designated sequence, and all materials were incorporated before a uniform coating was applied to ensure even distribution on the seed surface. This standardized process ensured consistency across all treatments and replicates. This trial used a traditional seed treatment approach, where seeds were first treated with Chemistry 1 as a chemistry base and the microbial isolates were added in combination with the base chemistry. Applicant’s proprietary isolates, alone or in combination with B. amyloliquefaciens or B. subtilis were layered onto the chemically treated seeds prior to coating. This design assessed whether the addition of biological components could enhance protection and performance beyond the standard chemical seed treatment. Chemistry 1 is an exemplary composition containing a combination of thiamethoxam, picarbutrazox, mefenoxam, fludioxonil, and sedaxane, and is known to provide protection against early-season insects, including soybean aphids, and diseases, such as Pythium and Phytophthora. Chemistry 1 was used following application directions according to the product manual and label. The typical density of Chemistry 1 is 9.35 pounds per gallon, which can be diluted with water or liquid inoculants at a ratio of about 1 : 1. The total application volume must be sufficient to provide desired level of coverage, for example, 4.0 fluid ounces per 100 pounds of seed.

[0230] To ensure uniform and high disease pressure, field plots were inoculated with Pythium ultimum at a density designed to achieve approximately 60-80 percent plant infection under untreated conditions. This inoculation strategy created a reliable and challenging environment for evaluating treatment performance, ensuring that observed effects were directly attributable to the treatments applied.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)

[0231] The treatments of Table 3 were applied to seeds before planting the seeds in a disease nursery inoculated with Pythium parasites (traditional approach by adding Chemistry 1 (chemical) to the treatments).Table 3.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)Chemistry 1* is a mixture of thiamethoxam, picarbutrazox, mefenoxam, fludioxonil, and sedaxane.

[0232] All the treatments listed in Table 3 were applied to seeds in this Example 1. Also, additional polymer(s) and / or colorant(s) can be added to the treatment compositions depending on their needs and purposes.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)

[0233] Fig. 1 illustrates improved soybean seedling emergence when the JBS microbe isolates are incorporated into seed treatments that contain traditional chemistry and / or commercially relevant Bacillus species. Plants grown from seeds treated with (i) a microbe of Table 1 in combination with (ii) Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and (iii) Chemistry 1, which is a composition containing a combination of thiamethoxam, picarbutrazox, mefenoxam, fludioxonil, and sedaxane, (Treatments 3, 4, 5, and 6) exhibited improved emergence from about 10 to 16% at 28 days compared to plants grown from seeds treated with a composition containing a combination of thiamethoxam, picarbutrazox, mefenoxam, fludioxonil, and sedaxane, and no microbes (chemistry control, Treatment 1). Plants grown from seeds treated with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and a composition containing a combination of thiamethoxam, picarbutrazox, mefenoxam, fludioxonil, and sedaxane, and no microbes from Table 1 (Treatment 2) reduced seedling emergence by up to about 37% compared to those treated with thiamethoxam, picarbutrazox, mefenoxam, fludioxonil, and sedaxane with no microbes included (chemistry control, Treatment 1). Additionally, plants grown from seeds treated with a microbe of Table 1 in combination with Bacillus subtilis and a composition containing a combination of thiamethoxam, picarbutrazox, mefenoxam, fludioxonil, and sedaxane (Treatments 8, 9, and 10) exhibited improved emergence up to about 12% at day 28, compared to plants grown from seeds treated with a composition containing a combination of thiamethoxam, picarbutrazox, mefenoxam, fludioxonil, and sedaxane and no microbes (chemistry control, Treatment 1). Whereas plants grown from seeds treated with Bacillus subtilis and a composition containing a combination of thiamethoxam, picarbutrazox, mefenoxam, fludioxonil, and sedaxane but lacking a microbe of Table 1 (Treatment 7) showed a reduction in emergence of up to about 6.6% at day 21, but recovered to nearly the same level as the chemistry control by day 28. The addition of either Bacillus amyloliquefaciens or Bacillus subtilis in combination with the chemistry control resulted in lower plant emergence than the chemistry alone, whereas the same background components of Bacillus strains combined with chemistry can have a positive impact on emergence when the JBS microbe isolate is included in the treatment, indicating that the JBS microbe isolates of the present disclosure are able to provide enhancement of the chemistry-based control of Pythium disease symptoms in the presence of Bacillus species commonly found in commercial agricultural products.

[0234] As demonstrated in Fig. 1, seedling emergence at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after planting. B. amyloliquefaciens (Treatment 2) and B. subtilis (Treatment 7) in combination with chemistry show lower percent emergence compared to the chemistry control. Herein, chemistryBICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034) refers to Chemistry 1. The addition of JBS microbe isolates of the present disclosure in combination with B. amyloliquefaciens and chemistry (Treatments 3-6) or B. subtilis and chemistry (Treatments 8-11) consistently improved emergence from 7 to 28 days after planting. For B. amyloliquefaciens and chemistry, the improvement with addition of JBS microbe isolates of the present disclosure reached up to about 16% at 28 days (Treatment 6), while for B. subtilis and chemistry the improvement with JBS microbe isolates of the present disclosure reached up to about 12% (Treatments 8-11). When a combination of Bacillus and chemistry (Bacillus + Chemistry 1) was compared to chemistry only (Chemistry 1 alone), emergence and vigor of plants from the combination treatment 1 went down below the chemistry alone treatment, which is unexpected. However, when the JBS microbe isolates of the present disclosure were added on top of the combination 1 (i.e., bacillus + Chemistry 1), the emergence and vigor of the plants from a series of the combination 2 (i.e., Bacillus + Chemistry 1 + JBS microbe of the present disclosure) were significantly better than the chemistry control / benchmark alone, unlike the combination treatment 1.

[0235] Fig. 2 shows the percent improvement of plant vigor scores resulting from the addition of JBS microbe isolates of the present disclosure to treatments that include traditional chemistry and Bacillus microbials. Plants grown from seeds treated with a microbe of Table 1 in combination with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and a composition containing a combination of thiamethoxam, picarbutrazox, mefenoxam, fludioxonil, and sedaxane (Treatments 3, 4, 5, and 6) exhibited improved vigor from about 26 to 33% above that seen in plants grown from seeds treated with a composition containing a combination of thiamethoxam, picarbutrazox, mefenoxam, fludioxonil, and sedaxane, but lacking any microbes (Treatment 1) Plants grown from seeds treated with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and a composition containing a combination of thiamethoxam, picarbutrazox, mefenoxam, fludioxonil, and sedaxane, and no microbes from Table 1 (Treatment 2) reduced seedling vigor by about 29 to 47% in the first 28 days after planting, compared to those treated with thiamethoxam, picarbutrazox, mefenoxam, fludioxonil, and sedaxane with no microbes included (chemistry control, Treatment 1). Additionally, plants grown from seeds treated with a microbe of Table 1 in combination with Bacillus subtilis and a composition containing a combination of thiamethoxam, picarbutrazox, mefenoxam, fludioxonil, and sedaxane (Treatments 8, 9, 10, and 11) exhibited improvement of vigor by about 6.7 to 33% compared to plants grown from seeds treated with a composition containing a combination of thiamethoxam, picarbutrazox, mefenoxam, fludioxonil, and sedaxane and no additional microbes. Plants grown from seeds treated with Bacillus subtilis and a composition containing a combination of thiamethoxam,BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034) picarbutrazox, mefenoxam, fludioxonil, and sedaxane, but lacking a microbe of Table 1 (Treatment 7), generally had a reduction in vigor that was consistently below the chemistry control (Treatment 1) by up to about 20% at 28 days post planting. This indicates that the addition of the microbe isolates of the present disclosure is able to enhance the vigor scores when incorporated into the treatments above the chemistry benchmark and in spite of the general reduction in vigor contributed by the addition of Bacillus microbials to the treatments.

[0236] As demonstrated in Fig. 2, Percent improvement in vigor score relative to chemistry alone (Treatment 1), measured 14, 21, and 28 days after planting. Treatments with B. amyloliquefaciens with chemistry (Treatment 2) and B. subtilis with chemistry (Treatment 3) showed reduced vigor compared to the chemistry alone control, particularly at early time points. However, when JBS microbe isolates of the present disclosure were combined with these microbial strains (Treatments 3-6: B. amyloliquefaciens and chemistry background; Treatments 8-11 : B. subtilis and chemistry background), consistent improvements in vigor were observed, with gains of up to about 33% at 28 days. Treatments without JBS microbe isolates of the present disclosure (Treatments 2 and 7) often displayed reduced vigor over time, highlighting the importance of the isolates in sustaining plant performance under Pythium pressure.

[0237] Fig 3. shows soybean yield (bu / ac) across treatments under high Pythium pressure. The chemistry benchmark, Chemistry 1 (Treatment 1), produced about 44 bu / ac, whereas B. amyloliquefaciens (Treatment 2) and A subtilis (Treatment 7) yielded about 27 bu / ac and about 46 bu / ac, respectively, both performing below the chemistry benchmark. In contrast, treatments containing JBS microbe isolates of the present disclosure in addition to Bacillus strains and chemistry delivered the highest yields, ranging from about 58 to 63 bu / ac. These findings demonstrate that JBS microbe isolates of the present disclosure not only mitigate yield losses caused by Pythium, but also surpass the chemical benchmark by up to about 19 bu / ac, highlighting their agronomic advantage.

[0238] Additional JBS microbe isolates of the present disclosure in Table 1 (e.g., Microbes 3-4 and 7-11) have been applied to seeds in combination with other Bacillus microbes (e.g., Bacillus amyloliquefaciens or Bacillus subtilis) or with other seed treatment compositions (e.g. , traditional chemical - Chemistry 1) before the seeds are planted in a disease nursery inoculated with Pythium parasites to evaluate the effect of these JBS microbes on Pythium suppression, as indicated by plant vigor score and emergence of plants.

[0239] Microbes 3-4, 7-8, and 11 listed in Table 1 were tested in the same protocol as described above (Microbes 1-2 and 5-6) in Example 1.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)

[0240] All of the JBS microbe isolates showed in vitro activity against Pythium, which could be used in Pythium suppressing solutions with other strains (e.g., Bacillus spp.), indicating that JBS microbe isolates (Table 1) and other stains may function better in pairs. From the JBS microbe isolates in Table 1, microbes 1 and 5 were the most effective in the Pythium- inoculated field trial.

[0241] Microbes 9 and 10 were tested in vitro setting and showed in vitro phenotypes that are desired. Microbe 10 was tested for fusarium and pythium suppression in vitro and had activity against at least six strains (across three species) of each pathogen in the assays. Microbe 10 also stimulated B. amyloliquefaciens activity against strains of each pathogen.Example 2. Plant emergence and vigor in plants treated with JBS microbes of interest

[0242] The objective of this biologicals-only focused experiment was to examine the effects of microbials and chemistry in a head to head comparison of their abilities to protect soybean plants against Pythium disease. The trial was conducted on soybean crops within a disease nursery located in Georgia, at site that uses inoculation to create a consistently high Pythium pressure.

[0243] A randomized complete block design with four replicates was implemented to ensure statistical reliability for both trials. All seed treatments were carried out at Applicant’s facilities using a bench-level seed treatment system. Each treatment component, whether biological or chemical, was applied in the designated sequence, and all materials were incorporated before a uniform coating was applied to ensure even distribution on the seed surface. This standardized process ensured consistency across all treatments and replicates. This trial was designed to examine a biologicals-only approach, where Chemistry 1 was excluded from all biological treatments and served only as an external benchmark. Seeds were treated exclusively with microbe isolates of the present disclosure, either individually or in combination with B. amyloliquefaciens or A subtilis and then coated. The intent was to evaluate whether biological treatments alone could provide comparable or superior control relative to the chemical benchmark.

[0244] To ensure uniform and high disease pressure, field plots were inoculated with Pythium ultimum at a density designed to achieve approximately 60-80 percent plant infection under untreated conditions. This inoculation strategy created a reliable and challenging environment for evaluating treatment performance, ensuring that observed effects were directly attributable to the treatments applied.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)

[0245] The treatments of Table 4 were applied to seeds before planting the seeds in a disease nursery inoculated with Pythium parasites (biological-only approach by using microbe(s) in the treatments except for treatment 12 as a chemistry control).Table 4*Picarbutrazox is the newest chemical available to control for pythium. The intent of including treatment 12 is to have a chemistry only control to compare with the biological only treatments 13-16.

[0246] All the treatments listed in Table 4 were applied to seeds in this Example 2. Also, additional polymer(s) and / or colorant(s) can be added to the treatment compositions depending on their needs and purposes.

[0247] FIG. 4 demonstrates the percent improvement of emergence resulting from the addition of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. Bacillus subtilis. or microbes from Table 1 relative to the chemistry benchmark alone (Treatment 12), 7 days, 14 days, 21 days, and 28 days afterBICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034) planting. Plants grown from seeds treated with Microbe 1 from Table 1 (Treatment 15) or Microbe 5 from Table 1 (Treatment 16) had superior emergence compared to plants treated with compositions containing a combination of thiamethoxam, picarbutrazox, mefenoxam, fludioxonil, and sedaxane (Treatment 12), or compositions containing either Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (Treatment 13) or Bacillus subtilis (Treatment 14). Compositions containing a combination of thiamethoxam, picarbutrazox, mefenoxam, fludioxonil, and sedaxane, operate as the benchmark chemistry, which are used as an industry norm. Compositions containing biologicals only (such as Treatments 13-16) are not expected to perform at or above the levels of chemistry based-seed treatments. Compositions containing Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (Treatment 13) o Bacillus subtilis (Treatment 14) resulted in about 17-20% reduction in seedling emergence at later timepoints compared to the chemistry benchmark (Treatment 12), while this is not unexpected, it indicates there is no protection from Pythium disease using these microbials in the seed treatment. However, addition of Microbe 1 (Treatment 15) or Microbe 5 (Treatment 16) as standalone seed treatments resulted in gains of about 6% and about 3%, respectively, in emergence compared to the chemistry benchmark. Though unexpected, this result indicates that microbials used alone can deliver protection of emergence on par with conventional chemistry solutions under high Pythium disease pressure.

[0248] As demonstrated in Fig. 4, percent improvement in emergence relative to chemistry alone (Treatment 12), measured 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after planting. Treatment 13 (B. amyloliquefaciens alone) and Treatment 14 (B. subtilis alone) showed reduced emergence compared to the chemistry benchmark, with reduction in emergence of up to about 20% at later time points. In contrast, Treatments 15 and 16, with microbe isolates of the present disclosure alone, demonstrated consistent improvements in emergence, reaching gains of about 6% at 28 days. These findings highlight the ability of microbe isolates of the present disclosure to enhance emergence performance under Pythium pressure, even in the absence of chemical seed treatment.

[0249] Fig. 5 shows the percent improvement of vigor score resulting from the addition of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus subtilis, or microbes from Table 1 relative to the chemistry benchmark alone, 7 days, 14 days, 21 days, and 28 days after planting. Plants grown from seeds treated with Microbe 1 from Table 1 (Treatment 15) or Microbe 5 from Table 1 (Treatment 16) had improved vigor scores compared to plants treated with compositions containing a combination of thiamethoxam, picarbutrazox, mefenoxam, fludioxonil, and sedaxane (Treatment 12), or compositions containing either Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (Treatment 13) ox Bacillus subtilis (Treatment 14). Compositions containing a combination ofBICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034) thiamethoxam, picarbutrazox, mefenoxam, fludioxonil, and sedaxane, operate as the benchmark chemistry, which are used as an industry norm. Compositions containing biologicals only (such as Treatments 13-16) are not expected to perform at or above the levels of chemistry based-seed treatments. Compositions containing Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (Treatment 13) o Bacillus subtilis (Treatment 14) resulted in about 26% reduction in seedling vigor at day 28 compared to the chemistry benchmark (Treatment 12). In contrast, the addition of Microbe 1 (Treatment 15) or Microbe 5 (Treatment 16) as standalone seed treatment demonstrated substantial improvements with vigor gains exceeding about 40-50% at 14 and 21 days after planting, and sustained benefits up to 28 days. These results highlight the strong contribution of microbe isolates of the present disclosure to early plant vigor under Pythium pressure.

[0250] Fig. 6 demonstrates soybean yield (bu / ac) across biological -only treatments compared to the chemical standard (Treatment 12). Chemistry 1 (Treatment 12) yielded about 61 bu / ac, whereas B. amyloliquefaciens (Treatment 13) and B. subtilis (Treatment 14) produced about 53 bu / ac and about 54 bu / ac, respectively, both performing below the chemical standard. In contrast, treatments containing microbe isolates of the present disclosure (Treatments 15 and 16) achieved the highest yields at about 64 bu / ac, surpassing both the chemical benchmark and the standalone microbial strains. These results demonstrate that microbe isolates of the present disclosure can outperform conventional chemistry under high Pythium pressure.

[0251] Additional microbe isolates of the present disclosure in Table 1 (e.g., Microbes 2-4 and 6-11) are applied to seeds before the seeds are planted in a disease nursery inoculated with Pythium parasites to evaluate the effect of these microbes on Pythium suppression, as indicated by plant vigor score and emergence of plants. Microbes 4 and 6 were further tested in addition to microbes 1 and 5 described above. Emergence and vigor in plants treated with microbes 4 and 6 were improved when compared to untreated seed, while not as much as in comparison to the chemistry control.

[0252] The data collectively in Examples 1 and 2 demonstrate that microbe isolates of the present disclosure provide a consistent and measurable advantage in soybean performance under high Pythium pressure.

[0253] (1) Emergence

[0254] Treatments with B. amyloliquefaciens and B. subtilis alone resulted in reduced emergence compared to the chemistry benchmark, regardless of the presence of chemistry in the treatment. (Fig. 1 Bacillus with chemistry and Fig. 3 Bacillus strains alone).BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)

[0255] The addition of microbe isolates of the present disclosure improved emergence across time points, with increases of up to about 16% for B. amyloliquefaciens combinations and about 12% for B. subtilis combinations by 28 days. (Fig. 1)

[0256] In biological-only trials, the addition of microbe isolates of the present disclosure to the treatments delivered net improvements in emergence relative to chemistry. (Fig. 3)

[0257] (2) Vigor

[0258] Without microbe isolates of the present disclosure, both B. amyloliquefaciens and B. subtilis consistently showed negative vigor responses, declining up to about 25-27% by 28 days, regardless of the presence of chemistry. (Fig. 2 Bacillus with chemistry and Fig. 4 Bacillus strains alone)

[0259] Incorporation of microbe isolates of the present disclosure to Bacillus and chemistry combinations transformed performance, delivering vigor gains of up to about 33% at 28 days (Fig. 2). When microbe isolates of the present disclosure were delivered alone, gains in vigor reached up to about 50% at 14-21 days, with sustained benefits through 28 days (Fig. 4).

[0260] These findings confirm that microbe isolates of the present disclosure contribute uniquely to early plant establishment and resilience.

[0261] (3) Yield

[0262] Across trials, Chemistry 1 yielded about 44-61 bu / ac depending on treatment set. Treatments of microbe isolates of the present disclosure consistently outperformed the chemical standard, delivering yields between about 58-64 bu / ac across trials. (Figs. 5 & 6)

[0263] In a traditional chemistry -based approach, where Chemistry 1 was used as the base in all treatments, the incorporation of microbe isolates of the present disclosure improved the yield performance of Bacillus subtilis by up to about 17 bushels per acre and improved the performance of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens by up to about 35 bushels per acre relative to chemistry alone (Fig. 5).

[0264] In a biological-only approach, where no chemical base was included, microbe isolates of the present disclosure improved the yield performance of both Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens by up to about 11 bushels per acre relative to Bacillus strains applied individually (Fig. 6). Additionally, microbe isolates of the present disclosure alone increased the yield performance by about 3 bu / ac over chemistry benchmark alone in a head to head comparison (Fig. 6, Treatments 15 & 16 compared to Treatment 12).Example 3. Effect of microbes of interest on suppression of Fusarium

[0265] The microbes from Table 1 are applied to seeds alone or in combination with other microbes (e.g., Bacillus amyloliquefaciens or Bacillus subtilis) or with other seed treatmentBICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034) compositions before the seeds are planted in a disease nursery inoculated with fungi from the genus Fusarium to evaluate the effect of these microbes on suppression of Fusarium.

[0266] The microbes from Table 1 are applied to seeds before the seeds are planted in a disease nursery inoculated with fungi from the genus Fusarium to evaluate the effect of these JBS microbe isolates on suppression of Fusarium.

[0267] The objective of the experiment was to determine if inclusion of JBS microbe isolates in seed treatments can result in protection of soybean plants against sudden death syndrome (SDS) caused by Fusarium virguliforme Mont-1. The trial was conducted on soybean crops within a greenhouse, using inoculation to create consistently high disease pressure. A complete randomized design with fifteen replicates per treatment and two independent experiments was implemented to ensure statistical reliability of the data. The experiments were run for approximately 30 days which is required to manifest SDS disease symptoms that can be measured.

[0268] All seed treatments were carried out at Applicant’s facilities using a bench-level seed treatment system. Each treatment component, whether biological or chemical, was applied in the designated sequence, and all materials were incorporated before a uniform coating was applied to ensure even distribution on the seed surface. This standardized process ensured consistency across all treatments and replicates. This trial consisted of seeds that were first treated with Metalaxyl as a base fungicide that suppresses background levels of native fungi. Metalaxyl is used to control damping off caused by oomycetes that may be present in the steamed soil and does not control Fusarium diseases. This treatment ensures that the disease symptoms measured are restricted to the F. virguliforme Mont-1 infection and not a secondary seed borne disease. A second chemistry, fluopyram, was added to some treatments, either alone as a chemistry benchmark or in combination with microbial components. Fluopyram is an industry standard seed applied chemistry used to control Fusarium diseases. JBS microbe isolates, alone or in combination with a Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain, were layered onto the chemically treated seeds prior to coating.

[0269] To ensure uniform and high disease pressure, pots were inoculated with F. virguliforme Mont- 1 at a density designed to achieve approximately 60-80 percent plant infection under untreated conditions. This inoculation strategy created a reliable and challenging environment for evaluating treatment performance, ensuring that observed effects were directly attributable to the treatments applied.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)

[0270] Table 5 present the treatments applied to seeds before planting the seeds in a greenhouse with seeds-planted pots, which were inoculated with Fusarium virguliforme (i.e., Fusarium greenhouse).Table 5BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)*Metalaxyl base: a base fungicide suppressing background levels of native fungi

[0271] The greenhouse testing was conducted to understand if the inclusion of JBS microbe isolates in seed treatments that contained fluopyram as a second chemistry, a strain of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, or both would be improved in their SDS symptom reduction efficacy.

[0272] Fig. 7A-7B presents above ground (Fig. 7A) and below ground (Fig. 7B) disease severity ratings for SDS symptoms in soybeans compared to the inoculated control that was inoculated with the pathogen but received no SDS control actives (Treatment 18). Five to six seeds were planted per pot in steamed soil that was subsequently inoculated with Fusarium virguliforme Mont-1 (except for the uninoculated control, Treatment 17) and disease severity was rated at harvest. All treatments contained Metalaxyl as the base chemistry to inhibitBICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034) oomycetes naturally present in the soil. Uninoculated control contained no SDS control actives and was not inoculated with F. virguliforme Mont-1 (Treatment 17). The chemistry only control was treated using fluopyram (Treatment 19). B. amyloliquefaciens was delivered alone (Treatment 20) and in combination with chemistry (Treatment 21) as benchmarks. Individual JBS microbe isolates were delivered alone (Treatment 22 = Microbe 5; Treatment 25 = Microbe 3), in combination with B. amyloliquefaciens (Treatment 23 = Microbe 5 + B. amyloliquefaciens,' Treatment 26 = Microbe 3 + B. amyloliquefaciens), or in combination with both B. amyloliquefaciens and fluopyram (Treatment 24 = Microbe 5 + B. amyloliquefaciens + fluopyram; Treatment 27 = Microbe 3+ B. amyloliquefaciens + fluopyram).

[0273] Fig. 8A-8B demonstrates above ground (Fig. 8A) and below ground (Fig. 8B) dried plant biomass of soybeans treated with various combinations of actives, compared to the inoculated control that was inoculated with the pathogen but received no SDS control actives (Treatment 18). Five to six seeds were planted per pot in steamed soil that was subsequently inoculated with Fusarium virguliforme Mont- 1 (except for the uninoculated control, Treatment 17) and grown to harvest in the greenhouse. Plant biomass was collected and dried to quantify at the end of the experiment. All treatments contained Metalaxyl as the base chemistry to inhibit oomycete naturally present in soil. Uninoculated control contained no SDS control actives and was not inoculated with F. virguliforme Mont-1 (Treatment 17). The chemistry only control was treated using fluopyram (Treatment 19). B. amyloliquefaciens was delivered alone (Treatment 20) and in combination with chemistry (Treatment 21) as benchmarks. Individual JBS microbe isolates were delivered alone (Treatment 22 = Microbe 5; Treatment 25 = Microbe 3), in combination with B. amyloliquefaciens (Treatment 23 = Microbe 5 + B. amyloliquefaciens,' Treatment 26 = Microbe 3 + B. amyloliquefaciens), or in combination with both B. amyloliquefaciens and fluopyram (Treatment 24 = Microbe 5 + B. amyloliquefaciens + fluopyram; Treatment 27 = Microbe 3+ B. amyloliquefaciens + fluopyram).

[0274] The greenhouse test targeted a disease severity of up to about 80%, which was achieved as indicated by Fig. 7A and 7B, where uninoculated controls (Treatment 17) that were not treated with F. virguliforme Mont-1 had about 79-80% lower disease severity scores for both above and below ground symptoms than the inoculated control (Treatment 18). Similarly, above and below ground dry biomass of the uninoculated controls (Fig. 8A and 8B; Treatment 17) were over 100% more than the inoculated control plants, indicating that the inoculation approach created a high disease pressure in which improved disease suppression phenotypes could be measured.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)

[0275] The chemistry control containing fluopyram alone (Treatment 19) was able to reduce disease severity ratings (Fig. 7A and 7B) by approximately 16-17% when compared to the inoculated control (Treatment 18), indicating that it mitigated the disease symptoms partially, but it was not able to reduce symptoms to the point of uninoculated controls (Treatment 17). Additionally, fluopyram was also able to increase the above and below ground biomass measurements by about 25-28% over the inoculated control (Fig. 8A and 8B), however this was only a fraction of the biomass attained in the uninoculated control (Treatment 17), which is the true potential of the seed.

[0276] When the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain is applied alone or in combination with fluopyram (Treatments 20 and 21), above ground symptoms (Fig. 7A) are reduced by an additional 3-4% when compared to the fluopyram treatment alone (Treatment 19), indicating that the microbial component contributes to disease suppression. Above ground biomass is improved to about 44% above the inoculated control when B. amyloliquefaciens is delivered in addition to fluopyram (Treatment 21, Fig. 8A), however the improvement is only to about 15% when delivered alone (Treatment 20, Fig. 8A), which is below that of the fluopyram alone (Treatment 19, Fig. 8A). Similarly, below ground symptoms and biomass are not improved by the addition of B. amyloliquefaciens alone or in combination with fluopyram (Fig. 7B, Fig. 8B; Treatments 20, 21) even back to that enabled by fluopyram alone (Treatment 19), indicating that though B. amyloliquefaciens may contribute to above ground biomass recovery, it does not mitigate disease symptoms or below ground recovery from SDS disease.

[0277] Notably, the addition of JBS microbe isolates alone (Treatments 22 and 25, Microbe 5 and Microbe 3, respectively) were able to increase the above and below ground biomass (Fig. 8A and 8B) beyond that reached by the fluopyram alone (Treatment 19) from about 38-65% over the inoculated control, which were the largest improvements measured in biomass of any treatments in the experiment. This indicates that the JBS microbe isolates of the present disclosure are able to mitigate the impacts of SDS disease on overall plant biomass back to approximately half that of the uninoculated control. Interestingly, though both Microbe 3 and Microbe 5 had positive impacts on plant biomass, only Microbe 5 (Treatment 22) lowered disease severity scores to similar levels as fluopyram alone (Treatment 19), as illustrated in Fig. 7, indicating that Microbe 3 is able to recover plant biomass in the presence of symptoms (Treatment 25).

[0278] JBS microbe isolates of the present disclosure were also tested in combination with either B. amyloliquefaciens (Treatment 23 = Microbe 5 + B. amyloliquefaciens,' Treatment 26 = Microbe 3+ B. amyloliquefaciens) or B. amyloliquefaciens and fluopyram (Treatment 24 =BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)Microbe 5 + B. amyloliquefaciens + fluopyram; Treatment 27 = Microbe 3 + B. amyloliquefaciens + fluopyram). Combinations with B. amyloliquefaciens (Treatment 23 = Microbe 5 + B. amyloliquefaciens,' Treatment 26 = Microbe 3+ B. amyloliquefaciens) maintained similar disease severity ratings as when they were delivered alone (Fig. 7A and 7B), however above and below ground biomass was reduced (Fig. 8A and 8B) when compared to the microbe isolates delivered alone (Treatment 22 = Microbe 5 alone; Treatment 25 = Microbe 3 alone), bringing the values that were still above to those achieved with B. amyloliquefaciens treatment alone (Treatment 20). This indicates that the combination of microbes did not benefit the plant beyond what the JBS microbe isolates delivered on their own.

[0279] Combinations of JBS microbe isolates with B. amyloliquefaciens and fluopyram (Treatment 24 = Microbe 5 + B. amyloliquefaciens + fluopyram; Treatment 27 = Microbe 3 + B. amyloliquefaciens + fluopyram) resulted in the highest reductions in disease severity ratings (Fig. 7A and 7B), with about 32-44% reduction in above ground disease severity and about 15- 19% reduction in below ground disease severity ratings when compared to inoculated controls. This translated to increases of about 40-51% in above ground biomass and about 30-34% in below ground biomass (Fig. 8A and 8B). The combination of B. amyloliquefaciens, fluopyram, and JBS microbe isolates is able to reduce the impacts of SDS in soybeans, though to a lower extent than JBS microbe isolates alone with regards to overall plant health indicators like biomass.

[0280] Taken together the data indicate that JBS microbe isolates alone have larger effects on overall plant biomass and disease severity than the JBS microbe isolates delivered in combination with B. amyloliquefaciens, which may instead reduce the overall effectiveness of the JBS microbe isolates in the presence or absence of fluopyram. As expected, fluopyram reduces disease symptoms well (Fig. 7A-7B), however surprisingly, the reduction in symptoms does not translate to plant biomass recovery whereas combinations of JBS microbe isolates with fluopyram is able to have larger impacts on both disease severity and plant biomass (Figs. 7A-7B and 8A-8B).

[0281] These data support that JBS microbe isolates significantly improve the B. amyloliquefaciens and / or fluopyram treatments to mitigate both above and below ground disease severity for SDS symptoms as well as to increase both above and below ground dried plant biomass of soybeans, indicating that JBS microbe isolates of the present disclosure are very effective in controlling fusarium disease and boosting plant biomass. The JBS microbeBICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034) isolates can be formulated and manufactured as agricultural products for suppress! n fusarium and for enhancing plant biomass and yield.

[0282] Taken together, these data underline the ability of the microbe isolates and compositions disclosed herein to enhance the plant growth promoting functions of target fungi in commercial products. Without being bound by a theory, it is thought that the enhancement of plant growth promoting function of the target microbe by the microbe isolates disclosed herein may be associated with, result from, or be caused by an increase in plat growth promoting functions by the target microbes in the presence of the microbe isolates.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[0283] All references, articles, publications, patents, patent publications, and patent applications cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entireties for all purposes. However, mention of any reference, article, publication, patent, patent publication, and patent application cited herein is not, and should not, be taken as an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that they constitute valid prior art or form part of the common general knowledge in any country in the world.

[0284] The contents of the following published International and US applications, W02020 / 023808, US2021 / 0251237A1, WO 2023 / 091973, US2025 / 0000098A1, and WO 2025 / 174758, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)NUMBERED EMBODIMENTS

[0285] The following list of embodiments is included herein for illustration purposes only and is not intended to be comprehensive or limiting.

[0286] Embodiment Set 11. An agricultural composition comprising (i) at least one microbe and (ii) an agriculturally acceptable carrier.2. The agricultural composition of embodiment 1, wherein the at least one microbe comprises a 16S rRNA sequence encoded by a nucleic acid having at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97 %, at least 98 %, at least 99 %, or 100 % sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-11.3. The agricultural composition of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the at least one microbe comprises a 16S rRNA sequence encoded by a nucleic acid having at least 97 % identity to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-11.4. The agricultural composition of any one of embodiments 1-3, wherein the at least one microbe is a microbial signaler, wherein the at least one microbial signaler is capable of enhancing a plant growth-promoting function of at least one target microbe.5. The agricultural composition of embodiment 4, comprising the at least one target microbe.6. The agricultural composition of any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein the at least one microbe belongs to the genus Streptomyces.7. The agriculture composition of any one of embodiments 1-6, wherein the at least one microbe is a bacteria with a 16S rRNA sequence from Table 1.8. The agricultural composition of embodiment 1, wherein the at least one microbe exhibits a plant growth-promoting function.9. The agricultural composition of any one of embodiments 4-8, wherein the plant growthpromoting function of the target microbe comprises plant pathogen-inhibiting function, a nematicide function, or combinations thereof.10. The agricultural composition of embodiment 8 or 9, wherein the plant growth-promoting function of the at least one microbe comprises plant pathogen-inhibiting function.11. A method of producing an improved soil for growth of a plant, comprising: applying the agricultural composition of any one of embodiments 1-10 to soil, thereby producing the improved soil for plant growth.12. A method of improving the growth of a plant, comprising: applying the agricultural composition of any one of embodiments 1-10 to soil or to a plant part.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)13. A method of improving plant vigor, comprising: applying the agricultural composition of any one of embodiments 1-10 to soil or to a plant part, thereby producing the improved soil for plant growth.14. A method for reducing the severity of a disease or preventing a disease in a plant comprising applying the agricultural composition of any one of embodiments 1-10 to soil around a plant seed or to a plant part, wherein the disease is caused by a parasite from the genus Pythium.15. A method for reducing the severity of a disease or preventing a disease in a plant comprising applying the agricultural composition of any one of embodiments 1-10 to soil around a plant seed or to a plant part, wherein the disease is caused by a fungus from the genus Fusarium.16. The method of any one of embodiments 12-15, wherein the plant part is a shoot, a root, a leaf, a flower, a fruit, a seed, or a combination thereof.17. The method of any one of embodiments 12-15, wherein the soil comprises seeds or plants or will be planted with a seed.18. The method of any one of embodiments 11-17, further comprising applying a chemical seed treatment or a target microbe.19. The method of embodiment 18, wherein the target microbe is a microbe from the genus Bacillus.20. The method of embodiment 18, wherein the target microbe is a microbe from the species Bacillus amyloliquefaciens or Bacillus subtilis.21. The method of embodiment 18, wherein the chemical seed treatment comprises thiamethoxam, picarbutrazox, mefenoxam, fludioxonil, sedaxane, fluopyram, or a combination thereof.

[0287] Embodiment Set 21. A method of treating a plant pathogen, comprising: applying to a locus a composition comprising a Streptomyces bacterium comprising a 16S rRNA sequence sharing at least about 97% sequence identity to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11.2. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the Streptomyces bacterium comprises a 16S rRNA sequence sharing at least about 98% sequence identity to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11.3. The method of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the Streptomyces bacterium comprises a 16S rRNA sequence sharing at least about 99% sequence identity to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034) The method of any one of embodiments 1-3, wherein the Streptomyces bacterium comprises a 16S rRNA sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11. The method of any one of embodiments 1-4, wherein the Streptomyces bacterium is an isolate selected from the group consisting of: Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68439, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68437, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68342, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68343, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68438, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68344, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68435, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68346, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68436, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68440, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68345, and combinations thereof. The method of any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein the plant pathogen is a fungal pathogen. The method of any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein the plant pathogen is a member of the genus Fusarium. The method of any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein the plant pathogen is an Oomycete. The method of any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein the plant pathogen is a member of the genus Pythium. The method of any one of embodiments 1-9, wherein the composition comprises at least two Streptomyces bacteria, with each bacterium comprising a 16S rRNA sequence sharing at least about 97% sequence identity to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11. The method of any one of embodiments 1-9, wherein the composition comprises at least one additional bacterium not selected from a Streptomyces bacterium comprising a 16S rRNA sequence sharing at least about 97% sequence identity to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11. The method of any one of embodiments 1-11, wherein the composition comprises a bacterium selected from the genus: Amycolatopsis, Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Bacillus, Bradyrhizobium, Comamonas, Curtobacterium, Enterobacter, Kitasatospora, Kosakonia, Paenibacillus, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, Sinorhizobium, Stretacidiphilus, Streptomyces, Talaromyces, Trichoderma, or combinations thereof. The method of any one of embodiments 1-12, wherein the composition comprises a bacterium selected from the group consisting of: Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus firmus, Bacillus velezensis, Bacillus tequilensis, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus thuringiensis, or combinations thereof.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034) The method of any one of embodiments 1-13, wherein the composition comprises an agriculturally acceptable carrier. The method of any one of embodiments 1-14, wherein the composition is formulated as a seed coat. The method of any one of embodiments 1-15, wherein the composition is a seed coat disposed on a seed. The method of any one of embodiments 1-14, wherein the composition is formulated as a liquid spray. The method of any one of embodiments 1-14, wherein the composition is formulated as a powder or granule. The method of any one of embodiments 1-18, wherein the composition comprises a chemistry. The method of any one of embodiments 1-19, wherein the composition comprises a chemistry selected from the group consisting of: an herbicide, an insecticide, a fungicide, and a nematicide. The method of any one of embodiments 1-20, wherein the composition comprises a chemistry selected from the group consisting of: thiamethoxam, picarbutraxoz, mefenoxam, fludioxinil, sedaxane, fluopyram, or a combination thereof. The method of any one of embodiments 1-21, wherein the composition comprises a fertilizer. The method of any one of embodiments 1-22, wherein the composition comprises a polymer. The method of any one of embodiments 1-23, wherein the locus is a seed. The method of any one of embodiments 1-24, wherein the locus is a plant growing in a field and / or soil in a field proximate to where a plant is growing and / or where a plant will be grown. The method of any one of embodiments 1-25, wherein treating a plant pathogen comprises mitigating and / or reducing the severity of disease caused by the pathogen.27. The method of any one of embodiments 1-26, wherein the plant pathogen is a member of the genus Pythium and wherein treating comprises reduction of: Pythium associated disease, or damping off, or early season seedling disease.28. The method of any one of embodiments 1-26, wherein the plant pathogen is a member of the genus Fusarium and wherein treating comprises reduction of: a Fusarium associated disease, or Fusarium rot, or Fusarium wilt, or Sudden Death Syndrome.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034) An agricultural composition, comprising: a) a Streptomyces bacterium comprising a 16S rRNA sequence sharing at least about 97% sequence identity to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11; and b) an agriculturally acceptable carrier. The composition of embodiment 29, wherein the Streptomyces bacterium comprises a 16S rRNA sequence sharing at least about 98% sequence identity to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11. The composition of embodiment 29 or 30, wherein the Streptomyces bacterium comprises a 16S rRNA sequence sharing at least about 99% sequence identity to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11. The composition of any one of embodiments 29-31, wherein the Streptomyces bacterium comprises a 16S rRNA sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11. The composition of any one of embodiments 29-32, wherein the Streptomyces bacterium is an isolate selected from the group consisting of: Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68439, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68437, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68342, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68343, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68438, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68344, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B- 68435, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68346, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68436, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68440, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68345, and combinations thereof. The composition of any one of embodiments 29-33, comprising: at least two Streptomyces bacteria, with each bacterium comprising a 16S rRNA sequence sharing at least about 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11. The composition of any one of embodiments 29-33, comprising: at least one additional bacterium not selected from a Streptomyces bacterium comprising a 16S rRNA sequence sharing at least about 97% sequence identity to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11. The composition of any one of embodiments 29-35, comprising: a bacterium selected from the genus Amycolatopsis, Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Bacillus, Bradyrhizobium, Comamonas, Curtobacterium, Enterobacter, Kitasatospora, Kosakonia, Paenibacillus, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, Sinorhizobium, Stretacidiphilus, Streptomyces, Talaromyces, Trichoderma, or combinations thereof.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034) The composition of any one of embodiments 29-36, wherein the composition comprises: a bacterium selected from the group consisting of: Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus firmus, Bacillus velezensis, Bacillus tequilensis, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus thuringiensis. or combinations thereof. The composition of any one of embodiments 29-37, wherein the composition is formulated as a seed coat. The composition of any one of embodiments 29-38, wherein the composition is a seed coat disposed on a seed. The composition of any one of embodiments 29-39, wherein the composition is a seed coat that is encapsulating a seed. The composition of any one of embodiments 29-37, wherein the composition is formulated as a liquid spray. The composition of any one of embodiments 29-37, wherein the composition is formulated as a powder or granule. The composition of any one of embodiments 29-42, comprising: a chemistry. The composition of any one of embodiments 29-43, comprising: a chemistry selected from the group consisting of: an herbicide, an insecticide, a fungicide, and a nematicide. The composition of any one of embodiments 29-44, comprising: a chemistry selected from the group consisting of: thiamethoxam, picarbutraxoz, mefenoxam, fludioxinil, sedaxane, fluopyram, or a combination thereof. The composition of any one of embodiments 29-45, comprising: a fertilizer. The composition of any one of embodiments 29-46, comprising: a polymer.

Claims

BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A method of treating a plant pathogen, comprising: applying to a locus a composition comprising a Streptomyces bacterium comprising a 16S rRNA sequence sharing at least about 97% sequence identity to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the Streptomyces bacterium comprises a 16S rRNA sequence sharing at least about 98% sequence identity to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the Streptomyces bacterium comprises a 16S rRNA sequence sharing at least about 99% sequence identity to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the Streptomyces bacterium comprises a 16S rRNA sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the Streptomyces bacterium is an isolate selected from the group consisting of: Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68439, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68437, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68342, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68343, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68438, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B- 68344, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68435, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68346, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68436, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68440, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68345, and combinations thereof.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the plant pathogen is a fungal pathogen.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the plant pathogen is a member of the genus Fusarium.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the plant pathogen is an Oomycete.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the plant pathogen is a member of the genus Pythium.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises at least two Streptomyces bacteriums, with each bacterium comprising a 16S rRNA sequence sharing at least about 97% sequence identity to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises at least one additional bacterium not selected from a Streptomyces bacterium comprising a 16S rRNA sequence sharing at least about 97% sequence identity to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)12. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises a bacterium selected from the genus: Amycolatopsis, Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Bacillus, Bradyrhizobium, Comamonas, Curtobacterium, Enterobacter, Kitasatospora, Kosakonia, Paenibacillus, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, Sinorhizobium, Stretacidiphilus, Streptomyces, Talaromyces, Trichoderma or combinations thereof.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises a bacterium selected from the group consisting of: Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus firmus, Bacillus velezensis, Bacillus tequilensis, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus thuringiensis, or combinations thereof.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises an agriculturally acceptable carrier.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is formulated as a seed coat.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is a seed coat disposed on a seed.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is formulated as a liquid spray.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is formulated as a powder or granule.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises a chemistry.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises a chemistry selected from the group consisting of: an herbicide, an insecticide, a fungicide, and a nematicide.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises a chemistry selected from the group consisting of: thiamethoxam, picarbutraxoz, mefenoxam, fludioxinil, sedaxane, fluopyram, or a combination thereof.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises a fertilizer.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises a polymer.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein the locus is a seed.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the locus is a plant growing in a field and / or soil in a field proximate to where a plant is growing and / or where a plant will be grown.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein treating a plant pathogen comprises mitigating and / or reducing the severity of disease caused by the pathogen.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein the plant pathogen is a member of the genus Pythium and wherein treating comprises reduction of: a. Pythium associated disease, or damping off, or early season seedling disease.

28. The method of claim 1, wherein the plant pathogen is a member of the genus Fusarium and wherein treating comprises reduction of: a Fusarium associated disease, or Fusarium rot, o Fusarium wilt, or Sudden Death Syndrome.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)29. An agricultural composition, comprising: a. a Streptomyces bacterium comprising a 16S rRNA sequence sharing at least about 97% sequence identity to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11; and b. an agriculturally acceptable carrier.

30. The composition of claim 29, wherein the Streptomyces bacterium comprises a 16S rRNA sequence sharing at least about 98% sequence identity to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11.

31. The composition of claim 29, wherein the Streptomyces bacterium comprises a 16S rRNA sequence sharing at least about 99% sequence identity to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11.

32. The composition of claim 29, wherein the Streptomyces bacterium comprises a 16S rRNA sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11.

33. The composition of claim 29, wherein the Streptomyces bacterium is an isolate selected from the group consisting of: Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68439, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68437, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68342, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68343, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68438, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B- 68344, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68435, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68346, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68436, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68440, Streptomyces sp. strain deposited as NRRL B-68345, and combinations thereof.

34. The composition of claim 29, comprising: at least two Streptomyces bacteria, with each bacterium comprising a 16S rRNA sequence sharing at least about 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11.

35. The composition of claim 29, comprising: at least one additional bacterium not selected from a Streptomyces bacterium comprising a 16S rRNA sequence sharing at least about 97% sequence identity to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-11.

36. The composition of claim 29, comprising: a bacterium selected from the genus Amycolatopsis, Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Bacillus, Bradyrhizobium, Comamonas, Curtobacterium, Enterobacter, Kitasatospora, Kosakonia, Paenibacillus, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, Sinorhizobium, Stretacidiphilus, Streptomyces, Talaromyces, Trichoderma or combinations thereof.BICL-005 / 01WO (334747-2034)37. The composition of claim 29, wherein the composition comprises: a bacterium selected from the group consisting of: Bacillus sublilis. Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus firmus, Bacillus velezensis, Bacillus tequilensis, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus thuringiensis, or combinations thereof.

38. The composition of claim 29, wherein the composition is formulated as a seed coat.

39. The composition of claim 29, wherein the composition is a seed coat disposed on a seed.

40. The composition of claim 29, wherein the composition is a seed coat that is encapsulating a seed.

41. The composition of claim 29, wherein the composition is formulated as a liquid spray.

42. The composition of claim 29, wherein the composition is formulated as a powder or granule.

43. The composition of claim 29, comprising: a chemistry.

44. The composition of claim 29, comprising: a chemistry selected from the group consisting of: an herbicide, an insecticide, a fungicide, and a nematicide.

45. The composition of claim 29, comprising: a chemistry selected from the group consisting of: thiamethoxam, picarbutraxoz, mefenoxam, fludioxinil, sedaxane, fluopyram, or a combination thereof.

46. The composition of claim 29, comprising: a fertilizer.

47. The composition of claim 29, comprising: a polymer.

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